Construction of new buildings on gas-contaminated land

Document Status

Archived

Supplement

Core Supplement

Series

Report

Abstract

Incidents involving landfill gas in buildings have increased in recent years and these are of concern to developers and builders who are faced with the problem of developing sites where this gas is present. The principal components of landfill gas are methane (which is flammable) and carbon dioxide (which is toxic), but these two gases are also associated with coal strata, river silt, sewage and peat. The report provides a brief background on the production of landfill gas, its properties and how it migrates off-site. It then goes on to discuss assessment of gas-contaminated sites and outlines the construction principles that need to be followed when ground where methane and carbon dioxide are present is built on. The types of construction covered in this report are a concrete slab with a granular venting layer, and a ventilated subfloor void. It is recommended that private houses should be protected using only passive measures, and that active measures, which include gas monitoring, are only appropriate where there is a responsible body which can provide continuing maintenance for these measures. The report gives minimum recommended areas of ventilation and the standard for gas-proof membranes. It also recommends that service pipes and cables should be directed into buildings above the floor but that if this is unavoidable then all entry points should be properly sealed against gas ingress.

History

Whilst this publication can still be purchased some of the information in it has been superseded by more recent research and standards. The BRE Group does not accept any responsibility whatsoever for any loss or damage, including - without limitation - indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from use, or loss of use, of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this document.

Subjects

• Gas Emissions
• Special subject areas
• Environmental issues/energy
• Pollution/waste disposal/contaminated land

Publisher History

BRE is a building science centre that generates new knowledge through research. This is used to create products, tools and standards that drive positive change across the built environment. BRE helps its government and private sector clients meet the significant environmental, social and economic challenges they face in delivering homes, buildings and communities. BRE is owned by the BRE Trust, a registered charity. The Trust uses the profits made by the BRE companies to fund research and education that advances knowledge of the built environment.