BRITISH STANDARD BS 5906:1980

Code of practice for

Storage and on-site

treatment of solid waste
from buildings —
(Formerly CP 306-1)

UDC 628.44:696.139
BS 5906:1980

Cooperating organizations

The Building Services Standards Committee, under whose direction this

British Standard was prepared, consists of representatives from the following
Government departments and scientific and industrial organizations:

Association of District Councils Environmental Health Officers Association*

Bath Manufacturers Co-ordinating Greater London Council*
Committee Department of the Environment —
British Gas Corporation Environmental Protection Group*
British Ironfounders Association Department of the Environment — Housing
British Plastics Federation and Construction*
British Plumbing Employers Council Heating and Ventilating Contractors’
British Precast Concrete Federation Ltd. Association
Builders Merchants Federation Incorporated Association of Architects and
Building Services Research and Information Surveyors
Association Institute of Plumbing
Chartered Institution of Building Services Institution of Gas Engineers
Clay Pipe Development Association Limited Institution of Municipal Engineers*
Consumer Standards Advisory Committee Institution of Public Health Engineers*
of BSI* Institution of Structural Engineers
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities Institution of Water Engineers and
Council of British Ceramic Sanitaryware Scientists
Manufacturers National Brassfoundry Association
Department of Health and Social Security National Coal Board
Department of the Environment — Building National Federation of Building Trades
Research Establishment Employers
Department of the Environment — Housing National Water Council
and Construction* Royal Institute of British Architects*
Department of the Environment — Water Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors*
Engineering Division including Water Data Royal Society of Health
Unit Scottish Development Department*
Department of the Environment (PSA) Trades Union Congress
Domestic Solid Fuel Appliances Approval Water Companies Association
Scheme

The organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the
following, were directly represented on the committee entrusted with the
preparation of this British Standard:

Association of County Public Health Officers Institution of Fire Engineers

Institute of Housing Managers The Scottish Institute of Environmental
Institute of Solid Wastes Management Health

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Building Services
Standards Committee, was
published under the authority of
the Executive Board and comes
into effect on Amendments issued since publication
30 April 1980
Amd. No. Date of issue Comments
© BSI 09-1999

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference SEB/21
Draft for comment 78/13236 DC

ISBN 0 580 11294 2

 BS 5906:1980

Contents

Page
Cooperating organizations Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 References 1
3 Definitions 1
4 Initial consultation 1
5 Materials and components 2
6 General principles of the design of facilities 2
7 Systems of waste storage, on-site treatment and collection 3
8 Choice of method of storage and collection of waste
in various types of building 3
9 Chute systems 5
10 Waste storage chambers 7
11 Storage for bulky articles 8
12 Storage containers 8
13 Roads and approaches to buildings 8
14 Transportation of containers 8
15 Hygiene 8
Appendix A On-site treatment systems 12
Figure 1 — Section through a typical encased chute installation 10
Figure 2 — Section through a typical free-standing chute installation 11
Table 1 — Commercial waste 4
Table 2 — Output of waste per week 4
Table 3 — Compactors 12
Table 4 — Compactor containers 13
Publications referred to Inside back cover

© BSI 09-1999 i
BS 5906:1980

Foreword

This standard has been prepared under the direction of the Building Services
Standards Committee and supersedes CP 306-1, which is withdrawn.
When CP 306-1 was published in 1972, it was intended to issue further Parts
making recommendations for dealing with waste in non-residential buildings,
excluding industrial premises. At that time it was hoped that a study of current
practice in non-residential buildings would be mounted and that its results would
furnish the data for extending the code. Unfortunately this was not possible.
In preparing this revision the opportunity has been taken to add new clauses
based upon information that is now available on commercial buildings and to
revise the sections dealing with residential buildings. The only types of hospital
waste dealt with in this code are those that are similar to household and
commercial waste.
It will be noted that the material with which the code is concerned is now
designated “waste” rather than “refuse”. This terminology has been adopted so as
to agree with that of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.
As a result of experience gained, the requirements of convenience, hygiene,
amenity, sound insulation and safety from fire risk, which are accepted as
common practice, are incorporated in the methods described in this code.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 14, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

ii © BSI 09-1999
 BS 5906:1980

1 Scope 3.7
hopper
This British Standard gives recommendations for
methods of storage and on-site treatment of solid a fitting into which waste is placed and from which
waste from residential and commercial buildings it passes into a chute or directly into a waste
and hospitals, with the exception of medical waste, container. It consists of a fixed frame and hood unit
and lays down recommended practices of collection (the frame) and a hinged or pivoted combined door
and good hygiene. and receiving unit (the door)
3.8
2 References individual waste container
The titles of the publications referred to in this code a container having a capacity of not more
are listed on the inside back cover. than 0.12 m3 in which waste is stored awaiting
collection, e.g. a dustbin fitted with a loose or
3 Definitions captive lid in galvanized steel, metal or plastics; or
For the purposes of this British Standard, the disposable sack
following definitions apply. 3.9
3.1 shredder
baler a machine for reducing waste into smaller pieces.
a device that compresses waste into a mould to form The particles may be of any size between 25 mm
bales, which may be self-supporting or retained in and 150 mm, depending on the design of the
shape by wire ties or strappings machine

