What is BS 5911-3 - unreinforced and reinforced concrete manhole specification about?
Materials for constructing manholes include PE, fibreglass, as well as concrete. The BS 5911 series discusses concrete pipes and ancillary concrete products.
BS 5911-3 is the third part of the multi-series, and specifies requirements complementary to those in BS EN 1917 for unreinforced and reinforced concrete manholes of circular and rectangular cross-sections (with or without chamfered or rounded corners), as provided for in BS EN 1917, i.e., units with nominal sizes or nominal lengths not exceeding DN 1250 or LN 1250, respectively.
Full requirements for unreinforced and reinforced circular concrete manholes with nominal sizes greater than DN 1250, but not exceeding DN 3000, are also specified in BS 5911-3.
Note 1: Rectangular manholes greater than LN 1250 is to be treated as structures and should be accompanied by appropriate calculations in accordance with the relevant Euro-codes.
Note 2: BS EN 752, BS EN 1295‑1, and BS EN 1610 relate to the planning, design, installation, and testing of drains and sewers.
Who is BS 5911-3 - unreinforced and reinforced concrete manhole specification for?
BS 5911-3 on unreinforced and reinforced concrete manhole specification is relevant for:
- Relevant government / municipal authorities
- Other entities related to drainage and sewerage
- Concrete manhole and soakaway manufacturers and suppliers
- Builders
- Architects
- Product designers
- Civil / production engineers
- The construction industry
Why should you use BS 5911-3 - unreinforced and reinforced concrete manhole specification? 
The manholes discussed in BS 5911-3 are intended to be installed in carriageways of roads (including pedestrian streets), hard shoulders, and parking areas for all types of road vehicles, though provision is also made for units subject to lighter traffic loading. Requirements for base units, elastomeric load-bearing seals, soakaways, landing slabs, and corbel slabs are also specified in BS 5911-3.
BS 5911-3 provides guidance on general requirements, special requirements, conformity evaluation, and marking that help you achieve precision in terms of product functionality and specification.
With BS 5911-3 you can be ensured that the products consistently meet and exceed quality assurance targets. This contributes to the strength, durability, and sustainability of drainage systems.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS 5911-3:2010+A1:2014 supersedes BS 5911-3:2010, which is withdrawn. BS 5911-3:2010+A1:2014 includes some technical and editorial changes with respect to BS 5911-3:2010. These include:
- Inclusion of rectangular sizes up to LN 1250
- The full specification for base units
- Specification for elastomeric load bearing seals
- Test loads for cover slabs, reducing slabs, landing slabs, and corbel slabs aligned with Euro-codes
- New requirements (and appropriate test method) for lifting anchorages
