GB19379-2012
Hygienic specification for rural household latrine
农村户厕卫生规范
GB 19379-2012 is a current mandatory Chinese national standard for Hygienic specification for rural household latrine. It appears in the Food compliance cluster with a product safety focus and has an implementation date of May 1, 2013.
Applicability depends on product scope, certification route, competent authority notices and transition rules. Requst for the translation or verify source before using this record in a compliance decision.
Compliance overview
Scope and applicability
This standard is mandatory and applies to the planning, design, construction, management, and sanitary supervision of rural household latrines in China. It covers both attached latrines (built inside dwellings) and independent latrines (built outside living areas). It is specifically tailored for rural sanitation facilities and does not apply to urban public or residential toilets. The standard is essential for engineers and manufacturers involved in rural environmental health projects, prefabricated sanitary equipment, and ecological sanitation systems.
Technical requirements
The standard specifies comprehensive hygienic and structural requirements for rural household latrines, focusing on the concept of innocuous-sanitary latrines. It categorizes latrines based on their building characteristics and manure storage tank types, such as three-compartment septic tanks, double-urn funnel latrines, and three-connected biogas digesters. Engineers must ensure that latrine designs effectively reduce the infectivity of biological pathogens in feces. For architectural hygiene, the standard sets specific dimensional and functional criteria. This includes minimum room dimensions, lighting requirements, ventilation rates, and mandatory mosquito and fly prevention measures. It also dictates the use of water-saving fixtures and proper sealing for manure storage to prevent environmental contamination. The standard establishes strict sanitary standard values for both the latrine environment and fecal treatment efficacy. It mandates zero presence of adult flies and maggots, strict limits on odor intensity and ammonia concentration, and specific pathogen mortality rates. For instance, it sets mandatory limits for fecal coliforms, Salmonella, and roundworm eggs, ensuring the treated manure is safe for agricultural use. Additionally, it outlines management and maintenance protocols. This includes regular cleaning, proper clearing of manure tanks, and mandatory high-temperature composting for fecal residues. The standard explicitly prohibits designs that allow direct discharge of fecal sewage into water bodies or use untreated human excrement for aquaculture.
Testing methods
The standard outlines specific evaluation procedures to verify compliance with the hygienic limits. Key testing methods include the four-level odor intensity method for assessing malodor, and chemical analysis for ammonia concentration determination, which is executed according to the HJ 534 standard. Biological testing methods are also mandated to evaluate pathogen levels, including the detection of fecal coliforms, Salmonella, and the mortality rate of Ascaris eggs. These biological assessments are conducted in accordance with the referenced GB 7959 standard for fecal innocuity.
FAQs
What products and projects are regulated under GB 19379-2012?
The standard applies to the planning, design, construction, management, and sanitary supervision of rural household latrines. It covers various types of innocuous-sanitary latrines, including three-septic tank, double-urn, and biogas models.
Are there any significant updates from the previous GB 19379-2003 version?
The 2012 version introduces the concept of innocuous-sanitary latrines, removes the grading system of rural household latrines, and shifts the focus to basic functional requirements. It also classifies latrines based on structural characteristics and manure tank types.
How does GB 19379-2012 relate to other international or Chinese standards?
It references specific Chinese standards for testing, such as HJ 534 for ammonia determination and GB 7959 for fecal coliforms and parasite eggs. Engineers should review these referenced standards alongside GB 19379-2012 to ensure comprehensive compliance.
The summary above provides a high-level overview of GB 19379-2012. To ensure complete compliance for your products or projects entering the Chinese rural market, a precise and professional translation of the full technical specifications is essential. Purchase our high-quality English translation of GB 19379-2012 today to access all detailed parameters, architectural tables, and testing procedures.
Applicability hints
- Type
- Health and hygiene
- CCS
- C51
- ICS
- 13.020
- Competent department
- National Disease Control and Prevention Administration
- Technical committee
- National Disease Control and Prevention Administration
Relationships
Replaces:GB 19379-2003