3.2 3.10
bulk waste storage container waste storage chamber

a movable container for storing waste and having a a compartment for one or more waste containers
capacity of between 1 m3 and 30 m3 into which waste is discharged. The chamber may
also house plant, such as a compactor, for the
3.3 treatment of waste before collection
chute
a ventilated, essentially vertical pipe passing from 4 Initial consultation
floor to floor of a building with openings as required At an early stage of design it is essential that
to connect with hoppers, and normally terminating agreement be reached between the designers and
at its lower end at the roof of the waste storage the appropriate authorities, particularly upon the
chamber following points.
3.4 a) The methods of storage, on-site treatment and
communal waste storage container collection of waste to be used for the form of
a movable receptacle, normally situated within the layout and building density adopted.
storage chamber, into which the waste is discharged b) The location of waste storage and treatment
and having a capacity of between 0.75 m3 and 1 m3 areas to be provided and means of access to them
(See BS 1136 and BS 3495.) for waste collection, staff and vehicles.
3.5 c) The storage capacity to be provided with
compactor allowance for the frequency of collection, the
volume and nature of waste expected and the size
a machine for compressing waste into disposable or
and type of containers to be used.
reusable containers
d) The responsibility for cleansing and
3.6 maintenance of storage facilities.
compacted waste container
e) Environmental aspects, e.g. air pollution and
a strengthened interchangeable container into noise control.
which controlled waste is packed under compression
by means of a compactor and generally designed for f) The discharge of waste into sewers.
handling by a specially equipped vehicle g) Means of escape and fire-fighting
(See BS 5832.) arrangements in waste storage and collection
areas.

© BSI 09-1999 1
BS 5906:1980

5 Materials and components Before consideration is given to storage capacity for

salvageable materials, the local authority should be
All installations, materials, components and
consulted.
methods of testing should comply with the relevant
British Standards where applicable, including the To provide adequate storage, it is necessary first to
following: know the volume and nature of the waste that will
be produced and the frequency of collection.
BS 65 and BS 540, Clay drain and sewer pipes Statistics on rates of production of waste and the
including surface water pipes and fittings.
nature of waste are given in 6.2 and 6.3 for
BS 416, Cast-iron spigot and socket soil, waste and household and commercial waste. These values
ventilating pipes (sand cast and spun) and fittings. should be used as a guide only and an allowance
BS 556, Concrete cylindrical pipes and fittings should be made for non-standard conditions, for
including manholes, inspection chambers and street instance dwellings with below average occupancy,
gullies. such as old people’s flats and maisonettes.
BS 729, Hot dip galvanized coatings on iron and 6.2 Household waste. Current statistics do not
steel articles. support the general view that the mass of waste
BS 792, Mild steel dustbins. produced weekly by each dwelling is increasing
whereas the bulk density of household waste is
BS 1136, Mild steel refuse storage containers. decreasing. It is important, however, that design
BS 1449, Steel plate, sheet and strip. should be based on figures obtained in the area
BS 1577, Mild steel refuse or food waste containers. concerned. Over the period 1969 to 1976 there is no
BS 1703, Specification for refuse chutes and hoppers. discernible trend in the variation in bulk density of
household waste. In these circumstances the best
BS 3107, Small incinerators. estimate of output per dwelling is 12 ± 1.2 kg per
BS 3316, Large incinerators for the destruction of week at a bulk density of 133 ± 13.3 kg/m3.
hospital waste. 6.3 Commercial waste. There are little data
BS 3495, Aluminium refuse storage containers. available on the quantity and nature of trade waste.
BS 3654, Galvanized steel dustbins for dustless The results of a survey made by the Building
emptying. Research Establishment during the period 1969
BS 3813, Incinerators for waste from trade and to 1970 are given in Table 1 and Table 2 and may
serve as a basis for preliminary estimating. Detailed
residential premises — Part1: Capacities
values required for designing large scale facilities
between 50 lb/h and 1 000 lb/h.
should be sought from comparisons with similar
BS 4998 Moulded plastics dustbins situations in the neighbourhood of the new
BS 5832, Specification for compacted waste development and from discussion with the
containers for lift-off type vehicles. appropriate department of the local authority or
contractors.
6 General principles of the design of 6.4 Hospital waste. The only types of hospital
facilities waste dealt with in this code are those types that are
6.1 General. Facilities for handling waste should similar to household and commercial waste; other
provide adequate storage and, where appropriate, types of hospital waste will be defined in
space for on-site treatment plant, combined with the Regulations to be made shortly under provisions in
maximum convenience for the occupier and waste the Control of Pollution Act 1974, and advice on
collector and the highest practical standard of dealing with them will be included in a code of
hygiene, amenity, safety from fire risk and smoke practice to be promulgated jointly by the
and sound insulation. Household waste contains a Department of Health and Social Security and the
considerable proportion of salvageable materials Department of the Environment. Expert advice
and the element in commercial waste can be even should be sought about the amounts produced from
higher. Salvageable materials contribute different types of hospitals.
substantially to the quantity of waste and hence the
total disposal costs. Salvageable materials are a
national resource and their recovery is likely to be a
necessity within the coming decades. In any
building development now being planned, suitable
provision should be made in physical terms for the
separation and storage of selected material.

