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 BRITISH STANDARD BS EN
12255-4:2002
Incorporating
Corrigendum No. 1

Wastewater treatment
plants —
Part 4: Primary settlement
Licensed Copy: Ivan Ristic, Binnie Black & Veatch, 21 September 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

The European Standard EN 12255-4:2002 has the status of a

British Standard

ICS 13.060.30

NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW

 BS EN 12255-4:2002
Licensed Copy: Ivan Ristic, Binnie Black & Veatch, 21 September 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
This British Standard, having
been prepared under the
direction of the Building and
Civil Engineering Sector Policy
and Strategy Committee, was
published under the authority
of the Standards Policy and
Strategy Committee on
3 April 2002
© BSI 21 June 2002
ISBN 0 580 39426 3
National foreword
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EN 12255-4:2002.
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This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, the EN title page,
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document was last issued.
Amendments issued since publication
Amd. No. Date Comments
13961 21 June 2002 Insertion of clause numbering for Clauses
Corrigendum No. 1 1, 2, 3
 EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 12255-4
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM January 2002

ICS 13.060.30

English version

Wastewater treatment plants — Part 4: Primary settlement

Stations d'épuration — Partie 4: Décantation primaire Kläranlagen — Teil 4: Vorklärung

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 9 November 2001.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Licensed Copy: Ivan Ristic, Binnie Black & Veatch, 21 September 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the official
versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2002 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 12255-4:2002 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
 EN 12255-4:2002 (E)

Contents

Page
Foreword ...........................................................................................................................................................3
1 Scope ....................................................................................................................................................4
2 Normative references ..........................................................................................................................4
3 Terms and definitions .........................................................................................................................4
4 Requirements.......................................................................................................................................5
4.1 General..................................................................................................................................................5
4.2 Planning................................................................................................................................................5
4.3 Process .................................................................................................................................................6
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4.3.1 General..................................................................................................................................................6
4.3.2 Required Capacity ...............................................................................................................................6
4.3.3 Upward Flow Tanks (including Imhoff Tanks)..................................................................................6
4.3.4 Horizontal Flow Tanks.........................................................................................................................6
4.3.5 Lamella Separator................................................................................................................................7
4.3.6 Sludge Collection and Removal.........................................................................................................7
4.3.7 Scum Removal .....................................................................................................................................7
4.4 Maintenance .........................................................................................................................................7
4.5 Health and Safety.................................................................................................................................7
Bibliography......................................................................................................................................................8

2
 EN 12255-4:2002 (E)

Foreword
This European Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 165, Wastewater engineering,
the Secretariat of which is held by DIN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by July 2002, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by December 2002.

It is the fourth part prepared by the Working Groups CEN/TC 165/WG 42 and 43 relating to the general
requirements and processes for treatment plants for a total number of inhabitants and population equivalents
(PT) over 50. The parts of the series are as follows:

¾ Part 1: General construction principles

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¾ Part 3: Preliminary treatment

¾ Part 4: Primary settlement
¾ Part 5: Lagooning processes
¾ Part 6: Activated sludge processes
¾ Part 7: Biological fixed-film reactors
¾ Part 8: Sludge treatment and storage
¾ Part 9: Odour control and ventilation
¾ Part 10: Safety principles
¾ Part 11: General data required
¾ Part 12: Control and automation
¾ Part 13: Chemical treatment — Treatment of wastewater by precipitation/flocculation
¾ Part 14: Disinfection
¾ Part 15: Measurement of the oxygen transfer in clean water in aeration tanks of activated sludge plants
)
¾ Part 16: Physical (mechanical) filtration2
NOTE For requirements on pumping installations at wastewater treatment plants, provided initially as Part 2,
Pumping installations for wastewater treatment plants, see EN 752-6, Drain and sewer systems outside buildings —
Part 6: Pumping installations.

EN 12255-1, EN 12255-3 to EN 12255-8 and EN 12255-10 and EN 12255-11 were implemented together as
a European package (Resolution BT 152/1998).

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

2) In preparation.

3
 EN 12255-4:2002 (E)

1 Scope
This European Standard specifies the performance requirements for the primary settlement of wastewater at
wastewater treatment plants for over 50 PT.

The primary application is for wastewater treatment plants designed for the treatment of domestic and
municipal wastewater.

Differences in wastewater treatment throughout Europe have led to a variety of systems being developed.
This standard gives fundamental information about the systems; this standard has not attempted to specify
all available systems.

Detailed information additional to that contained in this standard may be obtained by referring to the
Bibliography.
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2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications.
These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text, and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply
to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references
the latest edition of the publication referred to applies (including amendments).

EN 1085, Wastewater treatment — Vocabulary.

EN 12255-1, Wastewater treatment plants — Part 1: General construction principles.

EN 12255-3, Wastewater treatment plants — Part 3: Preliminary treatment.

EN 12255-10, Wastewater treatment plants — Part 10: Safety principles.

EN 12255-11, Wastewater treatment plants — Part 11: General data required.

EN 12566-1, Small wastewater treatment systems for up to 50 PT — Part 1: Prefabricated septic tanks.

