ELEC 3105 BUILDING SERVICES

PLUMBING SERVICES

2008 Prepared by: K. K. Lam 1

 Plumbing Services
1. Source of Water
2. Types of Water Supply System
3. System Components
4. System Design and Calculation
5. Hot Water Supply System
6. References

2
 1. Source of Water
1.1 Fresh Water Supply Network in Hong Kong
Impounding Service
Reservoir Reservoir

Water Primary
Treatment Service
Plant Reservoir
Water Pumping
Gathering Station
Grounds

Customers
Pumping
Station
Service
Reservoir

Raw Water from

Guangdong

3
Customers
 1. Source of Water
1.1 Fresh Water Supply Network in Hong Kong
Impounding Reservoir
Total 17 numbers of impounding reservoir in various locations of
Kowloon, Hong Kong and New Territories.
Name Max. Capacity Name Max. Capacity
Aberdeen Lower Reservoir 0.486 Mm3 Kowloon Byewash Reservoir 0.800 Mm3

Aberdeen Upper Reservoir 0.773 Mm3 Kowloon Reception Reservoir 0.121 Mm3

Pok Fu Lam Reservoir 0.233 Mm3 Kowloon Reservoir 1.578 Mm3

Shek Pik Reservoir 24.461 Mm3 Lower Shing Mun Reservoir 4.299 Mm3

Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir 0.080 Mm3 Plover Cove Reservoir 229.729 Mm3

Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir 0.686 Mm3 Shek Lei Pui Reservoir 0.374 Mm3

Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir 6.047 Mm3 Shing Mun Reservoir 13.279 Mm3

Tai Tam Upper Reservoir 1.490 Mm3 Tai Lam Chung Reservoir 20.490 Mm3

High Island Reservoir 281.124 Mm3

TOTAL CAPACITY 586.050 Mm3

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 1. Source of Water
1.1 Fresh Water Supply Network in Hong Kong
Water Treatment Plant
Filtration and chemical treatment of raw water from impounding
reservoir to water quality complies with chemically and
bacteriologically to the Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality
recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Service Reservoir
Provide buffer of water supply as well as sufficient water supply
pressure to customers.
Allocated in elevation to suit customer in different levels.

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 1. Source of Water
1.2 Flushing Water (Sea Water) Supply Network in Hong Kong
Service
Reservoir

Non
Return
Customers Valve

Customers

Sea Wall Customers Pumping

Station
Chlorine
Screening Disinfection
SEA

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 1. Source of Water
1.2 Flushing Water (Sea Water) Supply Network in Hong Kong
Water Treatment Plant
Seawater is not treated to the same standard as fresh water but its
standard still has to comply with the guidelines laid down by the Water
Supplies Department to prevent objectionable characteristics.

Service Reservoir
Minimize pressure fluctuation of the water supply mains.

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 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.1 Direct Supply Draw-off
Point
Water supply from supply main to draw-
off point directly.
Height difference (H) of the top most Lot Height
draw-off point will be limited by the supply Boundary Difference,
H (m)
main pressure. Water
Water pressure (P) is a time varying Meter
function: m

P(t) = Pm+p(t)
Pm is Mean Water Pressure Supply Main

p(t) is simultaneous pressure fluctuation

that depends on water demand.
Only applicable in fresh water supply in
Hong Kong.

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 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.1 Direct Supply
Water flow, Q(t) = Qm + q(t)
Qm is the Mean Water Flow Rate (m3/s)
q(t) is the simultaneous water flow fluctuation that depend on water
demand. (m3/s)
P V2
Bernoulli Equation H Constant
g 2g

P is water pressure (Pa)

is density of water (kg/m3)
g is gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s2)
V is velocity of water (m/s) = Q / A
A is cross sectional area of pipe (m2).
H is height difference (m)
The supply pressure P is a function of water flow Q and height
difference H. 9
 2. Types of Water Supply System
Draw-off
2.1 Direct Supply Point
Example P2
The mean water pressure in the supply
main is 30m head at mean water flow of Lot Height
15L/s. Boundary Difference,
H (m)
Diameter of supply main is 100mm. Water
Meter
Minimum supply pressure at draw-off
m
point is 10m head. Po

