EDITED BY DAVID ADLER

METRIC
HANDBOOK
PLANNING
AND
DESIGN
DATA
SECOND EDITION Architectural
Press
10 Farm buildings
Based on information provided by John Weller and others
John Weller is an architect specialising in rural work
KEY POINTS:
• Farming is an industry subject to continual change
• Animal welfare and concern about pollution is leading to
legislative constraints, both domestic and European
Contents
1 Introduction
2 Farm animals
3 Farm machinery
4 Dairy cattle housing
5 Beef cattle and calf housing
6 Sheep housing
7 Pig housing
8 Poultry housing
9 Crop storage and effluent produced
10 Building legislation
1 INTRODUCTION
1.01 The agricultural economy
Agriculture in the UK and also in the rest of Europe (particularly
in the west) is becoming big business. Small farms and small
farmers are becoming increasingly rare; marginal land is coming
out of production. Owners of hitherto agricultural land are seeking
other revenue-earning uses such as golf courses.
1.02 Planning
Buildings, irrespective of the enterprise, should be planned in
terms of their functions for storage, processing or production.
Food, like other industrial processes, should be designed for
materials handling and flowline production. Superimposing linear
buildings within or over traditional courtyard forms is both a visual
and a tactical problem.
Stock housing produces effluents. Farm waste management is
an essential part of the building design and increasingly subject to
statutory control. Wastes should normally be recycled, provided
that this is done safely.
1.03 Building functions
Depending on managerial philosophy, building functions may be
specialist, semi-specialist or flexible in their form. Farmers tend to
equate flexibility with general-purpose layouts and with low
capital investments; this can be a false equation. The loss of
quality control, often difficult to evaluate, makes most ‘cheap
umbrellas’ poor performers for specific end products.
The demand for flexibility reflects two factors – lack of
confidence in politicians’ ability to maintain stable markets, and
the rapidity of technical change. UK food production is essentially
in the hands of the EU (via CAP, the Common Agricultural
Policy), which aims at market stability. Technical change is liable
to continue, although expansion of power demand may become
more selective.
1.04 Stock housing and storage requirements
In simple terms, most storage requirements are those of containers:
cylinders, bins and bunkers. Wide-span portals are suitable for
CI/SfB 26
UDC 728.94
some layouts for cattle, bulk storage and implements. Compact and
insulated ‘boxes’ of low profile are best for calves, pigs or poultry.
They may include total or partial environmental control. In
contrast, ‘kennels’ are cheaply framed, semi-open, mono-pitch
structures suitable for some cattle and pig layouts.
1.05 Construction and procurement
Most buildings are partially or wholly prefabicated, or are
purchased under package deals. Standard frames can be obtained
‘off the shelf’, and infilled by ‘self-build’.
Performance specifications are rare. Overall costs are lower than
for most buildings of similar type, partly due to lower standards
being demanded (see BS 5502, Buildings and structures for
agriculture, in its many parts).
1.06 Lifespan of buildings
Most pre-1960 buildings are inefficient for modern production and
many traditional buildings are redundant. A few are suitable for
casual storage, administration, isolation units, or spare boxes. The
issue of redundancy is not easy to resolve. Some historic barns
have been dismantled and relocated. Tourism, recreation and craft
work are all encouraged in rural areas. A tenth of all farms have
some tourist income. In upland areas, it may be the principal
source of income. Farm planning should allow for alternative uses
for buildings and land.
The normal economic life for farm buildings is ten years, though
some are depreciated over five. This is a major design constraint.
Some estates may permit a longer term of 20 to 60 years,
especially for ‘umbrella’ enclosures. Grants are available for all
except plastic, cheap tents and for factory farms (i.e. without
supporting land). EU grants are more generous but require
carefully prepared development proposals.
1.07 Appearance
Farm building appearance, especially since many are exempt from
control and since most are cheap compared to other building types,
is a contentious issue. Simple forms, good colour, defined planes,
and coordinated fittings such as vent pipes and flues, combined
with careful siting and landscaping, make buildings acceptable.
However, large roof surfaces are likely to conflict with vernacular
buildings and can, near rising land, become dominant. Component
design is often poor and unrelated to the basic structure. Surrounds
to buildings, including yards, tanks, fences, etc. are often more
unsightly than the buildings.
1.08 Criteria
Farm management in relation to resources of land area and terrain,
climate, soil, capital, etc., is such that every farm building problem
is different, despite prefabrication, package deals and BS 5502. In
many enterprises, it is difficult to establish a good design brief, but
the basic layout, 10.1, shows the relationships between the
elements of the farm and the main service road. 10.2 shows a
typical farm.
10-1
10-2 Farm buildings

