WATER SYSTEM IN A BUILDING:

A system consisting of building supply pipe, water distributing

pipes, and necessary connecting pipes, fittings, control valves, and
all appurtenances carrying or supplying potable water in or adjacent
to the building or premises.
 WATER:
 Is a combination of two chemical elements called hydrogen and
oxygen.
 It appears in natural state as;
 liquid
 solid (in the form of an ice)
 gas (in the form of water vapor or steam)
 The Three Sources of Water;

 Rain Water

 Natural Surface Water – from streams and rivers

 Underground Water
Precipitation

The result when the tiny

condensation particles
grow too large. Water
released from clouds in
the form of rain, freezing
rain, sleet, snow, or hail.
 Pressure in plumbing is the force required to move the water inside
the pipe. It is the only means necessary to overcome friction.
 Static Pressure – the pressure exerted by water at rest.

 Normal Pressure – refers to the pressure range measured over a period

of 24 hours. Normal pressure for a residential house ranges from 30 to
40 psi. Lower than this value may result to insufficient flow of
water, especially, during simultaneous use of the fixtures. On other
hand, water pressure greater than 50 psi may cause pipe hammering or
even bursting of pipe joints.

Air chamber to
prevent water
hammering
 Pressure Reducing Valve – a device use to minimized excessive water
pressure
 Critical Pressure – refers to the maximum and minimum pressure at
which proper function of the water supply system can be maintained.
 Friction Head Loss – refers to the loss in rate of flow, due to
friction between the water and the walls of the pipe.
 Pressure Loss – refers to the variations in pressure between the water
main and the outlet end of the water service. Pressure loss is
generally caused by friction.

 Other Causes of Pressure Loss:

 Simultaneous draw or use of water

 Height or distance to which the water must flow
 Fluctuation of water pressure in the water main
 Mineral element in water that adhere to the interior of the pipe
reducing diameter
 Inadequate size of pipe
 Causes of Water Pressure Fluctuation from the Water Mains:

 Peak load
 Emergency draw
 Breakdown of lines or pumping unit
 Insufficient water level at the water system reservoir

 Maximum and Probable Demand:

 Maximum Demand – refers to the maximum water discharge of fixtures in

terms of fixture units. The maximum demand of water is equal to the
Total Fixture Units in the plumbing system, where one unit is valued
at 8 gallons of water discharge per minute interval.

Example:
A water closet is valued at 6 fixture units;

∴6 𝑥 8 = 48 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠
Illustrative Problem:
A residential house has 3 water closets, 3 lavatories, 1 kitchen sink and
3 shower baths. Determine the maximum demand of water.
Solution:
1. Determine the total fixture units

Type of Fixture No Fixture Unit Total Units

Water Closet 3 6 18
Lavatories 3 1 3
Kitchen Sink 1 2 2
Shower Baths 3 2 6
TOTAL = 29

2. The maximum water demand is;

𝑀𝐷 =29 𝑥 8=152 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠 → 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟

Illustrative Problem:
Determine the maximum demand of water to serve the following fixtures; 12
water closets, 3 slop sinks, 12 wash basin, 6 urinals and 6 combination
fixtures
Solution:
1. Determine the total fixture units
Type of Fixture No Fixture Unit Units
Water Closet 12 6 72
Slop sinks 3 3 9
Wash basin 12 1 12
Urinals 6 5 30
Combination fixtures 6 3 18
TOTAL Units = 141

2. The maximum water demand is;

𝑀𝐷=141 𝑥 8 =1138 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠 → 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟

 Probable Demand or Peak Load – this is one factor to be considered in
determining the size of water service pipe. The question on how many
fixtures will be used simultaneously at one point in time is difficult
to ascertain but according statistical survey; “the fewer the number
of fixtures installed, the higher the percentage of probability of
simultaneous use, and the greater the number of fixtures installed,
the lower the percentage of probable simultaneous use”.

It is presumed that, “ if a fixture can discharge, only a given

quantity of water, wherein the water supply may not be overtaxed above
this amount of water without causing overflow of the fixtures being
used, then, the maximum demand of water is the total sum of its
fixture units wherein each fixture unit represents 8 gallons of
water”.
 Table 13-1: Probability of Simultaneous Use of Fixtures:

Number of Fixture Units Percentage of Simultaneous Use

1 to 5 50 to 100%
6 to 50 25 to 50%
51 or more 10 to 25%

The Probable Demand is not likely to exceed 25% of the Maximum Demand,
especially for average size residential buildings. This figure may be
used, to establish the size of water service pipe.

