Above-ground installation for protecting access to underground installation

Abstract

The invention relates to installations for consumption infrastructure, and more precisely, to safety installations for protecting the access to an underground installation. The installation comprises an opening with mounted gate or door adapted to give access into the construction of the installation. A detachable safeguard is mounted in the opening and behind the gate or door, and is, in its mounted configuration, adapted to prevent or at least to hinder a human being from moving through the opening when the gate or door is open.

Description

[0001] Above-ground installation for protecting access to underground installation

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to installations for consumption infrastructure, and more precisely, to safety installations for protecting the access to an underground installation.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] A great deal of the consumption infrastructure in urban communities is led through underground facilities. This consumption infrastructure comprises electricity, gas, telecommunication and water services (such as drinking water, rainwater and wastewater) which are partly distributed underground. In order to service this consumption infrastructure, the technical personnel will enter into the underground facilities through manholes or the like at the interface with the ground surface. While servicing underground supply systems, both technicians and the public are generally exposed to a number of safety concerns. The personnel in the underground installations may be exposed to harmful or toxic fumes and may lack sufficient access to fresh air. Materials and tools are to be safely transported to and from the surface without injuring the personnel, and the personnel may need to be saved from the installation in case of injuries or other circumstances. The workers must be able to move safely to and from the surface into the underground installation without being injured and must be able to work around the manhole or the like. Furthermore, the public is to be protected from accidentally falling into an open manhole.

[0006] These safety concerns have been addressed in a number of laws, rules and standards. Provisional, portable manhole safeguards are placed around open manholes to prevent people from accidentally falling into or stumbling over the opening. Different forms of hoist and fall prevention systems have been developed to move personnel and material into and out from the underground chamber through the manhole. However, there is a need for a system which ensures that the barrier is not unintentionally forgotten to be raised or mounted.

[0007] Summary of the invention

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution which solves the above-mentioned problems.

[0009] A first aspect of the present invention relates to an above-ground installation for protecting the access to an underground installation, said above-ground installation comprising a construction, preferably a cabinet, a shed, a house or the like, which construction comprises:

[0010] - a bottom with a formed access to said underground installation;

[0011] - one or more walls; and

[0012] - a top; wherein at least one of said walls comprises a first opening with mounted first gate or door adapted to give access into said construction; wherein a detachable safeguard is mounted in said first opening and behind said first gate or door, and wherein said safeguard, in its mounted configuration, is adapted to prevent or at least to hinder a human being from moving through the first opening when the first gate or door is open.

[0013] A second aspect of the present invention relates to the use of an above-ground installation according to the present invention for protecting the access to an underground installation.

[0014] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a system for controlling a sewerage network comprising:

[0015] - an underground installation, such as a manhole or a pump well, having access to a sewerage network; and

[0016] - an above-ground installation according to the present invention.

[0017] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a system for controlling an underground freshwater line comprising:

[0018] - an underground installation, such as a well, having access to an underground freshwater line; and

[0019] - an above-ground installation according to the present invention.

[0020] A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a system for controlling an underground electric cable connection comprising:

[0021] - an underground installation, such as a manhole, having access to an underground electric cable connection; and

[0022] - an above-ground installation according to the present invention.

[0023] A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to a system for controlling an underground gas line comprising:

[0024] - an underground installation, such as a manhole, having access to an underground gas line; and

[0025] - an above-ground installation according to the present invention.

[0026] A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to a system for controlling an underground communication cable connection comprising:

[0027] - an underground installation, such as a manhole, having access to an underground communication cable connection; and

[0028] - an above-ground installation according to the present invention.

[0029] The presence and placement of the safeguard solve the above-mentioned problems. Brief description of the figures

[0030] Figure 1 shows in perspective a preferred embodiment of an above-ground installation according to the invention.

[0031] Figure 2 shows in perspective a preferred embodiment of an above-ground installation according to the invention.

[0032] Figure 3 shows in perspective a preferred embodiment of an above-ground installation according to the invention.

[0033] Detailed description of the invention

[0034] A first aspect of the present invention relates to an above-ground installation for protecting the access to an underground installation, said above-ground installation comprising a construction, preferably a cabinet, a shed, a house or the like, which construction comprises:

[0035] - a bottom with configured access to said underground installation;

[0036] - one or more walls; and

[0037] - a top; wherein at least one of said walls comprises a first opening with mounted first gate or door adapted to give access into said construction; wherein a detachable safeguard is mounted in said first opening and behind said first gate or door, and wherein said safeguard, in its mounted configuration, is adapted to prevent, or at least to hinder a human being from moving through the first opening when the first gate or door is open.