highway 2 FARM ANIMALS

Average sizes and weights of animals are shown in 10.3. Width of
animal given is normal trough space allowed (i.e. about two-thirds
of overall width). Length given is normal standing (not fully
Control extended).
farm office/ farmhouse fuel storage (diesel and petrol)
weighbridge (large estates) implement storage (tractor lines)
mens’ room,canteen etc workshop
poison lock-up general storage or implements
hydrant and fire control 3 FARM MACHINERY
Average sizes and weights of tractors and other machinery are
youngstock housing given in 10.4.
livestock estate yard
dairy isolation timber/forestry/building
(when cows)
4 DAIRY CATTLE HOUSING
main livesstock units grain stores Table I gives dimensions for cattle housing; examples suitable for
mill/mix unit from fields a 120-cattle unit are shown in 10.5 and 10.6. A typical cubicle
straw barns
house is 27 m wide × 55 m long plus 10m turn area at one end
muck and/or feed preparation
effluent out (when plus a 4 m road. A ‘kennel’ has the same basic dimensions but the
to fields bedded roof is lower and is held by the cubicle division and the passage is
livestock) vegetable stores from fields
(packing units) not completely roofed, as 10.7. Various systems of milking parlour
are shown in 10.8. Rotary parlours are now considered obsolete,
silobarns and the current favourite is the herringbone, 10.9.
tower silos
etc
out to postures
out to fields 5 BEEF CATTLE AND CALF HOUSING
Strawed and slatted yards for beef cattle are shown in 10.10 and
10.1 Basic layout, mixed arable and stock farm. Although the 10.11. A calf house is illustrated in 10.12, and 10.13 is a ‘general-
arrangement shown has been stylised, in fact farms are usually purpose’ strawed yard for cattle (700 mm/head for manger for
linear to the main service road adults, 500 mm for yearlings).

10.2 Typical farm: Wilcove:

farm
silage clamp silage clamp

North
Wilcove

Upper
Wilcove

0 200m

a Site plan
feed area
dairy rotary
gate
cows in
collection
area
turning area slurry
access road pit

0 20m

b Plan

0 10m

c Part cross-section
 Farm buildings 10-3

hen 2kg large ewe (downland) 75kg baconer (full grown) 100kg sow and litter
400 x 200 x 350mm high 1150 x 400 x 750mm high 1400 x 300 x 650mm high 2500 x 1000mm

calf (3 months) 100kg large cow (Friesian) 500kg bull (small) or steer (large) 1000kg
1900 x 380 x 1100 mm high 2400 x 610 x 1500mm high 2600 x 500 x 1800mm high

10.3 Farm animals: average size and weights

inlet
diameter 75 to 200mm
tractor
output 6 to 60 tonnes per hour approx 1000 coupling storage bin with two sides
(dry wheat) 6000 to
of bottom at 60 degrees
up to 10m normal approximate storage 30m 3 8000
300
or 20 tonnes of wheat
4 m at 45°
bulk tanker holds 25 to 30
tonnes when loaded 3800
normal max
2000 but
upto 2230mm 3000
up to 4m at 45° tractor mounted passage 3800
auger with trolley scraper blade bulk hopper and tanker
with gravity loading

