5/2016
How Non-Pop Lids Reduce Road Noise
Both residents and government employees alike are being driven crazy by rattling manhole covers - for two different reasons. Residents, subjected to constantly rattling as cars drive over manholes, are understandably frustrated as they simply want to enjoy peace and quiet in their home but, regardless of the time of day, never get a break from that aggravating rattling noise that cast-iron manhole covers make. Trying to do something about their frustration, they make a noise complaint to their local government who may or may not be able to do anything about the clanking noise. And, this goes on and on. Think it is not really that big of a deal? Think again. The Southern Daily Echo, a British news publication, points out what some citizens are resorting to in order to get the annoying noise to stop, " Now sleep deprived neighbours in Southampton could take drastic action over the rattling manhole covers they say are making their lives a nightmare. Residents in Newtown Road, Sholing, are threatening to create a human roadblock close to the junction with Upper Weston Lane in a bid to force Southern Water to fix two metal covers which clatter loudly when vehicles drive over them. The noisy manholes, within ten feet of each other, first began making the sound six weeks ago after the road was resurfaced. Neighbours first contacted Southampton City Council two weeks ago, but were told responsibility lies with the water company. Southern Water has apologised to residents and vowed to assess the problem. But Narinder Dhaliwal, 54, who owns and lives above Premier Stores, opposite the junction, said: “I’m working 13 hours a day, seven days a week and I just feel worn out because I can’t get a proper night’s sleep... He says the noise starts from 4am as traffic builds up towards the morning rush-hour and goes on until 11pm... Things have reached a crisis point for pensioner Olga Entwistle, whose bedroom window is right next to the stretch of road. The 90-year-old great-grandmother said: “You hear this ‘bang, bang, bang’ every time someone goes over it. “I can’t sleep – I’m exhausted but even if I take my hearing aid out I can still hear it. “When heavy lorries go over it, it’s terrible. They need to put some rubber in there to stop it.'" Little Does Olga know, SW Services has developed just that - a manhole cover composed of high-impact Fiberglass, reinforced Nylon and Dead-Bang™ Rubber, named non-pop lids.
Non-pop lids are highly durable and prevent movement and roll-out which reduces the road noise that typical cast-iron lids make. Not only do non-pop lids eliminate noise complaints in residential neighborhoods, but they also limit liability costs often associated with roll-out or pop-out problems. The traditional clanking sound of lids is the result of a heavy cast-iron lid clanking around against a cast-iron base. With the non-pop lid, it is made of high-impact fiberglass reinforced Nylon and Dead-Bang™ Rubber fitted with a rubber retention seal that is ozone and chemical resistant thermoplastic Elastomer composite so that movement does not occur, thereby ending frustrating noise. Such high-quality materials are designed to stand the test of time and are capable of operating at temperatures in excess of 250º F and are highly resistant to UV light, Ozone, Hydrocarbon fluids such as oil, gasoline and brake fluid, antifreeze and all chemical associated with the roadway environment. Gone are the days that both residents and government employees have to be frustrated with endless noise and endless noise complaints. Now, the problem can be solved in a cost-effective and efficient way by implementing non-pop lids in your city.