QCS 2014 Section 20: Drainage Works for Buildings Page 1
Part 04: Drainage Pipes in Trenches
4 DRAINAGE PIPES IN TRENCHES ............................................................... 2
4.1 GENERAL ...................................................................................................... 2
4.1.1 Scope 2
4.1.2 References 2
4.2 LAYING OF DRAINAGE PIPES IN TRENCHES ........................................... 2
4.2.1 System Description 2
4.2.2 General 2
4.2.3 Bedding 3
4.2.4 Protective Coatings 3
4.2.5 Concrete Protection to Pipes 4
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4.2.6 Completion of Pipe Surround 4
4.2.7 Backfilling 4
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4.2.8 Protective Coatings 5
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4.2.9 Pipes under Buildings 5
4.3 ACCESS TO DRAINAGE PIPES IN TRENCHES .......................................... 5
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4.3.1 General 5
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4.3.2 Rodding Eyes 5
4.3.3 Provision of Access to Drains 5
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4.4 TESTING ....................................................................................................... 6
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4.4.1 Testing of Pipework 6
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QCS 2014 Section 20: Drainage Works for Buildings Page 2
Part 04: Drainage Pipes in Trenches
4 DRAINAGE PIPES IN TRENCHES
4.1 GENERAL
4.1.1 Scope
1 This Part specifies the requirements for trenches and bedding for drainage pipes
constructed internally and externally.
2 Related Sections and Parts are as follows:
This Section
Part 1 General
Part 2 Internal Drainage Works
Part 3 External Drainage Works
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Part 6 Commissioning of Systems
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Section 1 General
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Section 5 Concrete
Section 8 Sewerage
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4.1.2 References
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1 The following standards are referred to in this Part:
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BS 743........................Materials for damp-proof courses.
BS 882 Aggregates from natural sources for concrete
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BS 1142......................Fibre building boards
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BS 2494 Specification for elastomeric joint rings for pipework
and pipeline
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BS 6076......................Tubular polythene film for use as a protective sleeving for buried iron
pipes and fittings
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4.2 LAYING OF DRAINAGE PIPES IN TRENCHES
4.2.1 System Description
1 The laying of drainage pipes in trenches shall generally be in accordance with the relevant
provisions of Section 8, Sewerage.
4.2.2 General
1 Where socketed pipes are required to be laid on a granular or sand bed, or directly on a
trench bottom, joint holes shall be formed in the bedding material or final excavated surface
to ensure that each pipe is uniformly supported throughout the length of its barrel and to
enable the joint to made.
2 Pipes shall be laid on setting blocks only where a concrete bed or cradle is used.
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Part 04: Drainage Pipes in Trenches
3 Where pipes are required to be bedded directly on the trench bottom, the final excavated
surface shall be trimmed and levelled to provide even bedding for the pipeline and shall be
free from all extraneous matter that may damage the pipe, pipe coating, or sleeving. Where
rock is encountered, the trench shall be cut at least 150 mm deeper than other ground and
made up with well compacted selected fill material.
4 No protective cap, disc or other appliance on the end of a pipe or fitting shall be removed
permanently until the pipe or fitting which it protects is about to be jointed. Pipes and fittings,
including any lining or sheathing, shall be examined for damage and the joint surfaces and
components shall be cleaned immediately before laying.
5 Suitable measures shall be taken to prevent soil or other material from entering pipes, and to
anchor each pipe to prevent flotation or other movement before the Works are complete.
6 Where pipeline marker tape is specified, it shall be laid between 100 mm and 300 mm above
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the pipe.
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4.2.3 Bedding
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1 Bedding for pipes shall be constructed by spreading and compacting granular bedding
material over the whole width of the pipe trench. After the pipes have been laid, additional
material shall, if required, be placed and compacted equally on each side of the pipe, and
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where practicable, this shall be done in sequence with the removal of the trench supports.
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2 Bedding material shall be in accordance with Table 4.1 unless otherwise specified in the
Project Documentation.
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3 Nominal single sized aggregate and graded aggregate shall comply with Table No. 4 of BS
882.
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4 Sand for bedding material shall comply with the relevant provisions of BS 882.
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5 Bedding systems other than those specified in this Clause may be allowed upon approval of
the Engineer or as recommended by the pipe manufacturer.
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Table 4.1
Bedding Material
Pipe Diameter Bedding
up to 65 mm Sand
65 - 100 mm 10 mm single sized aggregate
10 or 14 mm single sized or 14-15 mm
100 - 200 mm
graded aggregate
10,14 or 20 mm single sized or 15-5 or 20-5
Over 200 mm
mm graded aggregate.
4.2.4 Protective Coatings
1 Coatings, sheathings or wrappings shall be examined for damage, repaired where
necessary, and made continuos before trench excavations are backfilled.