2 © BSI 09-1999
 BS 5906:1980

7 Systems of waste storage, on-site It is recognized that in certain circumstances on-site

treatment and collection treatment and pipeline systems are acceptable and
these are described in detail in Appendix A.
7.1 General. Waste may be stored in a variety of However, some of these systems are still in their
container types to await direct collection, or early stages of development. Waterborne systems
subjected to some form of on-site treatment will only accept a part of the normal waste produced
designed to reduce the volume of stored material in a dwelling. About 10 % of household waste
and hence the frequency of collection required. consists of articles that are too large for the hoppers
Collection systems whereby waste is removed from of a chute-fed system. In such cases, other methods
the vicinity of the point of generation and of storage and collection are necessary for that part
transported to a central assembly point through of the waste which cannot be dealt with by these
pipelines are available. Systems for the handling of means.
waste may be classified as in 7.2.
The waste handling system to be used in any
7.2 Classification of systems for the handling particular situation is dictated by the building type
of waste and the activities that take place in the building.
7.2.1 Simple storage and direct collection Where solid fuel appliances are installed, care
should be taken in the design of the system of ash
a) Individual waste storage containers.
disposal. In the case of communal facilities, warning
b) Communal waste storage containers. notices should be displayed giving instructions on
c) Communal waste storage containers with the disposal of ashes. Recommendations on waste
chutes. handling systems for various types of buildings are
d) Bulk waste storage containers. given in 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4.
7.2.2 On-site treatment of waste before 8.2 Residential buildings
collection 8.2.1 Houses and bungalows. The storage and
a) Volume reduction systems. collection of waste in buildings of this type is best
effected by the provision of individual storage
1) Compaction.
containers for each dwelling. The containers should
2) Shredding and crushing. be located in the open air and away from windows
3) Baling. and ventilators and, if possible, in shade or in a
b) Incineration. shelter.
7.2.3 Pipeline collection systems All containers should be easily accessible to the
waste collector, who should not be required to pass
a) Pneumatic. through the dwelling. Paper sacks and plastics
1) Large bore. sacks should be attached to holders specially
2) Small bore. designed for the purpose and suitably guarded, or
used as liners in individual storage containers. It is
b) Waterborne.
important to note that disposable sacks should have
1) To site storage. sufficient strength to contain the waste without
2) To sewer. breakage between collections. Other types of
containers should be placed on a hard, impervious,
8 Choice of method of storage and free draining surface in a position with convenient
collection of waste in various types of access to the kitchen door.
building
8.1 General. This code lists on-site treatment
systems in 7.2.2 but it is considered that the
existing individual container, communal storage
container and bulk container systems are likely to
be acceptable as the basic methods for the
foreseeable future.

© BSI 09-1999 3
BS 5906:1980

Table 1 — Commercial waste

Typical Composition of waste (percentage by mass)
bulk
density Multiple Departmental Supermarkets Hotels Offices
stores stores

kg/m3

Folded newspaper; cardboard packed or 500 

baled 

Loosely crumpled paper; office stationery 50  81 65 50 8 80

Wastepaper (loose in sacks) 20 

Mixed general refuse, similar to domestic
(no solid fuel residues) 150 13 31 40 55 16
Separated food waste
uncompacted vegetable waste 200 
 4 2 — 33 4
well-compacted, moist pig swill 650 

Salvaged bones and fat 600 2 2 10 — —

Empty bottles 300 — — — 4 —

Table 2 — Output of waste per week

Multiple stores Departmental S permarketsa Hotels Offices
stores
(1) (2)

kg kg kg kg kg kg

1.0 0.54 1.8 5.8 3.0 1.68

Per head (staff and Per employee 5-day
Per m2 of sales area, 6-day week residents) 7-day week
week
a
Supermarkets can be placed in one of two categories, depending on their output of refuse: (1) smaller stores with a
small output; (2) stores in prime shopping areas.

Where a shelter is constructed as an integral part of Where chutes are not installed, the provision of
the building or out-building, it should be open to the communal waste storage containers is preferable to
air and of sufficient size to take two containers and that of individual containers. The former should
of adequate height to permit the container lid to be preferably be housed in chambers with doors and
removed or fully opened, without the withdrawal of provided with a platform to give ready access to the
the container. The recommended internal volume of top of the container. Free ventilation is essential
the shelter is approximately 0.8 m3. In cases where (see 10.4).
it is desirable for aesthetic reasons to screen the Whether a waste storage chamber is detached or a
shelter, doors may be provided. Free ventilation is part of the building, it should be sited within the
essential. same curtilage and not more than 30 m, measured
Provision should also be made for storage of horizontally, from each dwelling that it serves, and
salvageable materials if it is likely that the local should have convenient access for the collection of
authority will provide a separate collection service. the containers by the local authority.
8.2.2 Dwellings in blocks with not more than four 8.2.3 Dwellings in blocks with more than four
storeys. Waste storage containers for communal use storeys. Communal chutes are recommended for
with chutes are suitable for this type of dwellings in blocks with more than four storeys.
development. Chutes, if installed, should be spaced
at not more than 60 m intervals, on the assumption
that an occupier should not be required to carry
refuse a distance of more than 30 m.

