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
Top 50 firms awarded 52bn of projects in the last year
New engineering data shows.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.
Noise in the built environment
BSRIA guide TG 20/2021.
17,000 people suffer conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.
Turning down the noise: Auditory health
A pervasive risk with far-reaching consequences.
UK Construction Week, London is here !
Debuting major international pavilions and much more.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.