Rubble chute
A rubble chute is used to enable the safe and efficient transfer of debris/materials from a structure’s scaffold to a skip at street level. The simple concept is that several cylindrical dustbin-like sections are linked together using chains and hung from the side of a building or scaffold. The reinforced rubber cylinders, together with steel inner lining, are tapered and fit together, at effective lengths of 1-metre.
The usual dimensions of the sections are 510 mm diameter that tapers to 380 mm. There must be metal ring reinforcement every 6 section units. Overall length should not exceed 40 sections and should be tied back to the scaffold every 6m.
A steel top hipper is required to provide an improved aperture at the point where debris is being placed into the chute to prevent unnecessary spillage. Y-sections can be used to allow debris to be placed into the chute at intermediate positions along its length. The chute is not designed to cope with large, long or heavy items such as structural beams, timbers, poles, etc. Neither should hazardous, corrosive or liquid materials be disposed of down the chute.
The chute is assembled horizontally at ground level before being lifted into position by a scaffold hoist, with additional sections being added to the bottom in order to achieve the required length.
Rubble chutes should be hosed down regularly so as to avoid unnecessary damage or obstruction.
Local authorities may need to give permission or special licences for rubble chutes to be erected on, across or adjacent to a public highway, and may require safety barriers, cones, warning lights, tape, signs and so on. Skips may need to be covered to prevent the spread of dust and other debris.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building wraps.
- Construction plant.
- Construction skip.
- Construction tools.
- Debris netting.
- Equipment in buildings.
- Excavating plant.
- Firefighting lift.
- Road sweeper.
- Scaffolding.
- Site waste management plan.
- Recycling.
- Temporary works.
- Types of cranes.
[edit] External references
- ‘Building Construction Handbook’ (6th ed.), CHUDLEY, R., GREENO, R., Butterworth-Heinemann, (2007)
Featured articles and news
The ECA Industry Awards 2024 now open !
Recognising the best in the electrotechnical industry.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.