The Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations 1991

Regulation 3(1)(a)

SCHEDULE 1REQUIREMENTS FOR SILOS

1.  The requirements which have to be satisfied in relation to a silo are that—

(a)it complies with the following provisions of this Schedule; or

(b)it is designed and constructed in accordance with the standard on cylindrical forage tower silos published by the British Standards Institution and numbered BS 5061: 1974(1).

2.  The base of the silo shall extend beyond any walls of the silo and shall be provided at its perimeter with channels designed and constructed so as to collect any silage effluent which may escape from the silo and adequate provision shall be made for the drainage of that effluent from those channels to an effluent tank through a channel or pipe.

3.  The capacity of the effluent tank—

(a)in the case of a silo with a capacity of less than 1500 cubic metres, shall be not less than 20 litres for each cubic metre of silo capacity; and

(b)in the case of a silo with a capacity of 1500 cubic metres or more, shall be not less than 30 cubic metres plus 6.7 litres for each cubic metre of silo capacity in excess of 1500 cubic metres.

4.  The base of the silo, the base and walls of its effluent tank and channels and the walls of any pipes shall be impermeable.

5.  The base and any walls of the silo, its effluent tank and channels and the walls of any pipes shall, so far as reasonably practicable, be resistant to attack by silage effluent.

6.  No part of the silo, its effluent tank or channels or any pipes shall be situated within 10 metres of any inland or coastal waters which silage effluent could enter if it were to escape.

7.  If the silo has retaining walls—

(a)the retaining walls shall be capable of withstanding minimum wall loadings calculated on the assumptions and in the manner indicated by paragraphs 13.9.1 to 13.9.9 of the code of practice on buildings and structures for agriculture published by the British Standards Institution and numbered BS 5502: Part 22: 1987(2);

(b)the silo shall at no time be loaded to a depth exceeding the maximum depth consistent with the design assumption made in respect of the loadings of the retaining walls; and

(c)notices shall be displayed on the retaining walls in accordance with paragraph 13.9.9 of that code of practice.

8.  Subject to paragraph 9 below, the silo, its effluent tank and channels and any pipes shall be designed and constructed so that with proper maintenance they are likely to satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 2 to 5 and, if applicable, 7(a) above for a period of at least 20 years.

9.  Where any part of an effluent tank is installed below ground level, the tank shall be designed and constructed so that without maintenance it is likely to satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 4 and 5 above for a period of at least 20 years.