What is BS 7533-101:2021 about?
Between 2001 and 2010, a 12-part series of standards was developed covering the structural design, construction and maintenance of pavements using modular paving units. As time passed, this large number of documents was seen to cause some confusion among designers and installers. BS 7533-101:2021 is a revised standard that consolidates the previous parts 1, 2, 8, 10 and 12 into one code of practice covering structural design. It also partially supersedes parts 6 and 7.
Who is BS 7533-101:2021 for?
- Public and private sector designers
- Suppliers and contractors employed by county, district and unitary councils
- UK local authorities, highway authorities and rail authorities, and their supply chains
- Metropolitan authorities such as TfL, Highways England, Transport Scotland, the National Assembly for Wales and the Department for Regional Development Northern Ireland
- Airport owners, and their planners and environmental specialists for their landside operations that make extensive use of modular paving
- Architects for commercial and residential developments
What does BS 7533-101:2021 cover?
This British Standard provides guidance and recommendations on the design of pavements surfaced with:
- Concrete paving blocks manufactured in accordance with BS EN 1338
- Concrete paving flags manufactured in accordance with BS EN 1339
- Natural stone slabs manufactured in accordance with BS EN 1341
- Natural stone setts manufactured in accordance with BS EN 1342
- Clay pavers manufactured in accordance with BS EN 1344 and constructed in accordance with BS 7533-3, BS 7533-4, BS 7533-7 and BS 7533-9
It also provides guidance and recommendations on the use of:
- Concrete kerbs manufactured in accordance with BS EN 1340
- Natural stone kerbs manufactured in accordance with BS EN 1343
It applies to areas subject to pedestrian and vehicular loadings permissible under The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, with axle loads up to 11 000 kg and a cumulative design traffic of up to 30 million standard axles (msa).
NOTE: BS 7533-101:2021 specifically excludes design traffic above the specified maximum and areas of higher vehicle loading such as aircraft pavements and those in ports and specialized industrial areas. It also excludes pavements constructed on bridge decks or suspended slabs such as basement roofs. Specialist engineering advice should be sought when considering the use of modular paving in applications not covered by this standard.
Why should you use BS 7533-101:2021?
It will help organizations to:
- Reduce the cost of standards because they’re buying one instead of five
- Simplify the design process
- Mitigate the risk of costly design errors and premature failures caused by previous confusion over so many different parts
- Take greater control of the procurement process
- Source materials from the UK rather than from far-afield due to cost
- Reduce the material and installation costs of large public-sector works
- Increase trust in the design of pavements, so designers are less likely to over-specify products
BS 7533-101:2021 contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure, because it enable the construction of resilient pavements.