ABU DHABI SEWERAGE SERVICES COMPANY

(ADSSC)

GENERAL SPECIFICATION FOR MECHANICAL

WORKS

DIVISION 15 MECHANICAL

SECTION 15250 VACUUM SEWERAGE

SYSTEMS

ADSSC/GSMW Division 15 Section 15250 Vacuum Sewerage Systems Rev: 03 Sep. 2012 Page 1 of 14
 General Specification for Mechanical Works
Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company
(ADSSC)

DOCUMENT CONTROL SHEET

Revision No. Date Revision Description / Purpose of Issue

01 April 2008 First Issue.

02 Jan. 2011 ADSSC New Logo

- Please refer Revised Design Guidelines Section #

3.7 – Vacuum Sewers.
03 Sep. 2012
- This revision has been made in compliance with
respective section of design guidelines as
mentioned above.

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

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 General Specification for Mechanical Works
Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company
(ADSSC)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. GENERAL ..........................................................................................................4
1.1 GLOSSARY : ..........................................................................................5
2. DESIGN SPECIFICATION .................................................................................6
2.1 VACUUM COLLECTION CHAMBER .....................................................6
2.2 VACUUM INTERFACE VALVE / CONTROLLER ...................................7
2.3 VACUUM SEWERS ................................................................................8
2.4 VACUUM VESSEL .................................................................................8
2.5 VACUUM GENERATORS (PUMPS) ....................................................10
2.6 SEWAGE DISCHARGE PUMPS ..........................................................11
2.7 MOTOR CONTROL CENTRE (MCC)...................................................11
2.8 VACUUM STATION ..............................................................................11
2.8.1 LOCATION AND LAYOUT: ..................................................................12
2.8.2 SITE AREA: ..........................................................................................12
2.8.3 VACUUM STATION LAYOUT: .............................................................12
2.9 CONTROL AND TELEMETRY SYSTEM .............................................13
2.10 ODOUR CONTROL SYSTEM ..............................................................14
2.11 TESTING AND COMMISSIONING .......................................................14

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 General Specification for Mechanical Works
Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company
(ADSSC)

1. GENERAL

The vacuum sewerage system shall generally be in accordance with

BS EN 1091 (Vacuum sewerage systems outside buildings).

Vacuum sewerage systems are wastewater collection systems where an air

stream drives the wastewater to a vacuum station. The system generally
comprises:

i. Collection chambers with sumps and interface valve unit.

ii. A vacuum pipeline system typically consisting of a branched network
of vacuum sewer pipe. (saw tooth profile)
iii. A vacuum station where the vacuum is generated, the wastewater
collected and then pumped to an existing wastewater system.

Wastewater flows by gravity from a property connection into a collection

chamber. After a given quantity (batch) of wastewater accumulates in the
sump, an interface valve automatically opens and the given volume of
sewage plus an additional volume of air flows through the open valve and is
transported through the vacuum pipeline system to a centralised vacuum
station.

Vacuum sewer pipes are arranged with high and low points in a specific
elevation (saw-tooth) profile. Batches of wastewater come to rest at low
points in the pipe. When air is introduced through an upstream interface
valve, the wastewater is pushed over subsequent high points toward the
vacuum station.

The wastewater and air are driven to a collection tank (vacuum vessel) at
the vacuum station where vacuum generators (vacuum pumps) maintain a
vacuum in the tank and sewer pipelines. Conventional sewage pumps
forward collected wastewater from the collection tank through a force main
to the existing sewerage system (treatment plant / sewer network to
pumping station)

The vacuum sewerage system shall generally consist of the following but not
limited to:

1. Vacuum Collection Chamber / Vacuum Interface Valves / Controllers.

2. Vacuum Main and Branch Sewers.
3. Vacuum Station
i. Vacuum Vessel &Connecting System.
ii. Vacuum Generators System.
iii. Sewage Discharge System. Pumps.
iv. Electrical & Control System
v. Odour Control System.

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 General Specification for Mechanical Works
Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company
(ADSSC)

1.1 GLOSSARY :

Batch Volume: The volume of sewage discharged from the collection

chamber during one cycle of the interface valve. The geometry of the
collection chamber sump and the operating range of the interface valve
sensor set this volume.

Breather: A small fitting required by some vacuum interface valves that is

used to admit and expel air from the control mechanism.