3500
2500

1600
2000
small tipping trailer, 4 tonnes
large tipping trailer, 7 tonnes load load

pipes in I825mm lengths

pipe diameter
225 to 400mm overall heights:
1. 1200mm diameter fan up to 20m
(30 tonnes per hour - wilted grass)
1375mm diameter fan up to 28m 2400
2. 2-700
(30 tonnes per hour - wilted grass 3-200
or 60 tonnes per hour at 15m) 1600
fan diameter
2700
1200 or 1375mm approx
750 2000kg
small tractor and cab 3-500 kg 1-750
auger or
large tractor & foreloader
3500 to 4000 conveyer
forage blower

overall length 7 to 9 metres

1850
3750 to
retractable
4250mm

4000 3500 kg
(upto 5500kg
5000 kg 2400 loaded)
2500 to 4500mm
large crawler (cutter bar 3000mm normal)
combine harvester

10.4 Farm machinery: average weights and sizes

10-4 Farm buildings

Table I Dimensions of cattle housing

Mass of Dimensions of cubicles (m) Dimensions of cowsheds (m)

cow (kg)
Length Length Minimum Length of Length of Clear width Gangway Minimum Longitudinal
including behind clear width standing standing behind between stall width width of fall along
kerb trough between without 0.75 to 0.9 wide divisions of feed passage gangway
partitions trough trough a two-cow (if any) and dung
standing channel

350–500 2.00 1.45 1.00 2.00 1.45 2.00 single range: 2.0 0.9 1 per cent
500–600 2.15 1.60 1.10 2.15 1.60 2.15
600–650 2.30 1.80 1.15 2.30 1.80 2.40 double range: 3.0
650–700 2.30 1.80 1.15
700–800 2.50 2.00 1.20

clear width between

10.5 Section showing cubicle division: dimensions for Friesian
divisions 2000 – 2400
vent cows
adjustable 50 mm tubular
cladding
headrail top rail
1070 to 1200

wall or tubular rail

cladding or nylon ropet

bedding
440 to 480
75
150
40 fall base
concrete
2000 - 2300 passage
(2150 recommended) (unless
slatted)

10.6 Alternative sections of cubicle house showing perimeter

feeding to left of centreline, centre feeding to right
vent ridge

frame at
larger than 4200

4800 cl
small trailer or
auger 3000
min 2500

max 2500
min 2000
vent boards vent boards
manger manger
600
500

feed area
feed road feed area cubicle passage cubicle cubicle passage cubicle
and feed road
min 3000 2150 3000 2150 min 3000 2150 3000 2150 150
min 2500 750 150 150
700

open ridge
roof sheeting on purlins roof sheeting spans
dividing rafters

divisions
2600 min 2700 max

75 air gap
support roof at
1100 to 1200 crs
rail rail
2000 to 2200

200

bedded area scraped passage bedded area

2100 to 2200 2200 to 2500 2100 to 2200

10.7 Section through kennel
for beef or dairy cattle
 Farm buildings 10-5

10.8 Milking parlour systems:

exit
entry
points
raised
cow
standings operators pit

operator area

exit
a

a abreast alternative exit

positions e

exit entry
e trigon

operator pit

cow
standings

cow standing
b exits

b tandem

entry operators
pit
entry
points
exit operator area

f polygon
c

c chute

exit

entry
platform
rotation

operator
pit

exit

operators
area

entry
d g

d herringbone g rotary
10-6 Farm buildings

10.9 Herringbone system milking parlour:

collecting yard
IN IN

1650 1500 min

possible extension
concrete floor with
loft for concentrate
slip resistant finish
standing pit feed store
laid to fall to gullies
900

connected to slurry
disposal system

air
vents
COW

eaves height
accommodation

2500 min
1500 min

or covered
diversion gate chequer plate kerb
dispersal area
operated from pit EXIT or solid stance

300 pit
milk room holding pen

a plan b section

vent ridge
100 mm air gap

650 mm run per head (500 kg)

storage for straw and hay

REPEAT
rail
min 5000

vent board min bedded area

1250 feed area

sleeper wall
normal max

up to 3500
removable
reinforced manger
min
2500

normal maximum
silage
blockwork 1500 build up of bedding 600
max 600 fall
1250
ground level 500
rammed floor 150 mm concrete channel

