Building over inspection chamber

[ban-all-sheds]

AFAICT it varies from authority to authority - mine "applies" the 45° "rule" horizontally for single storey extensions.

In quotes because it isn't actually a hard & fast rule, it's a factor they consider. If my neighbour doesn't object when consulted, it won't be a consideration.

 

[noseall]

We once built an extension that actually 'absorbed' one of the inspection chamber walls into the sub-dpc wall of the extension.

Wouldn't have a photo for us to see?

Manhole build over

• noseall
• 1 Mar 2014
• 1

manhole absorbed!

You can see the IC. next to the breakfast room and a blow up of the IC. along with the lintel arrangement.

Hope this helps. Didn't take any photos as i only had a poxy Nokia brick back then!

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Interesting work around. Sadly the art of bricklaying and building anything other than a straight wall seems to be lost these days.

 

[noseall]

Don't know if anyone remembers (and sorry for going off on one) but this was the job where this happened, whist demoilishing the connie on the left of the image.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Ouch.....

 

[masona]

Is it acceptable to have a lintel across it with smaller inspection cover lid?

 

[noseall]

Is it acceptable to have a lintel across it with smaller inspection cover lid?

Just off-set the lid as best you can.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Is it acceptable to have a lintel across it with smaller inspection cover lid?

Who knows? The knuckle-draggers who built these houses clearly thought that it was acceptable to cast out plumb lines, straight edges, squares and levels because they were tools of the devil, so who knows what primitive stirrings troubled their beetling brows when they came to build chambers for the drains?

One thing I am pretty sure about - Thames Water never came and lifted any covers before they adopted the drains a few years ago.


Anyway - thanks to all for your advice - in summary it seems that there could be an engineering solution, but there really isn't much I can do to pursue that until Thames Water get back to me and say "Yes - you'll be able to do that subject to X, Y & Z", or "If you so much as look at the inspection chamber again we will despatch a leather-winged demon of the night which will tear itself, shrieking blood and fury, from the endless caverns of the nether world, hurl itself into the darkness with a thirst for blood on its slavering fangs and search the very threads of time for the throbbing of your heartbeat."

I should know by the end of the week. I will report back with news from the front.

 

[masona]

I should know by the end of the week. I will report back with news from the front.

Ban - have you heard anything yet?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

No - they have not got back to me yet. They promised 5 working days, which was up on Friday 7th.

They have also not responded to my email chasing them on Monday 10th.

Guess I'll have to phone them tomorrow and shout at them.

 

[masona]

Got a reply from Anglia Water regarding my inspection chamber being in the way, from their reply, looks like there's no guidelines on sewage layout, just common sense

We have also advised that a clearance of 500mm should ideally be achieved, however we would accept 300mm subject to a suitable foundation design to ensure no adverse loading on the public sewer.

I think the easiest solution for you would be to remove the manhole in the middle that takes the waste from number 41, and piece through with vitrified clay pipework, replacing number 41’s connection with a ‘Y’ branch junction.

The foundations will need to go below the established invert level and not affect the sewer.

To proceed, you will need to submit our ‘build over/near application form’ with full sized scaled drawings and the application fee of £450.00 plus VAT.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

We once built an extension that actually 'absorbed' one of the inspection chamber walls into the sub-dpc wall of the extension.

Thames Water's position is that my footings must be at least 300mm away from the inside of the chamber.

 

[mfarrow]

I trust that if you presented a well thought-out design with calculations where necessary, and demonstration of your consideration to maintenance of the manhole, that they would consider changing their minds, or at least allow the exception?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I get the impression not. I have to submit a build-over request whatever, so once they're engaged, and more importantly on-site, I can have another discussion.

 

[masona]

I get the impression not. I have to submit a build-over request whatever, so once they're engaged, and more importantly on-site, I can have another discussion.

Are you going to do it before or after submitting the plan?

I'm not sure what to do yet