Meeting EN 124:1994 standards, the appropriate class of manhole covers to be used depends on the place of installation. These are classified into six groups:
​

• Group 1 (class A 15) Test 1.5 metric tonne: Areas which can only be used by pedestrians and pedal cyclists.
• Group 2 (class B 125) Test 12.5 metric tonne: Footways, pedestrian areas and comparable areas, car parks or car parking decks.
• Group 3 (class C 250) Test 25 metric tonne: For gully tops installed in the kerbside channels of roads, which, when measured from the kerb edge, extend to a maximum of 0.5 metres to the carriageway, and a maximum of 0.2 metres into the footway.
• Group 4 (class D 400) Test 40 metric tonne: Carriageways of roads (including pedestrian streets), hard shoulders and parking areas for all types of road vehicles.
• Group 5 (class E 600) Test 40 metric tonne: Areas imposing particularly high wheel loads, e.g. docks and aircraft pavements.
• Group 6 (class F 900) Test 90 metric tonne: Areas imposing particularly high wheel loads, e.g. aircraft pavements.