Illustrative Problem:

Determine the probable demand of the following fixture installed; 2 water

closets, 1 lavatory, 1 bath tub, 1 shower bath and 1 kitchen sink.
Solution:
1. Determine the total fixture units
Type of Fixture Quantity Fixture Unit Unit
water closet 2 6 12
lavatory 1 1 1
bath tub 1 2 2
shower bath 1 2 2
kitchen sink 1 2 2
Total Units= 19
2. The maximum water demand is;

𝑀𝐷 =19 𝑥 8 =152 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠

3. The 152 gallons of water maximum demand is likely to be consumed in
one minute. Thus, it may be reduced by 25% to 50% to the probable demand.
4. Assume a 30% reduction ;
5. Probable Demand,
 Table 13-2: Gallons of Water per Minute on 10 mm diameter galvanized
Iron or Plastic Pipe:

Water Pressure LENGTH OF PIPE IN METERS

at Main or Tank
Pounds Newton 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60
10 44.5 9 5 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2
20 89.0 10 6 5 4 4 3 3 3 3 2
30 133.4 10 8 6 5 4 4 4 3 3 3
40 178.0 10 9 7 6 5 4 4 4 3 3
50 222.4 10 9 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 4
 Table 13-3: Gallons of Water per Minute on 12 mm diameter galvanized
Iron or Plastic Pipe:

Water Pressure LENGTH OF PIPE IN METERS

at Main or Tank
Pounds Newton 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60
10 44.5 10 8 5 5 4 3 3 3 3 3
20 89.0 14 10 8 6 6 5 5 4 4 4
30 133.4 18 12 40 8 7 7 6 6 5 5
40 178.0 20 14 11 10 8 8 7 7 6 5
50 222.4 20 16 13 11 10 9 8 7 7 7
 Table 13-4: Gallons of Water per Minute on 20 mm diameter galvanized
Iron or Plastic Pipe:

Water Pressure LENGTH OF PIPE IN METERS

at Main or Tank
Pounds Newton 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60
10 44.5 22 14 12 10 8 8 7 6 6 6
20 89.0 30 22 18 14 12 12 10 10 10 8
30 133.4 38 26 22 18 16 14 14 12 12 10
40 178.0 38 30 24 22 19 17 16 16 15 13
50 222.4 38 34 28 24 22 19 18 17 16 15
 Table 13-5: Gallons of Water per Minute on 25 mm diameter galvanized
Iron or Plastic Pipe:

Water Pressure LENGTH OF PIPE IN METERS

at Main or Tank
Pounds Newton 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60
10 44.5 40 28 22 18 16 15 14 13 12 11
20 89.0 55 40 32 27 24 22 20 19 18 16
30 133.4 70 50 40 34 30 27 25 23 22 20
40 178.0 80 58 45 40 35 32 29 27 25 24
50 222.4 80 65 50 45 40 36 33 31 29 27
 Table 13-6: Gallons of Water per Minute on 32 mm diameter galvanized
Iron or Plastic Pipe:

Water Pressure LENGTH OF PIPE IN METERS

at Main or Tank
Pounds Newton 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60
10 44.5 80 55 45 37 35 30 37 26 25 24
20 89.0 110 80 65 55 50 45 42 38 36 34
30 133.4 110 100 80 70 60 56 50 47 45 43
40 178.0 110 110 95 80 72 65 60 56 52 50
50 222.4 110 110 107 92 82 73 68 63 60 58
 Table 13-7: Gallons of Water per Minute on 38 mm diameter galvanized
Iron or Plastic Pipe:

