Building Water

Supply
Systems
Overview
• Main Parts of a Water Supply System
• General Water Distribution Layout
• Water Pressure Considerations

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Main Parts of a Water Supply System

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Main Parts of a Water Supply System
• Building Supply
• Water Meter
• Building Main
• Riser
• Fixture Branch
• Fixture Connection
• Zone
• A branch supplying two or more fixtures
• Group Source: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/146648531603166126/

• A cluster of fixtures
Other Parts
• Plumbing walls
• Walls with increased width to allow the
passage of pipes
• Chase
• Vertical opening through several floors
• Pipe tunnels
• A concealed space to allow passage of
mechanical systems between buildings
• Shut-off valves Source: https://www.warnerservice.com/whats-
behind-your-drywall

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General Water Distribution Layout

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Rigid-Pipe Distribution Configuration
• Conventional system
• Rigid pipes
• Hot and cold water pipes are ran
parallel to each other
• Branches

Source: https://sprucebathroom.com/blogs/how-to-design-plumbing-system-for-a-building/

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Homerun (Manifold) Distribution Configuration
• A single pipe for each fixture
• Connected to a central manifold
• Requires less fittings but more pipes
• Faster to install
• Cheaper than rigid
• Pipes used:
• cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)
• composite PEX-AL-PEX piping
• Suitable for hot and cold water Source: https://southendplumbingllc.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-plumbing-manifold/

• flexible

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 Upfeed and Downfeed Distribution
• Upfeed system
• Relies only on the water supply main
• Water pressure from 275-550 kPa
• Limited to a maximum heigh of around 5 stories
• Pumped Upfeed system
• Pumps are used to boost pressures 1000-1700kPa
• Pressure reducing stations
• Every 10 floors
• Downfeed system
• Pumps water to elevated storage tank
• Storage tanks serve around 10 floors each

Figures reproduced from Dagostino and Wujek (2010) 9

Water Pressure Considerations

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Hydrostatic Pressure
• force exerted by the weight of the fluid against the walls of a vessel
containing the fluid
• hydrostatic force per unit area, is perpendicular to the interior walls at every
point

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 Water Pressure
• Residual water pressure
• Pressure available just before the fixture

Table reproduced from Dagostino and Wujek (2010) 12

Static head
• Pressure difference due to elevation change
• Static head in kPa:
• ΔPstatic= -9.8*Z
• Where Z=elevation in meters

• Static head in psi:

• ΔPstatic= -0.433*Z
• Where Z=elevation in feet

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Pressure Losses from Friction
• Related to:
• Flow rate
• Fluid velocity
• Pipe diameter
• Pipe material
• Surface roughness

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 Pressure Losses from Friction
• Pressure drop charts

Figures reproduced from Dagostino and Wujek (2010) 15

 Pressure Losses from Friction
• Pressure drop charts

Figures reproduced from Dagostino and Wujek (2010) 16

 Pressure Losses from Friction
• Pressure losses from valves and fittings

Figures reproduced from Dagostino and Wujek (2010) 17

 Pressure Losses from Friction
• Pressure losses from valves and fittings

Figures reproduced from Dagostino and Wujek (2010) 18

 Pressure Losses from Friction
• Pressure losses from valves and fittings

Figures reproduced from Dagostino and Wujek (2010) 19

 Pressure Losses from Friction
• Pressure losses from valves and fittings

Figures reproduced from Dagostino and Wujek (2010) 20

Exercises
1. A plumbing fixture outlet is 24 ft above the water service line. Pressure available at the water service is 45 psi.
A. Determine the change in pressure from elevation.
B. Pressure available at fixture
2. Determine the pressure drop across a 1 in diameter Type L copper pipe that is 20 ft long and is carrying water at 20 gpm.
3. Determine the velocity of water flowing in a 1 in diameter Type L copper pipe carrying water at 20 gpm.
4. Determine the pressure drop across a 4 in diameter Type K copper pipe that is 236.5 ft long and is carrying water at 400
gpm.
5. Determine the velocity of water flowing in a 4 in diameter Type K copper pipe carrying water at 20 gpm.
6. Determine the equivalent length of six 90° elbows, three straight-run tees (all wrought), and two gate valves for 1 in
diameter copper pipe:
7. Determine the pressure drop from friction across a plumbing line containing 45 ft of 1 in diameter Type L copper pipe
with fittings and valves noted above. Assume the system is carrying water at a volumetric flow rate of 20 gpm.
8. What is the minimum pressure at the building supply that is needed to allow a shower to function. The shower is
connected to the building supply by five 90° elbows, four straight-run tees (all wrought), and three gate valves. The
plumbing line is rises 8ft to the second floor and is 50 ft long with a 1 in diameter Type L copper pipe. The system also
has a flowrate of 30 gpm

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Thank you

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Building Water
Supply
Systems
Overview
• Water Supply Design Concerns
• Water Supply Pipe Design Methods