Determine maximum height difference of P1

the topmost draw-off point, H. Supply Main

10
 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.1 Direct Supply
Solution
Assuming pipe friction and velocity head (V2/2g) in distribution pipe
work is negligible.
Po = 30m = P1, P2=10m
Recall Bernoulli Equation
2 2
Vo V2
Po 0(Datum) P2 H
2g 2g

30 + 0 + 0 = 10 + 0 + H
H = 20m [i.e. The topmost draw-off point should not be higher than
20m above the supply main.]
Now, it is known that a new building in the downstream with mean
water demand of 20L/s, what will be the supply pressure at
topmost draw-off point.
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 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.1 Direct Supply
Solution
Diameter of supply main, D = 0.1m
Cross sectional area of supply main,
D2 (0.1)2
A 0.007854m 2
4 4
Po = 30m, Qo = 15L/s = 0.015m3/s
Q 0.015
Vo o 1.91m/s
A 0.007854
Qo = Qm + 20L/s = 15 + 20 = 35L/s = 0.035m3/s
Q' 0.035
V'o o 4.46m/s
A 0.007854

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 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.1 Direct Supply
Solution
Water pressure in supply main at Vo, Po
2 2
V V'
Po o 0(Datum) P'o o 0(Datum)
2g 2g
(1.91)2 (4.46)2
30 0 P'o 0
2g 2g
Po = 29.2m
Water pressure at topmost draw-off point become 9.2m (i.e. 8%
reduction from 10m head)
Size of water main properly sized can minimize the pressure fluctuation
due to change of water demand.

REPEAT THE CALCULATION FOR SUPPLY MAIN DIAMETER,

D=50MM 13
 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 Indirect Supply Elevated
Storage
a) Gravity Supply System Tank

Height
Difference,
H (m)

Draw-off
Point

Lot
Boundary

Water
Meter Upfeed
Pump
m

Sump
Supply Main Tank 14
 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 Indirect Supply
a) Gravity Supply System
Water from supply main feed into sump tank and deliver to elevated
storage tank via upfeed pump.
Water supply to draw-off point by gravity.
Sufficient height difference (H) shall be maintained for topmost draw-
off point.
Pressure fluctuation at draw-off point is negligible if H >> p(t).

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 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 Indirect Supply
b) Pumped Supply System
Direct connect water pump to supply main will cause pressure surge
in the water supply network and is not permitted in Hong Kong water
supply system.
Sump tank served the purpose of positive air break to the water
supply main and for pump suction connection.
Types of pumped supply system:
i) Constant Speed Pump System
ii) Variable Speed Pump System
iii) Pneumatic Booster Constant Speed Pump System
Selection of type of pumped supply system will depends on the
pattern of water demand.

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 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 b) Pumped Supply System
i) Constant Speed Pump System

Draw-off
Point

Control
Lot Valve
Boundary P Pressure
Sensor
Water Bypass
Meter Booster
Pump
m

Sump
Supply Main Tank 17
 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 b) Pumped Supply System
i) Constant Speed Pump System
Suitable for water demand (Q) has insignificant time varying function.
[i.e. Qm >> q(t)]
Bypass pipe is used to maintain constant supply pressure through
regulating the amount of water feed back to sump tank.
Control valve acts as the actuating device and pressure sensor acts
as the transducer that serve as the control equipment.
Water bypass back to the water tank waste energy on recirculation of
water.

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 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 b) Pumped Supply System
ii) Variable Speed Pump System

Draw-off
Point

Control
Lot Valve
Boundary P P Pressure
Sensor
Water Bypass
Meter Frequency
V
Inverter
m
Booster
Pump
Sump
Supply Main Tank 19
 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 b) Pumped Supply System
ii) Variable Speed Pump System
Suitable for water demand (Q) has gradual time varying function q(t).
Variable speed drive (Frequency Inverter) is used to regulate the
pump speed thus maintain constant water supply pressure.
Pressure sensor is used to monitor the system water pressure.
Bypass pipe may require if minimum water demand is less than the
minimum water flow of pump operate at minimum speed thus
maintains constant supply pressure at extremely low demand.
Minimize or eliminate the energy wastage on water bypass back to
sump tank.

