The Brew Cabin

Following from my previous message regarding drains
I have been in contact with Building control twice this week regarding the inspection of the drains etc to the mains sewer connection.
They appologised for not returning my call but said that they have not had time to check their records to find out if any inspections have been made to the drains, pipes etc.
I informed BC that the pipe work is only 14 inches from the surface in most places and told them there was no concrete laid around the pipes even though they are laid directley under what will evemtually be a drive way leading to four properties. BC informed me that they can only suggest to the bulder that he encases the pipes in concrete they cannot enforce it.
The final choice i was given was to inform the builder myself and to stop the contracters from laying the tarmac surface etc untill the BC officer has time to look into the matter and get back to me.
I have succeded in making the builder remove the man hole I mentioned last time to you, however he did say this is only temporary.
This builder has taught me a lesson i will never forget, do not sell building plots unless you have checked the builders previous work and find out if he can be trusted.
I have had to cancel my holidays so i can keep an eye on this mans work these houses are selling for £500,000 each.
thank you for your help and advice i will attempt to send you a photograph of the offending pipe work.
regards
Beverley

Here's the photies you sent....



I notice a couple or three things with these images. firstly, the builder has used what is known as a PPIC base unit. This is a moulded polypropylene (PP) unit that forms a base for ICs and removes the need to incorporate benching and/or make additional inlets. There's absolutely nowt wrong with them.

However, they really should be laid on abed of concrete. This does not always happen and some BCOs are prepared to let it go, but best practice is for them to be laid on a concrete base. I assume this is what you mean when you talk of the ICs being laid on bare earth.

Secondly, I can't figure out the black pipe connected to a tan-coloured bend. From the picture, it looks as though that black pipe is undersize and sitting quite loosely in the bend coupling. I can't think of any 100/110mm pipe that is black, but maybe it's a 'special'.

Finally, the condition of the PPIC itself - that top of it is completely knackered. It looks as though it's been chewed by a hellhound and spat out again. They'te going to have fun trying to get a frame and cover to sit properly on that!

Moving on to your comment in the text: The shallow depth of the pipes is an issue and, where the pipes pass beneath a driveway, they really should be concreted in, but, as I mentioned before, how strictly a BCO enforces this requirement is at their discretion. If that pipe was beneath a public highway (which includes a footpath) it would definitely be concreted-in, so why are the 'rules' relaxed when it crosses the threshold onto private property? It's not as though vehicles suddenly lose weight as soon as they cross onto a driveway!

My advice at this stage is to keep hammering away at the BCO. Phone every day, if needs be, make a nuisance of yourself, so that it becomes a priority for them to answer your queries and get you off their backs pronto.

As this sewer/drain passes through your property, you should have some say in what spec is used, and, if this were mine, I'd insist on that pipe being laid to Sewers For Adoption standard, which are somewhat more exacting than Part H. I'd also insist on the ICs being constructed to SfA standards, so that there's less risk of any problems developing, and I'd insist on the pipework being concreted-in. After all, once your driveway is surfaced, do you want to runs the risk that their lousy pipework fails and you have to have the drive taken up again while a repair is carried out?

Have you consulted your solicitor or mortgage company to determine just what rights you have?

Tony,

Black pipe could be a bit of soil stack which would fit, but shouldn't really be underground.
But as you say looks small diameter in coupling - maybe some ducting!
On domestic works at least thought BC have to inspect drains and connections prior to backfill ( with pea gravel or concrete )
Would hope they would not allow this installation through.

Dear Tony

Well it worked i kept nagging at the BC and eventually they came to inspect the work.
The builder was on site and told them a pack of lies, that there college Mr Mathews had inspected and passed the work and that the pipes ran along the edge and not up the drive way.
I was not at home during this meeting and rand BC again Mr Fox came back out on site this week and told me the builder was telling porkies as Mr Mathews was back from sick leave and had not inspected the site or works. All work to the drive way has been stopped the builder is no where to be seen and he has been informed that the works will have to re-excavated for inspection, BC also told me they will ensure he concretes over the pipes and complies with everything else.
the black pipe was high pressure pipe as the sewage collects in a tank and is then pumped to the mains.
I would not have known anything was wrong with his work etc if i had not had access to your site it has been very helpful and you receive my thanks.

Well, it's good to hear you are getting it sorted!

This business about a 'high pressure pipe' - this is what we call a 'Rising Main', and there is very specific guidance about just how these are installed. Connecting a rising main to a standard bend fitting and then into an IC that isn't laid on and hunched with concrete is in violation of those 'rules'. Because of the pressure that can develop within rising mains, and the vibration from the wet-well pump, any bends or ICs need to be encased in mass concrete known as 'thrust blocks' or 'anchor blocks', to prevent any possible damage to the system.

From your experiences to date, I don't think this 'builder' as the experience or the wherewithal to install a rising main to the required standards, and I'm surprised the BCO are prepared to let them continue. I would have thought they'd insist on the builder employing a suitably experienced, professional drainage installation contractor.

Anyway, we'll see what happens next. I'd like to think that the BCO will be crawling all over this site when installation resumes. Shoddy work is one thing, but deliberately misleading a BCO, and making false statements when questioned, is a serious matter, and perhaps now, the work will get the degree of supervision it needs.