ARE TIER 22 HANDHOLES REALLY STRONGER THAN TIER 15?

One of the common assumptions in the underground enclosure space is that Tier 22 means that a product is stronger than a Tier 15. Logic would agree, as there is a heavier load applied to pass a Tier 22 test, but did you know its possible that a product can pass Tier 22 testing but fail Tier 15 testing? IT’S TRUE!

The reason this can be true is how these products are tested. They are tested with different sized plates as shown in the diagrams to the right, which disperse the load differently across an identical enclosure from one test to the other, making it sometimes more difficult to pass Tier 15 than Tier 22 due to the pointed and direct force in a centralized area.

We feel it is important for your assets to be protected under both circumstances which is why our Maximus™ HD and Legacy Series™ products exceed both tests independently, and we mark as such to eliminate any doubt.

Next time you’re specifying handholes, ensure you are covered for by ensuring your Tier 22 product can also meet Tier 15—independently.

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The materials and information in this document have been prepared by American Polymer Company for informational purposes only.
American Polymer Company reserves the right to make changes or improvements to the products described in this publication at anytime
without notice. © American Polymer Company

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FROM INSIDE THE BOX

Understanding the ANSI/SCTE 77 2023 Part One

Understanding Load Ratings – Part 1

Are Tier 22 handholes really stronger than Tier 15?

Underground enclosure integrity is important for protecting your critical infrastructure as well as safe-guarding the general public that interact with these enclosures. Selecting the right enclosure is important during the evaluation phase, and we want to shed new light on some assumptions around load performance to help you make the best-informed decisions for your business.

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