Part H - Drainage and waste disposal
Information can be viewed in  Building Regulations 2000 - Approved Document H - Drainage and Waste Disposal (811 KB) or is available from the Communities and Local Government website (external link).
There are four aspects to this part:
- New drains taking foul water from buildings are required to discharge to a foul water sewer, or other suitable outfall, and be watertight, and accessible for cleaning;
- Where no public sewer is available adequately designed holding tanks or sewage treatment plants may be used instead;
- New drains taking rainwater from roofs of buildings are required to be watertight, accessible for cleaning and discharge to a suitable surface water sewer or ditch, soakaway, or watercourse where no sewer available;
- Adequately sized storage facilities are required to be provided for refuse collection reasonably close to buildings.
The introduction of changes to this part of the regulations sees the first comprehensive review of drainage and waste removal since 1985.
The opportunity has again been taken here to consolidate existing legislation by the introduction of new requirements into the Building Regulations.
The issue of 'building over sewers' is now addressed in this part of the Building Regulations and now involves the Building Control Body consulting with the water authorities and ensuring adequate protection is built into the construction or where it may not be advisable to build over a sewer.
Main Changes in Part H of the 2002 Regulations
H1 Foul drainage
(a) Low flush WCs - guidance is provided for the design of sanitary pipework serving such appliances.
(b) Condensate from boilers - guidance is provided on disposal of condensate.
(c) Guidance has been given to clarify that the requirements of H1 apply to the whole drainage system, including associated private sewers.
(d) Use of pumping stations - guidance has been added to improve protection of low flying properties.
(e) Protection from rats in drains - the guidance has been modified.
(f) Grease separators - guidance is given on the provision in commercial hot food premises.
(g) Drain pipe sizes - drains/sewers serving more than 10 dwellings should have a minimum diameter of 150 mm.
(h) A general requirement of drainage is now included.
H2 Wastewater treatment systems and cesspools
(i) Drainage fields from septic tanks - guidance is provided on design and siting.
(j) Reed beds - have been added as a means of secondary treatment.
(k) Maintenance information - a notice should be provided in an appropriate place setting out maintenance procedures for non-mains drainage systems.
H3 Rainwater drainage
(l) Sustainable rainwater drainage - guidance on the use of infiltration drainage systems is provided.
(m) Rainfall intensity - additional guidance is provided.
(n) Drainage of certain paved areas for access or waste disposal - these areas should be free draining.
H4 Building over sewers
(o) This is a new requirement dealing with situations previously covered by section 18 of the Building Act 1984.
H5 Separate systems of drainage
(p) This new requirement sets out the circumstances where separate systems of drainage are required.
H6 Solid waste storage (Previously H4)
(q) Storage space for dwellings - provides guidance on space for the collection of waste to be recycled.
(r) Access to storage areas - guidance is provided on steps and slopes.
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