Collection Chamber: A chamber into which a gravity sewer with one or more
property connections discharges. The interface valve is fitted in the chamber
and the bottom of the chamber is used as a sewage collection sump.

Collection Sump: A space provided at the bottom of the collection chamber

to store flows until the batch volume is sufficient to activate the interface
valve.

Controller: A device which when activated by the level sensor, opens the
interface valve and after the passage of wastewater and air, closes the
valve.

Sensor: A device that activates the interface valve controller when a

predetermined level of wastewater has been reached in the collection sump.

Vacuum: Any pressure lower than atmospheric pressure.

Vacuum Interface Valve: A device that acts as the interface between the
vacuum of the service connections and the atmospheric pressure of the
collection chambers. The interface valve is designed to automatically open
when a predetermined volume of wastewater has collected in the collection
chamber and to close after the sewage has been removed.

Vacuum Main Sewer: One of a number of vacuum sewers connected

directly to the vacuum vessel.

Vacuum Branch Sewer: A sewer that connects to the vacuum main sewer or
another vacuum branch sewer.

Vacuum Generator: Equipment installed at the vacuum station to generate a

vacuum in the sewer.

Vacuum Station: The building that houses the vacuum vessel, vacuum
generator and sewage pumps and their controls and where the vacuum is
generated and distributed through the vacuum sewers, sewage is collected
and discharged for treatment.

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 General Specification for Mechanical Works
Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company
(ADSSC)

Vacuum Vessel: A negative pressure vessel that is located in the vacuum

station to which the main vacuum sewers are connected. The vacuum
vessel is maintained at a varying vacuum level by the action of the vacuum
pumps. The vacuum vessel provides for storage of wastewater at the
vacuum station.

2. DESIGN SPECIFICATION

All equipment shall be protected in accordance with Section 15004:

Corrosion Protection.

2.1 VACUUM COLLECTION CHAMBER

a) The number of properties connected to each collection chamber shall be

determined following consideration of the length and depth of the
property connection sewers. Separate chambers shall be provided to
serve properties at different elevations where there is a risk of sewage
from one property flooding another property.

b) The chamber shall be of a robust design capable of resisting external

forces and internal water pressure and have a design life of a minimum
of 50 years.

c) The vacuum collection chamber shall be constructed as per ADSSC

requirements for manholes with internal surfaces which are treated
suitably for corrosion resistance and unaffected by contact with sewage.
The internal surface of the sump shall also be smooth and the sump
shall have benching to maintain self-cleansing flows and shall be
watertight in construction.

d) Wherever possible, the chamber shall be located to facilitate ease of

access and have a suitable access opening for maintenance purposes.

e) The Vacuum collection chamber sump in combination with the property

connection gravity line shall be sized to provide a retention capacity of
25% of the average daily flow. Additional measures where necessary
shall be incorporated in order to prevent back flooding from sumps into
properties.

f) The chamber shall be connected to a monitoring system that relays

alarm signals to the central control panel should the water level in the
collection sump exceed a defined level or if a valve malfunctions.

g) The chamber shall be suitably ventilated through the chamber cover or

through a breather line.

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 General Specification for Mechanical Works
Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company
(ADSSC)

2.2 VACUUM INTERFACE VALVE / CONTROLLER

a) Vacuum valves shall have a minimum design life of 15 years and shall be
capable of passing solids with a maximum size of 75 mm diameter.
b) Vacuum valves shall be operated by the level of sewage in the sump and
the vacuum available in the service line to which the line is attached.

c) The vacuum valve shall be fail safe in the closed position and shall
prevent backflows from the service connection to the collection sump

d) The chamber shall include an isolation valve or plug to facilitate the

removal of the interface valve assembly without resulting in loss of
vacuum.

e) The vacuum valve shall be watertight and constructed of materials

suitable for immersion. All metallic items shall be manufactured from
grade 316L stainless steel.

f) Valves shall be installed in the collection chamber using demountable, re-

useable flexible couplings suitable for vacuum service.

g) The valves shall be complete with controller, rubber couplings, plastic

tubing or sensor piping connections and monitoring connections. Suction
pipes for the vacuum interface valves shall be supplied by the valve
supplier.

h) The valves shall be activated pneumatically and be fitted with a means to

adjust the air volume admitted to the service line when the valve is in
operation.

i) Diaphragm type interface valves shall be EPDM and suitable for waste
water environment.

j) All Interface valves shall be factory tested and duly certified.

k) Controllers shall open the interface valve only if there is sufficient vacuum
available and maintain the valve fully open for an adjustable time period
or until the sump has been fully emptied.

l) Controllers shall be constructed of polyamide or similar material.

m) Controllers shall be 'slide-attached' to the valve body to facilitate removal.

n) The fixing arrangements shall enable the interface valve and/or control
system to be readily replaced in not more than 30 minutes.

o) Bypass valve to the vacuum valve.

p) Vacuum valve size shall not be less than 90mm.

