BS EN 1610 is the UK and European Standard for the construction and testing of drains and sewers, covering excavation, bedding, pipe laying, surround, backfill and final testing. The standard is widely referenced in Sewers for Adoption design codes used by Thames Water across Greater London under section 104 agreements, and in private drainage design under Building Regulations Part H. Testing provisions include air, water and visual checks to verify watertightness before backfilling and on completion. Practical implications for contractors include the need to follow specified bedding and surround details, typically with 100mm of granular bedding and 150mm surround above the pipe crown. Tested and certified work supports faster Building Control approval and adoption sign-off. The formal reference is BS EN 1610:2015, regularly read in conjunction with BS EN 752 for overall system design.
BS EN 1610 (pipe installation)
European Standard for the construction and testing of drains and sewers.
