MEN516 Cold Water distribution systems Dr. N.

Zakhia

Introduction:
This module concentrates on the design and calculations of sanitary
systems used in building applications. Thus, students will perform
calculation to predict and design pipe sizing, venting systems, rain water
systems and sewer pumps.
Therefore, the aims and objectives to install an efficient and economical
plumbing systems, are:
1- Supply of Water
• Provide Safe Drinking-Water Supply
• Provide an Adequate Supply of Water
2- Fixtures units
• Minimum Number of Fixtures and Fixture Spacing
• Quality Sanitary Fixtures and Water Trap Seals
Therefore, this module will cover specifically the following items:
A. Symbols and Legends
B. Calculation of Cold Water Distribution system:
a. Design of risers
b. Daily water requirements
c. Load values water fixtures units (WFU)
d. Pipe sizing
e. Types of pumps
C. Calculation of Hot Water Distribution system
a. Circulating pumps
b. Pipe sizing
c. Electrical, instantaneous Water storage heaters
D. Drawings of water distribution inside flats
Functions of plumbing
Plumbing systems are used to perform 2 primary functions:
a. Water supply: consists of piping and fittings to supply hot and cold
water to fixtures such as: lavatories, bathtubs, water closets,
dishwashers, clothes washer, and sinks. (covered in this module)
b. Waste disposal: consists of piping and fittings required to discharge
the used/supplied water in buildings into the sewer line or disposal
filed. (later module)

Parts of the system

• Building main: municipal
service pipe which extends Lav W.C Tub
into the building to the
furthest riser. The building Horizontal fixture
branch
Lav W.C
main typically runs in a Riser Riser
basement, crawl space, or Building main Cold water

below the concrete floor Hot Hot water

Water
• Riser: extends from the Heater

Building water supply

building main vertically in
the building to the furthest horizontal fixture branch.
• Fixture branch: extends horizontally from the riser to the furthest
fixture to be connected. It is usually run in the floor or in the wall
behind the fixtures.
• Fixture connections: extends from horizontal fixture branch to the
fixture.
• Meter: a device to measure water supply. It is placed in a box and
can be located in the ground, near the street or inside the building.
Symbols and legends of sanitary systems: (see file on blackboard)
Piping Materials:
This module covers only pipes for water supply. Most commonly used
are: copper, wrought-iron (galvanized), and plastic
1. Copper tubing:
Types available are: K, L, and M with K the thickest walls, then L, then M
the thinnest. (Some use copper pipes for DWV since it is easy to install,
soldering, bending and it is highly resistant to accumulation of particles
and corrosion, etc.)
Type K: 2 kinds (hard and soft). Coded in green for quick identification
• Hard type is used primarily under ground water service. It is
available in 12ft-20ft straight lengths.
• Soft type. Used for making coils (up to 100 ft long)
Type L: 2 kinds (hard and soft). It is coded in blue color
• Soft is usually used for replacement plumbing (ease to install).
• Hard is used for new installation in commercial work.
Type M: it is made in hard temper only. It is used for branch supplies
where pressure is not great. (It is NOT used for risers or mains). It is
also used in chilled water system, hot water heating, and drainage
systems.
Note: copper has the lowest friction loss per 100ft.
2. Galvanized steel pipes:
A protective zinc coating is added to steel to prevent rusting. Available in
diameters from 1/8 in. to 24 in. (schedule 40- lightweight). It is mainly
used as the service main from the municipal service to the riser. They are
cheap, easy to handle and light in weight.

