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Introduction

The Vanstone UT-BOX is a Utility underground mini chamber suitable for use as a joining box, a draw box, a valve box, a meter box or an inspection box. Is is particularly suitable for fibre optic cables and local branch-off's like fibre to the home (FTTH) connections.

It is light-weight, yet strong being made of the latest technology in TRC (textile reinforced concrete). See Specification.

After unpacking, the UT-BOX is ready for use. All that you need to do is put the box on the base and knock out the holes that you will be using.

The UT-Box is light-weight and stackable, which makes it a good traveller. It is economical, has almost no metal content and is not subject to damage by veld fires as are plastic or fibre glass based boxes.

Dimensions:

• Inside:
  Base 300mm diameter
  Top 270mm diameter
  Lid clear opening 175mm diameter
  Height to under lid 280mm
• External:
  Base 390mm diameter
  Top 250mm diameter
  Height 320mm
• Weight (total): 12kg

See drawing

Service entry knock-outs:

Entry is by means of knock-out holes. This allows you to only knock out the holes that you are going to use.

Standard knock-outs placed in four quadrants are: see drawing

• 4 x 45mm diameter
• 4 x 22mm diameter

Any size, number of configuration of knock-outs is possible.

Available Lids:

Lids are made of TRC and are light-weight and strong.
Lids may be ordered with or without latches.
The latch is a standard 8mm square socket swing latch.

If sufficient quantities are ordered, the Customer's logo and other info may be inprinted into the lid.

Load Bearing Capacity:

Vanstone's UT-Box is of light duty class to be installed in areas where vehicle wheels do not have access. As such it complies with SANS 558, LD.

The UT-Box has been tested to 8.1kN on the lid and can therefore withstand occasional light vehicle wheel loads.

Packaging:

Transportation of UT-Boxes is highly effective. The UT-Boxes are light-weight, compact and stackable. It is generally packaged in 18's or 27's per wrapped wooden pallet.

Numbers per vehicle (estimate):

Long road truck: 648, possibly double,
Shipping container 20vt: 540,
Shipping container 40vt: 1188,

Installation

Method 1 Conventional Installation:
Excavate for the UT-Box to a depth of about 350mm deep below the final level. Over-excavate sides sufficiently to allow for workspace and for compacting the backfill.

In the bottom of the excavation, prepare a true and level bed, 30mm thick of river sand or similar. Place the loose base of the UT-Box carefully on the bed ensuring proper and even seating. Determine which services will be installed and knock out the required holes. See below. Place the chamber on the base and install the services. The chamber walls may be attached to the base by means of epoxy adhesive but it is not essential. After the installation of services, any openings may be sealed with PU foam. Full water tightness is not easily achievable.
Make sure that all is in order and backfill. Backfilling should always be at least as strong and serve the same purpose as the surrounding soil.

Method 2 Installation over Services:
By using this method, the UT-Box may be installed over already laid services. Work either under the services or temporarily put the services on one side.
For depth of services/excavation and preparation of the bed for the base, see above. Place the base and services into its final positions.
To accommodate the services, cut u-shaped openings into the chamber walls from the bottom up. Before cutting, hold the chamber over the services and mark both the size and height of the openings. Use a small angle grinder with a masonry disc or a wood saw for the cutting. Use a wood rasp to shape and tidy up the openings. There is a limit to how much of the chamber walls can be removed.
When all fits snugly, seal the openings and backfill as above. The better the backfill, the more secure the box will be. If the box has to be cut severely to allow entry to multiple or large services, it may be backfilled with concrete or a 10% cement-soil mixture.

Method 3 Installation without Floor:
When services are deeper than the UT-Box, it may be installed without a base or floor. Excavate to the depth of the services and expose as required. Create a cavity between the box and the services, by using a length of vertical PVC or other pipe. It must be smaller than 300mm in diameter. The top of the pipe (or bottom of the chamber) must be 300mm under the final level. Backfill securely around the pipe and level the top. Place the chamber and backfill around the chamber. The better the backfill, the more secure the box will be. When in doubt, backfill with a 10% cement-soil mixture.