BRITISH STANDARD BS 5911-4:2002

Incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Concrete pipes and

ancillary concrete
products —
Part 4: Specification for unreinforced
and reinforced concrete inspection
chambers (complementary to
BS EN 1917:2002)

ICS 91.100.30; 91.140.80

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 BS 5911-4:2002

Committees responsible for this

British Standard
The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted to Technical
Committee B/505, Wastewater engineering, upon which the following bodies
were represented:

British Plastics Federation

Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management
Clay Pipe Development Association
CPSA — Concrete Pipeline Systems Association
Institute of Cast Metals Engineers
Institution of Civil Engineers
LOTAG — London Technical Advisors Group
METCOM
ODPM represented by BRE
Water UK

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This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Engineering
Sector Policy and Strategy
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy
Committee on 18 November 2002 Amendments issued since publication

© BSI 27 May 2004 Amd. No. Date Comments

15038 27 May 2004 See Foreword

The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
British Standard:
Committee reference B/505
Draft for comment 98/109037 DC

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 BS 5911-4:2002

Contents
Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Normative references 1
3 Terms and definitions 2
4 Symbols 2
5 General requirements 2
6 Special requirements 8
7 Conformity evaluation 8
8 Marking 8
Annex A (informative) Information to be supplied in an enquiry or order 9
Annex B (normative) British Standards relevant to BS EN 1917:2002 9
Annex C (normative) Surface void test 9
Annex D (normative) Dimensional tests 10
Bibliography 13
Figure 1 — Typical inspection chamber arrangements 6
Figure C.1 — Gauge for assessing surface voids 10
Figure D.1 — Gauge for measuring deviation from straightness 11
Table 1 — Symbols 2
Table 2 — Cementitious content 3
Table 3 — Cement or combination groups 4
Table 4 — Inspection chambers 5
Table 5 — Strength classes for chamber and shaft units 7
Table B.1 — British Standards relevant to BS EN 1917:2002 9

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 BS 5911-4:2002

Foreword

The several parts of BS 5911 specify requirements for various types of precast
concrete pipe and ancillary concrete products such as manholes, inspection
chambers and street gullies.
BS 5911-4 has been prepared under the direction of Technical Committee B/505.
It is a revision of part of the content of BS 5911-2. BS 5911-4 was prepared to
complement, and to be used in conjunction with, BS EN 1917. In order not to
create any barrier to trade, products under the scope of this British Standard are
specified as conforming to “BS EN 1917 and BS 5911-4 or equivalent”.
BS 5911-4 together with BS EN 1917 supersedes BS 5911-2. However, BS 5911-2
will remain current until 24 months after the publication of EN 1916:2002,
i.e. October 2004, when it will be withdrawn.
BS EN 1917:2002 does not contain all the requirements for inspection chambers
in the existing national specifications of CEN members because complete
agreement could not be achieved. BS 5911-4 contains requirements from
BS 5911-2 that could not be agreed upon for inclusion in BS EN 1917.
!The requirements for cementitious content and cement groupings have been
aligned with the provisions of BS 8500-1:2002 and BRE Special Digest 1 [1]
insofar as they relate to precast concrete pipeline systems."
The start and finish of text introduced or altered by Amendment is indicated in

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the text by tags !". For example, text altered by Amendment No.1 is indicated
by !".
For an enquiry or order to be fully understood it is essential that the
manufacturer be given the information set out in Annex A of this part of BS 5911.
Product certification. Users of this part of BS 5911 are advised to consider the
desirability of third party certification of product conformity with this
British Standard. Appropriate conformity attestation arrangements are
described in BS EN 1917. Users seeking assistance in identifying appropriate
conformity assessment bodies or schemes may ask BSI to forward their enquiries
to the relevant association.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
BSI Committee B/505, whose constitution is shown in this British Standard,
takes collective responsibility for its preparation under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee. The Committee wishes to
acknowledge the contribution of the following organizations:
The British Precast Concrete Federation;
The Concrete Society;
The Institution of Highways and Transportation.

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity

from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 13 and a back cover.
The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the
document was last issued.