4 © BSI 09-1999
 BS 5906:1980

8.3 Commercial buildings. The size range of Containers of all types should preferably be stored
commercial buildings, and the different activities under cover in specially designed chambers.
that take place within them, means that a wide Commercial waste storage spaces should be built to
range of waste handling methods is available, and the same general standards as those for domestic
that it is more difficult to select the system most premises. Adequate ventilation is particularly
appropriate to any particular installation. In important in areas where quantities of putrescible
general, those principles that apply to the selection waste accumulate; mechanical ventilation may be
of systems for residential buildings apply to those necessary to prevent a build up of odours (see 10.4).
for commercial buildings, but the greater quantities Considerable fire risks are involved when large
of waste which have to be dealt with frequently quantities of waste or salvaged materials are stored.
justify bulk storage and on-site processing. Most These risks may be reduced to a certain extent by
commercial waste is extremely bulky, and transport baling and compaction. Stores should be situated in
and storage costs can be reduced by utilizing one of readily accessible positions and suitable fire
the methods of volume reduction described extinguishers provided.
in Appendix A; the type of machine selected will Recent developments of the enclosed precinct type
depend upon the quantities to be handled and the may contain buildings housing many activities with
frequency of collection. Equipment selection a high total output of waste. Service access is
requires knowledge and judgement, and decisions frequently limited and it is desirable that a
should be based upon discussions with the building minimum number of vehicles should use these
services engineers, architects and the body access routes. To this end arrangements should be
responsible for collection of waste, which may be the made to limit the number of vehicles responsible for
local authority or a private contractor. waste collection, ideally to those of the local
The scale of on-site plant for dealing with large authority or one contractor only. Frequent collection
quantities of waste can give rise to problems in is essential to prevent waste accummulating with
confined spaces. Some types of lifting vehicles used attendant risks of infestation, odours and general
for handling bulk containers for loosely packed or squalor.
compacted waste require considerable headroom to 8.4 Hospitals. Separate storage and disposal is
allow for loading and off-loading of the containers. required for medical waste, as defined by
Where headroom is not available it may be possible Regulations to be made shortly under provisions in
to mount containers on a trolley which may be the Control of Pollution Act 1974, if the remainder
manhandled or hauled by a small electric truck to a of the waste is to be dealt with by normal collection
suitable collection point. and disposal methods.
The waste from shops and office buildings For hospitals, their design and layout has an
frequently contains up to 80 % paper, and a high important bearing on the methods by which waste is
proportion of this can be reclaimed. Handling handled within them. Waste is produced in varying
methods will obviously depend upon quantities to be quantities at widely spaced points and in large
dealt with. Waste paper contractors and some local hospitals transport problems can be considerable.
authorities will collect small quantities loosely Vertical transport of waste via chutes, either as
packed in sacks, but for large quantities, the loose waste or in bags, can be effective in
possibility of on-site compaction or baling should be multi-storey buildings, and pneumatic pipelines are
considered. now being used in some hospitals to transport waste
Storage space for reclaimed paper should be dry and from the point of production to a central plant
vermin-proof in order to reduce the spread of complex. The alternative is, of course, some system
infestation by the domestic mouse, whose gestation of manual transport.
period is 19 days, and paper should not be stored for
longer than three weeks. 9 Chute systems
9.1 General
9.1.1 Chutes and hoppers should comply with the
requirements of BS 1703, except that chutes should
preferably be not less than 450 mm in diameter.
The number and siting of chutes will be dependent
upon the layout of the building, the volume of waste,
the systems of storage and collection and the means
of access for the collecting vehicles. The chute
should be sited at a distance of not more than 30 m,
measured horizontally, from each dwelling.

© BSI 09-1999 5
BS 5906:1980

Where solid fuel appliances are installed, chute Each hopper should be contained in its own
systems are not recommended. compartment. Such compartments should be
Typical refuse chute installations are shown constructed of material having a fire resistance
in Figure 1 and Figure 2. of ½ h when tested in accordance with BS 476-8 and
be fitted with a self-closing access door and be freely
9.1.2 In terms of building costs, it is more
ventilated to the external air. Adequate ventilation
economical to provide space for additional storage
of such compartments is of paramount importance
beneath each chute than to provide additional
and at least six air changes each hour should be
chutes. Irrespective of the total storage capacity
provided, by mechanical means if necessary. In
required by the collection authority, it is
buildings with open access balconies the hoppers
recommended that a minimum of two days’ storage
may be installed on the balconies, and generally no
be provided beneath the chute notwithstanding the
special fire precautions are necessary in such cases.
need for daily surveillance by the caretaker. This
might involve consideration of alternatives to the It may be necessary to provide facilities for waste
waste storage container system. Compaction disposal for occupants of ground floor units by
systems have proved effective in many installations locating a hopper and extension in the wall of the
and are described in Appendix A (see A.1.1.1 waste storage chamber. Normally, a short flight of
to A.1.1.4). steps to the hopper will be required in such cases.
9.1.3 To avoid noise nuisance, which can be In no case should hoppers be situated within a
considerable, chutes should not be situated adjacent dwelling, habitable room or place in which food is
to habitable rooms. stored or prepared.
9.1.4 Normally, chutes should be designed such that Hoppers should, where practicable, be positioned to
they will discharge waste centrally over the take advantage of natural daylight, and adequate
container in the container chamber. The bottom artificial lighting should be provided.
edge of the chute should end at a distance of not less Hoppers should be accessible to the occupants of
than 25 mm below the level of the ceiling and a each dwelling on or near their own floor level. To
suitable extension should be provided. maintain hygienic conditions and to prevent
9.2 Ventilation. The chute should preferably be exceptional wear and tear of the waste disposal
continued full bore until its upper end is open to the facilities, it is desirable that not more than six
external air. Where this is impracticable, the chute dwellings share one hopper. Hoppers should be fixed
should be continued up above the level of the top at a height of 750 mm, measured from floor level to
hopper to a ventilating pipe or shaft with a the lower edge of the inlet opening.
cross-sectional area of not less than 0.035 m2. The 9.3.2 Design and construction. The hopper should be
ventilating pipe or shaft should be continued up to designed and constructed such that there can be no
such a height and so positioned that foul air is emission of dust or fumes, and excessive noise is
carried away from the building and any windows or prevented when the hopper is in the closed or open
ventilation inlets. The clear opening to the position; no part of the hopper or frame should
ventilating outlet should be at least equal in area to obstruct the free passage of waste.
that of the ventilating pipe or shaft. 9.3.3 Installation. To accommodate a hopper in the
9.3 Hoppers wall of the chute, a precast block of impervious
material having a recess or other suitable means of
9.3.1 Location. Whenever the design of a building
permits, hoppers should be in freely ventilated bedding the frame squarely should be used. Jointing
positions in the open air, e.g. sheltered balconies. of the blocks with the surrounding brickwork or
concrete should be in cement mortar. Where hopper
Hoppers should not be situated within any stairway openings are cast in situ with the concrete walls, the
enclosure, enclosed staircase lobby or enclosed hopper should be so designed that an internal
corridor (see CP 3), unless installed in accordance impervious rendering can be applied later over all
with the recommendations given in the next surfaces, and that a continuous smooth finish can be
paragraph. provided between the material of the chute and the
face of the opening for the hopper. The recess into
which a hopper is fitted should be sufficiently deep
to house the moving parts completely so that no
portion obstructs the chute.