Water Reservoirs Galvanized steel pipe Water distribution Galvanized steel pipes

Boiler room with Galvanized steel pipes

Hot Water Galvanized steel pipes
3. Plastic pipes
Economic, easy installation and light (very popular nowadays in housing
and apartments projects). Available in 10-ft lengths
These pipes should carry the NSF (National Sanitary Foundation) seal
before use to ensure safety against poisoning.
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC):
Popular for the modern plumbing system pipe, PVC is a white or grey
pipe used for high-pressure water, commonly used for the main supply
line into the house. It isn’t as flexible as PEX. Thus, it less appropriate
for smaller interior spaces. It is not designed to handle temperature
hotter than 60C. That makes it inapplicable for kitchen drains, where
hot water from cooking or the dishwater could damage the pipe.
Certain versions of PVC, in particular pipes rated DWV, may leach
chemicals and shouldn’t be used for drinking water.
• Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC)
CPVC is PVC that’s been treated with chlorine. CPVC is more easily
shaped and more flexible than PVC, and it can stand up to higher
pressures and temperatures. These properties make CPVC popular for
industrial applications, but this pipe is also used to carry residential
drinking water. On the downside, it requires more support than PVC
pipes. Because it will crack if frozen, it shouldn’t be used underground.
• PEX/PPR:
It is the most popular pipe plastics used today. They replace copper
pipes or chosen as an alternative to other types of plastic. It’s often
installed to deliver both cold and hot water (boiler tubes), and
particularly for drinking water. It is flexible, low cost, ease of fitting
and able to maintain water pressure. PEX pipe is available in red, blue
 and white. While red is typically used for hot water and blue for cold,
there’s no difference in the material. PEX can be used in residential or
business properties. PEX piping is designed for indoor and
underground use. Direct sunlight will cause damage to PEX
pipes, rendering the system unusable outdoors.
Type Cold Hot
water water
Poly ethylene (PE) - 60C
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) - 60C
Chlorinated Polyvinyl chloride (CPVC)92C
Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX/PPR) 95C

Water distribution with PPR @ H.L

Water distribution Galvanized Steel pipes and PPR

Water distribution Galvanized Steel pipes and PPR

Water distribution
Fittings:
A variety of fittings are used for pipe turns, branch lines, joinings on the
straight runs, and stops at the end of the runs. Fittings for steel/wrought-
iron pipes are threaded. Fittings for plastic and copper are made from
the same materials.
- 45 and 90 elbows are used to change pipe direction.
- Unions and coupling are used to join straight runs.
- Tees are used when branch lines must be made.
- Reducing tees allow different pipe sizes to join together.
- Adapters have one end threaded to accommodate the steel pipe
Adapters

Couplings and Unions

Valves
• Gate valve: used to completely shut off or open the water flow. A gate
valve must be installed at each riser, branch, and any pipe to individual
fixtures or equipment.
• Globe valve: Commonly used for regulating flow in a pipe where there
is occasional or periodic use such as lavatories, faucets, hose Bibbs. It
can be partially or fully opened.
• Angle valve: similar to globe valve. Usually used for outside hose
 Bibbs. (higher friction than globe valve)
• Check valve: allows water to flow in a desired direction. This valve
works automatically, so no need for a handle. These valve are usually
used at water feed line to boiler (heating unit) where the water from
the boiler may pollute the system if it backed up.
Note: most valves used for residential purposes can withstand pressures
up to 125 psi ( 6.9 KPa).

Glove Valve Angle Valve Gate Valve Check Valve

Water shock
Arrestors (air chambers type) are used. If not, a length of pipe, installed
right above the water connection will act as a cushion or shock absorber
to control and die the pressure surge from sudden faucets closure.
 Fixtures and Plumbing details

LAVATORY

Bottle Trap

1 ¼”
2” Elbow with Rubber Joint
2” to Floor drain under tile with 2% slope

Typical drainage connection of lavatory

Extension to Mezzanine for AC drain

LAVATORY

Bottle Trap
1 ¼”
2” Elbow with rubber joint
2” to Floor Drain under tile (2% slope)

Typical drainage connection of lavatory

with extension to mezzanine
 Flush Tank

Water Closet

4” to Inspection Cleanout

4”, 90 Elbow Long Radius, with Rubber Joint Connection

Typical drainage connection of WC - vertical discharge with flush
tank

Flush Tank

Water Closet

Long elbow with rubber joint connector

Typical drainage connection of WC - horizontal discharge with flush tank
When space is an issue, concealed cistern is installed in the wall behind WC.

