POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

STA. MESA, MANILA

PAUL ANGEL S. DELA ROSA BUILDING UTILITIES 1

BS ARCHITECTURE 2-2 AR. ERIC SAMOVAR P. BAÑO

REACTION PAPER:
GRAVITY WATER SYSTEM VS PNEUMATIC WATER SYSTEM

On this day, we were taught about the difference between gravity water system and the
pneumatic water system on our Building Utilities. For me, water is one of the key factors in building
efficiency because it contributes to its sustainability. Knowing how to control its flow to be
distributed to everyone adds not only on its efficiency but also to its level of comfort so therefore,
systems like these are necessary to achieve that objective.
We were first introduced to the Gravity Water System (GWS) in which a tank or any water
storage was raised at a height sufficient enough to promote distribution. Since we have a background
at physics, we all know that any object in a free fall motion tends to accelerate, increasing its pressure.
Because of this fact, GDS is energy efficient since it makes minimal use of pumps; only using it for
refilling the tank. I was curious before about why water tanks are being raised so high when I’ve
known that it can be placed on the ground. Knowing that there is a tank above us since we’re living in
a condominium, I now know the reason why. I then realized that this system is only applicable on
high-rise buildings because they provide the height needed to operate this type of water system.
Anything lower than that requires another water system. We were then introduced to the Pneumatic
Water System (PWS), also known as the upfeed distribution system to which the water tank or any
storage of water is located in the bottom of the structure which uses pumps to promote distribution.
Though it demands more pumps, therefore, energy to operate, PWS is ideal for low-rise to mid-rise
building that don’t meet the requirements of the DWS. Of course to me, this is also advantageous
since it doesn’t ruin the aesthetic of the structure. We live in a condominium that overall, has a good
façade but has a water tank at the rooftop, I can’t say that the structure is ruined because of that but
the feature bothers me. But of course, depending on the designer, one can utilize the one over the
other or can utilize them both, but that’s on the hands of the designer. That’s why there’s a need for
one to know about building utilities to use it in the most efficient way possible.
But the bottom line is, when in a working environment, the architect must always collaborate
with engineers and other professionals to establish a well-thought design for a structure that fits the
standards of building codes while at the same time, maximizing the efficiency and the level of
comfort the structure can give to its users. Multiple brains are better than one when it comes to this so
to me, I’m looking forward for the next discussion in this subject.