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Water Supply Design Concerns

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Water Supply Design Concerns
• Water Velocity
• Noise
• Erosion
• Costs
• Max velocity
• 1.5-3m/s
• 4.5m/s for mechanical rooms
• 1.5m/s for thermoplastic pipes
• Cavitation
• Drastic drop in pressure
• Vaporization and implosion of the liquid
• Noise
• Erosion
Water Supply Design Concerns
• Water Hammer
• Sudden stop in the flow
• Large increase in pressure
• Loud thump
• Can cause valve ruptures and pipe burst
• Air Chambers
• Water Hammer Arrestors
Water Supply Design Concerns
• Thermal Expansion
• Expansion Bends
• Expansion Joints
Water Supply Design Concerns
• Viscosity
• Varies with temperature
• Affects pumping energy requirements
• Volume change due to temperature
• Phase change of water to ice increases volume by 10%
• Volumetric change due to temperature: 0.0457% per °C
• Water is most dense at 4°C
• Aging
• Calcium Deposits
• Corrosion
• Pipe Insulation
• Heat loss
• Condensation
• Testing
• Tests commonly run on water systems require that it be watertight under a hydrostatic water pressure of 125 psi for a
minimum of 1 hr
Water Supply Pipe Design Methods

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Water Supply Pipe Design Methods
• Flow Rates
• Varies based on residual pressure
• Water Demand
• Design Load
• Peak instantaneous demand
• Type of flow
• Continuous
• Intermittent
Water Supply Pipe Design Methods: Simple Empirical Design Method

• Simple systems
• Rules of thumb
• Based on:
• Observation
• Experience
• Code requirements
• Examples:
• Up to three 1⁄2 inch branches can be served by a 3⁄4 inch main
• Up to three 3⁄4 inch branches or up to six 1⁄2 inch branches can be served by a 1 inch
main
• Up to five 3⁄4 inch branches or up to ten 1⁄2 inch branches can be served by a 11⁄4 inch
main
Water Supply Pipe Design Methods: WSFU Design Table Method

• Fixture Unit
• an arbitrarily chosen measure that allows all types of plumbing fixtures to be
expressed in common terms
• Assigned to each fixture
• Relates to flow rates
• used to establish the maximum probable water supply load and drainage load
• Hunter method
• Water Supply Fixture unit (WSFU)
• For fixtures using both hot and cold water, flow rate for each line would be ¾ of the
total WSFU

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Water Supply Pipe Design Methods: WSFU Design Table Method

• Fixture Units
Water Supply Pipe Design Methods: WSFU Design Table Method

• Fixture Units
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Water Supply Pipe Design Methods: WSFU Design Table Method

• Meter and pipe sizing cay be done by:

• Obtain minimum water pressure at the site of the building
• Compute WSFU
• Calculate maximum developed length to the furthest fixture. Developed length can be
calculated by multiplying length by 1.2 to compensate for losses due to friction and
fittings
• Calculate the static head based in the elevation
• Use table to determine the meter and distribution pipe sizing
Water Supply Pipe Design Methods: WSFU Design Table Method
Water Supply Pipe Design Methods: WSFU Design Table Method

• Sample Problem
• Using the WSFU design table method, determine the minimum meter and distribution
pipe sizes. Assume the following:
• Minimum service water pressure for the location is 65 psi.
• Total WSFUs is 28.
• Actual length of pipe between the source of supply and the most remote fixture is 83 ft.
• Elevation above the source of supply is 23 ft.
Water Supply Pipe Design Methods: Velocity Design Method

• Used to select the smallest possible pipe diameter without exceeding the
maximum velocities for the pipe.
• Maximum velocities range from 1.5 to 3.1m/s
Water Supply Pipe Design Methods: Velocity Design Method

• Procedure
1. Sum the total number of WSFUs for hot water and cold water. (See Table 13.7.)
2. Determine maximum probable demand in gpm. (See Table 13.8 or Table 13.9.)
3. Based on the maximum desired velocity (e.g., 8 ft/s or 2.4 m/s) and design load (Q), solve for the
minimum required diameter (Di-min):
• Di-min = sqrt(0.409*Q(gpm)/v(ft/s))
• Di-min = sqrt(21.22*Q(L/min)/v(m/s))
4. Select a pipe size for the appropriate pipe material with an inside diameter equal to or greater than the
minimum required diameter, Di-min.
Water Supply Pipe Design Methods: Velocity Design Method

• Sample Problem
• Using the velocity design method, determine the minimum required size of
hot and cold water supply pipes serving two apartments, each containing a
kitchen sink and a bathroom group as noted in the listing that follows. Use a
maximum velocity of 6 ft/s, because of noise limitations. Assume a system
with predominantly flush tanks and Type L copper tube (Table 12.9 in
Chapter 12).

