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Upgrade nowSanitation Legislation: Parts F, G & H
Read through the material below, then test your understanding.
Module Lessons
Advanced Sanitation & Rainwater Systems
Sanitation Legislation: Parts F, G & H
BS EN 12056 & European Drainage System Types
Primary Ventilated Stack Systems
Air Admittance Valves (AAVs)
Off-Grid Drainage: Cesspools & Septic Tanks
Off-Grid Drainage: Reed Beds
Branch Pipework Design Rules
Macerators: Installation & Operation
Waste Water Lifting Stations
AAV Spacing & Fire Stop Requirements
Calculating Discharge Stack Sizes
Designing Rainwater Systems
Calculating Gutter Sizes
Air Testing Sanitation Systems
Maintaining Macerators & Lifters
Diagnosing Sanitation & Rainwater Faults
Lesson Overview
This unit covers the statutory requirements of Building Regulations Approved Documents F, G, and H governing ventilation, sanitary installations, hot and cold water safety, and foul drainage systems.
Learning Objectives
Identify the specific sections and scopes of Approved Documents F, G, and H.
State mandatory extraction rates and hygiene requirements under Parts F and G.
Explain statutory notification, building control procedures, and compliance certification.
All sanitary installations must comply with the Building Regulations, which are statutory instruments enforced by law under the Building Act 1984. You must ensure all relevant work is inspected by Local Authority Building Control (LABC) or self-certified through an authorised Competent Person Scheme.
Approved Document H: Drainage and Waste Disposal
Approved Document H establishes the design and installation standards required for sanitary pipework, sewers, and disposal systems to prevent pollution and protect public health. It is divided into six distinct sub-sections.
| Section | Title | Scope and Trade Application |
|---|---|---|
| H1 | Foul water drainage | Above and below-ground pipework conveying sewage and wastewater. |
| H2 | Wastewater treatment systems | Cesspools, septic tanks, and small package sewage treatment plants. |
| H3 | Rainwater drainage | Roof gutters, downpipes, soakaways, and surface run-off systems. |
| H4 | Building over sewers | Precautions and permissions required when building near or over public sewers. |
| H5 | Separate systems of drainage | Ensuring separation between surface water and foul drainage networks. |
| H6 | Solid waste storage | Adequate storage provision and access for domestic and commercial refuse. |
Approved Document G: Sanitation, Hot Water Safety & Efficiency
Approved Document G governs the sanitary provision, cold and hot water safety, and water consumption targets for dwellings. It is structured into six functional areas (G1 to G6).
- G1: Wholesome water supply for drinking, washing, and culinary use, plus suitable flushing water for WCs.
- G2: Water efficiency in domestic dwellings, stipulating an upper consumption limit of 125 litres per person per day.
- G3: Hot water supply, unvented system safety devices, and scalding prevention (limiting bath fill temperatures to 48°C).
- G4: Adequate sanitary conveniences and hand washing facilities located adjacent to WC compartments.
- G5: Bathroom layout provisions for domestic dwellings and residential rooms.
- G6: Kitchen provisions requiring dedicated food preparation sinks separate from sanitary facilities.
British Standard / Regulation
Under Building Regulations Approved Document G, if you install a pumped WC macerator in a dwelling, at least one gravity-drained WC must always be provided in the same building.
Approved Document F & Statutory Notification
Approved Document F controls indoor ventilation to prevent moisture accumulation and mould growth. Bathrooms require mechanical extract ventilation delivering a minimum intermittent extraction rate of 15 litres per second (l/s).
Exam Tip
Under Part G, notifiable plumbing works require notification to local building control before work starts, and formal completion notice must be submitted within 5 working days of finishing.
A form of secondary legislation governed by law that carries mandatory legal compliance, non-compliance with which can lead to prosecution.
The minimum mechanical airflow rate that an extraction fan must achieve when operated periodically during or after room usage.
Key Takeaways
Approved Document H covers drainage in six parts (H1 foul, H2 treatment, H3 rainwater, H4 building over sewers, H5 separate drainage, H6 solid waste).
Approved Document G restricts domestic water use to 125 l/person/day (G2), caps bath temperatures to 48°C (G3), and mandates a gravity WC alongside any macerator.
Approved Document F sets bathroom intermittent extract ventilation at a statutory minimum of 15 litres per second.
Building control must receive completion notice within 5 working days following the conclusion of notifiable sanitary works.
Next Steps
Verify your understanding or continue.
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