This section of the blog records our family's sightings of manhole covers and similar items cast by PAM, a major ironworks in France.  The main ironworks is at Pont-à-Mousson that we visited when cruising through the town in 2022.

As well as manhole covers we are collecting other street items manufactured by PAM such as gully grids, utility access covers and tree protectors.  Castings made by PAM are recognisible by having one or more of the following imprinted on them:

  • The words, 'PONT-A-MOUSSON'
  • The company name, 'PAM'
  • The company logo which is a bridge

Most of the contemporary PAM castings are marketed under a specific range and the range name, e.g. 'REXEL' is also stamped on the piece whereas older castings do not have a range name shown.  Castings conform to standards depending upon the usage and the standard can also be found stamped on the article.  The standards, the maximum weight carried and their uses are as follows:

A15 1,500 kg Pedestrians only, e.g. parks and gardens.
B125 12.5 tons Traffic-free pavements
C250 25 tons Car parks, gullies, roadsides, pavements that may be driven or parked on
D400 40 tons Roads
E600 60 tons Major roads including motorways
F900 90 tons Heavy traffic, e.g. airport runways

The following table categorises the castings we have seen.  To see the castings themselves and further information on each category then please click on the corresponding link (in pink) in the first column.

 Range  Type
 Standard   Distinguishing features
 AKSESS  Manhole covers  B125   Range name plus size shown
  Square covers
 AQUAFLO  Gully gratings  B125   Range name shown
  Flat and straight gratings
 AQUAKERB  Kerb gratings  D400   Range name shown
 AQUA-MAX  Gully gratings  D400   Range name shown
  Flat and straight gratings
 AT  Gully gratings  C250   Range name not shown
  Wavy gratings
 DEDRA  Gully gratings  D400   Range name shown
  Flat and concave gratings
 GATIC  Gully gratings  F900   Range name shown
  Flat and straight gratings
 G-TEX  Manhole covers  D400   Range name shown
 GRIP TOP  Manhole covers  D400   See INTER AX-2
 INTER AX  Manhole covers  D400   Range name shown
  Square covers with diagonal split
 INTER AX-2  Manhole covers  D400   Range name shown
  Square covers with diagonal split
 MECALINEA  Gully gratings  C250   Range name not shown
  Flat large gratings
  Raised dots alternate on grating
 OPT-EMAX  Manhole covers  D400   Range name shown
 
Square covers with diagonal split
 
Rectangular covers with diagonal split
 
Rectangular covers with two diagonal splits
 PAMREX  Manhole covers  D400   Range name shown
  Round covers 
 PARXESS  Manhole covers  C250   Range name plus size shown
 PAVA (Gas)  Utility access     Range name and utility shown
  Small covers
 PAVA (Water)  Utility access     Range name and utility shown
  Small covers
 PAYSAGE  Manhole covers  C250   Range name plus size shown
 RAPIDE  Slideout access  B125   Range name plus size shown
  Service may be shown, e.g Traffic signals
 REXEL  Manhole covers  D400   Range name shown
  Round covers 
 REXEL 2  Manhole covers  D400   Range name shown
  Round covers 
 REXESS  Manhole covers  D400   Range name shown
  Round covers 
 REXUS  Manhole covers  D400   Range name shown 
 SELECTA  Gully gratings  C250   Range name shown
 SQUADRA  Gully gratings  C250   Range name shown
 T-MAX  Duct covers  C250
 D400
  Range name shown
 TRI-GLIDE  Manhole covers  D400   Range name shown
  Square covers with diagonal split
 VALIANT  Duct covers  B125   Range name shown
 WARRIOR  Surface boxes     Range name shown
  Hinged square or oblong
  Corners cut to make irregular heptagons
 WATERFALL  Manhole covers  D400   Range name shown 
 WATERSHED  Gully gratings  D400   Range name shown
  Flat and straight gratings
 WATERWAY  Gully gratings  D400   Range name shown
  Square - split diagonally
 Unbranded  Gully cover plates B125
  Square-round
 Unbranded  Electricity     Square - split diagonally
 Unbranded  Fire hydrant covers    
 Unbranded  Gully gratings  B125
 C250
 D400
 
 Unbranded  Kerb inlets  C250
 D400
 
 Unbranded  Manhole covers  B125
 C250
 D400
  Standard generally shown
  Square, round, square-round, oblong
 Unbranded  Sewer Access
 Various   Type of utility shown
 Unbranded  Telecommunications  Various   Square & oblong
  Provider name often shown
 Unbranded  Water Access     Small and round
  Type of utility shown

 

PAM cast many other items too, such as pipework, but we've decided not to collect anything other than covers.  One day things may change, for example we noticed PAM styling on the base of a fire hydrant in Ligny-en-Barrois before realising PAM cast these items.