[0038] In one or more embodiments, said safeguard is adapted such that it can be dismounted solely from the outside, relative to the construction, when said first gate or door is open. In this way, it is ensured that the safeguard can be removed only by a person who is authorized to open the gate or the door which preferably can be locked, preferably with cylinder lock or padlock.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, said safeguard is adapted such that it can be mounted and dismounted from the inside, relative to the construction, preferably when said first gate or door is closed. When a service employee is inside the above-ground installation, then it can be advantageous that it is still protected against free access for unauthorized persons.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, said safeguard comprises an upper or first safeguard, e.g., in the form of a plate, rail, handrail, rod or chain. Preferably, the chain extends from one side of the first opening to the opposite side of the first opening, preferably placed in a height of at least 60 cm from upper edge of the bottom of the construction, such as in a height of 65-120 cm, such as 70-110 cm, e.g. 75-100 cm, such as 80-95 cm, e.g. 85-90 cm from upper edge of the bottom of the construction. Preferably, said first safeguard extends over a height of 1 -30 cm, such as 5-25 cm, e.g. 10-20 cm, preferably 5-20 cm. If the first safeguard is a handrail, then the height of the rail is preferably 2-15 cm. If the first safeguard is a chain, then the height / thickness of the chain is preferably 1-5 cm.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, said first safeguard is adapted to abutment for said first gate or door when closed. This configuration will result in the first gate or door not being able to be closed correctly without the first safeguard being in place.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, said first gate or door has a top and a bottom, and two opposed side edges, and wherein said first safeguard is adapted to abutment for the top of said first gate or door.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, said safeguard comprises a lower or second safeguard, e.g., in the form of a plate, rail, knee rail, rod or chain, which preferably extends from one side of the first opening to the opposite side of the first opening, and placed in a height of 30-60 cm from upper edge of the bottom of the construction. Preferably, said second safeguard extends over a height of 1-30 cm, such as 5-25 cm, e.g. 10-20 cm, preferably 5-20 cm. If the second safeguard is a knee rail, then the height of the rail is preferably 2-15 cm. If the second safeguard is a chain, then the height / thickness of the chain is preferably 1-5 cm.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the wall with said first opening further comprises an area beneath the first opening which has a height from upper edge of the bottom of the construction of 5-20 cm, preferably 10-15 cm, preferably the area beneath the first opening is adapted to abutment for said first gate or door when closed. This part of the wall can function as a third safeguard which a service employee has to cross to get into the installation.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, said safeguard comprises a third safeguard, e.g. in the form of a plate, rail, toe kick, rod or chain, which preferably extends from one side of the first opening to the opposite side of the first opening, and placed in a height of 0-20 cm from upper edge of the bottom of the construction, preferably in a height of 0-5 cm from upper edge of the bottom of the construction.

[0046] Preferably, the third safeguard covers a height of 5-15 cm from upper edge of the bottom of the construction, preferably 8-12 cm. The third safeguard can be placed in contact with the bottom of the first opening.

[0047] In one or more embodiments, a third safeguard is adapted to abutment for said first gate or door when closed.

[0048] In one or more embodiments, said first gate or door has a top and a bottom, and two opposed side edges, and wherein said third safeguard is adapted to abutment for the bottom of said first gate or door. In one or more embodiments, the top comprises a second opening with mounted second gate adapted to give access into said construction, which second opening, together with said first opening in the wall, forms a common opening when said safeguard is dismounted.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, the above-ground installation further comprises a sealing element which, by compression, seals in an airtight and / or watertight manner between said safeguard and said first gate or door. A corresponding sealing element can be present between said safeguard and the second gate if the latter is present.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, said safeguard is connected to said one or more walls via a wire, a cable or a chain. This ensures that the safeguard does not fall into the underground installation and / or is forgotten to be remounted.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the top comprises a second opening with mounted second gate adapted to give access into said construction, which second opening, together with said first opening in the wall, forms a common opening when said safeguard is dismounted, wherein the top comprises a third opening with mounted third gate adapted to give access into said construction, wherein said second opening and third opening are separated by a separation wall which extends from the bottom to the top of the above-ground installation.