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 BS 5911-4:2002

1 Scope
BS EN 1917 specifies requirements and describes test methods for precast concrete inspection chambers,
designed to be used for inverts not exceeding 2 metres deep, of circular, rectangular (with or without
chamfered or rounded corners) or elliptical cross-section, unreinforced, steel fibre and reinforced, with
nominal sizes or nominal lengths not exceeding DN 1250 or LN 1250, respectively. The intended use of
BS EN 1917 is to permit access to, and to allow aeration of, drain or sewer systems for the conveyance of
sewage, rainwater and surface water under gravity or occasionally at low head of pressure, mainly
installed in areas subjected to vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic.
This part of BS 5911 specifies complementary requirements to those in BS EN 1917 for unreinforced and
reinforced concrete inspection chambers of circular and rectangular cross-section (with or without
chamfered or rounded corners), as provided for in that European Standard. This part also specifies
requirements for inspection chamber units less than or equal to DN 1000 or LN/WN 1000/675 not
exceeding 1 metre depth to invert. The inspection chambers are mainly intended for installation in areas
outside the highway and where vehicle loading is restricted.
The scope of BS EN 1917 includes steel fibre concrete inspection chambers, which are not manufactured in
the United Kingdom although this was at one time contemplated. Therefore, they have been excluded from
this part of BS 5911.
The scope of BS 5911-2 originally included inspection chamber covers. However, these have been excluded
from this part of BS 5911 because they now come under the scope of BS EN 124.
BS EN 752-2, BS EN 752-3, BS EN 752-4, BS EN 1295-1 and BS EN 1610 deal with the planning, design,
installation and testing of drains and sewers.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
BS 146, Specification for blastfurnace cements with strength properties outside the scope of BS EN 197-1.
!Text deleted"
BS 3123, Specification for spring calipers and spring dividers.
BS 3892-1, Pulverized-fuel ash — Part 1: Specification for pulverized-fuel ash for use with Portland cement.
BS 4027, Specification for sulfate-resisting Portland cement.
BS 4035, Specification for linear measuring instruments for use on building and civil engineering
constructional works — Steel measuring tapes, steel bands and retractable steel pocket rules.
BS 4449, Specification for carbon steel bars for the reinforcement of concrete.
BS 4482, Specification for cold reduced steel wire for the reinforcement of concrete.
BS 4483, Steel fabric for the reinforcement of concrete.
BS 4484-1, Specification for measuring instruments for constructional works — Part 1: Metric graduation
and figuring of instruments for linear measurement.
BS 6699, Specification for ground granulated blastfurnace slag for use with Portland cement.
BS EN 197-1, Cement — Part 1: Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements.
BS EN 934-2, Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout — Part 2: Concrete admixtures — Definitions,
requirements, conformity, marking and labelling.
!BS EN 1008, Mixing water for concrete — Specification for sampling, testing and assessing the
suitability of water, including water recovered from processes in the concrete industry, as mixing water for
concrete."
BS EN 1917:2002, Concrete manholes and inspection chambers, unreinforced, steel fibre and reinforced.
!BS EN 12620, Aggregates for concrete."

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 BS 5911-4:2002

3 Terms and definitions

For the purpose of this part of BS 5911, the terms and definitions given in BS EN 1917 and the following
apply.
3.1
cementitious content
amount of cement plus any pozzolanic or latent hydraulic addition in the concrete mix

4 Symbols
The meanings of symbols used in this part of BS 5911 shall be as given in Table 1, together with those given
in BS EN 1917:2002, Table 2.
Table 1 — Symbols
Symbol Meaning Unit Reference
hs Height of studs on straightness gauge mm D.3.2
h½ Effective height minus 0.03 m m D.3.2

5 General requirements
NOTE The numbers in brackets after subclause headings are the corresponding subclause numbers in BS EN 1917:2002.