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 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 b) Pumped Supply System
iii) Pneumatic Booster Constant Speed Pump System

Draw-off
Point

Pressure
Lot Sensors
Boundary P Pneumatic
P Tank
Water
Meter
m
Booster
Pump
Sump
Supply Main Tank 21
 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 b) Pumped Supply System
iii) Pneumatic Booster Constant Speed Pump System
Suitable for water demand (Q) has significant time varying function
[i.e. Qm q(t)] and exists randomly.
Pneumatic tank serve the purpose as the buffer to cater for extremely
low water demand.
Pump is operated periodically and its frequency of operation depends
on the capacity of pneumatic tank and pump capacity.
There will be cut-in (Pl) and cut-out (Pu) pressures to determine the
pump operation and pressure range of water supply.

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 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 b) Pumped Supply System
iii) Pneumatic Booster Constant Speed Pump System
Operating Principle of Pneumatic Tank
Cut-out Air
Volume, Vu
Initial Cut-in Cut-out
Pressure, Pressure, Pressure,
Pneumatic Pi Pl Pu
Tank Cut-in Air
Initial Air Effective
Volume, Vi Volume, Vl Volume of
Water, V
Volume of
Initial
Charge Up
Water, Vi

Charge Up Charge Up Charge Up

Air Water Water

Initial Stage Operation Stage

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 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 b) Pumped Supply System
iii) Pneumatic Booster Constant Speed Pump System
Operating Principle of Pneumatic Tank
Initial Stage
Equation of State PV=mRT and assume temperature change is
negligible where R is Universal Gas Constant
Pi Vi Pl Vl Vi Vi Vl Vl Vi Vi
Pi
Vi Vi 1 . (a)
Pl
Operation Stage
Similarly
P
V Vi Vi 1 l . (b)
Pu
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 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 b) Pumped Supply System
iii) Pneumatic Booster Constant Speed Pump System
Operating Principle of Pneumatic Tank
Substitute Equation (a) into Equation (b) gives
P P
V Vi Vi 1 i 1 l
Pl Pu
Pi P
. (c) V V i
Pl Pu

where, P Pu Pl

Remark:
All pressures are ABSOLUTE PRESSURE
ABSOLUTE PRESSURE = GAUGE PRESSURE + ATMOSPHERIC
PRESSURE 25
 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 b) Pumped Supply System
iii) Pneumatic Booster Constant Speed Pump System
V is the effective volume of the pneumatic tank that the amount of
water can utilize per cycle when tank charged water to Cut-out
Pressure and discharged to Cut-in Pressure.
Initial Pressure Pi is normally set at 0.5 bar/5m head/50kPa below the
system cut-in pressure. [i.e. Pi = Pl 0.5bar]
Initial charge up water ensures only water escape out from pneumatic
tank when water supply reach cut-in pressure.
V is the EFFECTIVE VOLUME of pneumatic tank operating in
pressure ranges between Pl and Pu.
In reality, water feed into the pneumatic tank is separated by a
diaphragmatic balloon that without direct contact with air because air
will dissolve into water under pressure and air loss will be resulted
after cyclic operation of water.
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 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 b) Pumped Supply System
iii) Pneumatic Booster Constant Speed Pump System
Example:
Atmospheric pressure, Patm = 1 bar
Cut-in pressure, Pl = 2.0 bar
Cut-out pressure, Pu = 3.5 bar
Pneumatic tank volume, Vi = 500L
Solution
Initial pressure, Pi = Pl 0.5bar = 2.0 0.5 = 1.5 bar
Effective volume,
P P 1.5 1 3.5 2.0
V Vi i 500 139L
Pl Pu 2.0 1 3.5 1

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 2. Types of Water Supply System
2.2 b) Pumped Supply System
iii) Pneumatic Booster Constant Speed Pump System
The following table summarize the effective volume of a 500L
pneumatic tank in various operating pressure range for comparison:
Tank Volume, Vi 500 500 500 500 500 500 500
Cut-in Pressure, Pl 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.5 2.5 3.0
Cut-out Pressure, Pu 3.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 3.5 4.0 4.5

Initial Pressure, Pi 1.0 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.5

Effective Volume, V 178 104 139 167 95 129 119

[Figures colored in RED is the base for comparison]

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 3. System Components
3.1 Gate Valve
For shut down the water supply Stem
for execute system maintenance
that require suspension of water Wedge
supply.
3.2 Check Valve / Non-Return Valve
For governing the water supply GATE VALVE
flow in single direction that
restrict water flowing backward in
the system.