[0052] In one or more embodiments, one of said walls comprises a fourth opening with mounted fourth gate or door adapted to give access into said construction, wherein a detachable safeguard is mounted in said fourth opening and behind said fourth gate or door, wherein said safeguard, in its mounted configuration, is adapted to prevent or at least to hinder a human being from moving through the fourth opening when the fourth gate or door is open. In one or more embodiments, said safeguard is adapted such that it can be dismounted solely from the outside, relative to the construction, when said fourth gate or door is open.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, said safeguard is adapted such that it can be mounted and dismounted from the inside, relative to the construction, preferably when said fourth gate or door is closed.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, said safeguard comprises an upper or first safeguard, e.g., in the form of a plate, rail, handrail, rod or chain which preferably extends from one side of the fourth opening to the opposite side of the fourth opening, and placed in a height of at least 60 cm from upper edge of the bottom of the construction, such as in a height of 65-120 cm from upper edge of the bottom of the construction.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, said first safeguard extends over a height of 1-30 cm, preferably 5-20 cm.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, said first safeguard is adapted to abutment for said fourth gate or door when closed.

[0057] In one or more embodiments, said fourth gate or door has a top and a bottom, and two opposed side edges, and wherein said first safeguard is adapted to abutment for the top of said fourth gate or door.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, said safeguard comprises a lower or second safeguard, e.g. in the form of a plate, rail, knee rail, rod or chain which preferably extends from one side of the fourth opening to the opposite side of the fourth opening, and placed in a height of 30-60 cm from upper edge of the bottom of the construction. In one or more embodiments, said second safeguard extends over a height of 1- 30 cm, preferably 5-20 cm.

[0059] In one or more embodiments, the wall comprising said fourth opening further comprises an area beneath the fourth opening which has a height from upper edge of the bottom of the construction of 5-20 cm, preferably 10-15 cm, preferably the area beneath the fourth opening is adapted to abutment for said fourth gate or door when closed.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, said safeguard comprises a third safeguard, e.g., in the form of a plate, rail, toe kick, rod or chain which preferably extends from one side of the fourth opening to the opposite side of the fourth opening, and placed in a height of 0-20 cm from upper edge of the bottom of the construction, preferably in a height of 0-5 cm from upper edge of the bottom of the construction.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, said third safeguard covers a height of 5-15 cm from upper edge of the bottom of the construction, preferably 8-12 cm.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, said third safeguard is placed in contact with the bottom of the fourth opening.

[0063] In one or more embodiments, said third safeguard is adapted to abutment for said fourth gate or door when closed.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, said fourth gate or door has a top and a bottom, and two opposed side edges, and wherein said third safeguard is adapted to abutment for the bottom of said first gate or door. In one or more embodiments, the above-ground installation further comprises a sealing element which, by compression, seals in an airtight and / or watertight manner between said safeguard and said fourth gate or door.

[0065] In one or more embodiments, said safeguard is connected to said one or more walls via a wire, a cable or a chain.

[0066] A second aspect of the present invention relates to the use of an above-ground installation according to the present invention for protecting the access to an underground installation.

[0067] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a system for controlling a sewerage network comprising:

[0068] - an underground installation, such as a manhole or a pump well, having access to a sewerage network; and

[0069] - an above-ground installation according to the present invention.

[0070] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a system for controlling an underground freshwater line comprising:

[0071] - an underground installation, such as a well, having access to an underground freshwater line; and

[0072] - an above-ground installation according to the present invention.

[0073] A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a system for controlling underground electric cable connection comprising:

[0074] - an underground installation, such as a manhole, having access to an underground electric cable connection; and

[0075] - an above-ground installation according to the present invention.

[0076] A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to a system for controlling an underground gas line comprising: - an underground installation, such as a manhole, having access to an underground gas line; and

[0077] - an above-ground installation according to the present invention.

[0078] A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to a system for controlling an underground communication cable connection comprising:

[0079] - an underground installation, such as a manhole, having access to an underground communication cable connection; and

[0080] - an above-ground installation according to the present invention.