Flush
Recessed Screw
Button
cistern

Support concealed in wall

105
Flush pipe

cm
Threaded
rodNut

cm
40
4” drainage
cm
pipe 25

Typical drainage connection of WC - Wall type with recessed

cistern
 Flush valve is used in public buildings where
water should always be available instantaneously

Flush Valve

Water Closet

4” pipe to inspection cleanout

4” pipe, 90 Elbow, long radius, with rubber joint connector

Typical drainage connection of WC - Vertical discharge with FLUSH Valve
2 elbow with

Bidet
Rubber joint

Bottle Trap
1¼

2” pipe to floor drain-under tile (2% slope)

Typical drainage connection of bidet - horizontal discharge
 Vent pipe Cold water pipe

Hot water pipe

Single hole mixer

HW stop angle valve CW stop angle valve

90 short elbow 90 short elbow
Way elbow
Trap

FRONT VIEW
TWO COMPARTMENT SINK
 Minimum Fixture Clearance – National Plumbing Code 2006

Water Closets
Water closet 9 inches  23 cm

Minimum distance
18 inches  45 cm
30 inches  75 cm

Minimum width requirements for toilet

Minimum distance in front of toilet

Water closet
15 inches  38 cm

15 inches  38 cm
18 inches  45 cm

Minimum distances for legal layout

 Reading the Water Distribution map

Block A
18 Floors

Block B
18 Floors
 Heater 2 Balcony

Bedroom 1 Elevator
Bedroom 2 Void 1

Void 2 Kitchen
Entrance

Master
bedroom
Bedroom 3 Living room Dining room

Balcony

Balcony
Water Distribution inside a Bathroom - Galvanized Steel Pipes

DETAIL - 1

½  C.W. & H.W.

Down in wall ½  H.W.
¾  C.W.
Water Distribution inside a Bathroom - Galvanized Steel Pipes

DETAIL - 2

½ C.W. & H.W. DN in wall for lavatory

½  C.W.
½  H.W.
½  C.W. DN in wall for WC.

½  D.C.W.
½  D.H.W.
 Different types of water supply to buildings

Direct Supply without storage tank Direct Supply to roof tank

Direct Up-feed to floors Up-feed to roof tank
from the city main. No for small building
Storage tank
pump
Water meter
LOT Boundary

Water Draw off

meters points LOT Boundary

Draw off

Government main
points
Government main

Gate valve Check valve

Gate valve Gate Water meter
valve
 Indirect Supply System with a sump and a pump
Float switch

Storage tank

Water meters

Draw off
Lot boundary points

Water meter
Government main

Floating valve

Pumps

Water Storage
tank
 Up-feed Booster pumps (up to 10 floors)
Basement Booster Pump:
It is used to increase the pressure of water coming into the house. It is preferable to have “all-
in-one” pressure booster pump. “All-in-one” means it has the pump, motor, check valve,
pressure and flow sensor, and diaphragm tank complete in one unit”.
Back-up reservoir Back-up reservoir

Constant dia. Constant dia.

Pressure vessel VFD

PRV PRV Pressure

Regulating valve
Booster pump VFD pump
VFD  variable frequency drive pump
 down-feed Booster system (up to 10 floors)
Reservoir Reservoir Reservoir
Roof Booster pump Roof
Booster
pump

Pump Pump
Reservoir Reservoir

Well Pump Well Pump

Combined system: Up-feed and Down-feed
Reservoir

Reservoir
Pump
Zoning:
Tall buildings (more than 20 floors) can be divided into zones. Each zone may contain 10 to 12 floors max
to ensure adequate water pressure to each flat.
The minimum pressure on the upper floor, in each zone, should be kept around 2 bar (29.0 psi) whereas
the maximum pressure on the lowest floor should not exceed 2.9 bar (42.0 psi).