Water Pressure LENGTH OF PIPE IN METERS

at Main or Tank
Pounds Newton 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60
10 44.5 120 90 70 60 55 50 45 40 40 35
20 89.0 170 130 100 90 75 70 65 60 55 50
30 133.4 170 160 130 110 100 90 80 75 70 65
40 178.0 170 170 150 130 110 100 90 90 80 80
50 222.4 170 170 170 140 130 120 110 100 90 90
 Table 13-8: Gallons of Water per Minute on 50 mm diameter galvanized
Iron or Plastic Pipe:
Water Pressure LENGTH OF PIPE IN METERS
at Main or Tank
Pounds Newton 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60
10 44.5 240 160 130 110 100 90 80 80 80 70
20 89.0 300 240 200 160 150 140 130 120 110 100
30 133.4 300 300 240 200 180 160 150 140 140 130
40 178.0 300 300 280 240 220 200 190 160 160 150
50 222.4 300 300 300 280 240 220 200 200 180 160

On water service pipes for large buildings, the National Plumbing Code
provides that; “The minimum size of water service pipes from the curb to
the building shall be diameter for the following fixtures”;

1. Sill Cock 4. Sink 7. Water Closet

2. Hot Water Boiler 5. Lavatories
3. Laundry Tray 6. Bathtub
 Table 13-9: Right Flow and Pressure Required for Various Fixtures :

Fixture Flow Gallons Flow per

Pressure Minute
Ordinary Basin Faucet 8 3.0
Self closing basin faucet 12 2.5
Sink faucet – 10 mm diameter 10 4.5
Sink faucet – 12 mm diameter 5 4.5
Bathtub faucet 5 6.0
Laundry tub cock 5 5.0
Shower 12 5.0
Ball cock for faucet 15 3.0
Flush valve for faucet 10-12 1.5-4.0
Flush valve for urinal 15 1.5
Garden hose, 15 m & sill cock 30 5.0
 Table 6.5: EQUIVALENT WATER SUPPLY FIXTURE UNITS (NPCP):
FIXTURE Number of Water Supply Fixture
Unit
Private Use Public Use
Bar sink 1 2
Bathtub (with or without shower over) 2 4
Bidet 2 4
Dental unit or Cuspidor - 1
Drinking fountain (each faucet) 1 2
Hose bibb or sill cock (standard type) 3 5
Laundry tub or Clothes washer (each pair of 2 4
faucet)
Lavatory 1 2
Lavatory dental 1 1
Lawn sprinkles (standard type, each head) 1 1
Mobile home (each) 6 6
Shower (each head) 2 4
Sink (bar) 1 2
Sink (flushing rim clinic) - 10
Sink or Dish washer 2 4
Sink (wash-up circular spray) - 4
Sink (wash-up, each set of faucets) - 2
Urinal (flush tank) - 3
Urinal (pedestal or similar type) - 10
Urinal (stall) - 5
Urinal (wall) - 5
Water closet (flush tank) 3 5
Water closet (economical flush) 2.5 4
Water closet (flushometer-tank) 3 5
Water closet *(flushometer valve) * *
Water supply outlets for items not listed above
shall be computed at their maximum demand but
in case less than;
a – 9.5mm 1 2
b – 13mm 2 4
c – 19mm 3 6
d – 25mm 6 10

 Water Pumps and Lifts:

Public water distribution system usually has an average water pressure

of 50 psi, that is only adequate to serve building less than 5 storey
high. Taller buildings require additional pump equipment prepared by
professional engineers who compute probable demand and the pressure loss
due to head and friction.
 Two Classification of Hot Water Tank;
The size of hot water tank depends on the following considerations;
1. The kind of building served

2. The expected number of occupants

3. The heating capacity of the supply device

 TABLE 14-1: HOT WATER CONSUMPTION

Kind of Building Gallon per Person

Office Buildings 4 to 5
School Buildings 2 to 3
Apartments Buildings 8
Hotels 8 to 10
Factories 4 to 6
Residential 10
 TABLE 14-2: WORKING LOAD OF HOT WATER
Kind of Building Average Working Load
School, Office and Industrial type 25%
Apartments and Residences 35%
Hotels and Restaurants 50%

Example:
A 50 rooms hotel with an average occupant of two would require a
storage tank according to the rated consumption per person of about ;

50 𝑥 2 𝑥 10 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠 =1,000 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠

50% of this rated daily consumption per person is the safe load. Thus,
50% of 1,000 gallons is;
0.50 𝑥 1,000 =500 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠
500 gallons will be the basis in finding the size of tank
Illustrative Problem:
Determine the size of a residential boiler tank required to served a
family of 6 persons
Solution:
1. Solve for the total rated hot water consumption. Refer to Table 14-1
( 6 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑠 ) ( 10 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠 /𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 )=60 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠
2. Determine the working load. Refer to Table 14-2
( 60 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠 ) ( 35 % )=21 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠
3. Convert gallons into cubic meters
21
= 0.08 𝑐𝑢 . 𝑚
264
4. Determine the dimension of the tank, assume a height of 0.90m
V

0.08

𝐷 =0.34 𝑚
∴ 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑘35 𝑐𝑚𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑥 90𝑐𝑚h𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡 →𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟
 Types of Pumps:
 Piston Pumps - can be defined as it is a positive displacement pump.
These pumps use a piston, diaphragm, otherwise plunger for moving
liquids. These pumps use check valves as the input and output valves.
The general piston-pump is a rotary pump which uses a wheel or
revolving shaft for operating the piston.
Types of Piston Pumps:

1. The Single Action Pump

2. The Double Action Pump

3. The Duplex or Twin Piston Pump

The Piston Pump is used on small water distribution system for

elevating water in wells or other sources.

 Centrifugal Pumps - is a mechanical device designed to move a fluid

by means of the transfer of rotational energy from one or more driven
rotors, called impellers. Fluid enters the rapidly rotating impeller
along its axis and is cast out by centrifugal force along its
circumference through the impeller's vane tips
The Centrifugal Pump is associated with tall building water
distribution system (type of pump that is commonly used in households due to its
versatility and efficiency. And mas less expensive ccompared to other types of pumps)

 Water Service Fittings and Devices

Plumbing installations are subject to breakdown, because of their so

many working parts. It is therefore necessary, that all types of
water system be provided with sufficient number of valves, where
they are mostly needed. Valve is necessary to avert serious damages
of the installation in case of service breakdown.
Where there is insufficient number of valves installed, a major repair
may require shutting off of the entire water system. It has been
observed, that, in some installations, certain types of valves are used
where they are not supposed to be. It is therefore necessary to know the
different types of valves and their uses.

 Types of Different Valves:

 Gate Valve – is used to completely close, or completely open the line

but not necessarily to control the flow of water. Gate valve are
connected to the main supply and pump line wherein operation is
infrequent. The name gate valve is taken from the gate-like disc that
moves across the flow.
Types of Gate Valves:
1. The Wedged Shape or Tapered Disc – is used where the stem must be
installed pointing downward

2. The Double Disc Valve – closes in the same manner as the wedged
type, except that its parallel face drop in a vertical position, and
are forced apart by the disc spreader. This type of valve is used in
cold liquid and sewage disposal installation.
 Globe Valve – is actuated by a stem screw, and hand wheel, suited on
installations that calls for throttling. Globe valve affords greater
resistance to flow than the gate valve because of the change in flow
directions.
Types of Globe Valves:
1. The Plug Type Disc Valve – has a wide bearing surface producing good
resistance to cutting effects of scale, dirt and other kind of foreign
matter found inside the pipe.

2. The Conventional Disc Valve – has a pressure tight bearing between

the disc and the seat recommended for cold water and any temperature
service.
3. The Composition Disc Valve – is used for various types of services
on oil, gasoline, steam, and hot or cold water.

 Angle Valve – operates in the manner as the globe valve. It is

available in similar range of disc and seat design. Angle valve is
used in making turn in a line to reduce the number of joints.
 Foot Valve – is located at the lower end of pump, used to prevent
loss of priming the pump. It is sometimes referred to as retention
valve.

 Check Valve – main function is to prevent the reversal flow of gas or

liquid in the line. It is principally used in industrial piping
connections for gas, water, steam, air and other general vapor
services.
 Safety Valve – is used on cold water systems, heating systems,
compressed air lines, and other pipelines with excessive pressure.
 Other Water Service Fittings and Devices

 The Corporation Stop– is inserted into the water main. It serves as a

control of water service. And also serve as shut off, when the
service is disconnected.
 The Curb Stop– is installed between the curb and the sidewalk line
accessible to cast iron stop box equipped with removable cover. It
serves as control stop of the service between the curb and the
building. It shut off water supply in case the basement becomes
flooded.
 The Meter Stop– is a controlling stop of the entire water supply in
building.
 The Water Meter – is a device used to measure the amount of water
that passes through the water service.
Water Service Connection