5.1 Application
The requirements of this part of BS 5911 shall be in addition to those specified in BS EN 1917 and for the
purposes of the latter the reference specifications shall be those listed in Annex B of this Standard. For
inspection chambers designed to be used for inverts at depths other than those not exceeding 2 metres deep
the requirements of BS EN 1917:2002 shall also apply, except as otherwise required by, or stated in,
this part of BS 5911.
5.2 Concrete (4.2)
5.2.1 Composition
[Link] Types of cement
The cement (see BS EN 1917:2002, 4.1) shall either:
a) be factory-produced by the cement manufacturer and conform to one of the following Standards as
appropriate:

Type of cement Standard

CEM I BS EN 197-1
CEM II/B-V BS EN 197-1
!BIII/B" BS 146
sulfate-resisting Portland BS 4027; or

b) consist of a combination of cement conforming to CEM I as specified in BS EN 197-1 and an addition

in the form of ground granulated blastfurnace slag (ggbs) or pulverized-fuel ash (pfa) !in the
proportions specified in [Link]", to be included as part of the concrete mix by simultaneously
combining them with the other concrete materials at the concrete mixer.
In all cases where combinations of cement conforming to CEM I as specified in BS EN 197-1 and ggbs or
pfa are used, the relevant proportion of ggbs or pfa shall be fully documented in the production records.

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 BS 5911-4:2002

[Link] Cementitious content

The fully compacted concrete shall have a minimum cementitious content of not less than the relevant
amount shown in Table 2. The composition/specification of cement groups shall be as shown in Table 3.
! Table 2 — Cementitious contenta
Classb Aggregate carbonate Cement or Minimum cement or Maximum w/c ratio
rangec combination group combination content
kg/m3
DC-2 A, B, C 1, 2, 3 340 0.45
DC-3 A 2a 400 0.40
A 2b, 3 380 0.45
B, C 2, 3 340 0.45
DC-3* B 2, 3 380 0.45
DC-3* * C 2, 3 380 0.45
DC-4 A 2a 400 0.35
A 2b, 3 400 0.40
A 2, 3 380 0.33
B, C 2, 3 380 0.45
B, C 2, 3 360 0.40
DC-4* B 2, 3 380 0.33
B 2, 3 400 0.40
DC-4* * C 2, 3 380 0.33
C 2, 3 400 0.40
DC-4m A 2b, 3 380 0.33
A 2b, 3 400 0.40
B 3 400 0.40
B, C 3 360 0.40
B, C 3 380 0.45
DC-4m* B 3 380 0.33
DC-4m* * C 3 380 0.33
C 3 400 0.40
a The table is consistent with the provisions of BS 8500-1:2002 and BRE Special Digest 1 [1] insofar as they relate to precast
concrete pipeline systems, except that the maximum water/cement (w/c) ratio is limited to 0.45 in accordance with
BS EN 1917:2002, [Link].
b The class designations are those for design chemical class (DC-class) in BS 8500-1:2002, Table A.15. Where there is more than
one option in a class the choice is at the manufacturer’s discretion.
c See BRE Special Digest 1 — Part 4, Table 4.

"

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 BS 5911-4:2002

! Table 3 — Cement or combination groups a

Type Designation Standard Grouping
(see [Link]) with respect
to sulfate
resistance
Portland cement CEM I BS EN 197-1 1
Portland fly ash cements CEM II/B-Vb BS EN 197-1 2ac
Sulfate-resisting Portland cement SRPC BS 4027 3
Blastfurnace slag cementse BIII/Bd BS 146 2be
Combinations conforming to BS 8500-2:2002, Annex A
manufactured in the concrete mixer from Portland cement
and pfa or ggbs:
CEM I cement conforming to BS EN 197-1 with a mass CIIA-V BS 8500-2 1
fraction of 6 % to 20 % of combination of pfa conforming to
BS 3892-1
CEM I cement conforming to BS EN 197-1 with a mass CIIB-Vb BS 8500-2 2ac
fraction of 21 % to 35 % of combination of pfa conforming to
BS 3892-1
CEM I cement conforming to BS EN 197-1 with a mass CIVB-Vb BS 8500-2 2af
fraction of 36 % to 55 % of combination of pfa conforming to
BS 3892-1
CEM I cement conforming to BS EN 197-1 with a mass CII-Sg BS 8500-2 1
fraction of 6 % to 35 % of combination of ggbs conforming to
BS 6699
CEM I cement conforming to BS EN 197-1 with a mass CIIIA BS 8500-2 1
fraction of 36 % to 65 % of combination of ggbs conforming to
BS 6699
CEM I cement conforming to BS EN 197-1 with a mass CIIIB d BS 8500-2 2be
fraction of 66 % to 80 %e of combination of ggbs conforming to
BS 6699
a The table is consistent with BS 8500-1:2002, Table A.17 and BS 8500-2:2002, Table 1.
b Where the proportions for sulfate resistance are required, i.e. not less than 25 % and not more than 40 % pfa, add to the
abbreviation “+SR”.
c Provided the pfa content is a mass fraction of not less than 25 % of cement or combination. Where it is less than 25%, the cement
of combination falls within group 1.
d Where the proportions for sulfate resistance are required (see e), add to the abbreviation “+SR”.
e Where the alumina content of the slag exceeds 14 %, the tricalcium aluminate content of the Portland cement fraction should not
exceed 10 %. Where this is not the case, the grouping with respect to sulfate resistance is “1”.
f Provided the pfa content is a mass fraction of not more than 40 % of cement or combination. Where it exceeds 40 %, no guidance is
provided.
g Where necessary, this class can be subdivided into CIIA-S (6 % to 20 % ggbs) and CIIB-S (20 % to 35 % ggbs).

