Can a drain inspection chamber be inside?

[ginbramble]

Looking at architect plans the inspection chamber that is currently on my driveway will be inside the utility room. It's a private lateral flow drain I think... it goes from my house, across the back to next door and then onto to sewer down the side of next doors house. Is this normal or even allowed?

Do you know who would know? Your architect.

Well thanks for the sarcastic response really helpful. I can't ask the architect as the plans were drawn up over 2 years ago and the architect has retired and moved away. But thanks for the helpful response.

It is allowed. My brother has this in his conservatory. It has a special lid, the tiles match the rest of the floor. There’s never been any smells or issues. He’s never had to open it.

Next door to me decided they didn’t want this and just built over theirs. Their sewer runs to me, then to the next neighbour, then to the road. When first neighbours drains back up he has to come and rod from our garden as he has no manhole. Which isn’t ideal as I believe you should always rod from upstream of the blockage …so he has to rod in the wrong direction but so far it’s always worked.

Not unusual when building extensions. Builder has to bridge the pipe in the footings and you may need to lay a floor that can facilitate access. It'll also need a sealed lid to prevent smells. Building Control should be able to advise when you (or your builder) engage them for the build.

Fab thank you. I just panicked as I thought I vaguely recalled having a conversation with the architect that the drain and man hole would need to be moved, then due to alsorts of things we've had to delay the build. Now in a position to get on with it and just noticed on the plans that the drain and cover haven't been moved.

I believe building over isn't a preferred option these days (water authority, not council) but still doable. If you have the space, it might be worth adding an inspection chamber outside, just to be safe. Good luck with your build.

Thames Water guidance is here: www.thameswater.co.uk/media-library/home/help/home-improvements/building-near-our-pipes/building-over-or-near-a-sewer.pdf

They want inspection chambers moved outside the building - there are example diagrams of solutions in tehre.

Have a look on your water company's website OP.
That should point you in the right direction.
I'm almost certain you will need their permission to do it and you will probably need to build in some sort of access to it in case of future work needed.

That's really helpful @Rollercoaster1920 thank you.

Thanks @Wingedharpy , I have looked on mine and it's not very clear or particularly helpful? That thanes valley link had loads more info than my local one! There is a phone number to ring for advice on my local one but when you ring it it goes straight to voicemail mail stating that the phones are not currently manned due to staff WFH ... not helpful at all really!