British Standard

A single copy of this British Standard is licensed to

Akin Koksal
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

09 December 2002

This is an uncontrolled copy. Ensure use of the most

current version of this document by searching British
Standards Online at bsonline.techindex.co.uk
 BRITISH STANDARD BS 5911-2:
1982
Incorporating
Amendments Nos. 1, 2
and 3

Precast concrete pipes

and ancillary concrete
products —
Part 2: Specification for inspection
chambers
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

ICS 23.040.50
 BS 5911-2:1982

Cooperating organizations

The Cement, Gypsum, Aggregates and Quarry Products Standards

Committee, under whose direction this British Standard was prepared,
consists of representatives from the following:

Association of Consulting Engineers*

Association of County Councils
Association of District Councils
Association of Metropolitan Authorities*
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Products Association
British Precast Concrete Federation Ltd*
British Quarrying and Slag Federation*
British Railways Board
British Ready Mixed Concrete Association
British Steel Industry
Cement Admixtures Association
Cement and Concrete Association*
Cement Makers’ Federation*
Chemical Industries Association
Concrete Society Limited*
County Surveyors’ Society*
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment)
Department of the Environment (Housing and Construction)
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Department of the Environment (PSA)

Department of the Environment (Transport and Road Research Laboratory)*
Department of Transport*
Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors*
Gypsum Products Development Association
Institute of Quarrying
Institution of Civil Engineers*
Institution of Highway Engineers*
Institution of Municipal Engineers*
Institution of Public Health Engineers*
Institution of Structural Engineers*
Institution of Water Engineers and Scientists*
National Federation of Building Trades Employers
National Environment Research Council (Institute of Geological Science)
Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Sand and Ballast Hauliers and Allied Trades Alliance
Sand and Gravel Association Limited*
Society of Chemical Industry
Stone Federation

The organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the
following, were directly represented on the Technical Committee entrusted
This British Standard, having
been prepared under the with the preparation of this British Standard:
direction of the Cement,
Gypsum, Aggregates and Concrete Pipe Association
Quarry Products Standards Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Committee, was published National Water Council
under the authority of the
Pipe Jacking Association
Board of BSI and comes
into effect on
30 September 1982 Amendments issued since publication

© BSI 01-2001 Amd. No. Date of issue Comments

5146 April 1986

The following BSI references
relate to the work on this 8077 January 1994
standard:
Committee reference CAB/12
Draft for comment 77/11104 DC 11030 January 2001 Indicated by a sideline

ISBN 0 580 12870 9

 BS 5911-2:1982

Contents

Page
Cooperating organizations Inside front cover
Foreword ii
Section 1. Specification
1 Scope 1
2 References 1
3 Definitions 1
4 Cement 1
5 Aggregates 1
6 Other concrete materials 1
7 Concrete 1
8 Steel reinforcement 2
9 Permissible deviations 2
10 Joints 2
11 Marking of units and components 2
12 Inspection chambers 3
13 Text deleted 3
Section 2. Tests
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

14 Compliance requirements 4
15 Test requirements 7
16 Inspection procedures 7
Appendix A Information to be given to the manufacturer in an
enquiry and order 9
Appendix B Certificate of compliance with BS 5911-2 9
Appendix C Water absorption test for inspection chambers 9
Appendix D Load test for cover slabs 10
Appendix E Text deleted 10
Figure 1 — Typical inspection chamber arrangements 5
Figure 2 — Figure deleted 7
Table 1 — Permissible deviations 2
Table 2 — Inspection chambers 4
Table 3 — Table deleted 7
List of references Inside back cover