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Part 04: Drainage Pipes in Trenches
4.2.5 Concrete Protection to Pipes
1 Pipes to be bedded on or cradled with concrete shall be supported on precast concrete
setting blocks. The top face of each block shall be covered with two layers of compressible
packing complying with BS 743.
2 Concrete provided as a protection to pipes shall be Grade C20, placed to the required depth
in one operation.
3 Where pipes with flexible joints are used, the concrete protection shall be interrupted over its
full cross-section at each pipe joint by a shaped compressible filler of bitumen impregnated
insulating board to BS 1142 or equally compressible material. The thickness of the
compressible filler shall be in accordance with Table 4.2.
Table 4.2
Thickness of Compressible Filler
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Nominal Bore of Pipe (mm) Thickness of Compressible Filler (mm)
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Up to 300 13
Over 300 and up to 600
Over 600 and up to 1200
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4 Rapid hardening cement shall not be used in concrete for the protection of plastics pipe.
5 Plastics pipes shall be wrapped with a layer of plastic sheeting complying with a composition
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in accordance with Clause 3 of BS 6076 and a nominal thickness of 125 microns before
being surrounded by concrete.
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6 Concrete work shall comply with the relevant provisions of Section 5, Concrete.
4.2.6 Completion of Pipe Surround
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1 Fill material shall, where required, be placed and compacted over the full width of the trench
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in layers not exceeding 150 mm before compaction, to a finished thickness of 250 mm above
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the crown of the pipes.
4.2.7 Backfilling
1 Backfilling shall, wherever practicable, be undertaken immediately the specified operations
preceding it have been completed. Backfilling shall not, however, be commenced until the
parts of the Works to be covered have achieved a strength sufficient to withstand all loading
imposed thereon.
2 Backfilling around existing structures shall be undertaken in such manner as to avoid
uneven loading or damage.
3 Filling material to excavations shall be deposited in layers not exceeding 250 mm
unconsolidated thickness and compacted to 95% modified proctor.
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Part 04: Drainage Pipes in Trenches
4 Where the excavations have been supported and the supports are to be removed, these,
where practicable, shall be withdrawn progressively as backfilling proceeds in such a
manner as to minimise the danger of collapse. All voids formed behind the supports shall be
carefully filled and compacted
4.2.8 Protective Coatings
1 Coatings, sheathings or wrappings shall be examined for damage, repaired where
necessary, and made continuos before trench excavations are backfilled.
4.2.9 Pipes under Buildings
1 Where a pipe has less than 300 mm of cover under a load bearing slab, it should be
surrounded with concrete as an integral part of the slab. Where possible, the concrete
surround shall be poured at the same time as the slab. The surround shall be tied to the slab
with nominal steel reinforcement placed vertically with turned over ends.
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2 No provision for pipe flexibility along the concrete surround shall be made, unless an
expansion joint is included in the slab. A construction joint should be included in the
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surround at that point which must also coincide with a pipe joint.
3 In normal, stable ground conditions, and with 300 mm or more of cover to the pipeline
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beneath the slab, a total granular surround can be used as a pipe bedding. Refer to Clause
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4.2.3 of this Part for the bedding specification.
4 Flexibility shall be incorporated into the pipeline as it leaves any concrete surround.
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5 Where plastic pipes are to be surrounded in concrete, Clause 4.2.5 of this Part shall apply.
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4.3 ACCESS TO DRAINAGE PIPES IN TRENCHES
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4.3.1 General
1 Access is required to drainage installations for testing, inspection, maintenance and removal
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of debris.
4.3.2 Rodding Eyes
1 Rodding eyes shall be constructed in pipework of the same diameter as the drains it serves
and should connect to the drain at an angle not steeper than 45 from the horizontal.
4.3.3 Provision of Access to Drains
1 Every drain length should be accessible for maintenance and rodding without the need to
enter buildings. Access should be provided at the head of each run of a drain and at
changes in direction, gradient or pipe diameter.
2 Table 4.3 indicates the recommended maximum distance between rodding eyes, inspection
chambers and manholes.
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Part 04: Drainage Pipes in Trenches
3 Where a branch drain joins another drain without the provision of an inspection chamber or
manhole at the junction, access should be provided on the branch drains within 12 m of the
junction.
Table 4.3
Maximum Spacings of Access Points
Distance to from Junction or from Inspection from Manhole
Branch Chamber
start of external drain - 22 m 45 m
rodding eye 22 m 45 m 45 m
inspection chamber 22 m 45 m 45 m
manhole 45 m 45 m 90 m
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4.4 TESTING
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4.4.1 Testing of Pipework
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Pressure tests shall be carried out on below ground plumbing pipes. Test procedures are
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detailed in Part 6 of this Section.
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END OF PART
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