SILENT CHECK VALVE SWING TYPE CHECK VALVE 29

 3. System Components
3.3 Loose Jumper Stopcock
Serve the integral function of
Gate Valve and Non-Return
Valve. There is a floating seat
that the valve stem regulates its
Floating Seat
position to shut down the water
supply. The floating seat
serves the purpose to govern
the supply flow to single
LOOSE JUMPER STOPCOCK
direction as well.
3.4 Y-Type Strainer 1) Body
2) Screen
Coarse screening of obstacles 3) Bushing
in the water stream protects
blockage of water distribution
system as well as damage to
water pump.
Y-TYPE STRAINER 30
 3. System Components
3.5 Flexible Connector
Allow movement of
1) Flange
pipeline especially in 2) Outer Bellow
vibration between pump 3) Reinforcing Fabric
and pipeline. 4) Inner Bellow
5) Wire

TWIN SPHERE FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR

3.6 Water Meter

A flow measuring device
records the water
consumption.

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VOLUMETRIC WATER METER
 3. System Components
3.7 Piping
Distribute water supply 1) Electric Motor
Frame
from the source to draw- 2) Pump Head
off point at designated Frame
location in an enclosed 3) Mechanical Seal
4) Outlet Inducer
distribution network. 5) Bearing Frame
Water pressure within Inducer
6) Inducer
the system will be built 7) Inlet Inducer
up by pump or gravity. 8) Pump Frame
9) Base Frame
3.8 Water Pump 10) Bottom Bearing
11) Impeller
Pressurize water within 12) Shaft
the distribution to cater 13) Intermediate Shaft
Sleeve
for system friction loss 14) Pressure
as well as maintain Resistant Cylinder
supply pressure at draw- 15) Coupling

off point at desired level. MULTISTAGE CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

32
 3. System Components
3.9 Water Tanks
Sump Tank Serves as the
positive air break for
connection to the pump
suction to eliminate the
system disturbance caused
by the pump.
Storage Tank Provide buffer
to suit the simultaneous water
demand as well as certain
period of water consumption.
Break Tank To control the
pressure zoning of water FIBERGLASS WATER TANK
distribution network as well
as positive air break to avoid
contamination of water main.
33
 3. System Components
3.10 Water Hammer Arrestor Pressurized Gas
Absorb the pressure wave
generated by fluctuation of 1) Cap
water demand. When 2) Piston
frequency of pressure wave 3) Tube
4) O-Ring
equals to the natural 5) Solder Cup
frequency of distribution
pipe, resonance appeared
WATER HAMMER ARRESTOR
and cause vibration of
piping that cause nuisance.
3.11 Pressure Reducing Valve
Upstream water pressure is
proportionally reduced to
desired level at
downstream.

34
PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE
 3. System Components
3.12 Ball Float Valve
To control the ON/OFF of the
incoming water supply when
predetermine water level of
the system is reached

BALL FLOAT VALVE

3.13 Float Switch
A transducer gives
electrically signal when
water level in water tank
reached predetermine level.
This is used to monitor the
water level and/or utilized to
control the pump operation. FLOAT SWITCH 35
 3. System Components
3.14 Pressure Gauge
A dial gauge with needle
driven by bourdon tube flexes
when subjected to pressure
thus display the system
pressure at the dial.
3.15 Pressure Switch / Sensor
A transducer gives electrically
signal when water pressure at
tap-off point reached
predetermine level. This is
used to monitor the water PRESSURE GAUGE
pressure and/or utilized to
control the pump operation.

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