[0081] It is to be noticed that embodiments and features which are described in conjunction with one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

[0082] In the following a preferred embodiment in the form of a cabinet 100 for protecting the access to an underground installation is described. The valve cabinet 100 is especially designed for safe coverage of wells, pump stations or similar architectural constructions, preferably underground installations containing pumps. The design ensures easy and safe operation and maintenance of components mounted in the cabinet. The cabinet (the above- ground installation) 100 comprises two front walls, and two side walls 120. A separation wall 121 is arranged between the two side walls 120, thereby forming two separate compartments. The walls 120, 121 are arranged on a bottom 110. The bottom 110 is configured with personal access to said underground installation via the one compartment, and with pipe accesses to the another compartment. The bottom 110 is here provided with a flange which is used to bolt the cabinet tightly to, e.g., a concrete deck over the underground installation or directly to the underground installation. The pipe access is here for valves which are operably connected to pumps in the underground installation via pipe routing. These parts are not shown in the figures. In addition, space is provided for disconnectors to the pumps. This enables a service employee to separately disconnect a single pump without having to shut down the entire pump station as pipe routing as well as electrical connection to a single pump can be disconnected separately from the others.

[0083] In the embodiment shown, the front walls preferably consist of brackets, a bottom plate, and an opening 140, 240 (shown with arrows towards the opening). In each opening 140, 240, two gates 150, 250 are mounted (only one gate is numbered) which, pairwise, are adapted to give access to their own room in the cabinet. The cabinet also comprises a top 130. Here, the top 130 comprises the top of the walls 120 and the separation wall 121 . In the top, there is formed an opening 131 (shown with arrow towards the opening) with mounted gate 132 adapted to give access into the first compartment in said construction, and an opening 231 (shown with arrow towards the opening) with mounted gate 232 adapted to give access into the second compartment in said construction. Both gates 132, 232 can be opened to a vertical position to facilitate down-lifting or up-lifting of equipment as well as improved access for the service personnel. It is shown in Figure 1 that all gates 150, 250, 132, 232 are open, and in Figure 3 it is shown that they are closed.

[0084] The above-ground installation 100 generally comprises a detachable safeguard 160 which is mounted in the opening / the openings 140, 240 in the wall (here, the front walls) and behind the mounted gate or the mounted gates 150, 250. The safeguard 160, in its mounted configuration, is adapted to prevent or at least to hinder a human being from moving through said opening / openings 140, 240 when said gate or said gates 150, 250 are open. The shown safeguard 160 is here configured as a toe kick 164, 264 (the bottom of the front walls), a knee rail 163, 263 and a handrail 162, 262. In this embodiment, the toe kick 164, 264 cannot be removed, but knee rail 163, 263 and handrail 162, 262 are detachable. In Figure 2 it is shown that these parts of the safeguard are dismounted and placed in holders in the gates 150, 250. However, both the knee rail 163, 263 and the handrail 162, 262 are connected to said walls 120 via a wire 170, 270 so that they are not lost. The handrails 162, 262 function here as abutments for all gates 132, 232, 151 , 251 , and thus make it difficult for a service employee to forget remounting of the safeguard 160, 260. All gates can be locked so that unauthorized persons do not have access.

[0085] Reference numbers

[0086] 100 Above-ground installation

[0087] 110 Bottom

[0088] 120 Wall

[0089] 130 Top

[0090] 131 Second opening

[0091] 132 Second gate

[0092] 140 First opening

[0093] 150 First gate

[0094] 151 Gate top

[0095] 152 Gate bottom

[0096] 153 Side edge

[0097] 160 Safeguard

[0098] 162 First safeguard

[0099] 163 Second safeguard

[0100] 164 Third safeguard

[0101] 170 Wire

[0102] 231 Third opening

[0103] 232 Third gate

[0104] 240 Fourth opening

[0105] 250 Fourth gate

[0106] 251 Gate top

[0107] 252 Gate bottom

[0108] 253 Side edge

[0109] 260 Safeguard

[0110] 262 First safeguard

[0111] 263 Second safeguard

[0112] 264 Third safeguard

[0113] 270 Wire

Claims

Claims1 . An above-ground installation (100) for protecting the access to an underground installation, said above-ground installation (100) comprising a construction, preferably a cabinet, a shed, a house or the like, which construction comprises:- a bottom (110) with formed access to said underground installation;- one or more walls (120); and- a top (130); wherein at least one of said walls (120) comprises a first opening (140) with mounted first gate (150) or door adapted to give access into said construction; characterised in that a detachable safeguard (160) is mounted in said first opening (140) and behind said first gate (150) or door, wherein said safeguard (160), in its mounted configuration, is adapted to prevent or at least to hinder a human being from moving through the first opening (140) when the first gate (150) or door is open.