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this European Standard, the following terms and definitions given in EN 1085 and the
following apply.

3.1
lamella separator
system of regularly spaced, inclined plates or tubes, designed to increase the effective settling area in a
settlement tank

4
 EN 12255-4:2002 (E)

4 Requirements

4.1 General

Primary settlement serves the purpose of separating settleable solids, which are removed on a regular basis
in the form of raw sludge. Grease and other floating materials which can cause malfunction of a wastewater
treatment plant can also be separated and removed during this process. Where large quantities of grease
are expected a separate grease separation step is recommended prior to primary settlement
(see EN 12255-3).

The type and size of unit(s) will depend on the overall system, PT, sludge removal and ground conditions
prevailing on the construction site.

Primary treatment may include the following types of settlement tank:

¾ upward flow (including Imhoff) — generally square or circular in plan;

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¾ horizontal flow — generally rectangular in plan;

¾ lamella separator.

Primary settlement may not be required e.g. where biological treatment is by lagooning or by certain
activated sludge processes. The consequences for subsequent processes of omitting this step shall be
considered.

Septic tanks can be used for the function of primary settlement.

NOTE The design, construction and operation of septic tanks is specified in EN 12566-1.

4.2 Planning

The requirements for the performance of primary settlement should be determined after consideration of the
following factors:

¾ the quality and quantity of sludge produced;

¾ the effect of the residual loads on the subsequent treatment processes;

¾ the need to limit retention time in order to avoid septicity.

Those requirements specific to the performance of the primary settlement plant that are specified in
EN 12255-11 shall be applied.

Additional requirements are specified in EN 12255-1 and EN 12255-10.

5
 EN 12255-4:2002 (E)

4.3 Process

4.3.1 General

Solids removal and detention times at maximum and minimum flows shall be in accordance with the
requirements of any downstream process. Where applicable, peak flow shall take into account pumped
inflow and/or return flow rates.

Wastewater shall enter the tank via a stilling device which shall be capable of dissipating the input energy
and ensuring even distribution over the entire settlement zone or lamella plate pack.

The procedure for effluent draw-off shall be designed to minimize disturbance to the settling zone and allow
removal of floating matter.

4.3.2 Required Capacity

The total primary settlement tank capacity required shall take into account the PT and the dry weather peak
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hourly flow to the plant.

4.3.3 Upward Flow Tanks (including Imhoff Tanks)

Upward flow tanks may be square or circular in plan. Tanks without mechanical scrapers shall have a hopper
bottom for sludge collection.

NOTE Tanks square in plan are not usually employed for populations in excess of 5 000 PT.

The tank should be so designed that the upward flow velocity is restricted to within a typical range of
3 2 3 2
1,0 m /(m ·h) to 2,0 m /(m ·h) surface area at dry weather peak hourly flow.

The minimum sidewall height between the top of the hopper and top water level shall be from 0,3 m to 1,5 m
for individual tanks serving populations > 50 PT to 1 000 PT.

4.3.4 Horizontal Flow Tanks

Horizontal flow tanks are typically rectangular in plan with a sludge hopper situated at the inlet end of the
tank. They shall conform to the following minimum values:

¾ 1,5 m water depth at outlet;

¾ 3:1 length to breadth ratio;

¾ 0,3 m freeboard in uncovered tanks.

3
Maximum weir overflow rate shall not exceed 30 m /(m·h) at dry weather peak hourly flow.

6
 EN 12255-4:2002 (E)

4.3.5 Lamella Separator

Where these tanks are used they should be equipped with inclined settling plates or tubes, typically forming
a counter current system by water circulating from the bottom to top and sludge moving from top to bottom.
The lamellae shall be so spaced as to avoid clogging and shall be determined by the effectiveness of
upstream screening and grease removal. The angle of plates/tubes shall be within a range between 55° and
65° measured from the horizontal.

The space between lamellae and the bottom of the tank shall be designed to ensure an even distribution of
wastewater and a sufficient space for the settled sludge.

Sludge should be collected in one or more hoppers and in larger tanks a scraper mechanism may be used to
move the sludge to hopper(s) at one end of the tank.

The design should allow ease of cleaning of settling plates or tubes on a regular basis.

4.3.6 Sludge Collection and Removal

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4.3.6.1 Upward Flow Tanks

Small tanks typically do not have a scraper mechanism to assist sludge removal, and therefore shall have a
hopper with smooth sides. The angle of slope of the sides of the hopper measured from the horizontal, shall
not be less than 50º for conical and 60º for pyramidal hoppers.

As tank size increases (typically for those serving above 1 000 PT) a hopper with a 50° respectively 60° floor
slope becomes impractical due to the depth of excavation required. In these cases a shallow sloping floor is
required to collect sludge and allow it to be scraped to the central hopper for removal. The floor slope should
be between 3º and 30º measured from the horizontal, depending on the size of tank and the type of scraper
to be used.

NOTE Where sludge removal is by suction a floor slope may not be required.

4.3.6.2 Horizontal Flow Tanks

Very small tanks without a mechanical scraper to assist sludge removal shall have a floor slope of not less
than 1:100 to permit emptying to the sludge hopper at the inlet end of the tank. These tanks should be
completely emptied for sludge removal. A minimum of two tanks is required to ensure continuity of treatment.