5500 – 6500 1000 3000 1000 10000 – 14000

depending on storage

10.10 Section through strawed yard for beef cattle with easy feeding

plenum with
larger trailer

fan at ends
4200 for

cattle area
vent flap render
3000

boards
max 3660
reinforced 2750
1500

1000 min 3100

blockwork manger
approx 150 slat

1000 to 1500 feed trailer passage 3500

ground level
render min 2900

slurry pit
normal overall flame
11400 to 12900

10.11 Section through slatted yard for beef using self-unloading trailers. Note: fully
slatted yards are not approved by Brambell Committee
 Farm buildings 10-7

air extract
insulated roof

removable division

min 1800
1250
75 mm fall

removable division

2000 3 small
calves windows

feed passage
air

4500 to 5100
inlet
4 to 5
large calves
1000 per
4 months
single
4 month
calf
750 per
single
small calf min 2300
min 2300 1380 to 1500
max 2500

10.12 Plan and section of calf house

900
manger
3000

scraped feed passage

to muck heap
5700

strawed area for 4 groups of 10 to 12

creep
1800

3000

10.13 Plan of general purpose strawed yard for cattle

Table II Sheep housing

Type of sheep Age or mass Area per animal (m 2 ) Length of trough (mm) depending on feeding system

Perforated Solid floor Compounds/ Ad lib Big bale silage,

floor with straw concentrates hay/silage self-feed

Pregnant ewes 45–60 kg 0.8 1.0 400 175 100

60–75 kg 0.9 1.2 460 200 150
75–90 kg 1.1 1.4 500 225 150

Ewes with lambs Individually penned – 2.2

Groups, 45 kg ewe 1.0 1.3 420 175 100
Groups, 68 kg ewe 1.4 1.7 460 200 150
Grouped, 90 kg ewe 1.7 1.8 500 225 150

Lambs Individually penned – 2.1

Group housed – 1.5
Creep area at 2weeks – 0.15
Creep area at 4 weeks – 0.4

Hoggs 20–30 kg 0.5 0.7 300 125 100

30–40 kg 0.6 0.8 350 150 100
40–50 kg 0.8 0.9 400 175 100
10-8 Farm buildings

6 SHEEP HOUSING 8 POULTRY HOUSING

Required dimensions are given in Table II. A section through sheep Dimensions are given in Table IV. Rearing, fattening and egg
housing is shown in 10.14. A dipping tank suitable for large breeds houses are shown in 10.21 to 10.25 and a pole barn for fattening
is shown in 10.15. turkeys in 10.26.

7 PIG HOUSING 9 CROP STORAGE AND EFFLUENT PRODUCED

Table III covers the dimensional requirements. Three types of Some typical feed and produce stores are shown in 10.27 to
fattening house are shown in 10.16 to 10.18, and two types of 10.34. Table V indicates the scope of manure likely to be
farrowing house in 10.19 and 10.20. produced.

vent ridge

frame

1250
min
sheep area
windows and
baffled vents manger
maximum panel

1250
150 mm blocks
removable pier 1850 x 1500 slats

1000
feed
dung pit
passage

900
min 3600 to max 3800
1000
300 300

10.14 Sheep housing, manger run per head:

fattening lamb 300 mm
ewe and lamb 400mm
yearling 500 mm

600
3 000 3 000
slipway

solution level 1 500

grooved

300
225

10.15 Sections through dipping tank for large breed ewes.

Allow 2.25 litres of solution per head

Table III Pig housing: dimensions required for ten animals

Typical age Mass Type Lying area Min dung area Total Trough length Lying pan depth
(days) (kg) ( m2 ) 2
(m ) 2
(m ) (mm) (mm)

