Licensed Septic Installers

Town of Brimfield
October 30, 2008
Attention:  Licensed Septic Installers

The purpose of this letter is to remind the Installers of Town and State policies regarding the installation of septic systems.

A bottom inspection is required after the A and B horizons (topsoil and subsoil) have been removed.  The area of excavation is to include the five-foot perimeter dig out.  The purpose of the inspection is to verify groundwater and confirm that soil types match those documented at the soil evaluation.  Both the Design Engineer and the Board of Health (BOH) will inspect and approve the bottom.  Contact the BOH upon completion of the excavation.  Provide 48 hours for the BOH to complete an inspection.         

A final inspection is required after the system has been completed.  At this point, the only items remaining are to be system cover and loam and seed.  The following is required: 

The entire pipe network is to be complete.  All joints are to be glued.  All pipes are to be fully supported.  Pipe bends are limited to 22 degrees before the septic tank and 45 degrees after the septic tank.  Cleanouts are required at 90-degree bends or at every 100-foot pipe run.  Top of pipes is to be exposed. 

All baffles, gas traps and effluent filters are to be installed.  Baffles are to be located beneath tank covers.  Two compartment septic tanks require baffles at either side of the mid wall.  Speed dials are to be installed and adjusted as required.         

Septic tanks, pump chambers, and distribution boxes are to be installed level.  Risers are to be installed to grade.  Concrete riser joints are to be sealed.  All modifications to reuse an existing tank are to be completed.

Pumps, alarms and associated wiring shall be complete and functional.

The relocation of any system component requires approval from the Board of Health Agent. 

All offsets are to be verified before constructing SAS.  All sand and aggregate shall meet code specification.  Contamination or comingling of materials will not be permitted.   Soil absorption system (SAS) piping shall be set to grade as shown on the plan.  Poly barriers are to be installed (if required) and material for the breakout is to be to grade.  Slopes are to be graded no steeper than 3:1.  Vents shall be installed and securely anchored with concrete.  Observation ports are to be installed with screw cap access cover within 3 inches of finish grade. 

After the Design Engineer and the Board of Health complete and approve the system at the final inspection, the system components shall be covered and the disturbed areas loam and seed.

If the above is not complied with, the Installer will be assessed an additional inspection fee.                

Please feel free to contact James Robida, P.E., the Board of Health Agent, with any questions regarding the above at (774) 230-4266.