6 © BSI 09-1999
 BS 5906:1980

The back of the chute at hopper level may be formed To provide sufficient working headroom when
with half pipes, bevelled off internally to meet the communal containers complying with the
hopper frame and form a smooth continuous surface requirements of BS 1136 or BS 3495 are used, the
upon which refuse cannot lodge. This may be minimum height of the chamber should be 2 m.
achieved by the use of suitable precast units. Where bulk containers are used the minimum
9.3.4 Wall and floor finishes. The surface of the wall working headroom necessary should be determined
around the hopper should have a surround of at at the design stage.
least 300 mm in width made with glazed tiling or Whatever the height of the chamber, the distance
other impervious material which can be easily between the floor of the chamber and the bottom of
cleaned. the chute should be such that, with the container in
A hard impervious material with a smooth finished position, no waste is discharged on to the chamber
surface should be used for paving the floor adjacent floor. The bottom edge of the chute should end at a
to each hopper. distance of not less than 25 mm below the level of
the ceiling to form a drip and there should be a
10 Waste storage chambers maximum distance of 225 mm between the chute
edge or any extension of it and the top of the
10.1 Location. Waste storage chambers should be container. (See 9.1.4.)
located at vehicle access level (essential in the case
10.3 Construction. The walls and roofs of the
of bulk containers), preferably away from the main
chambers should be formed of non-combustible and
entrance to the building, and should be constructed
impervious material, and have a fire resistance
such that containers can be removed directly to the
of 1 h when tested in accordance with BS 476-8. The
outside air, without passing through any part of the
building served by the chamber except by way of a door of the chamber should be made of steel, or have
passage. The location should be decided in a fire resistance of ½ h when tested in accordance
with BS 476-8; the door frame may be made of
conjunction with the recommendations of clause 9,
metal, hardwood or metal-clad soft wood, situated in
where applicable, and those of clause 13. Provision
the external wall and, except where the doors of the
should be made to ensure the correct location of the
chamber communicate directly with the outside air,
containers in relation to chutes.
they should be self-closing. The door frames should
10.2 Dimensions of chamber. The overall be rebated into the reveals of the opening, and the
dimensions of container chambers will generally be doors should be provided with a lock to a pattern
determined by the number, size and type of approved by the local authority. The chamber doors
containers to be housed and their height above floor should be hung in such a way that their hinges are
level; the clearance necessary to permit convenient not subject to damage by leverage if the door is
positioning, removal and replacement of the allowed to swing wide. A self-closing latch would
containers; and the type of chute shutter used. also reduce this risk. The door should be capable of
When on-site treatment plant is installed in the being opened from inside as well as from outside, for
chamber, sufficient space should be allowed to reasons of safety.
accommodate the plant, any associated containers
The walls should be constructed of, or lined with,
and, if required, storage for filled containers
hard impervious material with a smooth finish
awaiting collection. The number of containers to be
suitable for washing down. The floor should be not
housed within a chamber depends upon the
circumstances of each case. less than 100 mm thick, and formed of hard
impervious material with a smooth finish, and there
A minimum clear space of 150 mm between should not be steps and projections at the entrance.
individual containers and between containers and The junctions of the walls with the floors should be
surrounding walls will ensure satisfactory coved, and the coving so formed to prevent damage
positioning. A greater distance may be necessary for to walls by containers (see Figure 1).
maintenance of mechanical equipment. When bulk
waste storage containers or compacted waste 10.4 Ventilation. To vent any dense flammable
containers are used, sufficient space for access and gases that may escape from portable gas or aerosol
containers in the waste, permanent ventilators
handling should be allowed. The shape of the
should be provided giving a total ventilation area of
chamber and the space necessary for convenient
not less than 0.2 m2. The ventilators should be
removal and replacement of containers will depend
protected against flies and vermin and located as
upon the manoeuvreability of the containers and the
vehicles handling them. near the ceiling and the floor of the chamber as
possible, but away from windows of dwellings.

