<b><b>It&amp;’s a busy time for drainage manufacturers as standards, specification and regulation changes are all affecting the market. Tim Palmer looks at the effect on the sector of upcoming Building Reg amendments and the influence of the new Sewers for Adoption guide, while taking cover in the ongoing concrete v plastics war</b></b><br><b>The debate over which is the best drainage material to use has raged for several years - and shows no signs of abating. In the latest development, the concrete lobby has revealed a survey which proves the superiority of its product. Whether that will change the trend towards plastic pipes is debatable, but the war goes on. To add fuel to the fire, the drainage industry is faced with new guidance and regulations which continue to influence what products and materials can be used where.</b><br><b>The first significant revision to affect the drainage market was the fifth amendment to Sewers for Adoption (SfA). Issued in 1980 it has since become the standard in England and Wales for the design and construction of sewers to adoptable standards. The basic philosophy is that developers should be expected to work to the same standards as those used by the undertaker. </b><br><b><b>unfair to developers</b></b><br> …