BS EN 1917 specifies requirements and describes test methods for precast concrete inspection chambers, designed to be used for inverts not exceeding 2 metres deep, of circular, rectangular (with or without chamfered or rounded corners) or elliptical cross-section, unreinforced, steel fibre and reinforced, with nominal sizes or nominal lengths not exceeding DN 1250 or LN 1250, respectively. The intended use of BS EN 1917 is to permit access to, and to allow aeration of, drain or sewer systems for the conveyance of sewage, rainwater and surface water under gravity or occasionally at low head of pressure, mainly installed in areas subjected to vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic.

This part of BS 5911 specifies complementary requirements to those in BS EN 1917 for unreinforced and reinforced concrete inspection chambers of circular and rectangular cross-section (with or without chamfered or rounded corners), as provided for in that European Standard. This part also specifies requirements for inspection chamber units less than or equal to DN 1000 or LN/WN 1000/675 not exceeding 1 metre depth to invert. The inspection chambers are mainly intended for installation in areas outside the highway and where vehicle loading is restricted.

The scope of BS EN 1917 includes steel fibre concrete inspection chambers, which are not manufactured in the United Kingdom although this was at one time contemplated. Therefore, they have been excluded from this part of BS 5911.

The scope of BS 5911‑2 originally included inspection chamber covers. However, these have been excluded from this part of BS 5911 because they now come under the scope of BS EN 124.

BS EN 752, BS EN 1295‑1 and BS EN 1610 deal with the planning, design, installation and testing of drains and sewers.