Open Accident 'Stop'... Gimhae City Pilot Installs 'Buoyancy-Type' Manholes to Prevent Falls

Installation Completed at 191 Sites, Expansion of Installation in Areas Vulnerable to Backflow

Gimhae City in Gyeongnam has initiated a pilot installation of manhole fall prevention facilities to prepare for heavy summer rains and prevent various safety accidents caused by open sewer manholes.

The city announced on the 21st that it has spent 300 million won this year to pilot install manhole fall prevention facilities at 191 locations vulnerable to flooding with frequent pedestrian and vehicle traffic, including child protection zones, crosswalks, and sewer backflow areas.

They explained that the existing manhole covers were replaced with buoyant (self-floating) covers that have fall prevention functions.

A floating manhole cover with fall prevention features has been installed on the road in Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam.
[Photo by Gimhae City Hall]

According to the city, the existing manhole covers are simply placed over the manhole entrance without any additional structures, leaving an open space.

The buoyant cover is combined with a steel structure just below the manhole cover to prevent pedestrians or vehicles from falling even if the cover opens.

This prevents accidents where pedestrians or vehicles fall into the manhole due to manhole covers opening from the pressure of sewer pipes rising during heavy or concentrated rainfall.

A net or steel structure is installed just below the cover, so even if the cover opens, pedestrians or vehicles do not fall into the manhole.

The city explained that cases of pedestrian falls and vehicle damage caused by wheels getting stuck due to typhoons, heavy rains, or the opening of old manhole covers have steadily increased every year.

Accordingly, the city plans to replace and maintain manhole covers focusing on areas vulnerable to sewer backflow according to an annual plan.

A city official said, “We will prioritize installation in vulnerable areas such as habitual flood zones, child protection zones, and sewer backflow areas, as well as places with high citizen access, and thoroughly prepare for unpredictable heavy rains caused by abnormal weather to create a safe urban environment.”