MACP Level 2 Inspections: A Complete Guide for Municipalities, Engineers, and Inspection Teams

The management of underground infrastructure is a major challenge for municipalities and companies specialized in inspection and rehabilitation. Among the most important tools to ensure rigorous monitoring of the condition of sewer manholes, the MACP (Manhole Assessment and Certification Program), developed by NASSCO, is today the reference standard in North America.

Among the different coding levels, MACP Level 2 stands out as the most complete and detailed assessment, used to gain an in-depth understanding of the structural condition of a manhole and to effectively plan maintenance or rehabilitation work.

This complete guide explains everything you need to know about MACP Level 2 inspections: their objectives, their requirements, the tools needed, and the benefits for operators and municipalities.

What is MACP Level 2?

MACP is a standard developed by NASSCO (National Association of Sewer Service Companies) to standardize the inspection and documentation of sewer manholes.

Level 2 represents the most advanced type of inspection:

• It is based on a detailed observation of the manhole in its entirety (slab, walls, cone, chamber, bench).
  
  
• It requires complete coding of defects, according to NASSCO’s standardized nomenclature.
  
  
• It serves as a basis for prioritizing repairs, budget planning, and decision-making.
  
  

In other words, MACP Level 2 is not a simple visual inspection: it is a technical method that makes it possible to assess the structural and functional integrity of a manhole with great precision.

What are the precise objectives of a MACP Level 2 inspection?

MACP Level 2 has only one goal: to provide a clear and complete understanding of a manhole’s condition. To do this, it fulfills five major objectives.

Identify structural defects

Cracks, corrosion, weakening, collapses, settlements: nothing should escape the report.

Analyze operational deficiencies

Deposits, intrusions, roots, obstructions… All these elements, if they go unnoticed, end up impacting the performance of the network.

Detect water infiltration

Often invisible to the naked eye, infiltration is nevertheless one of the most costly issues for municipalities.

On its own, 40 to 50% of infiltration comes from manholes.

Standardize the assessment

Thanks to NASSCO standardized coding, all inspections speak the same language.

Build a solid decision-making base

With reliable data, the municipality or engineer can prioritize work according to the actual severity of defects.

Why 360° Technology Has Become Essential for MACP Level 2

To capture every detail of a manhole, you must be able to see everything—literally. Traditional manually oriented cameras do not offer a complete view and risk missing important defects.

360° HD cameras, such as the RV-MAX 360 and the RV-PRO 360, have transformed inspection practices:

• They capture the entire manhole in a single movement.
  
  
• Their 4K resolution makes it possible to detect even microcracks.
  
  
• Their powerful lighting reveals hidden defects.
  
  
• The operator needs only a few minutes to record the video.
  
  
• The analysis is carried out at the office, calmly, on a large screen.
  
  
• No entry into the manhole is necessary—a major advantage for safety.
  
  

Result: faster, more reliable inspections that are perfectly suited to MACP Level 2.

The Crucial Role of 3D Models in Report Accuracy

MACP Level 2 requires not only identifying defects, but also quantifying their severity.

This is where 3D technology changes everything.

Thanks to tools such as RinnoCloud, it is now possible to convert a simple 360° video into:

• a 3D point cloud,
  
  
• a detailed model,
  
  
• a measurable digital twin,
  
  
• a faithful representation of the manhole.
  
  

This approach offers several decisive advantages for inspection quality. Thanks to millimetric precision, each measurement is reliable and free of approximation. 3D visualization also provides a much clearer reading of deformations, intrusions, or anomalies, which are often difficult to perceive on a simple video. It also makes it possible to carry out comparisons over time, which is essential for tracking the evolution of a defect after work or a weather event. Finally, this modeling provides irrefutable documentation, perfectly suited to technical files, calls for tenders, or situations requiring objective and complete visual proof.

NASSCO Coding: The Final Step for a Complete Report

Beyond inspection itself, MACP Level 2 is based on coding: a structured system of letters and numbers that makes it possible to describe each defect in a uniform way.

This coding requires:

• good visualization,
  
  
• precise measurements,
  
  
• a clear data structure,
  
  
• complete documentation,
  
  
• and easily accessible records.
  
  

Platforms such as RinnoCloud facilitate this step by offering:

• automatic classification,
  
  
• wireless transfer,
  
  
• secure storage,
  
  
• synchronization between field and office,
  
  
• integration with NASSCO software.
  
  

In other words: a smooth workflow, with no risk of errors or data loss.

What Tools Are Absolutely Essential for a Compliant MACP Level 2?

To carry out a MACP Level 2 inspection that is truly compliant with NASSCO standards, certain tools are indispensable.

First, a high-resolution 360° camera, such as the RV-MAX 360 or the RV-PRO 360, is the central element of the inspection: it ensures complete visibility, fast capture, and image quality sufficient to identify the finest defects.

Next, an insulated 30-foot telescopic pole makes it possible to handle the camera safely, without any operator needing to go down into the manhole. For deeper structures, the use of a 100-foot tripod provides optimal stability and precise control of the vertical descent.

To this must be added a data management platform, such as RinnoCloud, which is essential for automating the transfer, organization, and use of videos, photos, and 3D models. Finally, the use of NASSCO coding software and tools is crucial for generating MACP reports that are structured, consistent, and perfectly aligned with the requirements of the standard.

Combined, these tools guarantee reliable, complete, and fully compliant inspections.

The Concrete Benefits of a Successful MACP Level 2 Inspection

A well-conducted inspection, using the right tools, makes it possible to:

• protect infrastructure against collapses;
  
  
• reduce costly infiltration (I/I);
  
  
• improve budget planning;
  
  
• increase crew safety;
  
  
• speed up technical decisions;
  
  
• obtain impeccable documentation;
  
  
• extend the service life of the network.
  
  

MACP Level 2 thus becomes a true strategic tool, and not a simple technical formality.

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With the Right Tools, MACP Level 2 Becomes Clear, Fast, and Effective

MACP Level 2 is demanding, but essential for truly understanding the condition of sewer manholes. Thanks to modern technologies—360° cameras, 3D models, automated transfer, intelligent data management—it is now possible to carry out inspections that are:

✔ faster
✔ safer
✔ more precise
✔ and perfectly compliant with NASSCO standards.

With RinnoVision, teams finally have a complete ecosystem to transform the way they inspect, analyze, and manage their underground infrastructure. Contact us for more information.