© BSI 09-1999 7
BS 5906:1980

10.5 Shutter. A shutter for closing off the chute 13 Roads and approaches to buildings
when the container is withdrawn should be fitted
Roads providing access to buildings should have
and should preferably be of the horizontal sliding
foundations and a hard-wearing surface capable of
plate type. Guides should be designed to be
withstanding an axle loading of not less than 11 t.
self-cleansing to prevent wedging. The shutter
should be made of galvanized steel sheet in low The layout of roads should be such as to ensure
carbon steel angle slides, or some other similar reasonable convenience for the collecting vehicle
and the collectors. Roads should have a minimum
simple construction, assembled with bolts of
width of 5 m and be so arranged that collecting
non-corrodible material, so that it may be readily
vehicles can continue mainly in a forward direction.
dismantled and reassembled in situ if necessary.
Turning places, if required, should provide for the
A typical shutter arrangement is shown in Figure 1. largest vehicle likely to be used. The collection
Where turntable or other systems are installed and authority should be consulted about turning places
the shutter cannot be reached by hand, it should be and vehicle weights.
operated by remote control.
Paths between the container chambers and
10.6 Lighting. Artificial lighting should be collecting vehicles should be free from kerbs or steps
provided within the chamber by means of sealed and a minimum of 2 m in width and have
bulkhead fittings. foundations and a hard-wearing surface that will
10.7 Cleansing. Arrangements should be made for withstand the loading imposed by wheeled
cleansing of the chamber with water supplied containers.
through a tap, which should be positioned in All roads and approaches to buildings should be
agreement with the local water authority. Drainage level unless the gradient falls away from the waste
should be by means of a trapped gully connected to storage chamber, in which case the gradient should
the foul sewer. The floor of the chamber should have not be steeper than 1 : 12.
a suitable fall towards the drainage point. Gullies
should be so positioned as not to be in the track of 14 Transportation of containers
container trolley wheels. Rainfall or other surface
water should not be allowed to flow into the The manual handling of containers should be
chamber. minimized to achieve an economical collection
service. The collector should not normally be
11 Storage for bulky articles required to carry full individual waste containers for
a distance of more than about 25 m, nor to
Where communal waste storage accommodation or man-handle full communal waste storage
chutes and container chambers are installed, containers from the container chambers to
separate enclosed accommodation at ground level in collecting vehicles for a distance of more than
an accessible position should be provided for the about 10 m. Where bulk containers are used, direct
storage of large and bulky articles or salvageable vehicular access into the chamber is necessary. The
materials or both, so that the local authority can design and construction of the approach roads
make special collection arrangements. A minimum should be such as to ease the task of picking up the
space of 10 m2 is recommended, or 0.3 m3 per container and to minimize the possibility of impact
person, with a minimum headroom of not damage to the doors and the door frames of the
less than 2.3 m. refuse chamber and the bottom of the chute, either
by the vehicle or by the container.
12 Storage containers
Containers should preferably comply with the 15 Hygiene
requirements of BS 1136 or BS 3495. Where 15.1 General. The composition of house and trade
containers for which there is no British Standard waste is such that rapid decomposition takes place
are proposed to be used, the containers should be of under most climatic conditions experienced in the
a type approved by the collection authority. United Kingdom. Good housekeeping should ensure
that all receptacles used for handling waste and
areas in which waste is stored and processed are
adequately cleaned. The points considered in 15.2
to 15.5 are particularly important.

8 © BSI 09-1999
 BS 5906:1980

15.2 Wrapping house waste. Householders 15.5 Waste containers. It is common for sludge to
should be strongly encouraged to wrap food and adhere to the inside of waste containers, and regular
vegetable waste before disposal; all waste disposed and frequent cleansing is essential in many cases.
of into chute systems should be wrapped. This will In all new schemes, the local authority should be
ensure that their own individual storage containers consulted at the planning stage about arrangements
are kept in an hygienic condition and help to for the regular cleansing of waste containers. Not all
prevent fouling and blockage of communal facilities. authorities have the necessary plant for this work,
15.3 Chute cleaning. Washing and chemical and if the property owner is responsible for it, one or
cleaning of the barrel of chutes is not generally more spare containers should be installed under
necessary and should only be undertaken with cover so that the work can be carried out on a
expert advice when deposits that affect chute rotation basis.
performance cannot be removed by dry brushing.
Heavy accumulations of fluff above the uppermost
hopper and in ventilating shafts could constitute a
fire risk and should be removed periodically. This
removal should be a maintenance function
undertaken by representatives of the building
owner or management.
15.4 Maintenance of hoppers. Hoppers of chute
systems can rapidly become fouled, especially when
putrescible waste is not wrapped, and being a
communal facility there is a tendency for a lack of
care on the part of the users. Particularly heavy
deposits of a mixture of liquids, fats and dust
frequently accumulate on the underside of the
hopper unit and on the chute structure beneath it,
preventing the self-closing action of the hopper and
releasing unpleasant smells. Removal of these
deposits entails removing the receiving unit itself,
and householders should not attempt this.
Frequent, radical cleansing of hoppers should be a
maintenance function undertaken by
representatives of the building owner or
management.

© BSI 09-1999 9
BS 5906:1980

Figure 1 — Section through a typical encased chute installation

10 © BSI 09-1999
 BS 5906:1980

Figure 2 — Section through a typical free-standing chute installation

© BSI 09-1999 11
BS 5906:1980

Appendix A On-site treatment systems A.1.1.3 Chute-fed compactors of type 4. Small