"
5.3 Finish (4.3.2)
5.3.1 Surface voids
With the exception of the external edges of slabs, when tested in accordance with Annex C surfaces of units
shall be free from voids that permit diametrically opposite points of the rim of the gauge to touch the
surface of the unit simultaneously.
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Units exhibiting any surface void greater than 12 mm deep shall be deemed not to conform to this part
of BS 5911.
NOTE Voids up to and including 12 mm deep may be made good by the manufacturer — see BS EN 1917:2002, 4.3.2.

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 BS 5911-4:2002

5.4 Geometrical characteristics (4.3.3)

5.4.1 General
Subject to the requirements of this clause, the dimensions and thickness of units shall conform to those
stated in the factory documents.
5.4.2 Internal dimensions
The manufacturer shall make available the sizes of inspection chamber that can be supplied. The internal
diameter, length and width shall conform to the requirements of Table 4.
5.4.3 Shape, size and position of openings in slabs
Cover slabs shall conform to the requirements of Table 4 and be either:
a) Type 1 — suitable for depths not greater than 1.2 metres to invert with a minimum size access
of 430 mm × 430 mm or 430 mm in diameter; or
b) Type 2 — suitable for depths greater than 1.2 metres to invert with a maximum size access of
300 mm × 300 mm or 350 mm in diameter.
Openings in cover slabs shall be circular or rectangular.
NOTE 1 It is permissible for the vertical face(s) of an opening to be cast with a nominal release angle away from the opening, and to
be designed to provide a seating for the inspection chamber cover.
NOTE 2 A larger clear opening is permitted in Type 2 cover slabs provided the access is restricted to the above dimensions stated
in b) above.
NOTE 3 These provisions are consistent with the recommendations in BS EN 752-3:1997, Table NB.2.

Table 4 — Inspection chambers (see Figure 1)

Inspection Dimensions
chamber type (mm)
A B C D E F G H
Type 1 (for Not less Not less Not less Not more Not less Not less Not less Not less
chambers not than 600 than 75 than 150 than than 450 than 430 than 430 than 430
greater than dimension A
1.2 m in depth
from cover level
to invert)
Type 2 (for Not less Not less Not less Not more Not less Not more Not more Not more
chambers than 600 than 75 than 150 than than 450 than 350 than 300 than 300
greater than dimension A
1.2 m in depth
from cover level
to invert)
NOTE 1 Dimensions A to H are shown in Figure 1.
NOTE 2 A larger clear opening is permitted in Type 2 cover slabs provided the access is restricted to the dimensions F, G and H.
NOTE 3 The above guidance is consistent with the recommendations in !BS EN 752-3:1997, Table NB.2."
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 BS 5911-4:2002

Cover slab Cover slab

D Shaft section Shaft section
B

Taper Reducing
slab
C

Chamber Chamber
B

section section
B

Using a taper Using a reducing slab

a) Sectional elevations
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Circular
access
H

Alternative
rectangular
access
Circular inspection chamber

A
Rectangular Alternative radiused
G
access corners
H
E

Alternative chamfered
Rectangular inspection chamber corners

b) Plan views
Figure 1 — Typical inspection chamber arrangements

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 BS 5911-4:2002

5.4.4 Benching
If a base unit is supplied with benching, the slope of the benching shall be a minimum of 5 % and shall
conform to that stated in the factory documents.
The height of the benching from the invert of the channel shall be half of the nominal size of the largest
connecting pipe, expressed in millimetres.
NOTE The requirement for benching height is consistent with the recommendation of BS EN 752-3:1997, NB.4.5.