© BSI 01-2001 i
 BS 5911-2:1982

Foreword
The original edition and first amendment to this British Standard were prepared
under the direction of the Cement, Gypsum, Aggregates and Quarry Products
Standards Committee. The preparation of subsequent amendments has been
entrusted to Technical Committee B/505, Waste water engineering.
As part of the new approach to harmonization of standards in Europe, work on a
specification for inspection chambers is being undertaken in CEN/TC 165, Waste
water engineering and the requirements for inspection chambers specified in the
amended 1982 edition are now subject to a standstill agreement. Standstill is an
obligation accepted by members of CEN/CENELEC not to take any action, during
the preparation of a European Standard (EN), which could prejudice the
harmonization process.
BS EN 752-3, BS EN 1295-1 and BS EN 1610 deal with the design, installation
and testing of inspection chambers on drains and sewers. The original National
Annex NB of BS EN 752-3:1997 gave information about traditional UK practice
as described in BS 8301 and BS 8005-1, both of which are now withdrawn. The
annex was amended on 15 November 2000 to take account of Safe Work in
Confined Spaces – Approved Code of Practice, Regulations and Guidance, issued
by the Health and Safety Commission under the provisions of the Confined
Spaces Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No. 1713) [1]. Members of CEN/CENELEC are
permitted under the duty of care owed by the publisher of documents having a
recognized national status to amend their existing national standards
accordingly in such circumstances. Therefore, Amendment No. 3 to this standard
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

reflects the revised information in National Annex NB of BS EN 752-3:1997, as

amended by Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 as regards safe working in inspection
chambers.
For certain products, Amendment No. 3 to this standard necessitates planned
changes to manufacturing equipment which cannot be achieved overnight. In
view of this and in order to complete the changeover with the orderly disposal of
stock, the amendment comes into effect on 01 May 2001. For some products,
consequently, the original requirements are retained for the time being and
supplemented by an amended specification for corresponding ones. The former
will be withdrawn by a further amendment as soon as the technical committee
judges it reasonable to do so.
As regards the performance of units in service, it should be noted that the tests
in this Part are intended to ensure that the units do not leak or suffer structural
damage, provided that the method of installation and the general conditions
under which they are operating are suited to the original design concept.
For an enquiry or order to be fully understood it is essential that the
manufacturer be given the information set out in Appendix A of this Part
of BS 5911.
Product certification/inspection/testing. Users of this British Standard are
advised to consider the desirability of third-party certification/inspection/testing
of product conformity with this British Standard. Appropriate conformity
attestation arrangements are described in BS EN ISO 9002:1994. Users seeking
assistance in identifying appropriate conformity assessment bodies or schemes
may ask BSI to forward their enquires to the relevant association.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
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 10, an inside back cover and a back cover.
The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the
document was last issued.
Sidelining in this document indicates the most recent changes by amendment.

ii © BSI 01-2001
 Section 1 BS 5911-2:1982

Section 1. Specification

1 Scope
Type of cement Standard to be
This Part of BS 5911 specifies requirements for complied with
precast concrete inspection chambers, unreinforced
or reinforced, for use over a drain or sewer not Ordinary and rapid-hardening BS 12
exceeding nominal size DN 250, in areas of light Portland
loading (see 3.5). Requirements for covers and Portland-blastfurnace BS 146
frames are specified in BS EN 124.
Sulfate-resisting Portland BS 4027
2 References
5 Aggregates
The titles of the publications referred to in this Part
of BS 5911 are listed on the inside back cover. 5.1 General. Aggregates shall consist of materials
complying with the requirements of BS 882 except
3 Definitions that the manufacturer shall be permitted to modify
grading requirements of clause 5 of that standard
For the purposes of this Part of BS 5911, the (see clause 0 of BS 882:1992).
following definitions apply:
NOTE Typical samples of aggregates and evidence of
3.1 satisfactory performance of the concrete manufactured with such
component aggregates should be made available to purchasers on request
(see Appendix A).
an individually cast piece of concrete which when 5.2 Size. The maximum nominal size of aggregate
assembled with other components makes up into a
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

shall not exceed the least of the following:

unit
a) 20 mm;
3.2
b) the concrete cover to steel reinforcement
unit
(see clause 8);
an inspection chamber
c) three-quarters of the minimum clear distance
3.3 between reinforcing bars.
inspection chamber
a chamber constructed over a drain or sewer so as to 6 Other concrete materials
provide access thereto for inspecting, testing or the 6.1 Water. Water shall be clean and free from
clearance of obstruction harmful amounts of deleterious matter, either in
3.4 suspension or in solution.
cover slab 6.2 Admixtures. The composition and use of
unit forming the horizontal roof of a chamber or admixtures, including calcium chloride, shall follow
shaft and having an access opening, above which a the recommendations of 6.1.5 of BS 8110-1:1985.
frame and cover is designed to fit. Some designs
have no frame, the cover being supported directly in 7 Concrete
a recess around the perimeter of the opening 7.1 Cement content. The fully compacted concrete
3.5 shall contain not less than 300 kg of cement per
light loading cubic metre.
normal pedestrian and occasional wheel loads not 7.2 Design mix. The 28-day characteristic strength
exceeding 1 tonne (10 kN) of the concrete shall be not less than 30 N/mm2,
assessed in accordance with the requirements of
3.6 BS 5328-2.
batch
For each mix design, samples of freshly made
the number of units or components of a particular concrete shall be taken from not less than 2 % of the
specification produced under uniform conditions total number of batches of concrete. Sampling shall
during a given production period by the same be at a rate of not less than one sample per 20 m3 of
process fresh concrete taken daily.
4 Cement 7.3 Chloride content. The total chloride ion
content of the concrete mix shall follow the
The cement shall comply with the relevant recommendations of 6.2.5.2 of BS 8110-1:1985.
requirements of one of the following standards.