Zones used for Direct and Indirect supply system for high-rise Building (more than 20 floors)
WH AAV
AAV  Air Admittance Valve
(one-way vent) used for Direct water
drainage system. supply to flats

Indirect water supply to WH AAV

flats (using floor tanks)

WH AAV
Roof Tanks for high-rise buildings
• Roof tanks ensure both water
Roof tank Booster roof pump
pressure and water supply in WH AAV

case of power failure. This

solution requires PRV on each
floor in order to avoid Intermediate
tanks
undesired high static

Downfeed
pressures at the tap, which

Upfeed
Downfeed
creates unacceptable noise
while tapping.
• In the upper floors, the static
pressure from roof tank is
insufficient. Thus, these floors
require separate roof booster
pump to create sufficient
pressure.
Pumps station
Advantage and disadvantage of Intermediate tanks
• In high-rise Building systems, break tanks are used to supply both the taps in its own boosting zone
and all the zones above it. With this system, a building is divided into smaller and more manageable
pressure zones of 12 floors each. Every zone is then served by its own booster set.
• No PRV are required
• In case of electrical breakdown, the tank will be able to supply pressure and water for up to 12 hours.
However, the tanks take up valuable space within the building which expensive.

Rules for Domestic tanks (Underground and roof tanks):

• Due to irregular supply of city water, normally water is stored in basement with pump transferring
water to roof tanks. Roof tanks could be single tank for the whole building or separate tanks for
each flat.
• As a rule of thumb for residential building, water is stored for 2-3 day in the basement and 1-day in
the roof.
• Water tanks are provided normally with floating valve, drain valve, discharge valve, overflow and
vent pipe.
• Roof tanks should be elevated enough above roof level (1.2 m above roof) to have enough pressure
for the upper apartment, otherwise booster pump is needed.
1. Underground or basement tanks:

1 ¼  Well water pipe

Potable water
incoming pipe

Tanks capacity:
3 steel pipe Domestic water pumping station
8 x 1000 liters (PE tanks) 3 steel pipe
20 m3/hr @ 95 m each
4 x 1000 liters (PE tanks

2. Types of Roof tanks:

• Concrete
• Galvanized steel
• PPR (widely used)
 Storage Tanks design and requirements

Rectangular steel supply tanks

Cylindrical Shape Tanks – TRIPLE LAYER
Connector
Type Capacity (L) a (mm) b (mm)
(inch)
CTH08 80 500 540 ½”
CTH3 300 750 880 ¾”
CTH5 500 900 1020 ¾”
CTT1 1000 1220 1090 1”
CTT2 2000 1500 1380 1 ½”
CTT3 3000 1650 1660 1 ½”
CTT4 4000 1770 1880 1 ½”
CTT5 6000 1940 2160 1 ½”
CTT6 8000 2150 2400 2”
CTT7 10000 2400 2600 2”
 PPR Roof Tanks – pipe sizes and connection

Automatic float valve

(2000 Liters capacity)

8 tanks
(1000 Liter each)

¾
1½

1.20 m

 2

Domestic water from deep well

 High rise Buildings

BLOCK A
20 floors BLOCK B
24 floors
 Riser Diagram

Domestic Water Tank Block B Domestic Water Tank

(2) 1000 Liters PE Tanks (2) 1000 Liters PE Tanks
3” 2 ½” From D.W.P
4” F.F.P 4” F.F.P
4” C.W.P 4” C.W.P Upper Floor
3” C.W.P 3” C.W.P

Roof

1 ¼” C.W.P 1” C.W.P 4” C.W.P 1” C.W.P 1 ¼” C.W.P

1” F.F.P 1” F.F.P
3” C.W.P 3” C.W.P 3” C.W.P 3” C.W.P

F.F.P
F.F.P

F.H.C Booster Pump is needed F.H.C

24th FLOOR

1” C.W.P 1” C.W.P 1” C.W.P 2 ½“ 1” C.W.P

1” F.F.P
3” C.W.P 3” C.W.P 3” C.W.P 3” C.W.P
F.H.C F.H.C
Booster Pump is needed
4” F.F.P 23th FLOOR

1” C.W.P 1” C.W.P 1” C.W.P 1” C.W.P

1” F.F.P 1” F.F.P
3” C.W.P 3” C.W.P 3” C.W.P 3” C.W.P
F.H.C F.H.C
22nd FLOOR

1” C.W.P 1” C.W.P 1” C.W.P 1” C.W.P

 Design recommendations and Calculations
Fixture-Unit Computations
Computing fixture units is a fundamental element of pipe sizing.
Plumbing codes provide fixture units rating tables for water distribution
and drainage. These rating consider both the potable (domestic) and the
drainage units needed to design a plumbing system. Attention must be
paid to details when reading these tables. keep in mind that water
distribution fixture units (WDFU) have different ratings from the drainage
fixture units (DFU). However, the procedure of computation is the same.
Further, for DFU, it is necessary to know how many FU are assigned to
various types of plumbing FU (obtained from tables provided by codes).

