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Hi,

I'm getting steps installed at house and have some difficulty with them due to location of an access point for broadband/telephone services. It is quite close to the front door and so I want to camouflage it into the steps using a recessed manhole/drain cover.
I don't expect it to be accessed much but I feel it is better to put in the access now rather than have someone have to dismantle steps at a later date. Plus - where it is located i cannot really see any great traffic on it - if ever.

I don't want square cornered steps as footfall will come from the side of the property and I don't want people stepping off a square corner.

Here is the cable access:
What I have thought of doing is this (yes, those dimensions on left should be 400mm & 200mm): Is it possible to get a recessed cover to fit onto the going at the marked point? I've been unable to locate any sufficiently small.
My intention is to get the steps constructed from curved granite kerbs for the edges and infill with flags - probably 400x400. I don't want bullnose finish - I'm not overly fussed on them and I think they might just be a bit too fancy for this job.


Would it be better (and cheaper) to opt instead for a layout such as below - although I would want (and would probably need for the recessed cover) a longer going of approx 350mm - 400mm. Might just be the perspective though.
Are these curved granite kerbs expensive? I am not keen on paving blocks used as soldiers for the riser - when installed they have a infills of mortar which never look good - even if they mortar is colour matched.

Ideas/thoughts?

My suggestion would be to look at "adaptable boxes".

These are plastic, (different colours available, also galvanised metal ones, many sizes) usually with a lid secured by four screws. Electrical ones are usually pre-punched to take conduit glands, but you can get plain ones to cut & drill yourself wherever needed. Fit at the correct level then cut the paving round the top, flush, to suit.

Access in future is by removing the screws and prising the lid off.

arco_iris wrote: ↑Mon Apr 24, 2023 6:29 pm My suggestion would be to look at "adaptable boxes".

These are plastic, (different colours available, also galvanised metal ones, many sizes) usually with a lid secured by four screws. Electrical ones are usually pre-punched to take conduit glands, but you can get plain ones to cut & drill yourself wherever needed. Fit at the correct level then cut the paving round the top, flush, to suit.

Access in future is by removing the screws and prising the lid off.

Unfortunately there is not sufficient slack in the cable to do this. I've assumed here you are talking about wall mounting the box, but it seems you mean mount the box at tile level? Also, as there is no junction there I'd either have to slice the box to get the cable into it or pull the cable out to thread it through box. Neither of which appeals.

Yes, either. Sorry doesn't appeal, you did ask.

Keep the box lid intact, cut the base to fit over the cable & conduits, refit the lid, install over as though it was a "cap". Remove lid for future access - which will be required for instaling full fibre.

Myself would not be averse to disconnecting the master socket and withdrawing the cable, basic telecomms wiring isn't rocket science. Just don't short the wires & cause a trip in the exchange!

There is too much pulling required to disconnect and reroute. Also, there is the problem that at some point in the future OpenReach will be out to install fibre and this will require them installing a CSP (small connection box) at entrance to house. Therefore, they'd need access.

Struggling to figure out a layout that would allow a decent sized recessed manhole for them. Problem is that it will have to be on the going for the step and aligning everything with the aesthetics of it is causing me a pain. I don't want ridiculously wide going for the step just to cater for extremely rare OpenReach access.

My view is, if you don't have the slack to move the cable to a different position outside, then the only alternative is to ask bt how much they will charge for an alteration to give you more slack.
I'd also start looking at and factoring in where the fiber cable will enter your house and where the ONT will be located. this unit will need to be close to a power source and ideally located close to where your router will reside (the ethernet cable from your router connects into the ONT) unless you are OK with running a long ethernet cable around the house to where the router will be located. If the router and ONT are going to be in the same location you will need a free double power socket to power them both.