5.4.5 Dimensional tolerances

[Link] Tolerances on the internal diameter of circular vertical units and related tapers
The tolerances on the internal manufactured diameter of circular vertical units and related tapers shall
be ±(3 + 0.005DN) mm (rounded to the nearest mm), limited to ±15 mm. No individual measurement,
measured in accordance with D.1, shall be outside the specified limits when compared to the relevant value
stated in the factory documents (see 5.4.1).
[Link] Tolerances on the internal size of rectangular vertical units
The tolerances on the internal manufactured size of rectangular vertical units shall be ±(3 + 0.005WN) mm
(rounded to the nearest millimetre), limited to ±15 mm. No individual measurement, measured in
accordance with D.1, shall be outside the specified limits when compared to the relevant value stated in
the factory documents (see 5.4.1).
[Link] Tolerance on the thickness
Any value of thickness measured in accordance with D.2 shall be not less than the value stated in the
factory documents.
[Link] Deviation from straightness
When measured in accordance with D.3, for the internal surface of a vertical unit having an effective height
greater than 0.5 m, both ends of the gauge shall not make contact with the surface of the unit when using
Edge X and the two studs shall be in contact simultaneously when using Edge Y.
NOTE See Figure D.1.

[Link] Squareness of ends

Vertical units and tapers shall be capable of being jointed with their relevant axes coincident. For circular
chamber and shaft units this requirement shall apply in any orientation.
NOTE Squareness of ends is significant only to the extent that it relates to the type of sealing material and the performance of the
joint assembly.

5.5 Crushing strength of chamber and shaft units (4.3.5)

NOTE Strength class is defined in BS EN 1917:2001, 3.1.21 as the minimum crushing load in kilonewtons per metre, divided by one
thousandth of either a unit’s nominal size (DN) or nominal length (LN).
The strength classes of chamber and shaft units shall be in accordance with Table 5. Minimum crushing
loads corresponding to strength classes shall be rounded up to the nearest kilonewton/metre.
Table 5 — Strength classes for chamber and shaft units
Nominal size/Nominal length Strength class
DN/LN
DN/LN < 600 40
600 k DN/LN < 800 30
800 k DN/LN < 1000 20
DN/LN k 1000 15

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 BS 5911-4:2002

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5.6 Vertical strength of reducing units (4.3.6)

Where an edge of an access opening is designed to be greater than 150 mm from the inner wall of the
supporting unit, the vertical loading requirements of BS EN 1917 shall apply, except as otherwise required
by, or stated in, this part of BS 5911.
The minimum vertical crushing loads for “Medium Load” and “Light Load” reducing units shall be 62.5 kN
and 12.5 kN respectively.
NOTE “Light load” units are intended for installation in areas where the vertical loading is from pedestrians or the occasional wheel
load not exceeding 1 tonne (10 kN). For “Medium Load” units, the load is increased to 5 tonnes (50 kN).

5.7 Watertightness (4.3.8)

For units designed to be used for inverts not exceeding 1.2 metre deep and having nominal sizes less than
or equal to DN 1000 or LN/WN 1000/675, the internal hydrostatic pressure for the purposes of
BS EN 1917:2002, Annex C shall be 15 kPa (0.15 bar or approximately 1.5 metre water column).

6 Special requirements
NOTE The numbers in brackets after subclause headings are the corresponding subclause numbers in BS EN 1917:2002.

6.1 Reinforced concrete units (5.2)

6.1.1 Concrete cover (5.2.2)
The minimum concrete cover shall be 20 mm for slabs and 15 mm for all other units, or the relevant
nominal maximum size of aggregate stated in the factory documents, whichever is the larger in each case.
NOTE 1 Given the inspection procedures specified in this part of BS 5911 and the maximum permitted stabilized surface crack width
specified in BS EN 1917:2002, 5.2.3 and BS EN 1917:2002, 5.2.4, the value of minimum concrete cover is consistent with the
serviceability conditions specified in BS EN 1917:2002, 4.3.9. Taken together, these factors are also consistent with the crack control
provisions given in BS 8110-1 and BS 8110-2.
NOTE 2 Units conveying sea water, industrial waste, etc. and those to be installed in more aggressive serviceability conditions than
those specified in BS EN 1917:2002, 4.3.9 may need additional concrete cover. The advice of the manufacturer should be sought in
such a situation.

