Presented by:

Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Late Shri. Vishnu Waman Thakur Charitable Trust's

VIVA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
Affiliated to University of Mumbai &
Approved by Council of Architecture (CoA), New Delhi

Building Services – Semester 3

Design of water storage tanks, and
down take pipes –lecture 1
Need for water storage in buildings
A water storage tank is a container for
storing water.

They are needed for:

1. Providing uninterrupted water

supply for various purpose.

2. to maintain a storage for the fire

fighting requirement of the building
The water may be stored either in
overhead tanks (OHT) and/or
underground/Ground tanks (UGT).

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

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 Types of water storage tanks
Water storage tanks are used to store water for

 Drinking(domestic use)

 Raw Water Storage Tanks

 STP Tanks

 RO & DM water tanks

 Firewater tanks

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

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 Classification of Water storage tanks

Based on Based on Shape Based on Material

Placement of the of the water of the water
water storage storage storage

 Resting on the  Plastic

 Circular
ground  Fibre glass
 Rectangular
 Overhead  Metal Tanks
 Under ground  RCC tanks

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Classification
Based on Placement of the water storage

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

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RESTING ON GROUND
 This type of tank can be seen
above the ground and consumed
space in the property.

 Pipes can be attached directly for

irrigation purpose without the
need of pumps.
 Pumps are required for water usage for above floors.

 More economical and easy to install.

 Many old building will have water storage tanks resting on ground.

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

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RESTING ON GROUND
Disadvantages:

 Above ground tanks are vulnerable

to vandalism and damage from
harsh weather conditions.

 Strong winds can blow the tank

away if it is empty and intense
heat can deteriorate or crack the
plastic tanks.
 water in above ground tanks is usually very cold in winter and
hot in the summer. It can be costly to insulate the tanks.

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

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OVERHEAD
 Overhead Water Storage Tank is a usual
Water storage tank but are built on a
certain height.

 The water from the ground level is filled

inside the tank through pumping.

 The main purpose is to achieve an even

distribution and it maintains constant
pressure and flows, at the time of
discharge when the water comes down
from a certain height it has a sufficient
increase in pressure that makes it serves
at a constant rate in almost every outlet.

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

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OVERHEAD

 Gravity plays an important role for the flow

of water.

 In power failure or pump failure pressure

remains constant.

 If all the pumps are failed water pressure

will be still for fire suppression and other
critical needs.

 Main disadvantage of OHT is it’s costly to

construct and puts a significant load on the
structural system.

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 UNDERGROUND TANK
 Underground water tanks are mostly
used in areas where there is space
constraint.

 Water in the underground tank is not

affected by extreme weather conditions.
 The underground tanks maintain cool temperatures in both winter and
summer.

 Underground tanks are safe and secure from vandals and harsh
weather conditions. There is no risk of deterioration or damage due to
extreme heat or strong winds

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 UNDERGROUND TANK
 Excavation is needed for underground
tank with the additional cost of digging a
pit and extra plumbing underground
tanks proves to be more expensive

 Water pump is required to access the water quickly, unlike above

ground or overhead tanks that can depend on gravity instead.

 If the tank is not fixed correctly it may develops cracks which will be
difficult to repairs.

 It is difficult to install as compared to other tanks.

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Classification
Based on Shapes of the water storage

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 CIRCULAR
 It is the simplest form of water tank.
 circular water tank requires less amount
of materials compared to rectangular
water tank For the same amount of
storage .
 It has no corner and can be made water
tight easily.
 Water exerts pressure equally in all
directions.
 Circular Plastic water tanks can be
transported and installed easily.

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 RECTANGULAR TANK
 Rectangular Tanks are provided when
capacity of liquid to be stored is small.
 For small capacities, circular tanks are
uneconomical on account of curved
shuttering thus Rectangular Tanks prove
to be economical in this case.
 Unlike Circular tanks, rectangular tanks
occupy entire available area, so it is easy
to divide the tank in compartments &
design.
 Most commonly used in residential
buildings

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Classification
Based on Materials used for water storage
tanks
 Plastic
 Fibre glass
 Metal Tanks
 RCC tanks

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar
Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Comparison between Plastic and concrete tans
Plastic Water Tanks Concrete Water Tanks

Composition High- Density Reinforced cement

polyethylene concrete
Durability Less durable More durable
Strength Low strength, can break Can generate cracks
easily with time. Can be
repaired
Weight Light weight Heavy and Strong
Maintenance Requires minimal Maintenance cost is
maintenance, it is easy higher, difficult to clean
to clean
Installation Easier to install Skilled person required
for construction
Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar
Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Comparison between Plastic and concrete tans
Plastic Water Tanks Concrete Water Tanks

Time for construction Requires less time for Construction is time

construction (mostly consuming
ready made)
Manufacturers Sintex, Purvi, Finolex, Can be constructed by
National plastics, etc. local contractor &
fabricated on site
Leakage Less prone to leakage Leakage may become a
major problem, if not
constructed properly
Colour resistance to Low resistance to UV High resistance to UV
UV light light, may fad the light.
colour, become brittle
causing cracks
Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar
Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Comparison between Plastic and concrete tans
Plastic Water Tanks Concrete Water Tanks