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 General Specification for Mechanical Works
Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company
(ADSSC)

q) Valve opening shall be governed by the installed level switch / transmitter

2.3 VACUUM SEWERS

a) The vacuum sewer network shall comprise High Density Polyethylene

PN 6 (HDPE SDR 11 or 17.6) pipes and be jointed using electro-fusion
fittings. All pipe work to be in accordance with Section 15010: Pipe work.

b) Welded joints shall be performed by suitably trained personnel using

approved welding equipment.

c) The route of vacuum main sewers shall be selected to: minimise lift and
length; equalise flows on each main; provide adequate access for
operation and maintenance.

d) Vacuum systems shall be laid out in a logical manner with each

catchment being split into zones that are generally of equal size. Each
zone shall be served by a separate vacuum main, provided isolation
valves in the vacuum lines as to facilitates the isolation of the specific line
for maintenance

e) Vacuum mains, branch sewers and connections from the collection

chamber shall have a minimum cover of 0.6m.

f) The sewer profiles shall be recommended, approved and guaranteed by

the vacuum sewerage system provider.

g) Sewer profiles shall have a minimum slope of 1:500 in the flow direction.

h) Isolation valves in the vacuum mains, which are means of isolating

lengths of vacuum sewer to permit repairs or to locate faults, shall be
provided at distances of not more than 450 m and on branch sewers
longer than 200 m.

i) Isolation valves should be suitable for service in sewage under both

vacuum and pressure should be capable of sustaining a differential
vacuum of 80 kPa below atmospheric and and located in a chamber.

j) The valves shall be resilient seated gate/ knife gate valves complete with
flanged connections.

2.4 VACUUM VESSEL

a) Vacuum vessels shall be constructed of not less than 9mm thick steel
and epoxy coated both internally and externally in accordance with
Specification Section 15004: Corrosion Protection. Manufacturer to
justify with suitable calculations the basis of the proposed vessel design.

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 General Specification for Mechanical Works
Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company
(ADSSC)

b) All flows from the vacuum sewers shall be connected to a vacuum

vessel. The operating volume of the vessel shall be the sewage
accumulation required for the optimum operation of the sewage pumps.

c) Vacuum vessels are sized to ensure adequate operating volume and

emergency storage volume. Moreover, vessels shall be sized in
anticipation of any future extension of the system. A detailed sizing of
the vacuum vessels is depending on but not limited to peak-flow,
number of vacuum pumps, size of vacuum pumps (allowable number of
starts per hour), arrangement of the vessel (vertically or horizontally),
vacuum network volume, etc…

d) The vessel shall be in accordance with Standard Specification Section

15240: Pressure Systems.

e) The vessel shall be supplied with all necessary connections to facilitate

the installation of the required instrumentation associated with the full
operation of the vacuum pumps and sewage discharge pumps.

f) All instrumentation to be in accordance with Section 16600:

Instrumentation.

g) The capacity of the vessel shall be such to maintain a sufficient clear air
path from the highest sewage level in the vessel to the vacuum sewers
to ensure an efficient vacuum operation.

h) The capacity of the vessel shall be such to maintain sufficient liquid

above the sewage pumps to ensure that they do not cavitate, maintain
prime and to minimise the likelihood of a vortex forming.

i) Sewage pump suction connections shall be supplied at the invert of the

vacuum vessel.

j) Sewer inlets shall be provided with long radius bends inside the vessel
to direct the sewage inflow away from the vacuum suction, the sewage
pump suction connections and the vessel walls.

k) A drain connection with valve shall be provided at the vessel invert. The
drain shall be located as close as practicable to the vacuum station dry
well floor sump. The drain valve shall be a resilient seated gate valve.

l) One spare sewer inlet of the same diameter as the largest sewer, but
not less than DN 150 shall be provided. The spare connection shall be
sealed externally with a bolted blank flange and gasket.