chute-fed compactors of type 4 in Table 3 are used
A.1 Volume reduction methods with reusable containers having capacities of
A.1.1 Compactors between 0.75 m3 and 1.6 m3, which may be wheeled
to a collection vehicle equipped with a suitable
A.1.1.1 Introduction. A wide range of machines in
device for emptying them; or containers having
which a ram compresses waste into a container have
capacities of between 4 m3 and 12 m3, which are
been introduced in recent years. The ram may move
handled by a special lifting vehicle. The larger
on a vertical or horizontal axis, and containers
containers are usually serviced on an exchange
range from a 0.09 m3 disposable sack to a 40 m3
system: the lifting vehicle deposits an empty
reusable steel container. Table 3 and Table 4
container and removes the full one for emptying and
summarize the types of machines available, their
subsequent delivery to another installation. The
capabilities and the container types.
lifting vehicle may require up to 5 m headroom.
A.1.1.2 Compactors of types 1, 2 and 3. Small
A.1.1.4 Static packers of type 5. In static packers of
compactors of types 1, 2 and 3 in Table 3 are
type 5 in Table 3, the ram invariably moves
generally equipped with a ram that moves on a
horizontally and packs the waste into reusable
vertical axis. They are suitable for use in, for
containers that have to be handled by special
example, small shops, restaurants, canteens and
vehicles. Containers having capacities of up to
commercial premises where hygienic storage and
about 12 m3 are usually lifted on and off the vehicle
reduced demands on collection facilities are
whereas larger containers are dealt with by a
required. Waste is put into the container and
roll-on/roll-off vehicle. The range of uses covers
compressed by the ram, the process continuing until
large shops, communal use in precinct type
the container is full. The full container is then
developments and markets, civic amenity sites or
removed from the machine and replaced by an
commercial situations where output of waste per
empty one. Free-standing machines of this type are
day is of the order of 10 m3 or more. In view of the
fed through a charge door and the ram cannot be
size of these compactors and the large operating
operated until this door is closed. Chute-fed
pressures involved, safety precautions are
machines are energized by falling waste tripping a
necessary to ensure that operators and bystanders
sensor that controls the ram mechanism; they carry
are protected from falling into the charge box, and
up to ten sacks on a turntable. An automatic device
emergency stop switches are essential. Local
detects when a sack is full and the turntable is
authorities should be consulted about the
rotated to bring an empty sack into the filling
installation of compactors within the curtilage of a
position. The mass of a 0.09 m3 sack when full is
building.
usually about 27 kg, which is convenient for manual
collection in conjunction with a standard waste A.1.2 Shredding and crushing. Shredding and
collection vehicle. Packed cartons may contain up crushing processes normally reduce typical
to 100 kg, and simple lift and carry equipment may domestic waste to about 50 % of its original volume,
be needed to transport them to the collection but the reduction may be considerably greater when
vehicle. dealing with some specific materials such as
cartons, glass and plastics containers or cans.
Machines capable of accepting inputs as large as
a 200 litre steel drum are available. The shredded
product may have advantages other than needing
less storage space: it can form a suitable feedstock
for a pipeline transport system or may be in the
most suitable form for reclamation, e.g. de-tinning
of cans, or as glass cullet for remelting.
Table 3 — Compactors
Type no. Type Feed Capacity Power input Volume reduction ratio Maximum feed size

m3/h kW mm

1 Sack packer Chute 18 5 1.5 to 15 200 × 300

2 Sack packer Hopper 0.25 to 10 2.25 5 300 × 450
3 Carton packer Hopper 11 2.25 10 300 × 700
4 Compactor Chute 100 11 3 to 8 200 × 300
5 Static packer Hopper 22 to 300 30 6 1 500 × 3 000

12 © BSI 09-1999
 BS 5906:1980

Table 4 — Compactor containers

Compactor Compactor type Container Container Lift Wheather special
type no. type capacity vehicle required

m3
1 Sack packer Sack 0.09 to 0.16 Manual No
2 Sack packer Sack 0.09 to 0.16 Manual No
3 Carton packer Carton 0.17 Mechanical No
4 Compactor Reusable 0.8 to 12 Mechanical Yes
5 Static packer Reusable 3 to 40 Mechanical Yes
A.1.3 Baling. Baling is a useful process where large Volume reductions of the order of 7 : 1 to 10 : 1 are
quantities of paper products for reclamation have to achieved and because of the inoffensive nature of
be dealt with in situations where simple storage in the ash, the frequency of collection can be reduced,
sacks would be impracticable. By applying higher but for reasons discussed above, incinerators are
pressures than those used in compactors, higher generally unsuitable for installation in residential
density bales are produced, which may be of any buildings.
mass between 50 kg and 1 t. The material to be A.3 Pipeline collection systems
baled is fed into a charge box in random quantities
A.3.1 General introduction. A number of methods of
by an operator, and then compacted within the box
transporting waste in pipelines have been
by a close-fitting ram. When the box is filled, the
developed, using air or water as the transporting
compressed material is retained in bale form by wire
medium. Airborne systems have, of course, to rely
strapping, which may be a manual, semi-automatic
upon power driven plant to generate the necessary
or fully automatic process, and the completed bale
air movement, but water-borne systems are in many
removed. As with compactors, small machines
ways analogous to the sewerage system and may
normally use a vertically moving ram and large
even be combined with it, and generally rely upon
machines a horizontal ram. Similar machines are
gravity flow to transport the waste suspended in the
available for baling tins and sheet metal, but these
flowing water.
are only likely to be economic in an industrial
situation. A.3.2 Airborne systems. Airborne systems may be
divided into two categories according to the size of
It should be noted that some form of mechanical
pipes through which the waste is transported, viz.
handling equipment is required to remove
large bore and small bore. Large bore systems
completed bales from the baler, to carry them to the
use 450 mm to 600 mm bore pipes, and small bore
loading point and for loading the collection vehicle.
systems use 200 mm to 300 mm bore pipes,
A.2 Incineration although pipes as small as 75 mm bore have been
Waste may be incinerated on the site to reduce its used in some special applications. Both systems use
initial volume (see BS 3107, BS 3316 and a network of pipes, generally installed underground,
BS 3813-1). Most on-site incinerators are designed through which the waste is sucked to a central plant
to customers’ requirements and due regard should room containing the electric motors, exhausters, air
be paid to the specific requirements of the Clean Air filters and equipment to separate the solids from the
Acts 1956 to 1968, relating to control of smoke, grit airstream and store them pending further
and dust emissions. There may be difficulty in processing or transport to a disposal point. The basic
discharging flue gases at a sufficient height above difference between the two categories of systems,
the level of adjacent buildings, or any future other than that of pipe size, lies in the form in which
development, to ensure satisfactory dispersion, and the solids are transported; large bore systems
the official publication “Chimney Heights” 1967 of handle crude, i.e. unprocessed waste, whereas in
the Clean Air Act Memorandum should be complied small bore systems the waste is shredded before
with. Apart from the design factors involved in entering the transporter pipe.
controlling standards of gas emission, incinerators
also require competent and regular supervision to
maintain adequate standards of performance.
Under the Control of Pollution Act 1974
incinerators of a disposal capacity
exceeding 200 kg/h may have to be licensed by the
disposal authority1).

