If you're not sure, you're not alone. Saleem Akram gets to grips with your questions
Q. I refer to the introduction of 'Drainage Mounds' into the Building Regulations 2002 Edition. These proposals are of interest as we operate in a rural area with clay subsoils, and the introduction of drainage mounds would be a very useful alternative to standard solutions.

We have to obtain multiple approvals for septic tanks or treatment plants, and I have discussed the use of drainage mounds with our local building control department and the local environmental protection officer, neither of whom have experience of their use. Can you help?

A. This section on 'Drainage Mounds' appears to have been added after detailed consultation with a number of organisations, including the Environment Agency. The committee responsible for drafting and consultation of the Building Regulations Part H elaborated on the issue as follows: 'The base area of a mound is determined using the same method as that for a drainage field H2-1.44.A specification for the filter sand for mounds can be found in Good Building Guide 41. European Standards for small waste water systems are under development and will be published within the next year. The relevant standard will be EN12566-2.'

However, this does not clarify whether at national level the EA approved this method of disposal during drafting of the regulations, and I am awaiting a full reply from the committee responsible for drafting Approved Document Part-H.

I invite readers to help us in this matter.

Q. Could you ADVISE me about the main act, regulations and guides concerned with 'Health and Safety in Construction' legislation? Also, can you tell me where I can obtain the latest information and updates?

A. The fundamental Act governing health and safety in construction is The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This act has some sixty-two separate regulations and it is not possible to deal with such a large subject area here. However, the principal regulations of this act, which affect design and construction, are as follows:

  • Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992
  • Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 [known as CDM Regulations]
  • Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996

Some other regulations and guides are:

  • Health and Safety Regulations - A Short Guide
  • Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995
  • The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH).
  • The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2000 (CHIP)
  • The Health and Safety Regulations 1992 - Working with VDUs
  • A Guide to the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 Introducing the Noise at Work Regulations
  • COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health): A brief guide to the regulations 1994
  • Simple guide to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER 98)
  • Simple guide to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulation (LOLER 98)
  • Workplace Health Safety and Welfare: A short guide
  • A short guide to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
  • Signposts to the Health and Safety (Safety, Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
  • Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 (CAW)

For the latest information and confirmation, please contact HSE on 08701 545500, (open 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday), fax 02920 859260 or email hseinformationservices@natbrit.com

Q. We want to use concrete for the construction of a roof, but weight is a big problem. A colleague suggested the name of a light type of concrete. Do you have any information about it?

A. Foamed Concrete is a cementious material containing at least 20% air by volume which is mechanically entrained into the plastic mortar. The high air content of foamed concrete screeds make them ideal for use as floor and roof screeding materials where the lightweight nature of the materials reduce deadloading on the structure, while achieving excellent thermal efficiency.

The material can be laid to fall at a thickness from 50mm to 2000mm in any one application, and can be easily pumped, laid and finished. Densities between 500Kg/m3 and 1200Kg/m3 with strengths from 0.5 Newton to 7 Newtons per square millimetre are commonly used.

For further information please see British Standards: BS EN 206-1 / BS 8500 or contact the British Cement Association on 01344 762676.