© BSI 01-2001 1
 BS 5911-2:1982 Section 1

7.4 Work in cold weather. Concrete, when placed, 9 Permissible deviations

shall have a temperature of at least 5 °C, which
9.1 Dimensions. The actual dimensions shall not
shall be maintained until the concrete is thoroughly
vary from the manufacturer’s stated dimensions by
hardened.
more than the permissible deviations given
Heating of aggregates and water before mixing, to a in Table 1.
temperature not exceeding 60 °C, shall be
permitted. Table 1 — Permissible deviations
Other materials and moulds shall not be used if they Manufacturer’s stated dimension Permissible
are frozen. deviation

Up to 600 mm ± 6 mm
8 Steel reinforcement
Over 600 mm ±10 mm
8.1 Materials and arrangement. Longitudinal
bars, main reinforcement and reinforcement for 9.2 Twist. Any corner of a rectangular unit or
handling purposes shall comply with the component shall not be more than 6 mm from the
requirements of one of the following standards. plane containing the other three corners.
For circular units or components, the squareness of
Type of reinforcement Standard to be
the ends of the unit or component in relation to the
axis of the cylinder shall be within a limit of 6 mm.
complied with
9.3 Out of squareness. No two diagonals of a unit
Carbon steel bars for the BS 4449
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

or component, measured in the same plane, shall

reinforcement of concrete differ from each other by more than the following
Cold reduced steel wire for the BS 4482 amounts:
reinforcement of concrete diagonals up to 1 000 mm: 8 mm;
Steel fabric for the reinforcement BS 4483 diagonals above 1 000 mm: 10 mm.
of concrete
10 Joints
Reinforcement shall be free from loose rust, scale,
oil, grease or any other deleterious matter. All bars Joints shall be either ogee (rebated) or tongued and
shall be suitably fixed by welding, tying, or some grooved. The minimum depths shall be 6 mm for
other method in order to control spacing and shape tongued and grooved joints and 10 mm for ogee
and to permit safe handling. joints.
8.2 Protection for reinforcement. The concrete The joints between components shall be so designed
cover over all steel reinforcement shall be such that, that they may be sealed by the use of cement mortar
in any finished unit or component, it is nowhere less or a suitable proprietary jointing compound.
than 12 mm and in base slabs nowhere less than
20 mm. 11 Marking of units and components
An effective means shall be provided for 11.1 Requirements for marking. The following
maintaining the reinforcement in position and for particulars relating to units and components made
ensuring correct cover during manufacture of the in accordance with this Part shall be clearly
component or unit. Spacers for this purpose shall be indicated on the delivery note, invoice or supplier’s
of rustproof material or be of steel protected against certificate supplied with a consignment of units:
corrosion. a) the number of this British Standard,
Rust marks on the concrete originating from within i.e. BS 5911-21);
a unit shall signify that it does not comply with the b) the letter ‘S’ where sulfate-resisting Portland
requirements of this Part of this standard. cement has been used;
c) the manufacturer’s mark and works
identification mark.
In addition, at least 20 % of all units or components
produced shall be clearly marked with the same
information.

1)
Marking BS 5911-2:1982 on or in relation to a product represents a manufacturer’s declaration of conformity, i.e. a claim by or
on behalf of the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of the standard. The accuracy of the claim is solely the
claimant’s responsibility. Such a declaration is not to be confused with third party certification of conformity, which may also be
desirable.