1) Similar provisions apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland

© BSI 09-1999 13
BS 5906:1980

With a number of discrete entry points, airborne Where the system is installed, provision should be
systems are particularly suitable for areas equipped made for storage and removal of articles that cannot
with chutes, or users may be required to carry their be disposed of through the sink units; this can
waste to central access points which might serve a amount to 40 % to 50 % (by mass) of the total output
group of low-rise dwellings for instance. The lower of waste.
end of the chute, or access point, terminates in a A.3.3.2 Waterborne to sewer. Waste disposal units
valve chamber, which, for a large bore system, provide a method of direct disposal of putrescible
contains a valve on which the waste rests and which organic waste. These are electrically-operated wet
communicates with the pipe network. At grinders that reduce to a pulp materials fed into
predetermined intervals the valve, which is them by a stream of water. Sizes range from a
controlled from the central plant room, is opened machine fitted below an enlarged sink outlet in a
and the waste, entrained in the inrush of air into the conventional domestic kitchen sink to those capable
pipe system, is transported to the plant room. In the of dealing with all the waste from a sizeable
small bore system the waste passes through a restaurant or canteen or the carcasses of laboratory
shredder on entering the valve chamber, and the animals up to the size of a large dog.
shredded material is stored above the valve pending
Although waste grinders are easily installed and
collection.
eliminate the need to store putrescible wastes on the
Airborne systems are particularly suited to densely premises, they can deal with only 10 % to 15 %
populated areas where access for large collection (by mass) of the total average output of domestic
vehicles is difficult; and to commercial areas, typical waste, and so can be regarded only as
of city centres, containing shopping precincts, office supplementary to principal methods of waste
blocks and perhaps residential accommodation. The storage and collection.
transportation of waste over distances of up to 2 km
Because the output from waste grinders discharges
is feasible and the carrying capacity of the pipe
directly to sewers, it is essential to consult the
network serviced by one plant room could
regional water authority before installing such
exceed 20 t per day. Smaller systems capable of
units.
serving an individual building complex such as a
hospital are also available.
A.3.3 Waterborne systems
A.3.3.1 Waterborne to site storage. The waterborne
to site storage system was designed for installation
in blocks of flats and is only suitable for handling
domestic types of waste.
Each flat is equipped with a specially designed sink
unit having a large diameter outlet emptying into a
bowl connected by a trapped pipe to a vertical stack.
A plate in the sink outlet can be removed to allow
waste to be placed in the bowl, which also collects
waste water. When a valve is operated the water
flushes the waste into the stack pipe. The wet waste
from the stack pipe discharges into a storage
chamber and then it is removed by suction into a
tanker vehicle where it is compressed and the excess
water discharged to the sewer.
The vehicle then takes the waste to a disposal point.
This system has the advantage of enabling the
householder to get rid of some of the waste,
especially kitchen waste, without having to go
outside the dwelling. The equipment will accept
some sizes of bottles and tins but does not readily
handle large quantities of paper. A gauge is fitted at
the mouth of the receiver to indicate the size of
material that may be put in.

14 © BSI 09-1999
 BS 5906:1980

Publications referred to

BS 65 and BS 540, Clay drain and sewer pipes including surface water pipes and fittings.
BS 65 and BS 540-1, Pipes and fittings.
BS 65 and BS 540-2, Flexible mechanical joints.
BS 416, Cast-iron spigot and socket soil, waste and ventilating pipes (sand cast and spun) and fittings.
BS 476, Fire tests on building materials and structures.
BS 476-8, Test methods and criteria for the fire resistance of elements of building construction.
BS 556, Concrete cylindrical pipes and fittings including manholes, inspection chambers and street gullies.
BS 556-1, Imperial units.
BS 556-2, Metric units.
BS 729, Hot dip galvanized coatings on iron and steel articles.
BS 792, Mild steel dustbins.
BS 889, Flameproof electric lighting fittings.
BS 1136, Mild steel refuse storage containers.
BS 1449, Steel plate, sheet and strip.
BS 1577, Mild steel refuse or food waste containers.
BS 1703, Specification for refuse chutes and hoppers.
BS 3107, Small incinerators.
BS 3316, Large incinerators for the destruction of hospital waste.
BS 3495, Aluminium refuse storage containers.
BS 3654, Galvanized steel dustbins for dustless emptying.
BS 3813, Incinerators for waste from trade and residential premises.
BS 3813-1, Capacities between 50 lb/h and 1000 lb/h.
BS 4998, Moulded plastics dustbins.
BS 5832, Specification for compacted waste containers for lift-off vehicles.
CP 3, Code of basic data for the design of buildings.

© BSI 09-1999
BS 5906:1980

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