Low-level access tank

Getting inside an industrial water tank for inspection, cleaning, or refurbishment isn’t something you improvise. The access manway determines whether that job is straightforward, safe, and compliant, or whether it turns into a specification problem that stops work before it starts. Franklin Hodge tanks are supplied with a low-level access manway as standard, sized and specified so your team can get in, do the work, and close the tank without workarounds.

Are Franklin Hodge Tanks Supplied with a Low-Level Access Manway?

Yes, Franklin Hodge tanks include a standard low-level access manway with a diameter of 600mm, available in galvanised or stainless steel. The manway is built into the tank at manufacture, with the dimensions and materials matched to the operating environment and the compliance requirements of the application.

Why a 600mm Low-Level Access Manway? 

A low-level manway sits near the base of the tank rather than on the roof. The practical difference is significant. Top-entry access requires ladders, fall-arrest systems, and working at height procedures every time an inspection is carried out. Low-level access allows an engineer to enter at ground level, reducing both the risk profile and the operational complexity of any internal work. 

The 600mm diameter is industry standard for a reason. It’s large enough to allow a fully equipped engineer to enter and exit the tank with tools and PPE, but small enough that the structural integrity of the tank panel isn’t compromised by the aperture. Smaller manways create access difficulties. Larger ones create structural complications. 600mm is the specification that works across both.

Galvanised or Stainless Steel Low-Level Access Manways 

Both options are available as standard, and the right choice comes down to the application. 

Galvanised steel manways are the practical default for most installations, aligned with the hot-dip galvanised body of the tank itself and offering long-term durability in standard inland conditions. They’re the right fit for most fire protection tanks requiring LPCB-compliant access for sprinkler system maintenance. 

Stainless steel manways are specified where higher corrosion resistance is needed at the access point, often on drinking water tanks including the WRAS-approved Liquistore®, or on sites where the surrounding environment is more aggressive than the tank itself will experience. Stainless steel holds up indefinitely at the access point, which matters because the manway is a seal that needs to remain reliable for the full life of the tank.

Water Tank Access for Inspection and Refurbishment 

The manway is the gateway to most tank maintenance work. For physical inspections or any intervention inside the tank body, it’s the only practical route in. Our tank survey service uses ROV and drone technology to assess condition without needing to drain or enter, but where a full manual inspection is required, a properly specified manway is what makes that possible. The same applies during tank refurbishment services, where engineers need to enter the tank to reline, repair, or replace internal components.

Replacement Parts for Your Low-Level Access Manway 

Manway covers, seals, and gaskets are subject to wear over the operational life of the tank, and replacement parts are available through our spare parts service. We can match the original specification from the tank records, so the replacement integrates cleanly and maintains the seal integrity the original build was designed to deliver.

Speak to Franklin Hodge About Your Specifications 

Whether you’re specifying a new tank, retrofitting access to an older installation, or needing to confirm what’s installed on a Franklin Hodge tank you’ve inherited, our engineering team can talk you through the manway options and match the specification to your operational requirements. Over five decades of tank manufacturing experience goes into every spec we sign off on. Request a quote with your project details and we’ll be straight back to you. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What size is the Franklin Hodge low-level access manway?  

Our standard low-level access manway has a diameter of 600mm, suited to comfortable engineer entry with tools and PPE. 

What materials are the manway available in?  

The manway is available in galvanised steel or stainless steel, selected based on the tank application and environmental conditions. 

Why is a low-level manway preferred over top-entry access?  

Low-level access removes the need for work-at-height procedures, reducing both the risk and the operational cost of internal tank work. 

Do fire protection tanks require a low-level manway?  

LPCB-certified fire protection tanks typically require a low-level manway to allow routine maintenance and compliance inspections. 

Can replacement manway covers or gaskets be supplied for existing tanks?  

Yes, replacement manway components are available through our spare parts service to match the original tank specification.