Access manholes of minimum DN 600 mm and cover shall be provided

at the side or the top of the vessel. The cover shall be fitted with a lifting
eye.

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 General Specification for Mechanical Works
Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company
(ADSSC)

m) The vessel shall be fitted with lifting lugs, supports and all connections
to facilitate operation and maintenance.

n) Level transmitter along with graduated sewage level gauge fitted with a
polycarbonate tube and stainless steel tube guard shall be provided for
the vacuum vessel. The level gauge shall be fitted with isolation and
drain valve capable of being cleaned without removal from the vessel.

2.5 VACUUM GENERATORS (PUMPS)

a) The Contractor shall supply vacuum pumps to generate the required

vacuum within the system to allow efficient transportation of the sewage.

b) Duty / standby vacuum pumps shall be supplied as a minimum.

c) The vacuum pumps shall be rotary vane or liquid ring or ejector type.

d) The manufacturer of the vacuum pumps shall be approved with ADSSC.

e) The vacuum pumps are able to achieve an ultimate vacuum of -95 kPa
at sea level, and are able to continuously operate at a vacuum of -65 to -
85 kPa.

f) Other factors such as noise, water quality, water availability and

temperature shall also be considered in the choice of vacuum pump as
well as the effect of the exhaust gases on the type of odour control filter
to be installed. Noise levels emitted by the pumps shall not exceed the
limits prescribed in Section 15001 General M&E Requirements.

g) The minimum volume of the vacuum reservoir / moisture removal tank

shall be calculated taking account of the maximum start frequency of the
vacuum generators and forwarding pumps and the range of operational
pressure. This reservoir capacity shall be provided by the vacuum
vessels and the available vacuum sewer capacity.

h) Impeller shafts, impellers and casings shall be constructed from

minimum grade 316L stainless steel and mechanical shaft seals
shall be used. The supply water for these units shall be tested to
determine the degree of dissolved solids. If a high degree of dissolved
solids is present then a suitable water filter / softening unit shall be
supplied.

i) Adequate protection shall be provided to prevent sewage from being

drawn into the vacuum pumps.

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 General Specification for Mechanical Works
Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company
(ADSSC)

2.6 SEWAGE DISCHARGE PUMPS

a) Duty and standby sewage pumps shall be supplied as a minimum and

have the same rating.

b) Sewage pumps to be in accordance with Section 15030: Pumps Sets

and associated equipment.

c) The pumps shall be of the 'dry well' centrifugal open impeller type shall
be capable of sphere passing depending upon vacuum valve sizes.

d) The pumps shall be suitable for vacuum service without cavitation.

e) The pump electric motors shall be in accordance with Section 16000:

Electrical.

f) Noise levels emitted by the pumps shall not exceed the limits prescribed
in Section 15001 General M&E Requirements.

2.7 MOTOR CONTROL CENTRE (MCC)

a) The Motor Control Centre shall be in accordance with General

Specification for Electrical Works Sections 16020: Factory Built
Assembly (FBA) and 16030 Motor Control Centre (MCC).

b) The operation of the vacuum station shall be controlled by a

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC).

c) The vacuum generator pumps shall be controlled by monitoring the

vacuum inside the vacuum vessel with adjustable pressure switches and
the sewage discharge pumps by level sensors in the vessel

2.8 VACUUM STATION

Vacuum stations shall comprise all civil works; mechanical and electrical
works including pipe work, vacuum vessel, vacuum pumps, sewage
discharge pumps, control panel, odour control equipment, ventilation, air-
conditioning, plumbing and lighting.

The contractor shall design the station building and submit detailed design
drawings for the Engineer's approval. The station building shall incorporate
the following minimum requirements:
a. External rendered concrete block wall construction.
b. Separate external boxes containing electricity and water meters.
c. Separate room housing a single water closet (WC) and hand wash
basin.

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 General Specification for Mechanical Works
Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company
(ADSSC)

d. External wash down hose reel with concreted splash area below and
draining to the on-site vacuum collection chamber.
e. Collection chamber to receive flows from WC, hand basin, external
wash down area and odour control drainage water.
f. MCC room
g. Operator room.
Note : The design of the vacuum station shall ensure no noise and
odor shall emerge from the station to its surroundings.