Water Daily Requirement

There are two methods to determine the daily water requirement and
tank capacities:
1. Number of occupants (Table 1). See file on blackboard
2. load values WFU (Figure 103.3(3)). See file on blackboard
Sample of Table – 1. Daily Cold-Water Demand for Storage Tanks
Gallons
Types of establishment
per day/person
Schools (toilets & lavatories only) 15
Rooming houses 40
Residential building 35 - 50
Hotels (with connecting baths) 50
General hospitals 150
Public institutions (other than hospitals) 100
Restaurants (toilet + kitchen wastes/unit of serving capacity) 25
Example - Daily Water Requirement for Storage tanks (Based on the
number of occupants):
Consider building Block-B (24 floors). Each floor consists of 4 flats where
2 of them with 3 bedrooms and 2 with 2 bedrooms +1 room for the Maid
in each flat. As a rule of thumb, we take 2 persons/bedroom. Estimate
the capacity of the storage roof tank for the whole building.
Solution:
# of people/floor = (2 × 3 × 2) + (2 × 2 × 2) + 4 = 24 Persons/floor.
Total # of people in the building:
𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑠
(24 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟
) (24 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑠) + (5 persons for labors) = 581 persons
From Table-1, the daily water demand is between 35-50 gal/day. Thus,
the daily water demand for the whole building is:
50 × 581 = 29000 gallons/day ≈ 110 m3/day = 110 tons of water
Note: A diversity factor (frequency of usage) of 80 - 85% is used to size
the tank.  water demand becomes = 110 x 0.85 = 93.5 tons

Capacity of Underground & Roof Tanks

Based on the Plumbing codes, the daily water requirement is divided
between the roof and the underground tanks as follow:
One day of water capacity will be stored on the roof and 2 to 3 days of
water is stored on the ground floor or basement (if possible).
Consequences of this rule:
For the 24-floor building, the total amount of water stored on the roof is
100 m3 (110 tons). This is an additional weight on the roof. The civil
engineer must take this into account.
On the other hand, there also will be 2 x 110 = 220 m3 will be stored in
the basement floor. This takes up space in the basement which may
affect parking lot where # of cars should be reduced. This must be
considered by the civil engineer (or architect) as well.
N.B: Potable (drinking + cooking) water tank capacity is calculated based
on 5 to 10 L/person/day.

Sizing Water Pipe Systems for Tall Building

(The city main water pressure is unsatisfactory)  using pump
Pipe sizing:
The objective in sizing the water supply system is supplying potable and
domestic water to all fixtures, at all times, at a proper pressure and flow
rate for normal fixture operation. Therefore, adequate sizing of pipes is
needed. Thus, the aim is:
a) To achieve economical size of piping.
b) To avoid corrosion-erosion effects.
c) To reduce water hammering damage and avoid whistling noise
effects in piping due to excess design velocities of flow.

