Pipe-to-manhole seal

ConcreteManhole Adapters

Give the grout something to grip. A flexible PVC adapter goes on plastic or cast iron pipe where it enters a concrete manhole, so the grouted connection is improved and can move with the pipe.

 
Five standard sizes, 4″–12″ Large diameter made to order Plastic and cast iron
 
The problem

Grout doesn’t stick to plastic pipe.

Where a pipe enters a manhole, the opening is packed with grout. Grout won’t bond to smooth plastic pipe, so the joint depends on grout packed around a surface it can’t grip. Where that connection lets groundwater in, it adds to infiltration, part of the I&I every sewer system works to keep out. A Concrete Manhole Adapter sits between the pipe and the grout to improve that connection.

Fernco Concrete Manhole Adapter

A grip for the grout

Gives the grout an interface to lock onto where it won’t adhere to the pipe itself.

Moves with the pipe

Flexible construction permits lateral pipe movement without destroying seal integrity.

Won’t corrode

Elastomeric PVC that’s corrosion-proof and unaffected by acids or alkalis.

Plastic or cast iron

For plastic and cast iron pipe entering concrete manholes and similar structures.

Two ways to order

Five standard sizes. Large diameter made to order.

Standard adapters fit common 4″ to 12″ sewer pipe. For pipe 8.5″ O.D. and up that a standard size doesn’t cover, Large Diameter CMAs are made to your pipe’s outside diameter.

Concrete Manhole AdapterStandard sizes

Concrete Manhole Adapters

4CMA · 6CMA · 8CMA · 10CMA · 12CMA

  • Five pipe O.D. ranges between 4.20″ and 12.80″
  • Order by part number. Find your size
Large Diameter Concrete Manhole AdapterMade to order

Large Diameter CMAs

8.5″ O.D. and up

  • Order by specifying the O.D. of the pipe that will receive it
  • Same flexible, corrosion-proof PVC
Pouring a new structure? For pipe cast into new concrete, see the Dual Puddle Flange, a cast-in waterstop that goes on the pipe before the pour.
⤢ Click to enlarge Cutaway: a pipe passing through a concrete manhole wall, with a ribbed Concrete Manhole Adapter ring around the pipe, packed in grout CONCRETEMANHOLE ADAPTERGROUTMANHOLE WALLPLASTIC ORCAST IRON PIPE ribbed PVC ring on the pipepacked around the adapter

Cutaway of a pipe entering a concrete manhole wall. Not to scale.

Where it works

Pipe entering a concrete wall.

The adapter goes on the pipe where it passes through the wall, and the opening is grouted around it. It’s most useful with smooth plastic pipe, where grout won’t adhere to the pipe surface.

  • Concrete manholes and similar structures
  • Sanitary sewer and wastewater structures
  • Storm structure pipe penetrations
  • Plastic or cast iron pipe, grouted in
Size selection

Find your size by pipe outside diameter.

Measure the O.D. of the pipe entering the structure and choose the adapter whose range covers it. For pipe 8.5″ O.D. and up that falls outside a standard range, order a Large Diameter CMA by O.D.

inches Enter decimal inches (6.275) or a fraction (6 1/4).
PartAdapter I.D.Min. pipe O.D.Max. pipe O.D.Typical pipeAvailability
4CMA4.10″4.20″4.50″4″ SDR 35* · 4″ IPS* · 4″ no‑hubStandard
6CMA6.10″6.20″6.70″6″ SDR 35 · 6″ IPS · 6″ no‑hubStandard
8CMA7.90″8.20″8.70″8″ SDR 35 · 8″ IPS · 8″ no‑hubStandard
10CMA9.90″10.20″10.70″10″ SDR 35 · 10″ no‑hubStandard
12CMA11.70″12.50″12.80″12″ SDR 35* · 12″ IPS · 12″ no‑hub*Standard
Large Diameter CMA–8.50″and upSized to your pipe O.D.Made to order

Adapter I.D. and pipe O.D. ranges from Fernco product data. Typical pipe uses standard published ODs: SDR 35 is PVC sewer pipe (ASTM D3034); IPS covers Schedule 40 PVC, steel and IPS HDPE; no-hub is cast iron soil pipe. * Standard OD is within 0.02″ of the range limit, so measure the actual pipe. 10″ Schedule 40 (10.75″ O.D.) is above the 10CMA range.

Specifications.

Specification data
MaterialFlexible elastomeric PVC (4CMA–12CMA: 60 Shore A durometer)
Material standard4CMA–12CMA comply with ASTM D5926
Chemical resistanceCorrosion-proof, unaffected by acids or alkalis
Temperature4CMA–12CMA: −30°F to 140°F
PipePlastic and cast iron
StructuresConcrete manholes and similar structures, sanitary and storm
Sizes4CMA, 6CMA, 8CMA, 10CMA and 12CMA standard. Large Diameter CMA made to order, 8.5″ O.D. and up
Important application information
Concrete Manhole Adapters are subject to conditions beyond the manufacturer’s control, such as high groundwater tables, grout quality, workmanship and field conditions, that can affect sealing performance. Discretion must be used in product selection and installation. Fernco does not warrant this product as a positive water seal.

Frequently asked questions.

What does a Concrete Manhole Adapter do?

It fits on the pipe where the pipe passes through a concrete manhole wall and gives the grout an interface to hold onto. That matters most with smooth plastic pipe, where grout won’t adhere to the pipe itself.

Which size do I need?

Measure the pipe’s outside diameter and use the size finder. Five standard adapters cover O.D. ranges between 4.20″ and 12.80″. For pipe 8.5″ O.D. and up outside those ranges, order a Large Diameter CMA by specifying the pipe O.D.

What happened to Large Diameter Waterstops?

They’re now called Large Diameter CMAs: the made-to-order version of the Concrete Manhole Adapter for bigger pipe, listed on this page. Order them by pipe O.D., 8.5″ and up.

Is it a watertight seal?

It improves the grouted connection, but sealing performance depends on conditions beyond the manufacturer’s control, such as groundwater, grout quality and workmanship. Fernco does not warrant it as a positive water seal.

Can I use it on cast iron?

Yes. It’s designed for plastic and cast iron pipe entering concrete manholes and similar structures.

What about pipe cast into a new pour?

For pipe cast into new concrete, the Dual Puddle Flange is clamped to the pipe and cast into the wall or slab.