2 © BSI 01-2001
 Section 1 BS 5911-2:1982

11.2 Example of marking. ‘A’ ‘X’ BS 5911-2 S. 12.4 Chamber sections. Chamber sections shall be
The above marking on a unit shall signify: circular, rectangular or rectangular with shaped
ends.
“claimed by manufacturer ‘A’ to have been made
at his works ‘X’ and to comply with the 12.5 Tapers. Tapers shall be of the straight back
requirements of BS 5911-2; to be made with type to facilitate access.
sulfate-resisting cement.” 12.6 Reducing slabs and corbel slabs. Where
11.3 Method of marking. Units and components reducing slabs or corbel slabs are used as an
shall be marked with either: alternative to tapers, the slabs shall have a
minimum thickness of 50 mm and be reinforced.
a) indelible paint, applied by stencil brush or
spray as soon as possible after removal from the The access hole shall have internal dimensions not
moulds; less than the minimum internal dimensions of the
shaft.
or
12.7 Shaft sections. Shaft sections shall be
b) impressed characters approximately 2 mm
circular, rectangular or rectangular with shaped
deep.
ends.
All marks shall be visible and legible.
Shaft top sections shall provide a suitable seating
for a cover slab conforming to 12.8.
12 Inspection chambers
12.8 Cover slabs. Cover slabs shall have a
12.1 General. Inspection chambers shall consist of minimum thickness of 75 mm, if unreinforced, or
two or more of the following precast components:
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

50 mm, if reinforced.
Cover slabs shall be either:
cover slabs; Type 1 – Suitable for depths k1.2 m to invert with
shaft sections; a minimum size access of 430 mm; or
corbel slabs; Type 2 – Suitable for depths > 1.2 m to invert with
reducing slabs; a maximum size access of 300 mm × 300 mm or
350 mm diameter.
tapers (straight back);
Openings in cover slabs shall be circular or
bases.
rectangular. It is permissible for the vertical face(s)
Components, except cover slabs and reducing slabs, of an opening to be cast with a nominal release angle
shall have joints complying with the requirements away from the opening, and to be designed to
in clause 10. incorporate a recess around the perimeter of the
Components shall be sampled and tested in opening to provide a seating and direct support for
accordance with the appropriate requirements the inspection chamber cover.
given in clause 15. NOTE 1 A larger clear opening is permitted in type 2 cover slabs
NOTE Typical arrangements for inspection chambers are provided the access is restricted to the above dimensions.
shown in .Figure 1 NOTE 2 The above guidance is consistent with the
recommendations in Table NB.2 of BS EN 752-3:1997, as
12.2 Dimensions. The dimensions of inspection amended by Amendments Nos. 1 and 2.
chamber components shall be those given 12.9 Text deleted
in Table 2.
12.3 Base. The channels for the main pipe or 13 Text deleted
branches in a precast base shall be for pipes not less
than DN 75 and not more than DN 250.
NOTE The base may be precast or formed in-situ with channels
to the angles and levels specified by the user.

© BSI 01-2001 3
 BS 5911-2:1982 Section 2

Section 2. Tests

14 Compliance requirements or
14.1 General compliance. In order to claim b) make arrangements for the provision of
compliance with this standard, units and suitable equipment and facilities elsewhere for
components shall comply with the relevant test the same purpose.
requirements given in clause 15, using the The manufacturer shall provide certification to
appropriate inspection procedures. show that all test equipment is calibrated at least
Records of all tests and inspection procedures shall annually.
be kept by the manufacturer. 14.3 Acceptance of units. Units and components
14.2 Test equipment and facilities. The shall be considered ready for acceptance only after
manufacturer shall either: the batch of which the units or components form
part has been tested and shown to comply with the
a) provide in his own works suitable equipment requirements of clause 15.
and facilities for sampling and testing the units
and components before delivery;
Table 2 — Inspection chambers
Dimensions in millimetres
A B C D E F G H J K T

Type 1: Not Not Not Not Not Not Not Not Not Not For
For chambers less less less more less less less less less less unreinforced
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

1.2 m or less than than than than than than than than than than not less
in depth from 600 75 150 A 40 430 430 430 600 450 than 75
cover level to
invert For
reinforced not
less than 50
Type 2: Not Not Not Not Not Not Not Not Not Not For
For chambers less less less more less more more more less less unreinforced
1.2 m in than than than than than than than than than than not less
depth from 600 75 150 A 40 350 300 300 600 450 than 75
cover level to
invert For
reinforced not
less than 50
NOTE 1 Dimensions A to T 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 shown
in F, G and H.
NOTE 3 The above guidance is consistent with the recommendations in Table NB.2 of BS EN 752-3:1997, as amended by
Amendments Nos. 1 and 2.

