This is a frequent point of confusion.
For example: BS EN 806 mentions backflow prevention generally. BS 8558 gives you the exact fluid categories (1 to 5) and shows you which mechanical device (e.g., a verified RPZ valve) is required for a Category 5 risk like a hospital dialysis unit.
If you design water services without referencing BS 8558, a local water authority (e.g., Thames Water, United Utilities) can reject your application for a new connection.
The standard is comprehensive, covering the entire lifecycle of a water system within a building. Its primary objective is to ensure that water is delivered at adequate pressure and temperature, while preventing contamination and wastage.
Key areas covered by BS 8558 include:
To mitigate the risk of Legionella pneumophila bacteria, BS 8558 sets out specific temperature parameters:
BS 8558 adopts the five fluid categories from the Water Regulations:
| Category | Description | Example | Required protection | |----------|-------------|---------|----------------------| | 1 | Wholesome water | Drinking water | None (system inherent) | | 2 | Aesthetic change | Slightly warm, discolored | Single check valve | | 3 | Low health hazard | Water with detergent | Double check valve or RPZ | | 4 | Significant health hazard | Chemically contaminated | RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone) | | 5 | Serious health hazard | Sewage, pathogens | Air gap with overflow (A or AB type) |
The standard gives specific design guidance for each category, including minimum air gap dimensions (e.g., 20 mm or twice the inlet diameter).
To recap – BS 8558:2015 is the authoritative UK guide for water services in buildings. While the idea of a free BS 8558 PDF is tempting, the only safe, legally admissible, and accurate copies are purchased directly from BSI or licensed resellers.
For a one-off project, buy the PDF from BSIs shop. For an ongoing engineering practice, invest in a subscription.
Remember: Using an outdated or pirated standard might save you £350 today, but a legionella outbreak, backflow contamination, or failed water authority inspection could cost your firm millions in liability.
Get the official BS 8558 PDF, read it thoroughly, and design water systems that are safe, legal, and best-in-class. bs 8558 pdf
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. Standards are regularly updated. Always verify the current status of BS 8558 with the British Standards Institution before purchasing or referencing.
You're looking for information on BS 8558, a British Standard that provides guidelines for the design, installation, and maintenance of trench fill and pipe jacking systems.
Here's a brief overview:
What is BS 8558?
BS 8558 is a British Standard that covers the design, installation, and maintenance of trench fill and pipe jacking systems used for underground pipe installation. The standard provides recommendations for the safe and efficient installation of pipes and associated structures using these methods.
What does BS 8558 cover?
The standard covers the following aspects:
Key benefits of BS 8558
By following the guidelines outlined in BS 8558, engineers, contractors, and asset owners can:
PDF resources
If you're looking for a PDF copy of BS 8558, you can try the following:
Please note that accessing a PDF copy of BS 8558 may require a subscription or a one-time payment. This is a frequent point of confusion
The BS 8558:2015 is the British Standard that provides guidance on the design, installation, testing, and maintenance of services supplying water for domestic use within buildings. Accessing the Document
Since British Standards are copyrighted documents protected by the British Standards Institution (BSI), they are generally not available for free as public PDF downloads. You can obtain the official "paper" (PDF or hard copy) through the following authorized channels:
BSI Shop: You can purchase and download the full PDF directly from the BSI Knowledge website.
University or Professional Libraries: If you are a student or a member of a professional body (like CIBSE or RIBA), you may have free access through their institutional subscription to BSOL (British Standards Online).
Public Libraries: Many major public libraries in the UK provide onsite digital access to the full suite of British Standards for reference. Key Scope of BS 8558
This standard acts as complementary guidance to BS EN 806. It covers:
Water Quality: Maintaining the integrity of wholesome water.
System Design: Sizing of pipes and storage cisterns to prevent stagnation.
Temperature Control: Guidelines for hot and cold water to prevent Legionella growth.
Testing: Procedures for flushing and disinfecting new or modified systems.
BS 8558:2015 is the current British Standard providing comprehensive guidance on the design, installation, testing, and maintenance of services supplying water for domestic use.
It is officially titled "Guide to the design, installation, testing and maintenance of services supplying water for domestic use within buildings and their curtilages — Complementary guidance to BS EN 806". 💧 Key Purpose and Scope For example: BS EN 806 mentions backflow prevention
BS 8558 serves as the lead document for domestic water supply in the UK, bridging gaps in European standards.
Replaced BS 6700: It superseded the older BS 6700 standard in 2012.
Complementary to BS EN 806: While BS EN 806 provides general European specifications, BS 8558 offers specific UK-based practical advice.
Underground Pipework: Unlike BS EN 806, this standard specifically covers underground pipes within a building's boundary (curtilage).
Hygiene Focus: It includes essential protocols for Legionella control, system flushing, and disinfection. 🛠️ What BS 8558 Covers
The standard is divided into sections that mirror the BS EN 806 parts to provide easy cross-referencing:
Section 4 (Design): Guidance on material selection, pipe sizing, and protection against contamination.
Section 5 (Installation): Best practices for pipe support, jointing methods, and underground laying.
Section 6 (Maintenance): Inspection schedules and water sampling points to ensure long-term hygiene.
Annexes: Includes normative examples of pumped systems and informative guidance on hot water storage capacity and pipe sizing calculations. ✅ Critical Procedures 1. Flushing and Disinfection BS 8558:2015 - TC | 30 Sep 2015 - BSI Knowledge
If you manage to locate a BS 8558 PDF, you will find it organized into logical clauses. Here is what to look for:
| Section | Title | Key Focus | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1-3 | Scope, Normative References | Defines legal context and linked docs (WRAS, EN 806). | | 4 | Design Principles | Water demand estimation, flow rates, and pressure losses. | | 5 | Materials & Components | Pipe materials (copper, PEX, MDPE), valves, backflow prevention. | | 6 | Installation | Trenching, supports, access panels, fire safety. | | 7 | Testing & Commissioning | Pressure testing, flushing, disinfection (chlorination). | | 8 | Maintenance | Inspection regimes, Legionella sampling, scale prevention. | | Annex A | Pipe Sizing Tables | Velocity-based sizing for copper and plastic systems. | | Annex B | Disinfection Methods | Step-by-step chlorination for 50ppm and 1000ppm. |
BS 8558 is a critical British Standard that provides detailed guidance on the systems used to supply water for domestic purposes inside buildings. While it is not a legally binding document in itself, it is widely regarded as the industry "code of practice" for ensuring water systems are safe, efficient, and compliant with UK Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations.
For engineers, plumbers, and building managers, accessing the BS 8558 PDF is often a priority to ensure they are adhering to the latest technical specifications for cold and hot water supply systems.