6.2 Vertical strength of cover slabs and reducing slabs (5.2.4)

The vertical proof load for “Medium Load” and “Light load” cover slabs and reducing slabs shall be 25 kN
and 5 kN respectively.

7 Conformity evaluation
7.1 Application
The conformity evaluation requirements of BS EN 1917 shall apply to this part of BS 5911, supplemented
by the following sampling procedures.
7.2 Finish
If subjected to the test in Annex C the finish of any unit (except for the external edges of slabs) shall
conform to 5.2.1 for surface voids.
7.2.1 Geometrical characteristics
Sampling procedures to evaluate the conformity of internal diameter, internal size, thickness and
straightness to [Link], [Link], [Link] and [Link] respectively shall be in accordance with those for
“Geometrical characteristics — Units” in BS EN 1917:2002, Table G.1.

8 Marking
In addition to the requirements of BS EN 1917:2002, Clause 8 each unit or package of units shall be
marked “& BS 5911-4” immediately following “BS EN 1917” and with the letter “R” if it is a reinforced
concrete unit.

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 BS 5911-4:2002

Annex A (informative)
Information to be supplied in an enquiry or order
The following particulars cover essential details required by the manufacturer so that an enquiry or order
may be fully understood:
Reference in Reference in this
BS EN 1917 part of BS 5911
a) quantity, cross-sectional shape(s) and nominal size(s) of units — 5.4.3
b) !design chemical class (DC-class) of concrete in units" 4.3.9 5.2.1
c) if additional concrete cover is required 4.3.9 and 5.2.2 6.1.1
d) if the products are to be fully covered by a third party
certification scheme 7.1 Foreword

Annex B (normative)
British Standards relevant to BS EN 1917:2002
The reference specifications prescribed in 5.1 are listed in Table B.1.
Table B.1 — British Standards relevant to BS EN 1917:2002
Reference in BS EN 1917:2002 Relevant British Standard
Subclause number Material/Characteristic
4.1 Cements BS EN 197-1
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BS 146
BS 4027
4.1 Aggregates !BS EN 12620"
4.1 Mixing water !BS EN 1008a"
4.1 Admixtures BS EN 934-2
4.1 Additions BS 3892-1
BS 6699
4.1 Reinforcing steel BS 4449
BS 4482
BS 4483
a !BS EN 1008:2002, 3.1 specifies that potable water does not need testing."

Annex C (normative)
Surface void test
C.1 Principle
The purpose of this test is to evaluate whether any void in the surface of a unit (except for the external
edges of slabs) conforms to the limiting requirements in 5.3.1.
C.2 Apparatus
C.2.1 Gauge, as shown in Figure C.1.

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 BS 5911-4:2002

Dimensions in mm

20 ± 1

Cylinder

5 min
5 ± 0.25

Hemisphere
10 ± 0.5

Figure C.1 — Gauge for assessing surface voids

C.3 Procedure
Apply the ball of the gauge to the void.
C.4 Expression of result
Record whether diametrically opposite points in the rim of the gauge simultaneously touched the surface
of the unit.

Annex D (normative)
Dimensional tests
NOTE At the manufacturer’s discretion it is permissible to use purpose-made “go/no-go” gauges for dimensional measurements in
lieu of the apparatus specified for the tests in this Annex.

D.1 Internal dimensions test

D.1.1 Principle
The purpose of this test is to evaluate whether the internal diameter of circular vertical units and tapers,
or the internal width/length of rectangular vertical units, conforms to [Link] or [Link] as appropriate.
D.1.2 Apparatus
D.1.2.1 Steel measuring tape or retractable pocket rule, conforming to BS 4035, with metric graduation and
figuring conforming to BS 4484-1.
D.1.3 Procedure
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For circular vertical units and tapers, make three measurements of the internal diameter at each end at
approximately 60° to each other. For rectangular vertical units, make two measurements of each internal
dimension at each end. For base units, take the measurements only at the upper end. For all units, take
measurements at approximately 50 mm from the end(s) of the unit.
D.1.4 Expression of results
Record whether each measured value of the internal diameter or length/width conforms to [Link] or [Link]
as appropriate.
D.2 Thickness tests
D.2.1 Principle
The purpose of these tests is to evaluate whether the thickness of a unit conforms to [Link].
D.2.2 Apparatus
D.2.2.1 Outside spring caliper, conforming to BS 3123.
D.2.2.2 Steel measuring tape or retractable pocket rule, conforming to BS 4035, with metric graduation and
figuring conforming to BS 4484-1.