Practical facts:
• Pipe sizing depends on total fixture units in a flat. These FU are
converted into Flow Rates (GPM) using charts and figures.
• These charts are available showing the relation between GPM,
P/100ft, Dpipe, and V.
• The acceptable pressure drop is around 2 - 5 Psi/100ft to avoid
excessive pressure loss and maintain higher pressure for flow rate.
 • Low velocity [V < 0.5 m/s (1.64 ft/sec)] can cause precipitation of
sand and other dirt in the pipe.
• Pipe flow charts are available for different pipes material such as
copper tube, galvanized iron, and plastic pipes.
• Engineering practice recommends the follwoing maximum velocity:
- 8 ft/sec (2.4m/sec) in supply mains (such as risers) to avoid
pipe whistling, pipe cavitation, and excessive noise in fittings.
- 4ft/sec (1.2m/sec) in branch pipes from mains, headers, and
riser’s outlets where the supply is controlled by means of a
quick-closing device such as an automatic flush valve, solenoid
valve, or pneumatic valve, or quick closing valve or faucet of
self-closing, or other similar type. This limitation is necessary to
avoid damaging shock pressures in piping equipment when
flow is suddenly shut off.
• The code recommends to limit velocity in both inlet and outlet
piping for water supply pumps to no more than 4ft/sec (1.2 m/sec).

Procedure to size pipes: Obtain the following information:

a. Free-hand drawing of the project indicating the location of
voids in the building (check with the civil engineer or architect).
b. Select the pipes materials.
c. Effective length (straight length + equivalent length of fittings)
d. Pressure data relative to source of supply
e. Elevation
f. Minimum pressure required at highest water fixture
2. Provide a schematic elevation of the complete water supply system.
Show all piping connection in proper sequence and all fixture
 supplies. Identify all fixtures and risers by means of appropriate
letters, numbers or combinations (identify all Hot and cold-water
piping, and all branch piping to such water outlets as automatic
flush valves, solenoid valves, quick-closing valves).
3. Mark on the map, the hot- and cold F.U. and their GPM
4. size all individual fixture supply pipes to water outlets in accordance
with the minimum sizes permitted by regulations. See table for
“Minimum supply pipe size”.
5. Size all parts of the water supply system in accordance with velocity
limitation (2.4 m /sec for all piping, except 1.2 m /sec for branches)
GPM

Pressure drop, (psi/100 feet)

 How to use these pipe flow charts?
Example:
A fairly rough steel pipe is used to deliver 20 gpm of water at ordinary
temperature with a maximum allowed pressure drop of 5 Psi/100 ft.
What would be the recommended pipe size that can be used?
Solution:
Locate the state of 20 gpm and 5 Psi/100 ft on the figure  read
GPM

V  5.25 ft/sec (between 4 and 8 ft/sec  acceptable). Now, “D” lies

between 1 ¼ and 1.
• If the 1 pipe is selected  the pressure drop will be 13 Psi/100 ft
which is greater than the given value. This is unacceptable.
• Choosing D = 1 ¼, P will be 4 Psi/100 ft (less than the maximum
allowed pressure drop. This is acceptable (V  4.5 m/s).
HWK
Size the hot and
cold-water pipes.
Due on …

Computation of Fixture-Unit
Pipe sizing is based on computing the fixture units, F.U. Plumbing codes
provide fixture units rating tables for water supply and drainage.
Attention must be paid to details when reading these tables. keep in
mind that water distribution fixture units (WDFU) have different ratings
from the drainage fixture units (DFU). However, the procedure of
computation is the same. Further for DFU, it is necessary to know how
many FU are assigned to various types of plumbing FU (these are
obtained from tables provided by codes).
P.S: Not all codes assign same FU. Examples will be provided reading and
evaluating these FU.
Steps of calculation: Charts & figures are uploaded on blackboard.
1. Determine the number of FU’s from Table E 103.3 (2)
2. Convert FU to demand load using Table E 103.3 (3) or chart A-2
3. Select the pipe material then determine the pipe size using the
appropriate “pipe flow chart”.
General remarks on installation of water pipes
This is the most crucial part in pipes design
• Every apartment should have a gate valve on the main cold-water
pipe feeding the apartment. Every bathroom should have two gate
valves, one for cold and the second for hot water pipe.
• Each fixture should have an angle valve for maintenance reason.
• Exposing pipes should be installed approximately 3 cm from wall
with hangers and supports.
• Antirust paint is recommended for all expose steel pipes such as:
Fortress, Hammerite (different colors), …
• Pipe under tiles or in walls are preferred to be PPR. However, steel
pipes can be used. The pipe is wrapped with jute and asphalt.
• Pipes crossing walls should be
through pipe sleeves (they serve as
an insulation as well)
• Rule of thumb: Not more than two
fixtures should be served by a single
½” branch
Example
It is required to determine the flow rate
(gpm) of a flat having the following fixtures: 3 W.C (flash tank) + 2 bidet +
3 lavatory + 1 shower + 2 bath tub + 1 sink + 1 Dish washer.
solution: From table 103.3(2) we get:
(3 × 2.2 F.U. + 2 × 2 F.U. + 3 × 0.7 F.U. + 1 × 1.4 F.U. +2 × 1.4 F.U. + 1 × 1.4
F.U. + 1 × 1.4 F.U.) = 19.7 F.U. ≅ 20 F.U
From table 103.3(3), at FU = 20  read GPM = 19.6 for this flat, or from
Chart 3, read flow rate = 1.0 L/s = 3.6 m3/hr.