0 1.5 Piglets 1.3/litter 500

20 5 Early weaners 1.75/litter 500
35 9 Weaners 0.7 0.3 1.0 600 1170
65 20 Weaners 1.5 0.6 2.1 1750 860
115 50 Porkers 3.5 1.0 4.5 2250 1560
140 70 Cutters 4.6 1.6 6.2 2750 1280
160 85 Baconers 5.5 2.0 7.5 3000 1840
185 110 Heavy hogs 6.7 2.3 9.0 4000 1680
210 140 Overweight 8.5 3.0 11.5 5000 1700
– – Dry sows 15.0 5.0 20.0 3000
– – In-pig sows 15.0 5.0 20.0 3000
– – Boar 8.0/boar 500/boar
 Farm buildings 10-9

air extract 400

internal shaft
850 x 850 mm dung feed
200
per 100 pigs passage passage

baconer pen

min 1000
insulated roof 2 lying area
gate 0.3 m
0.5 m2 each
each

min 2000
min 1900

(10 baconers)

pop hole minimum

insulated floor baffled 300 mm
laid to fall air inlet run each manger
up
125 mm

section
gate

normal
1000 min 800
min 1500
100 300 300
plan

10.16 Plan and section of fattening house with side dung passage
500

baffled air inlet insulated roof

with free area of
2 gate
4000 mm per
50 kg liveweight
1000

or machanical vent 4 or 5 rails

3
at 80 m minimum
per 50 kg liveweight manger
500

1000 slat
to 1500 pit
normal

section

up 50 mm
heavy hog pen pop hole
feed
lying area maximum size
passage 2
0.55 m each dung passage 750 x 1000 mm
approx 300 centres

2
manger gate 0.2 m each
400 mm
baffled run each
air inlet

gate

1000 pref normal max 1700 1380 to 1500

100
plan

10.17 Plan and section of fattening house with centre slatted dung passage
10-10 Farm buildings

vent ridge

frame

min 2000
vent flap
straw store

min 3000
cat walk

gate dung area

approx
hatch vent

1250
pop hole insulation

kennel for 20 –- 25 baconers

section
3000 4250 1250
1220 610

gate
3000

cat
dung area straw store
walk
flap hatch repeat

post
dwarf wall
plan

10.18 Plan and section of fattening house with strawed system and floor feeding

350
200 manger
1250 to 1500 min 1800 1000
sow passage sow crate feed passage

reinforced brace
concrete
panel

repeat
1000

slide gate
swing panel
positions
250
350

insulated floor
open space beneath
each panel
section
500

creep (lid over)

sow crate manger

75 mm
610

repeat
fall 40 mm fall bowl
500

channel creep (lid over)

plan

10.19 Plan and section of permanent crate farrowing house

 Farm buildings 10-11

min 2500 min 2400

insulated
roof

approx 2000
gate
removable rails
1000

250
manger

insulated floor fall

section

bowl manger

350
lying area dung area

1500
350
removable rails
up 100mm
creep
channel
plan

10.20 Plan and section of Soleri open front farrowing house

Table IV Poultry housing

System Species/cage numbers 0-4 weeks 4-8 weeks 9-16 weeks

Battery or tier brooder and cooling cage One hen in cage 0.1 0.1 0.1-0.43
Two hens in cage 0.075 0.09 0.1-0.43
Three hens in cage 0.055 0.09 0.1-0.43
Four hens in cage 0.043 0.09 0.1-0.43

Floor rearing on litter Layers 0.025 0.09 0.18-0.28

Broilers 0.09
Turkeys 0.09 0.14 0.37-0.46
Ducks 0.09 Free range
Part wire or slatted floor rearing 0.015 0.09 0.09-0.14