4 © BSI 01-2001
 Section 2 BS 5911-2:1982

Cover Cover slab

T

seating
Shaft section

D Shaft section
Reducing slab
B

E
Chamber
Taper section
C

Using a reducing slab

Chamber
B

section

E
B

Shaft section

A
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Corbel slab

Chamber
Using taper section

Using a corbel slab

(for rectagular chambers only)
a) Sectional elevations
Figure 1 — Typical inspection chamber arrangements

© BSI 01-2001 5
 BS 5911-2:1982 Section 2

G
Circular access
Shaft section

Corbel slab
H
F

Alternative rectangular Corbel slab

access

Circular inspection chamber

Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Alternative radiused
J corners
E

G
H

Rectangular access

Alternative chamfered corners

Rectangular inspection chamber

b) Plan views
Figure 1 — Typical inspection chamber arrangements (concluded)

6 © BSI 01-2001
 Section 2 BS 5911-2:1982

Figure 2 — Deleted 15.3 Test for depth of cover to reinforcement.

Table 3 — Deleted Reinforced units and components shall be sampled
All units and components within any batch shall be and tested for compliance with 8.2. The depth of
cured and matured under similar conditions. They cover shall be determined by taking cores or cut
shall not be dispatched until they are at sections.
least 10 days old. NOTE For units not forming part of the sample,
electromagnetic cover meter complying with BS 1881-204 and
14.4 Facilities for purchasers. The manufacturer suitably calibrated for size of reinforcement and curved surfaces
shall provide the purchaser or his representative may be used.
free access at all reasonable times to the place where 15.4 Text deleted
the units are manufactured and/or tested, for the
purpose of examining quality control procedures 16 Inspection procedures
and records and of witnessing the testing and
marking of units and components. 16.1 Inspection procedure for the water
absorption test (inspection chambers). When
If the manufacturer is not covered by a scheme of
carrying out the water absorption test, the
third party certification acceptable to the purchaser,
inspection procedure shall be as follows.
he shall permit the purchaser to select samples for
test, using the appropriate inspection criteria a) From each manufacturing process, select one
specified by this standard. in 500 or two units or components per week,
whichever is the greater, and take specimens as
14.5 Manufacturer’s certificate. If required
described in Appendix C. The same type of
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

[see Appendix A g)], the manufacturer shall furnish

specimen shall be used for all tests on a given
a certificate confirming that the units or
product.
components supplied to the purchaser’s order
comply in all relevant respects with the b) Subject the specimens to the water absorption
requirements of this standard. The certificate shall test specified in 15.1.
be in the form set out in Appendix B. c) If the specimens pass the test, accept the units
or components in the batch or batches from which
15 Test requirements they were taken. If any specimen fails, repeat a)
15.1 Water absorption test (inspection and b), using a second sample.
chambers) d) If the specimens obtained from the second
sample pass the test, accept the units or
Components shall be sampled and tested in
components in the batch or batches from which
accordance with the procedure described in
they were taken. However, if any of these
Appendix C. The increase in the dry mass of a single
specimens fail, proceed as follows.
test piece by absorption of water shall not exceed:
1) Reject the batch or batches. However, it is
a) 3.6 % after 30 min;
permissible to take specimens from all the
b) 6.5 % after 24 h. remaining units or components and subject
A component from which a core specimen has been them to the test. Only those that pass the test
taken shall have the cored hole effectively sealed shall be accepted.
after the specimen has been removed. 2) Investigate the cause of failure and take any
15.2 Load test on cover slabs necessary remedial action.
Cover slabs shall be sampled and tested in 3) Resume production and increase the rate of
accordance with the procedure described in inspection to 1 in 250 or 4 units or components
Appendix D. per week, whichever is the greater.
The cover slab shall withstand a load of 12.5 kN 4) Resume the rate of inspection given in a)
without visibly cracking. only after all samples taken during a
NOTE The test load gives a safety factor of 1.25 for light loading
production period of five consecutive weeks
(see 3.5). have passed the test.

