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35
London County Council flats, Ivy Walk site.
The L.C.C. development on the Ivy Walk site is well advanced. Of the
eight blocks of flats commenced in 1957 tut one are occupied and the
remaining block will be completed soon. These include four, five and
eight storey blocks, making a total of 175 flats.
Recommendations made by the Chief Public Health Inspector, Mr. Grant,
and his deputy, Mr. Marshall, to the L.C.C. Architects were adopted and
resulted in 'single stack' plumbing with relief gulleys being provided
throughout the whole scheme, with a capital cost saving estimated to be
at least £3000 on plumbing and drainage.
The relief or safety valve gulley is provided at the base of each
single stack and immediately above a three foot radius bend. In the
event of any stoppage in the long radius bend or in the drain beyond, the
back surge of drainage will escape to the open air via the relief gulley
whereas without this provision flooding of the ground floor premises
through the TV. C. would occur.
In addition, the complete underground drainage system has been
constructed in cast iron dn the advice of these officers.
The first flats were occupied at the beginning of 1958 and the 'singlestack'
plumbing has proved to be entirely successful. In three instances
the relief gulleys operated successfully and prevented the flooding of the
lower flats due to obstruction in the long radius bends, the result of
carelessness on the part of tenants by disposing of articles not suitable
for discharge into the drainage system.
The happy relationship and willing co-operation extended by the
Architects of the L.C.C. has been greatly appreciated by the officers of
this Department in achieving such satisfactory results.
Underground drainage as integral part of structure.
Another interesting experiment was made in an endeavour to reduce the
cost of underground drainage, in preventing the settlement of drains on
'made up' land as well as speeding up the work. On our recommendation,
departure from traditional drainage design has been made with the full
support and the co-operation of the Borough Architect's Department.
To prevent the settlement of drains which could take place if they
are laid outside the blocks of flats on 'made up1 ground, a cast iron
drain was laid supported on the cross wall foundations under the ground
floor slab and along the length of the building. Adequate access was
provided for rodding purposes above the large radius bend of each single
stack, thus eliminating the construction of several inspection chambers.
No excavations and no concrete foundations were required in the
construction of this drain. Efficiency has been maintained, the
reduction in labour costs and materials is very considerable, the danger