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 BS 5911-4:2002

D.2.3 Procedure
For circular vertical units, use the outside spring caliper to measure the wall thickness at approximately
50 mm from the end of the external barrel at the upper end, at three positions equidistant around the
circumference of the unit.
For rectangular vertical units, use the outside spring caliper to measure the wall thickness at
approximately 50 mm from the end of the external barrel at the upper end, at each quarter point around
the perimeter.
Measure the thickness of tapers using the outside spring caliper at three positions approximately
equidistant around the upper circumference of the unit and repeat the procedure for the lower
circumference.
Measure the thickness of slabs using the steel measuring tape or retractable pocket rule at each quarter
point around the circumference or perimeter.
D.2.4 Expression of results
Record whether each measured value of the thickness conforms to [Link].
D.3 Straightness test
D.3.1 Principle
The purpose of this test is to evaluate whether the internal straightness of a vertical unit having an
effective height greater than 0.5 m conforms to [Link].
D.3.2 Apparatus
D.3.2.1 Rigid straightedge, made into a gauge of the form and dimensions shown in Figure D.1.
D.3.3 Procedure
D.3.3.1 Place the straightedge within the unit with Edge X (see Figure D.1) in contact with the unit and
on a line parallel to its vertical axis. Hold the plane of the gauge in a radial plane and make a record of
whether or not both ends of the gauge, wherever so placed, were in contact with the internal surface of the
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unit.
D.3.3.2 If both ends of the gauge were not in contact with the internal surface of the unit at both ends,
reverse the gauge so that Edge Y, placed as above (see Figure D.1), is adjacent to the internal surface of the
unit.
D.3.4 Expression of result
Record whether both ends of the gauge were in contact with the surface of the unit when using Edge X, and
whether the two studs (see Figure D.1) touched the surface simultaneously when using Edge Y.
Dimensions in mm

10 ± 0.2 10 ± 0.2
hs

Edge Y
Edge X
10 ± 0.2
hs

h'/2
h'
!hs = (3.5 h½ ± 5 %) in mm
NOTE The studs should be detachable from the basic straightedge to facilitate checking and replacement."

Figure D.1 — Gauge for measuring deviation from straightness

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 BS 5911-4:2002

Bibliography

Standards publications
!Text deleted"
BS 5911-2:1982, Precast concrete pipes, fittings and ancillary products — Part 2: Specification for
inspection chambers.
BS 8110-1:1997, Structural use of concrete — Part 1: Code of practice for design and construction.
BS 8110-2:1985, Structural use of concrete — Part 2: Code of practice for special circumstances.
!BS 8500-1:2002, Concrete — Complementary British Standard to BS EN 206-1 — Part 1: Method of
specifying and guidance for the specifier.
BS 8500-2:2002, Concrete — Complementary British Standard to BS EN 206-1 — Part 2: Specification for
constituent materials and concrete."
BS EN 124:1994, Gully tops and manhole tops for vehicular and pedestrian areas — Design requirements,
type testing, marking, quality control.
BS EN 752-2:1997, Drain and sewer systems outside buildings — Part 2: Performance requirements.
BS EN 752-3:1997, Drain and sewer systems outside buildings — Part 3: Planning.
BS EN 752-4:1998, Drain and sewer systems outside buildings — Part 4: Hydraulic design and
environmental considerations.
BS EN 1295-1:1998, Structural design of buried pipelines under various conditions of loading —
Part 1: General requirements.
BS EN 1610:1998, Construction and testing of drains and sewers.
!Other publications
[1] BRE Special Digest 1, Concrete in aggressive ground — Part 4: Design guides for specific precast
concrete products, BRE Bookshop, 151 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4GB, GREAT BRITAIN."

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 BS 5911-4:2002

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