ALCEA and Neenah Foundry Join Forces to Combat Exploding Manhole Hazard
Irving, Texas – August 6, 2024 – As underground electrical infrastructure ages, the potential for fires or other gaseous build-up that result in manhole covers explosions continues to occur in communities, large and small. Countless news stories and videos showcase the outcomes when temperature and pressure in manholes escalate to the point where the manhole cover is launched many stories into the air, often resulting in injuries and property damage in the immediate vicinity surrounding the manhole.
To reduce the risk, Neenah Foundry developed the InfraLOCK Release that incorporates ABLOY high security locks. The InfraLOCK Release prevents the manhole lid from dislodging during explosive events by safely releasing pressure while securing underground infrastructure. The innovative drop-in replacement manhole cover for utilities, sewer systems, and underground utility systems is designed to release built-up pressure without dislodging from the frame and includes an ultra-strong locking system to secure access.
“InfraLOCK offers outstanding benefits of security, and now added safety,” remarked Tyler Davis, product manager for Wisconsin-based Neenah Foundry. “It’s a versatile product that can be used for many different applications, ranging from water mains and sewer systems to other underground utilities in critical infrastructure sectors. Integrating the weather resistant ABLOY PL340 high security lock adds an important layer of access control these customers demand.”
Since 2021, Neenah Foundry’s InfraLOCK has incorporated locks manufactured by ABLOY as part of the high security manhole locking system to protect underground infrastructure. ALCEA is the recently introduced critical infrastructure security solutions brand of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, and represents ABLOY technologies in North America. Neenah Foundry has manufactured American-made, infrastructure products for municipal, utility and construction applications for over 150 years.
“There is a great deal of interest in this secure manhole solution from utilities, data centers, public works, and telecommunications companies,” said Jerry Burhans, managing director of Texas-based ALCEA. “Utilities in the United States spend $1.2 billion annually on physical security measures, so we follow the voice of our customers and evolve our solutions portfolio with innovations like InfraLOCK Release.”
InfraLOCK Release will be featured in the ALCEA booth (1642) at the Global Security Exchange (GSX), being held September 23-25 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