2. The above-ground installation (100) according to claim 1 , wherein said safeguard (160) is adapted such that it can be dismounted solely from the outside, relative to the construction, when said first gate (150) or door is open.

3. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein said safeguard (160) is adapted such that it can be mounted and dismounted from the inside, relative to the construction, preferably when said first gate (150) or door is closed.

4. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said safeguard (160) comprises an upper or first safeguard (162), e.g., in the form of a plate, rail, handrail, rod or chain, which preferably extends fromone side of the first opening (140) to the opposite side of the first opening (140), and placed in a height of at least 60 cm from upper edge of the bottom of the construction, such as in a height of 65-120 cm from upper edge of the bottom (110) of the construction.

5. The above-ground installation (100) according to claim 4, wherein said first safeguard (162) extends over a height of 1-30 cm, preferably 5-20 cm.

6. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein said first safeguard (162) is adapted to abutment for said first gate (150) or door when closed.

7. The above-ground installation (100) according to claim 6, wherein said first gate (150) or door has a top (151 ) and a bottom (152) and two opposed side edges (153), and wherein said first safeguard (162) is adapted to abutment for the top (151 ) of said first gate (150) or door.

8. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said safeguard (160) comprises a lower or second safeguard (163), e.g. in the form of a plate, rail, knee rail, rod or chain, which preferably extends from one side of the first opening (140) to the opposite side of the first opening (140), and placed in a height of 30-60 cm from upper edge of the bottom (110) of the construction.

9. The above-ground installation (100) according to claim 8, wherein said second safeguard (163) extends over a height of 1-30 cm, preferably 5-20 cm.

10. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the wall (120) comprising said first opening (140) furhter comprises an area beneath the first opening (140) which has a height from upper edge of the bottom (110) of the construction of 5-20 cm, preferably 10-15 cm, preferably thearea beneath the first opening (140) is adapted to abutment for said first gate (150) or door when closed.11 . The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, where said safeguard (160) comprises a third safeguard (164), e.g. in the form of a plate, rail, toe kick, rod or chain, which preferably extends from one side of the first opening (140) to the opposite side of the first opening (140), and placed in a height of 0-20 cm from upper edge of the bottom (110) of the construction, preferably in a height of 0-5 cm from upper edge of the bottom (110) of the construction.

12. The above-ground installation (100) according to claim 11 , wherein said third safeguard (164) covers a height of 5-15 cm from upper edge of the bottom (110), of the construction, preferably 8-12 cm.

13. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 11 to 12, wherein said third safeguard (164) is placed in contact with the bottom of the first opening (140).

14. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein said third safeguard (163) is adapted to abutment for said first gate (150) or door when closed.

15. The above-ground installation (100) according to claim 14, wherein said first gate (150) or door has a top (151 ) and a bottom (152), and two opposed side edges (153), and wherein said third safeguard (163) is adapted to abutment for the bottom (152) of said first gate (150) or door.

16. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the top (130) comprises a second opening (131) with mounted second gate (132) adapted to give access into said construction, which second opening(131 ), together with said first opening (140) in the wall (120), forms a common opening when said safeguard (160) is dismounted.

17. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a sealing element which, by compression, seals in an airtight and / or watertight manner between said safeguard (160) and said first gate (150) or door.

18. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein said safeguard (160) is connected to said one or more walls (120) via a wire, a cable or a chain.

19. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the top (130) comprises a second opening (131) with mounted second gate (132) adapted to give access into said construction, which second opening (131 ), together with said first opening (140) in the wall (120), forms a common opening, when said safeguard (160) is dismounted, wherein the top (130) comprises a third opening (231 ) with mounted third gate (232) adapted to give access into said construction, wherein said second opening (131) and third opening (231 ) are separated by a separation wall (121 ) which extends from the bottom (110) to the top (130) of the above-ground installation (100).

20. The above-ground installation (100) according to claim 19, wherein one of said walls (120) comprises a fourth opening (240) with mounted fourth gate (250) or door adapted to give access into said construction, wherein a detachable safeguard (260) is mounted in said fourth opening (240) and behind said fourth gate (250) or door, wherein said safeguard (260), in its mounted configuration, is adapted to prevent or at least to hinder a human being from moving through the fourth opening (240) when the fourth gate (250) or door is open.