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Water Supply Pipe Design Methods: Equal Friction Design Method

• More complex and accurate

• Usually requires several Iterations
Water Supply Pipe Design Methods: Equal Friction Design Method

• Procedure
• Find volumetric flow rate
• Note associated pressure drops and velocities
• Select a pipe diameter having the desired pressure drop (including fittings) without
exceeding the velocity limitation requirements.
Water Supply Pipe Design Methods: Equal Friction Design Method

• Sample problem
• Select a nominal pipe diameter of copper pipe (Type L) with a volumetric flow rate of
100 gpm. The desired pressure drop from friction loss is 6 psi in 48 ft. Use a 50%
increase in pressure drop from fitting losses.

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Reference

Wujek, J. B., & Dagostino, F. R. (2010). Mechanical and electrical systems in

architecture, engineering, and construction. Pearson College Division.

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Thank you

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Building Water
Supply
Systems
Overview
• Water Heating
• Water Supply System Design Examples

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Water Heating

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Water Temperatures
• Domestic hot water (DHW)
• Household functions
• Bathing
• Dishwashing
• Building service hot water (BSHW)
• Non domestic applications
• Scalding/Burning of skin
• >45°C
• Tempered Water
• Blend of hot and cold water
• 32°C to 43°C
Domestic Water Heating
• Water Heaters
• Appliance or system that heats water for domestic or building service hot
water use
• Three types
• Storage tank water heater
• Instantaneous on-demand water heater
• Circulating water heater

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Domestic Water Heating
• Storage Tank Water Heater
• Storage tank
• Heating medium
• Fuels
• Natural gas
• Propane
• Fuel oil
• Electric

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Domestic Water Heating
• Instantaneous/Tankless Water Heaters
• Supplies water on demand
• Limited by output of the heater
• More efficient
• Fuels
• Natural gas
• Propane
• Electric

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Domestic Water Heating
• Circulating Water Heaters
• Storage tank
• Heat exchanger
• Heat from a boiler

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Hot Water Recirculating Systems
• Continuous Recirculating
• Constantly occupied buildings

• Timed Recirculating
• Automatically shuts down when building is not in use

• Thermostatically controlled recirculating

• Temperature controlled

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Energy Efficiency
• Energy Factor
• Used to express the efficiency of residential heaters.
• Amount of heat required to warm up hot water for a typical home in a year, divided by the amount of
energy input into the heater to warm that water.
• Coefficient of performance
• Energy output/Energy input

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Determining Water Heater Size
• Design Load
• Peak usage
• Morning
• Early evening

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Determining Water Heater Size
• Storage Tank Water Heaters
• First Hour Rating (FHR)
• FHR = 70% of tank capacity + Recovery Rate
• Recovery Rate
• Amount of water that could be heated to 28°C in one hour

• Instantaneous water heater

• Design load
• Required temperature rise

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Water Supply System Design Examples

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Water Supply System Design Examples
• Demand Load
• List plumbing fixtures on project
• Find the WSFU demand for each floor
• Determine the demand in gallons per minute from the WSFU

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Water Supply System Design
• Upfeed System Design
1. List the information
2. Find the WSFU
3. Establish the demand load
4. Determine the initial pressure losses (Static head losses)
5. Determine the residual pressure required at most remote fixture
6. Find the pressure loss from friction throughout the system
7. Establish the pipe sizes for the main and meter based on residual pressure available
8. Determine the pipe sizes for the risers

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Water Supply System Design Examples
• 4-story apartment building
• 3 in (75 mm) service main
• Street main pressure: 50 psi (345 kPa)
• Horizontal distance of building main: 60 ft
• Fixtures per riser per floor:
• 2 flush valve water closets (toilets)
• 2 tubs with showerheads
• 2 lavatories (bathroom sinks)
• 2 kitchen sinks
• 4 hose bibbs on the first floor (3⁄8 in [10 mm] supply, general
use)
• It should be noted at this point that the apartment
building being sized for a water system has a repetitive
floor plan for each floor

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Water Supply System Design
• Downfeed System Design
1. List the information
2. Find the WSFU
3. Establish the demand load
4. Determine the number of floors per zone and number of zones required
5. Determine static head losses
6. Determine the residual pressure required at most remote fixture
7. Find the pressure loss from friction throughout the system
8. Establish the pipe sizes for the main and meter based on residual pressure available
9. Determine the pipe sizes for the risers

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Water Supply System Design Examples
• 20-story public building
• 50 psi at community main
• Floor-to-floor height: 11 ft (3.4 m)
• Distance from community main to riser: 40 ft (12.2 m)
• Max pressure on fixtures: 55 psi
• Floors 1–18:
• 3 flush valve water closets
• 2 urinals, flush valve
• 2 lavatories
• 1 service sink
• Floors 19 and 20:
• 3 flush tank water closets
• 2 urinals, flush tank
• 2 lavatories
• 1 service sink

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Source:

Wujek, J. B., & Dagostino, F. R. (2010). Mechanical and electrical systems in

architecture, engineering, and construction. Pearson College Division.

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Thank you

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