Trough length (mm) Birds in cages 100

Layers 30 40 60
Broilers 30 50 75
Turkeys 36 73 73
Ducks 55 122 Free range

light weight timber frame a/c roof and timber ridge inlet & side extract or ridge extract & side inlet
insulated wall panels lined as roof

space heating by calor gas or electric

vapour barrier & power
1200 to
washable lining
1350
chopped straw or wood shavings
225 to 450

concrete floor falls to door

12000 to 18000

10.21 Section through poultry broiler and rearing house. Roof insulated with minimum 25 mm rigid polyurethane or equivalent.
Stocking density 10 birds/m2, RH 60 per cent, temperature 30°C
10-12 Farm buildings

ridge inlet

nipple drinkers
walkways auto feed belts

2400
& egg collection

access fans
with light baffle

2400
droppings pit access for
10.22 Section through flat deck deep pit
tractor with foreloader
battery house. Roof insulated with minimum
25 mm rigid polyurethane or equivalent.
Stocking at 100 mm trough per bird in
multibird cages for light hybrids, 125 mm for
heavier birds. RH 60 per cent, temperature
20-25°C. If falls to 12° does not harm output
7400
but increases food conversion ratio

heated air introduced with

polythene ducting
stepped cages

walkways
1800

exhaust opening
2400

droppings pit

10.23 Section through California cage

900 2700 – 3300 900 2700 3300 900 deep pit battery house. Roof insulated with
minimum 25 mm rigid polyurethane or
810 to 9300
equivalent

ridge outlet fan

cafeteria cages with rubber
with light baffle
dropping belt nipple drinkers
and auto meal dispensers
2100 to 2400

900 1200 900 1200 900 1200 900

widths overall 7400, 9500 and 11600
air inlets with
anti-draught 10.24 Section through cafeteria
baffles cage battery house
 Farm buildings 10-13

5 to 9m diameter
channel with chain popular sizes – 6.100m
conveyor to 6.860m
muck disposal 7.620m
auto egg
chute 750mm
collection tumbler diameter
cross belt domes varies
conveyor for eggs
blowing/filling pipe 1800 to 3000mm

cross auger 225 to 400mm

delivers meal to diameter
travelling dispenser normal range
14 to 21m
popular sizes
15.240m
travelling dispenser 16.760m
18.290m
egg grading
and packing

230mm upstand

reinforced concrete
plinth 500mm wide

10.27 Tower silo for wilted grass with 40–50 per cent dry
matter. Wet grass is stored in towers of 6 m diameter × under
10.25 Plan of end of cafeteria cage battery house showing gear 12 m height

vented ridge with

hessian baffles
wire netting
hessian covering

pole barn frame 600

uninsulated sheet
cladding
1800 to
deep litter on blinded 2400
hardcore

1200 to 18000
uninsulated
sheeted sides

10.26 Section through pole barn for fattening turkeys. Stocking density 30 kg/m2

Table V Average production of effluent

Production per head per week

Mass Output Volume Total solids BOD BOD population

kg litres m3 kg kg equivalent

Man Adult 75 10 0.01 0.57 0.41 1.0

Cow Dairy 450 250 0.25 21.20 4.20 10.2
Cow Large dairy 550 380 0.38 32.22 6.13 14.8
Calf 3-month 100 200 0.20 19.05 2.54 6.2
Pig Porker 50 38 0.04 3.00 1.20 2.0
Pig Baconer 95 51 0.05 3.50 1.40 3.4
Pig Wet-fed 95 100 0.10 3.50 1.40 3.4
Pig Farrow sow 110 75 0.08 3.60 1.45 3.6
Poultry Adult layer 2.25 3.75 0.005 1.27 0.09 0.13
Sheep Adult ewe 75 35 0.04 3.81 0.70 1.7
Silage 30% dry matter tonne 3.20 0.001 – – –
Silage 20% dry matter tonne 37.00 0.04 – – –
10-14 Farm buildings

fan chamber
thrust resistant walls
300 × 6000

15000
sliding doors
4000 x 3500 high
main duct

100 000
plan

asbestos cement roof

top conveyor
top of grain
(approx max depth 6000)
2800
2000

asbestos cement
30° angle cladding
of response
1000
thrust resistant
galvanized sheets
3000

main air duct

2000 laterals at 1000
centres

200
15000 overall of frame
max 18500 screed on 125 mm reinforced
hardcore concrete on damp
proof course
section