Large tanks should have a scraper and/or suction mechanisms installed and a sloping floor may not be
required.

4.3.7 Scum Removal

All tanks shall be designed with a baffle (scum board) to retain floating matter. The design of the tank shall
enable the retained matter to be removed.

4.4 Maintenance

The requirements for access, spare parts and maintenance of plants are given in EN 12255-1.

4.5 Health and Safety

The generality of health and safety requirements for plants are given in EN 12255-10.

7
 EN 12255-4:2002 (E)

Bibliography

The following documents contain details which can be used within the framework of this standard.
This list of documents which are published and used by the members of CEN was correct at the time of
publication of this European Standard but should not be considered to be exhaustive.

Austria

[1] OENorm B 2502-1, Domestic sewage treatment plants for buildings up to 50 inhabitants —
Appliance, dimensioning, erection and operation.
[2] OENorm B 2502-2, Small sewage treatment plants — Installations for buildings of 51 to
500 population equivalents — Application, dimensions, construction and operation.
[3] OENorm B 2505, Subsurface flow constructed wetlands (constructed wetlands) — Application,
Licensed Copy: Ivan Ristic, Binnie Black & Veatch, 21 September 2002, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

dimensioning, installation and operation.

France

[4] Ministére de l’équipement, du logement et des transports (96-7 TO); Conception et exécution
o
d’installations d’épuration d’eaux usées — Fascicule n 81 titre II.

Germany

[5] DIN 4261-2, Small sewage treatment plants — Part 2: Plants with sewage aeration; application,
design, construction and testing.
[6] E DIN 19551-1, Wastewater treatment plants — Rectangular tanks — Part 1: Settlement tanks with
sludge scraper, suction type sludge remover and chain scraper; types, main dimensions, equipment.
[7] E DIN 19552, Wastewater treatment plants — Circular tanks — Settlement tanks with sludge scraper,
suction type sludge remover and thickener; main dimensions, equipment.
[8] E DIN 19558, Wastewater treatment plants — Outlet installations, weir and scum baffle, submerged
effluent pipes in tanks; construction principles, main dimensions, layout.
[9] DIN 19569-2, Sewage treatment plants — Principles for the design of structures and technical
equipment — Part 2: Specific principles for the equipment for separating and thickening of solid
material.
[10] ATV-Handbuch: Mechanische Abwasserreinigung (only in German), Verlag Ernst & Sohn, Berlin; 4.
Auflage 1997.

Portugal

[11] Direcção general da qualidade do ambiente — Manual de tecnologias de saneamento basico

apropriadas a pequenos aglomerados, SEARN, rua de O Século 51 - 1200 Lisboa Portugal.

Switzerland

[12] VSA-Richtlinie, Kleinkläranlagen — Richtlinie für den Einsatz, die Auswahl und die Bemessung von
Kleinkläranlagen.

United Kingdom

[13] BS 6297:1983 (amended 1990), Code of practice for the design and installation of a small sewage
treatment works and cesspools.
[14] Manual of British Practice in Water Pollution Control, Primary Sedimentation. 1973, reprinted 1980.

8
 National Annex NA (informative)
Design and Loading Data

NA.1 Introduction

Clause 4 of the standard gives guidance on upward-flow tanks, horizontal-flow tanks and lamella separators
so as to highlight the main design considerations for each type of tank. This annex gives more detailed
information on the typical surface loading rates, retention times and floor slopes used for design of each type
of tank.

Further information may be obtained from the Manual of UK British Practice on Primary Sedimentation [1].
The design of primary treatment plant to serve population equivalents of 1 000 or less and septic tanks is
considered in more detail by the British Standard for the design and installation of small sewage treatment
works [2].

The surface loading rates and retention times are based on treatment of typical domestic wastewater.
Additional treatment or extra capacity may be required, if wastewater:

— contains high proportion of colloidal or poorly-settling solids (e.g. from tanning);

— contains readily putrescible solids (e.g. from abattoir) which may cause rising sludge;
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— contains excessive grease (e.g. from restaurants);

— has warm temperature which generates density gradients within the tank;
— has significant saline intrusion generating density gradients within the tank;
— receives nitrified activated sludge which denitrifies and forms nitrogen gas buoying solids;
— is subject to wide variations in diurnal flow, e.g. at small works [2].

NA.2 Horizontal-flow tanks

Such tanks should be designed to operate at a maximum surface loading rate of between 1.2 to 1.9 m³/m²·h.
At the tank inlet, the velocity of the wastewater flow should be reduced to about 0.005 m/s to avoid short-
circuiting through the tank.

Floor slopes should be between 0.3º (1 in 200) and 3º (1 in 20) with a gradient of 1.5º (1 in 40) being
commonly used.

List of references
[1] Manuals of British Practice in water Pollution Control. Unit Processes Primary Sedimentation. 1980.
The Institute of Water Pollution Control.
[2] BS 6297 (amended 1990), Code of practice for design and installation of small sewage and
treatment works and cesspools.
 BS EN
12255-4:2002
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