Manhole Shutters

Manhole shutters (also known as poly shutters, manhole shrouds, manhole formwork or circular concrete shutters) are modular PVC panels used to cast in-situ concrete surrounds around precast manhole rings and chambers. Lightweight and easy to handle without a crane, they pin together around the shaft to form a rigid circular shutter that strips cleanly from the cured concrete.

Typical use cases

Our customers use manhole shutters across civil engineering, drainage and groundworks projects, including:

• In-situ concrete surrounds for precast concrete manhole rings
• Inspection chambers, catchpits and interceptors
• Circular valve chambers and wet wells
• Poured concrete encasements for deep drainage shafts
• Pipe shrouds and circular headwall surrounds

How manhole shutters work

Manhole shutters are supplied as curved, semi-flexible PVC panels that connect into a complete circular ring. The panels are positioned around the precast manhole rings in the excavation, leaving a standard 150mm annulus for the wet concrete surround.

Fast pin-and-wedge connection

The panels join together using slotted lugs and locking pins secured with steel wedges. One tap of a hammer pulls the joint tight and true, creating a rigid circular shutter without requiring specialist tools or loose fixings.

Ratchet strap bracing

For tall pours or high-volume pours, heavy-duty ratchet straps are wrapped around the outside circumference of the shutter. The straps brace the PVC panels against the lateral hydrostatic pressure of the wet concrete, preventing deflection or joint spread during the pour.

Clean striking and reusability

The smooth PVC face prevents concrete from adhering to the shutter, allowing panels to strip cleanly off the cured surround without surface damage or the heavy build-up common on timber or steel shutters. Once stripped, panels wash down quickly on site with water and can be immediately re-pinned for the next chamber.

Buy or hire manhole shutters

We supply manhole shutters for hire or purchase in standard heights of 900mm and 1800mm, with panel combinations to suit manholes from 675mm to 3000mm internal diameter. We carry extensive stock across our depots in Bristol, Cardiff and London for fast, nationwide site delivery.

If your excavation requires trench support, safety access or concrete placing equipment alongside your shutters, we also supply trench boxes, edge protection, and concreting skips.

Common Questions