21. The above-ground installation (100) according to claim 20, wherein said safeguard (260) is adapted such that it can be dismounted solely from the outside, relative to the construction, when said fourth gate (250) or door is open.

22. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 20 to 21 , wherein said safeguard (260) is adapted such that it can be mounted and dismounted from the inside, relative to the construction, preferably when said fourth gate (250) or door is closed.

23. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein said safeguard (260) comprises an upper or first safeguard (262), e.g., in the form of a plate, rail, handrail, rod or chain, which preferably extends from one side of the fourth opening (240) to the opposite side of the fourth opening (240), and placed in a height of at least 60 cm from upper edge of the bottom (110) of the construction, such as in a height of 65-120 cm from upper edge of the bottom (110) of the construction.

24. The above-ground installation (100) according to claim 23, wherein said first safeguard (262) extends over a height of 1 -30 cm, preferably 5-20 cm.

25. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 23 to 24, wherein said first safeguard (262) is adapted to abutment for said fourth gate (250) or door when closed.

26. The above-ground installation (100) according to claim 25, wherein said fourth gate (250) or door has a top (251 ) and a bottom (252), and two opposed side edges (253), and wherein said first safeguard (262) is adapted to abutment for the top (251 ) of said fourth gate (250) or door.

27. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein said safeguard (260) comprises a lower or second safeguard (263), e.g.,in the form of a plate, rail, knee rail, rod or chain, which preferably extends from one side of the fourth opening (240) to the opposite side of the fourth opening (240), and placed in a height of 30-60 cm from upper edge of the bottom (110) of the construction.

28. The above-ground installation (100) according to claim 27, wherein said second safeguard (263) extends over a height of 1-30 cm, preferably 5-20 cm.

29. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 20 to 28, wherein the wall (120) comprising said fourth opening (240) further comprises an area beneath the fourth opening (240) which has a height from upper edge of the bottom (110) of the construction of 5-20 cm, preferably 10-15 cm, preferably the area beneath the fourth opening (240) is adapted to abutment for said fourth gate (250) or door when closed.

30. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 20 to 29, wherein said safeguard (260) comprises a third safeguard (264), e.g., in the form of a plate, rail, toe kick, rod or chain, which preferably extends from one side of the fourth opening (240) to the opposite side of the fourth opening (240), and placed in a height of 0-20 cm from upper edge of the bottom (110) of the construction, preferably in a height of 0-5 cm from upper edge of the bottom(110) of the construction.

31. The above-ground installation (100) according to claim 30, wherein said third safeguard (164) covers a height of 5-15 cm from upper edge of the bottom (110) of the construction, preferably 8-12 cm.

32. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 30 to 31 , wherein said third safeguard (164) is placed in contact with the bottom of the fourth opening (240).

33. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein said third safeguard (164) is adapted to abutment for said fourth gate (250) or door when closed.

34. The above-ground installation (100) according to claim 33, wherein said fourth gate (250) or door has a top (251 ) and a bottom (252), and two opposed side edges (253), and wherein said third safeguard (264) is adapted to abutment for the bottom (152) of said first gate (150) or door.

35. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 20 to 34, further comprising a sealing element which, by compression, seals in an airtight and / or watertight manner between said safeguard (260) and said fourth gate (250) or door.

36. The above-ground installation (100) according to any one of claims 20 to 35, wherein said safeguard (260) is connected to said one or more walls (120) via a wire, a cable or a chain.

37. A use of an above-ground installation according to any one of claims 1 to 36 for protecting the access to an underground installation.

38. A system for controlling a sewerage network comprising:- an underground installation, such as a manhole or a pump well, having access to a sewerage network; and- an above-ground installation according to any one of claims 1 to 36.

39. A system for controlling an underground freshwater line comprising:- an underground installation, such as a well, having access to an underground freshwater line; and- an above-ground installation according to any one of claims 1 to 36.

40. A system for controlling an underground electric cable connection comprising:- an underground installation, such as a manhole, having access to an underground electric cable connection; and - an above-ground installation according to any one of claims 1 to 36.41 . A system for controlling an underground gas line comprising:- an underground installation, such as a manhole, having access to an underground gas line; and - an above-ground installation according to any one of claims 1 to 36.

42. A system for controlling an underground communication cable connection comprising:- an underground installation, such as a manhole, having access to an underground communication cable connection; and- an above-ground installation according to any one of claims 1 to 36.

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