© BSI 01-2001 7
 BS 5911-2:1982

16.2 Inspection procedure for the load test on 16.3 Inspection procedure for test for depth of
cover slabs. When carrying out the load test, the cover to reinforcement. When carrying out the
inspection procedure shall be as follows. depth of cover to reinforcement test, the inspection
a) From each manufacturing process, select one procedure shall be as follows.
in 500 or two of each type of cover slab per week, a) From each manufacturing process, select one
whichever is the greater. in 500 or two units or components per week,
b) Subject the sample to the load test specified whichever is the greater, and take specimens as
in 15.2. described in Appendix C. The same type of
specimen shall be used for all tests on a given
c) If the sample passes the test, accept the
product.
batches from which each type of cover slab was
taken. b) Subject the units or components to the depth of
cover to reinforcement test specified in 15.3.
If the sample fails, repeat b) using a second
sample. c) If the units or components pass the test, accept
the batch.
d) If the second sample passes the test, accept the
batches from which each type of cover slab was However, if a unit or component fails the depth
taken. of cover to reinforcement test, the batch from
which it was selected shall be rejected but it is
However, if any sample fails, reject the batches.
permissible to subject the remaining units or
In such a case, it is permissible to take all the
components in the batch to the test. Only those
remaining cover slabs in the batches, and subject
that pass the test shall be accepted, subject to
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

them to the test. Only cover slabs that pass the

making good before dispatch.
test shall be accepted.
16.4 Text deleted

8 © BSI 01-2001
 BS

Appendix A Information to be given to Appendix C Water absorption test for

the manufacturer in an enquiry and inspection chambers
order Specimens shall be either:
The following particulars cover essential details to a) a specimen of the full thickness of the unit,
be given to the manufacturer so that an enquiry or taken from each unit or component, that is either
order may be fully understood: approximately 100 mm square or a core
a) quantity and nominal sizes of units and approximately 75 mm in diameter; or
components; b) alternatively, a concrete test cube compacted
b) type of cement to be used (see clause 4); in the same way as the concrete in the unit.
c) whether sample of aggregates and/or evidence Dry the specimen at a temperature of 100 ± 5 °C for
of satisfactory performance of concrete are not less than 72 h in a ventilated drying oven that
required (see note to 5.1); complies with the requirements of BS 2648. On
removal from the oven, allow to cool to room
d) whether admixtures are permitted (see 6.2);
temperature, weigh and immediately submerge in
e) Text deleted; potable water at a temperature of 20 ± 2 °C.
f) the number and type of tests to be witnessed After half an hour, remove the specimen and
and whether any additional tests are required immediately wipe with a dry towel for a total period
(see 14.4); of half a minute to remove surface water and
g) whether certificates of compliance with the reweigh.
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

requirements of this standard are required After weighing, re-immerse the specimen in water
(see 14.5 and Appendix B); for 23½ h. Then remove, dry and weigh as before.
h) whether the products are to be covered by a Calculate the % absorption after ½ h and the %
third party certification scheme. absorption after 24 h from the formula:
Absorption (percentage of dry mass) =
Appendix B Certificate of compliance
with BS 5911-2 wet mass – dry mass
--------------------------------------------------------- × 100%
dry mass
Date of certificate...............................................
We................................................................. hereby
certify that the concrete units and/or components
supplied by us to your order no............................
and referred to in delivery note no(s)........................
have been sampled and tested in accordance with
the requirements of BS 5911-2.
These units comply with all the requirements of
BS 5911-2.
(Signed).............................................................

© BSI 01-1999 9
 BS 5911-2:1982

Appendix D Load test for cover slabs

Support the cover slab on a rigid support having
internal dimensions equal to those of the
appropriate shaft section and with the top surface
not less wide than the wall thickness of that shaft
section.
Provide a uniform bedding consisting of rubber cut
or formed from material having a hardness
between 50 IRHD and 60 IRHD measured in
accordance with BS 903-A26.
Place a rigid bearer on the cover slab in the way in
which the cover is designed to be used in service.
The rigid bearer shall be made to the same
dimensions in plan as the cover designed to be used
in service and faced on the underside with the same
material as that specified above for the bedding.
Apply a load of 12.5 kN without shock to the upper
surface of the rigid bearer.
Maintain the load for not less than 30 s.
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Appendix E Text deleted

10 © BSI 01-2001
 BS 5911-2:1982

List of references

BSI Standards publications

BS 12:1991, Specification for Portland cement.

