SMS (Sewer Maintenance Shaft) Pty Ltd was established in 2003 to supply innovative and specialised fittings to the water industry. The SMS maintenance shaft range was developed as an alternative to concrete sewer manholes; providing a safer and more cost effective solution for both installers and maintenance personal.

Historically, concrete sewer manhole installations have been widely accepted by the water industry despite the growing concerns around OHS and infiltration of ground waters.

Maintenance shafts are the modern alternative to concrete manholes, offering rapid installation in keeping with modern plastic (PVC) pipeline construction processes. Plastic maintenance shafts are light and easy to handle by one person and installation practices are identical to plastic pipeline installation. Plastic maintenance shafts offer flexibility with ease of pipeline modification for ongoing developments.

SMS maintenance shafts are injection moulded to provide a reliably consistent product. The SMS maintenance shafts have been available in Australia since 2004 and have been widely installed in Europe for the past 20 years. The SMS range of Maintenance Shafts are manufactured in Germany by BT Bautechnik Impex under ISO 9001 Quality Management conditions and product certified for compliance with European Standards that are equivalent to Australian Standards.

The maintenance shaft was never designed to replace full-sized concrete manholes that accommodate a person, but are placed to extend the distance between manholes while continuing to provide access for remote controlled CCTV devices, jetters and cutting tools. While traditional concrete manholes take days to install, the SMS maintenance shafts can be operational in less than two hours, at approximately 25% of the cost of installing a concrete manhole.

SMS maintenance shafts have been used successfully in major projects throughout Australia for the past 11 years. SMS maintenance shafts can be found in new residential and industrial developments, in sewer backlog works, mining camp installations, nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, schools, public buildings and high density developments.

The SMS polypropylene injection moulded base units in sizes 300 x 150 straight (90°) with either 225 or 300 riser and the 3 way inlet (junction) 300 x 150 with either 300 or 225 riser have “WaterMark” Certification authorising installation in ‘plumbing works’ throughout Australia.

SMS also stock a full range of SN8 rated injection moulded PVC-U fittings, covers, caps, various bends and accessories to fully complement the base units.

SMS is a Quality Accredited Company in accordance with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems and provide personalised customer service with 24 hour technical and “in field” support. The products can be sourced direct from SMS or throughout Australia through our major distributor Reece and also Vinidex, Tellam Civil, BCP Precast, Tradelink, Harris Plumbing Supplies, Samios Plumbing Supplies, Plumbtec outlets and The Plumbers Supply Co-op.

To find out more, visit: www.sewerms.com.au