2.8.1 LOCATION AND LAYOUT:

Vacuum station sites shall be located as far as practical from residential

properties. Consideration shall be given so as to minimize any traffic hazard
on the public road caused by vehicles entering or leaving the site.

2.8.2 SITE AREA:

The site shall be of sufficient size to accommodate the following:

a) The vacuum station.
b) Vehicular traffic and parking.
c) Odour control equipment.
d) Emergency pumping.
e) Mobile generator.
f) Surge equipment.

2.8.3 VACUUM STATION LAYOUT:

The vacuum station shall generally be divided into two main areas, an above
ground plant room and a below ground dry well.

The floor level of the dry well shall be designed to suit the invert levels of the
incoming sewers, the vacuum vessel diameter and the dimensions of the
selected sewage pumps.

The vacuum vessel, sewage pumps, valves, pipe work and sump to collect
wash down water shall be located in the dry well.

The plant room shall contain the vacuum generators and motor control centre.

A manually operated overhead travelling crane or hoist designed to span all

equipment shall be provided.
The sump in the dry well shall be suitably drained by a suction line from the
vacuum vessel. The suction line shall be fitted with an automatically operated
vacuum interface valve which shall be capable of being operated manually

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 General Specification for Mechanical Works
Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company
(ADSSC)

from the plant room floor.

A permanent stairway shall be installed to provide access to the dry well and
the main sewer isolating valves.

A metered water service shall be provided to the vacuum station and include
an internal water supply and a suitable external hose reel.

The vacuum station shall have a standby power generator or a socket outlet
into which a mobile power generator can be connected.

Civil Defence norms shall required to considered for building fire protection
systems installations.

2.9 CONTROL AND TELEMETRY SYSTEM

a) Design and installation of all instrumentation, control and telemetry shall

comply with Specification Sections 16600, 16610 and 16602 related to
Instrumentation; Section 16640 related to Control.

b) All control systems shall be compatible with existing systems,

terminology and used by ADSSC including but not limited to pumping
control, alarms and telemetry.

c) Pumps shall be controlled by the sewage level in the vacuum vessel.

The duty pump shall be initiated when the sewage levels rises to the
start point and the duty pump shall run until the lower discharge pump off
level is reached. The electrical controls shall allow sequential operation
of all pumps so that running times are equalised.

d) Vacuum generation shall be initiated by means of a vacuum switch when

the vacuum pressure reaches the cut-in level and the duty vacuum
generator shall run until the cut-out level is reached. The electrical
controls shall allow sequential operation of all generators so that running
times are equalised.

e) Vacuum levels in the vacuum vessel shall be controlled by approved

vacuum switches with an operating range of 0 to -100 kPa. Separate
switches shall be provided to operate the duty stand-by generators and
to provide a low vacuum alarm.

f) The following alarm signals shall be provided as a minimum:

i. Mains power failure

ii. Vacuum generator pump fault
iii. Sewage discharge pump fault
iv. Vacuum vessel high sewage level

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 General Specification for Mechanical Works
Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company
(ADSSC)

v. Vacuum Low I High

vi. Excessive run time - vacuum generator
vii. Excessive run time - sewage discharge pump
viii. Defective vacuum interface valve.
ix. High level in the interface valve chamber.

2.10 ODOUR CONTROL SYSTEM

a) The vacuum station shall be fitted with suitable odour control systems.

b) The systems shall:

i. Be designed to operate to the latest environmental requirements.
ii. Operate continuously.
iii. Operate with minimal maintenance.
iv. Be in accordance with Section 15080: Odour Control

2.11 TESTING AND COMMISSIONING

The Contractor shall Test and Commission the Vacuum Sewerage System in
accordance with BS EN 1091 together with the requirements detailed in
Section 15001 : General M&E Requirements Specification - Section 12.

Operation and Maintenance manuals shall be supplied in accordance with the

Specification requirements. Refer Section 15001 : General M&E
Requirements Section 13 and Section 16670 Documentation Format Section
10.

Witnessing of factory testing shall be considered as mandatory for but not to

limited for the following materials:
- Vacuum Valves
- Vacuum Pumps.
- MCC / Control Panels.

Testing of the individual equipments and overall system shall be as per site
specific conditions and shall be submitted for approval

END OF SECTION

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