Access Covers Australia manufacture products such as access covers and grates to classes A, B, C, D, E, F and G according to load capacity as set out in below table.
Testing of covers and grates shall be in accordance with AS 3996. The appropriate class for a cover or grate depends upon the location of the installation. The selection of the appropriate class is the responsibility of the designer and where there is doubt the stronger class shall be selected.
Specifics of the location should be taken into consideration when selecting the right cover or grate. The speed of traffic, wheel type and the physical position (turning area) should all be assessed.

- Nominal wheel loads are given for guidance only. Consideration should be given to the type, size and pneumatic pressure of the load
- Class B design loads exceed AS 5100.2 requirements for footway
- Class D design loads exceed AS 2 requirements for a W80 wheel load.
- Class C units are based on an intermediate
- The serviceability load is set at 2/3 of the ultimate limit state design load.
- A force of 1 kN approximately equal to the weight of 100 kg.