Pressure requirements needed for pipe sizing:

1. Fixture minimum supply pressures. See sample table 604.3 below.
Sample of Table 604.3 – Min. flow rates and supply pressure for some fixtures
Minimum Supply
Flow rate
Fixtures Pressure
(GPM) (L/min) (psi) (kPa)
Bathtub faucet 5 19 8 55
Lavatory faucet, self-closing 2.5 10 8 55
Shower head 5 19 8 55
Shower, temperature controlled 3 10 20 138
Sink faucet 3/4" 6 23 8 55
Urinal flush valve 15 56 15 110
Water closet with flush valve 35 132 25 170
Water closet with flush tank 2.5 10 8 55
1 psi = 6.895 kPa 1 bar = 1-meter wg
2. Pressure Required at the inlet of each flat
• The code states that pressure at the inlet of the flat should be
between 2.0 bars (20 m) to about 2.9 bars (30 m).
• If the pressure is more than 2.9 Bar, a break-pressure tank or
pressure reducing valve (PRV) must be used.
• The available pressure at the inlet of the flat (2 to 2.9 bar), has to
overcome the pressure loss due to pipe friction, fittings of the
longest branch and have a surplus pressure to operate the most
critical fixture (i.e. Dish washer or shower).
• Pressure Drop, P =  x hL + Surplus pressure. (hL is the head loss
due to pipe friction)
 • The pressure drop due to fittings on straight pipe is taken around
25 to 30% or calculate the effective length for minor losses. See
tables below. It is always recommended to use the K-value to
calculate the minor losses.
3. The hydrostatic pressure available at each shut-off valve
Keep in mind that 0.434 psi is needed to push water up for 1 ft.
Therefore, the static head loss = 0.434 psi x vertical rise of water.
4. Pressure reducing valve, PRV, and its adjustment:
The adjustment must be done without downstream flow. Most PRV
are designed and factory preset to 3 bars. The valve can be adjusted
between 1.5 to 5.5 bar.
• To increase the pressure, tighten the adjusting screw clockwise
(as you look at the screw from above)
• To reduce the pressure, unscrew
counterclockwise and slightly open a tap
for a moment. Close again, then tighten the
screw again until you obtain the desired
pressure.
• A gage pressure may be fitted (if desired)
on each side of the PRV
LOCATION OF PRV IN TALL BUILDING – Block B

PRV
2 ½”
 Water feed systems
The water pressure supplied in community mains should be around 50 to
60 psi (3 to 4 bar). 2 basic systems to feed water into buildings:
1. Upfeed: the water is supplied directly into flats from the municipal
main. This means that the municipal water pressure is high enough
to overcome losses, static (the pressure to push water up vertically
into the riser) and dynamic heads at the inlet of each flat.
Recall that it requires 0.434 psi to push water up 1 ft. for instance,
pushing water up for 20 ft, it requires a static head of
20 x 0.434 psi = 8.68 psi ( 0.6 bar).
2. Downfeed: used when the in buildings which cannot adequately
serviced to top floor by an upfeed system, the water is pumped to
an elevated storage tank and the water is fed down into the
building. This is called downfeed system. A pump may also be used
at the municipal main to boost the pressure.

End of this module