This document specifies those materials which are appropriate for use as pipe bedding and sidefill materials. For definitions and guidance on the selection of bedding and sidefill materials for buried pipelines refer to Information and Guidance Note No. 4-08-01, Issue 4 + its Amendment of November 2008.

Caveats

The document was updated by WIS 4-08-02 A in November 2008.

The WUK Standards Board commissioned a review of WIS 4-08-02 and WIS 4-08-02A that concluded in March 2023 (in parallel with a review of IGN 4-08-01 and IGN 4-08-01A). The Board determined the four documents’ status should be changed from ‘current’ to ‘ageing’ since elements of the documents have been overtaken by BS, BS EN, or BS EN ISO standards. The documents also need updating to reflect the increased use of ‘as dug’ & recycled aggregates (principally crushed concrete & roadstone) and to address environmental & carbon reduction agendas. Technological advances in recycling plant & equipment should also be reflected in any update.

However, elements of the documents remain useful and they remain widely cited in key water industry specification documents (i.e. beyond WIS and IGN). These include:

• Design and Construction Guidance for foul and surface water sewers offered for adoption under the Code for adoption agreements for water and sewerage companies operating wholly or mainly in England (“the Code”) – for example in ‘E2.25 Pipe surround materials’.
• Civil Engineering Specification for the Water Industry (CESWI 7) – for example in ‘2.90 Pipe surround materials’.

The Standards Board encourages parties interested in seeing these documents updated to form a Task & Finish Group to that end. For further information on how achieve this contact the Board’s Technical Secretary here.

In addition, ‘Common Editorial Caveats’ apply – see ‘WIS & IGN Library / Navigation & Caveats’ for details.