10.28 Plan and section of storage for food grain., showing lateral system for 1200 tonnes storage

normal min normal max

3000 x 3000 4575 x 3800

asbestos cement
roof
min 1800

chuate

catwalk

bin
(normal 5000)

thrust resistant
max 5500

galvanized sheets

air duct passage

approx 2000 x 1000

perforated floor

max 750

plenum bottom conveyour 10.29 Grain drying and storage: section through a nest of bins
(square or rectangular) with roof. A bin 4.575 × 3.8 × 5 m
holds 60 tonnes of wheat
 Farm buildings 10-15

muck

4500
1750
spreader
slurry storage bin
3000

1750
sluice grating
150 mm fall
150
150 mm reinforced
concrete slab 225 mm reinforced
2250

pit blockwork

3000
(width 1250)

10.30 Section through above-ground slurry storage.

Capacities: 4575 mm diameter – 50 m3
6100 mm diameter – 88 m2
6860 mm diameter – 110 m3

insulated asbestos free area of gable vents

2
cement roof to be 0.5m per 100 tonnes
of crop stored

cladding on
exposed side
normal max
5500

min 600 loose straw insulation

piers at 3000 centres
rendering
max 3750 storage
approx 5000

225 mm reinforced
blockwork

4575 to 9150 50 mm woodwool on

(max 6500 for hay) damp proof course

10.31 Section through Dutch barn for bale

storage. The capacities of a 4.575 m bay at main duct cross section
2
to be 1250 mm per
6.5 m span and 5.5 m high are: tonne of crop stored moveable laterals to
wheat straw – 12 tonnes be at max 1850 centres
10 000 to 12000 normal
barley straw – 14 tonnes 9 x 30 m of floor space including
grading area gives storage room
hay – 27 tonnes for 500 to 550 tonnes of potatoes

10.32 Section through floor storage for potatoes. 9 × 30 m of floor space stores
500–550 tonnes. Movable laterals maximum 1.85 m centres. Free area of gable
vents 0.5 m2/100 tonnes stored, main duct cross-section 1250 mm2/tonne

extract fan in gable

insulated asbestos twin
wall cladding
min 3600

air duct
max 4200

grain walling

9400 to 18000 215 mm insulatng

block reinforced
frame at 4800 crs

10.33 Section through radial flow bins in a barn for grain drying and storage. The air
duct delivers 400 m3/h.t to dry and 100 m3h/.t to store. Air temperature above 0°C, RH 75
per cent.
10-16 Farm buildings

penthouse
approx 1.800 with louvres
top
approx 2.000 conveyor elevator lorry turning
to ridge circle 15m

intake pit
maximum 750
bin height 1750 deep
3.500
min 3.000

plenum 600mm approximately 13m

with 3 bins of 3.5m
diameter (3m diameter)
bins would be more normal
allow 900mm between rows
fan chamber lean-to for bottom conveyor
2m to eaves
approx 2.500

10.34 Onion store

10 BUILDING LEGISLATION 2. (1) A building used for agriculture which is:

• General
Town and Country Planning Act 1990
Development Order 1988 amended and extended
1991
Many farm buildings and developments are no longer classed as
Permitted Developments. Details of all schemes have to be sent
to the local planning authority together with a fee. The authority
will rule in each case whether further information needs to be
submitted for formal planning approval before work can
commence.
Particular developments normally requiring formal planning
approval include:
(a) Sited at a distance not less than one and a half times its own
height from any building containing sleeping accommoda-
tion, and
(b) provided with an exit which may be used in the case of fire
which is not more than 30 m from any point within the
building (unless the main purpose for which the building is
used is for retailing, packing and exhibiting).
(2) In this paragraph ‘agriculture’ includes horticulture, fruit
growing, seed growing, dairy farming, fish farming and the
breeding and keeping of livestock (including any creature kept for
the production of food, wool, skins or fur or for the purpose of
farming the land).

