The Ontario Building Code | Manholes
7.4.7.3. Manholes
(1) A manhole including the cover shall be designed to support all loads imposed upon it.
(2) A manhole shall be provided with,
(a) a cover which shall provide an airtight seal if located within a building,
(b) a rigid ladder of a corrosion-resistant material where the depth exceeds 1 000 mm, and
(c) a vent to the exterior if the manhole is located within a building.
(3) A manhole shall have a minimum horizontal dimension of 1 200 mm, except that the top 1 500 mm may be tapered from 1 200 mm down to a minimum of 600 mm at the top.
(4) A manhole in a sanitary drainage systemshall be channelled to direct the flow of effluent.
In Plain Language
A manhole, including its cover, must be designed to support all loads imposed on it and must be provided with an airtight cover where required, so it safely handles traffic or ground loads above it.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.