Part H: Drainage and Waste Disposal
Introduction
The following information is intended to introduce the key elements of Part H: Drainage and Waste Disposal. Wherever possible the relevant document contents or sections are included with each set of regulations.
Use the link below for the full building regulations document;
- Full building regulations documents (planningportal.gov.uk)
- Note: All information is current as of January 2006, as is subject to change.
Foul water drainage
An adequate system of drainage shall be provided to carry foul water from appliances within the building to one of the following, listed in order of priority;
(a) a public sewer; or, where that is not reasonably practicable,
(b) a private sewer communicating with a public sewer; or, where that is not reasonably practicable,
(c) either a septic tank which has an appropriate form of secondary treatment or another wastewater treatment system; or, where that is not reasonably practicable,
(d) a cesspool.
Part H1. (1) Foul water drainage
In this Part “foul water” means waste water which comprises or includes;
(a) waste from a sanitary convenience, bidet or appliance used for
washing receptacles for foul waste; or
(b) water which has been used for food preparation, cooking or
washing.
Part H1. (2) Foul water drainage
Note: Requirement H1 does not apply to the diversion of water which has been used for personal washing or for the washing of clothes, linen or other articles to collection systems for reuse.
Guidance
Section 1 Sanitary pipework
Section 2 Foul drainage
Appendix H1-A Additional guidance for larger buildings
Appendix H1-B Repairs, alterations and discontinued use of drains and sewers
Appendix H1-C Adoption of sewers and connection to public sewers
Wastewater treatment systems and cesspools
Any septic tank and its form of secondary treatment, other wastewater treatment system or cesspool, shall be so sited and constructed that;
(a) it is not prejudicial to the health of any person,
(b) it will not contaminate any watercourse, underground water or water supply,
(c) there are adequate means of access for emptying and maintenance, and
(d) where relevant, it will function to a sufficient standard for the protection of health in the event of a power failure.
Part H2. (1) Wastewater treatment systems and cesspools
Any septic tank, holding tank which is part of a wastewater treatment system or cesspool shall be;
(a) of adequate capacity,
(b) so constructed that it is impermeable to liquids, and
(c) adequately ventilated.
Part H2. (2) Wastewater treatment systems and cesspools
Where a foul water drainage system from a building discharges to a septic tank, wastewater treatment system or cesspool, a durable notice shall be affixed in a suitable place in the building containing information on any continuing maintenance required to avoid risks to health.
Part H2. (3) Wastewater treatment systems and cesspools
Guidance
Appendix H2-A Maintenance of wastewater treatment systems and cesspools
Rainwater drainage
Adequate provision shall be made for rainwater to be carried from the roof of the building.
Part H3. (1) Rainwater Drainage
Paved areas around the building shall be so constructed as to be adequately drained.
Part H3. (2) Rainwater Drainage
Note: Requirement H3(2) applies only to paved areas;
(a) which provide access to the building pursuant to paragraph M2 of Schedule 1 (access for disabled people),
(b) which provide access to or from a place of storage pursuant to paragraph H6(2) of Schedule 1 (solid waste storage), or
(c) in any passage giving access to the building, where this is intended to be used in common by the occupiers of one or more other buildings.
Rainwater from a system provided pursuant to sub-paragraphs
(1) or (2) shall discharge to one of the following, listed in order of priority,
(a) an adequate soakaway or some other adequate infiltration system, or, where that is not reasonably practicable,
(b) a watercourse, or, where that is not reasonably practicable,
(c) a sewer.
Part H3. (3) Rainwater Drainage
Note: Requirement H3(3) does not apply to the gathering of rainwater for reuse.
Guidance
Section 1 Gutters and rainwater pipes
Section 2 Drainage of paved areas
Section 3 Surface water drainage
Appendix H3-A Oil separators
Building over existing sewers
The erection or extension of a building or work involving the underpinning of a building shall be carried out in a way that is not detrimental to the building or building extension or to the continued maintenance of the drain, sewer or disposal main.
(2) In this paragraph “disposal main” means any pipe, tunnel or conduit used for the conveyance of effluent to or from a sewage disposal works, which is not a public sewer.
(3) In this paragraph and paragraph H5 “map of sewers” means any records kept by a sewerage undertaker under section 199 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (a).
Part H4. (1) Building over sewers
Note: Requirement H4 applies only to work carried out;
(a) over a drain, sewer or disposal main which is shown on any map of sewers, or
(b) on any site or in such a manner as may result in interference with the use of, or obstruction of the access of any person to, any drain, sewer or disposal main which is shown on any map of sewers.
Guidance
Seperate systems of drainage
Any system for discharging water to a sewer which is provided pursuant to paragraph H3 shall be separate from that provided for the conveyance of foul water from the building.
Part H5. (1) Separate systems of drainage
Note: Requirement H5 applies only to a system provided in connection with the erection or extension of a building where it is reasonably practicable for the system to discharge directly or indirectly to a sewer for the separate conveyance of surface water which is;
(a) shown on a map of sewers, or
(b) under construction either by the sewerage undertaker or by some other person (where the sewer is the subject of an agreement to make a declaration of vesting pursuant to section 104 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (a).
Guidance
Solid waste storage
Adequate provision shall be made for storage of solid waste.
Part H6. (1) Solid waste storage
Adequate means of access shall be provided;
(a) for people in the building to the place of storage, and
(b) from the place of storage to a collection point (where one has been specified by the waste collection authority under section 46 (household
waste) or section 47 (commercial waste) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990(b) or to a street (where no collection point has been specified).
Part H6. (2) Solid waste storage
Guidance
Appendix H6-A Relevant waste collection legislation
Further information and useful links
- Find a Builder near you
- Find an Architect near you
- Find an Chartered Surveyor near you
- Building Regulations an explanatory booklet (odpm.gov.uk)
- Party Wall Guidance (rics.org)
- Impact of the Party Wall Act 1996 (odpm.gov.uk)
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