• Buildings for non-agricultural purposes

Other relevant legislation
• Conversions of farm buildings to commercial or industrial or
Dwelling houses
The Environmental Assessment Regulations 1988
• residential use Health and Safety at Work Act, etc. 1974
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988
• Buildings
bodies, etc:
not designed for agriculture, e.g. containers, lorry
(COSHH)
Electricity at Work Regulation 1989
• Buildings 2
exceeding 465 m – in any 2-year period within
90 m – includes yards and slurry lagoons
The Noise at Work Regulations 1989
The Food Safety Act 1990
• Buildings 12 m and over in height
The Food Hygiene (HQ) Regulation 1990
• Buildings within
Buildings 3 m and over in height within 3 km of an airfield
Code of Practice for the Control of Salmonella
• road 25 m from the metalled part of a classified
The Environmental Protection Act 1990
The Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Air.
• Livestock buildings within 400 m of a ‘protected building’
Control of Pollution Act 1974 – Water Act 1989
• Holiday cottagesfor which special rules apply
Caravan sites
The Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil)
• Recreational pursuits of a recurring nature, e.g.. adventure Regulations 1991
• games, canoeing, hang gliding, windsurfing, water skiing, The Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of
Water July 1991
need consent if exceeding 28 days per year
The Welfare of Livestock Regulations
• Farm shops: permission is needed for shops if produce is not
derived from the farm involved and for new buildings to be
The Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1988

used as shops. Particular care is required over access, parking

and advertising signs.
11 BIBLIOGRAPHY
BS 5502 Code of practice for the design of buildings and
The Building Regulations 1985
structures for agriculture.
Many agricultural building are exempt from the Building Regula-
Published in separate parts as follows:
tions 1985 – but not all. The following extract from the
Part 0: 1992 Introduction
Regulations details the buildings that are exempt – all others are
Part 11: 1990 Guide to regulations and sources of information
subject to Building Control and details must be submitted to the
Part 20: 1990 Code of practice for general design considerations
Local Authority before work commences.
Part 21: 1990 Code of practice for the selection and use of
Schedule 3 – Exempt Buildings and Works
construction materials
Regulation 9 – Greenhouses and Agricultural Buildings
Part 22: 1993 Code of practice for design, construction and
1. A building used as a greenhouse unless the main purpose is for loading
retail packing or exhibiting. Part 23: 1990 Code of practice for fire precautions

Part 25: 1991 Code of practice for design and installation of
services and facilities
Part 30: 1992 Code of practice for control of infestation
Part 32: 1990 Guide to noise attenuation
Part 33: 1991 Guide to the control of odour pollution
Part 40: 1990 Code of practice for the design and construction of
cattle buildings
Part 41: 1990 Code of practice for design and construction of
sheep buildings and pens
Part 42: 1990 Code of practice for design and construction of pig
buildings
Part 43: 1990 Code of practice for design and construction of
poultry buildings
Part 49: 1990 Code of practice for design and construction of
milking premises
Part 50: 1993 Code of practice for design, construction and use of
storage tanks and reception pits for livestock slurry
Part 51: 1991 Code of practice for design and construction of
slatted, perforated and mesh floors for livestock
Part 52: 1991 Code of practice for design of alarm systems and and
emergency ventilation for livestock housing
Farm buildings 10-17
Part 60: 1992 Code of practice for design and construction of
buildings for mushrooms
Part 65: 1992 Code of practice for design and construction of crop
processing buildings
Part 66: 1992 Code of practice for design and construction of
chitting houses
Part 70: 1991 Code of practice for design and construction of
ventilated on floor stores for combinable crops
Part 71: 1992 Code of practice for design and construction of
ventilated stores for potatoes and onions
Part 72: 1992 Code of practice for design and construction of
controlled environment stores for vegetables, fruit and flowers
Part 74: 1991 Code of practice for design and construction of bins
and silos for combinable crops
Part 75: 1993 Code of practice for the design and construction of
forage stores
Part 80: 1990 Code of practice for design and construction of
workshops, maintenance and inspection facilities
Part 81: 1989 Code of practice for design and construction of
chemical stores
Part 82: 1990 Code of practice for design of amenity buildings
METRIC HANDBOOK
PLANNING AND DESIGN DATA
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