BS 146:1991, Specification for Portland blastfurnace cements.
BS 882:1992, Specification for aggregates from natural sources for concrete.
BS 903, Physical testing of rubber.
BS 903-A26:1969, Determination of hardness.
BS 1881, Testing concrete.
BS 1881-204:1988, Recommendations on the use of electromagnetic covermeters.
BS 2648:1955, Performance requirements for electrically-heated laboratory drying ovens.
BS 4027:1991, Specification for sulfate-resisting Portland cement.
BS 4449:1988, Specification for carbon steel bars for the reinforcement of concrete.
BS 4482:1985, Specification for cold reduced steel wire for the reinforcement of concrete.
BS 4483:1985, Specification for steel fabric for the reinforcement of concrete.
BS 5328, Concrete.
BS 5328-2:1991, Methods for specifying concrete mixes.
BS 8005-1, Sewerage — Guide to new sewerage construction2).
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

BS 8110, Structural use of concrete.

BS 8110-1:1985, Code of practice for design and construction2).
BS 8301:1985, Code of practice for building drainage2).
BS EN 124, Gully tops and manhole tops for vehicular and pedestrian areas — Design requirements, type
testing, marking, quality control.
BS EN 752-3:1997 including Amendments Nos. 1 and 2, Drain and sewer systems outside buildings —
Planning.
BS EN 1295-1, Structural design of buried pipelines under various conditions of loading — General
requirements2).
BS EN 1610, Construction and testing of drains and sewers2).
BS EN ISO 9002:1994, Quality systems — Model for quality assurance in production, installation and
servicing2).

Other references
[1] GREAT BRITAIN. Confined Spaces Regulations 1997. London: The Stationery Office.

2) Referred to in the foreword only.

© BSI 01-2001
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BSI Ð British Standards Institution
|
|
|
|
|
|
| BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing British Standards. It
|
| presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the international level. It is
| incorporated by Royal Charter.
|
|
| Revisions
|
|
| British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of British Standards
|
| should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or editions.
|
|
| It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services. We
|
| would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using this
| British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee responsible,
|
| the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover. Tel: 020 8996 9000.
|
| Fax: 020 8996 7400.
|
|
| BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures that
|
| subscribers automatically receive the latest editions of standards.
|
|
| Buying standards
|
| Orders for all BSI, international and foreign standards publications should be
|
| addressed to Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001. Fax: 020 8996 7001. Standards
|
| are also available from the BSI website at http://www.bsi-global.com.
|
|
Licensed Copy: Akin Koksal, Bechtel Ltd, 09 December 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

| In response to orders for international standards, it is BSI policy to supply the BSI
|
| implementation of those that have been published as British Standards, unless
|
| otherwise requested.
|
| Information on standards
|
|
| BSI provides a wide range of information on national, European and international
|
| standards through its Library and its Technical Help to Exporters Service. Various
|
| BSI electronic information services are also available which give details on all its
|
| products and services. Contact the Information Centre. Tel: 020 8996 7111.
|
| Fax: 020 8996 7048.
|
| Subscribing members of BSI are kept up to date with standards developments and
|
| receive substantial discounts on the purchase price of standards. For details of
|
| these and other benefits contact Membership Administration. Tel: 020 8996 7002.
|
| Fax: 020 8996 7001. Further information about BSI is available on the BSI website at
|
| http://www.bsi-global.com.
|
|
| Copyright
|
| Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the UK, of
|
| the publications of the international standardization bodies. Except as permitted
|
| under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be reproduced,
|
| stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means ± electronic,
|
| photocopying, recording or otherwise ± without prior written permission from BSI.
|
|
| This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard, of
| necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
|
| details are to be used for any other purpose than implementation then the prior
|
| written permission of BSI must be obtained.
|
|
| If permission is granted, the terms may include royalty payments or a licensing
|
| agreement. Details and advice can be obtained from the Copyright Manager.
|
| Tel: 020 8996 7070.
|
|
|
|
|
BSI |
|
389 Chiswick High Road |
|
London |
|
W4 4AL |
|
|
|
|
|
|