Farm buildings are no different to any other type of building which may be constructed and used for industrial or commercial applications. However, they do have a range of more specific design parameters due to the nature of the internal and external environment they are subjected to.
Farm building standard BS 5502 is sub-divided to deal with the specific design requirements and construction aspects of agricultural buildings. However, this standard does not cover dwellings, those with access by the public such as farm shops and riding schools and those which are subject to certain siting conditions and which would be subject to building regulation provisions. This standard also excludes the design and construction of temporary farm structures.
The sub-divisions deal with many aspects of both generic and specific design requirements through the construction and operational phases of buildings. The sub-divisions provide guidance and information about buildings which are operationally used for livestock, crop and general storage, together with assorted production facilities and general agricultural use.
BS 5502 – 0 provides an outline to the subject and forms the basis for the introduction of the specific topics covered by its associated and supplementary parts.
The sub-divided parts of BS 5502 can be broadly grouped as follows:
BS 5502 – 0: Introduction
BS 5502 – 10 – 19: Reference information. Part 11 provides a guide to regulations and sources of information. The other parts are general data orientated.
BS 5502 – 20 – 39: General designs. These include the selection and use of materials, fire precautions, services and facilities, infestation control, waste management, noise control and how to deal with odours.
BS 5502 – 40 – 59: Livestock buildings. These include buildings and pens for cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, milking, organic waste storage and emergency systems.
BS 5502 – 60 – 79: Crop buildings. These include buildings for mushrooms, crop processing, potato chitting, stores and bins & silos from combinable crops.
BS 5502 – 80 – 99: Ancillary buildings. These include workshops, chemical stores, inspection facilities and amenity buildings.
Specific part numbers and titles
BS 5502-0:1992. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Introduction
BS 5502-11:2005. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Guide to regulations and sources of information
BS 5502-20:1990. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for general design considerations
BS 5502-21:1990. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for selection and use of construction materials
BS 5502-22:2003+A1:2013. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design, construction and loading
BS 5502-23:2004. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Fire precautions. Code of practice
BS 5502-25:1991. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and installation of services and facilities
BS 5502-30:1992. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for control of infestation
BS 5502-31:1995+A1:2011. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Guide to the storage and handling of waste
BS 5502-32:1990. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Guide to noise attenuation
BS 5502-33:1991. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Guide to the control of odour pollution
BS 5502-40:2005. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of cattle buildings
BS 5502-41:1990. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of sheep buildings and pens
BS 5502-42:1990. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of pig buildings
BS 5502-43:1990. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of poultry buildings
BS 5502-49:1990. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of milking premises
BS 5502-50:1993+A2:2010. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design, construction and use of storage tanks and reception pits for livestock slurry
BS 5502-51:1991. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of slatted, perforated and mesh floors for livestock
BS 5502-52:1991. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design of alarm systems, emergency ventilation and smoke ventilation for livestock housing
BS 5502-60:1992. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of buildings for mushrooms
BS 5502-65:1992. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of crop processing buildings
BS 5502-66:1992. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of chitting houses
BS 5502-70:1992. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of ventilated on floor stores for combinable crops
BS 5502-71:1992. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of ventilated stores for potatoes and onions
BS 5502-72:1992. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of controlled environment stores for vegetables, fruit and flowers
BS 5502-74:1991. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of bins and silos for combinable crops
BS 5502-75:1993. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for the design and construction of forage stores
BS 5502-80:1990. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of workshops, maintenance and inspection facilities
BS 5502-81:1989. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design and construction of chemical stores
BS 5502-82:1997. Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for design of amenity buildings
The above information is available as a downloadable document
Note: Industry standards are continually being updated and copies of current standards are obtainable directly from BSi Group.