Summer season Water becomes hot Keeps water cool

quickly
Growth of Algae Growth of algae doesn’t Presence of light may
take place cause growth of algae
& may pollute the
water
Cleaning Easy to clean Difficult to clean

Rusting Rustproof Not rustproof, any

leakage in the tank will
be subjected to
corrosion
Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar
Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Comparison between Plastic and concrete tans
Plastic Water Tanks Concrete Water Tanks

Shifting Can be transported Cannot be removed

anywhere and upto any
height
Cyclone Tank may get dislocated Stable in its original
fro its original position position
Earthquake Safe during the Crack may appear on
earthquake the tank surface , or
sometimes tank can
collapse
Flexibility Connection is flexible Connection is rigid

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Comparison between Plastic and concrete tans
Plastic Water Tanks Concrete Water Tanks

Size & Shape Available upto 50000 litres, Can be constructed in

Plastic tanks are mostly any size and shape
cylindrical or Rectengular
Cost Cheaper, Costlier, atleast thrice
Rs. 5 to Rs. 10 per litre that of plastic tanks,
higher the terrace,
higher the labour cost
Health hazards Plastic tanks cannot be Can we recycled, has
recycled and can release no harmful effect on
harmful toxins when exposed the water stored.
to extreme heat.
Fire resistance Non fire resistance Fire resistant

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Watch a video

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Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Design of water storage tanks

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Factors considered which designing
a water storage tank
1. Water supply requirements of the a building

2. Duration and amount of water available from water

supply source

3. The type of water supply system incorporated in

buildings

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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Water supply requirements (Residential)
As per NBC:
 For communities with population up to 20000,
water supply of 70 to 100 litres per head per day is considered adequate for all
purposes domestic and flushing

 For communities with population 20000 to 100000,

Water supply of 100 to 150 litres per head per day is considered adequate for all
purposes domestic and flushing

 For communities with population above 100000 together,

Water supply of 150 to 200 litres per head per day is considered adequate for all
purposes domestic and flushing

Mumbai’s population is 12.5 million (2011). On an average 135 litres per head per day is
considered adequate for all purposes domestic and flushing.

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Water supply requirements (other buildings)
Sr. no. Type of Building Consumption per day, litres
1 Factories
With bathrooms 45 per head
With out bathrooms 30 per head
2 Hospitals (including laundry)
Number of beds not exceeding 100 340 per head
Number of beds exceeding 100 450 per head
3 Hotels
Hotels up to 4 star 180 per head
5 star and above 320 per head
4 Offices 45 per head
5 Restaurants 70 per head
6 Cinemas, concert halls, theatres 15 per head
7 Schools
Day Schools 45 per head
Boarding schools 135 per head
Note : For calculating water demand for visitors a consumption of 15 litres per head, per day may taken

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Water supply continuity
 Government water supply to any particular place depends on the
population of the place and water availability from the water
source.

 A 2007 study by the Asian Development Bank showed that in 20

cities the average duration of supply was only 4.3 hours per day.

 None of the 20 cities had continuous supply. The longest duration

of supply was 12 hours per day in Chandigarh, and the lowest was
0.3 hours per day in Rajkot.

 In Mumbai, duration of water supply is different in different

location based on the population density in various locations.
On an average its 1-2 hrs a day. (some places the supply is for longer time)

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Type of water supply system incorporated
in buildings
There are Four basic methods of distribution of water to a multi-
storeyed buildings.

1. Direct supply from mains

2. Direct Pumping Systems with pneumatic pumps

3. Overhead tank distribution

4. Combined system of Underground and Overhead Tanks Distribution

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Direct supply from mains
This system is adopted when adequate
pressure is available in the municipal mains
laid in the street to feed water to the top
most floor in the building throughout day
and water supply is available 24 hrs from the
main source.

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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Direct Pumping Systems
 In this system water is collected into water
tank (underground or surface water tank)
from the municipal main and from there it is
pumped to individual fixtures as and when
required.

 Here each house can have a storage tank of

their own to make water available during non
pumping hours.

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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Overhead Tanks
Distribution
This system is mostly used for low
rise buildings or individual bungalows.

All the water required is pumped fro

the main sources and stored in OH
tank

This OH tank supplies water to

individual fixtures whenever required.

Here gravity is used to supply water

to individual house.
Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar
Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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Combined system of Underground and Overhead
Tanks Distribution
 Water from the UGT is pumped to the Overhead
tank and from there water is supplied to various
floors and to various fixtures.

 Here pup is used to transfer water from UG tank to

OH tank and from overhead tank water is supplied
through gravity

 Water supply is not affected by peak hour

load

 Water supply not affected by power

interruptions

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Capacity for storage tanks
A building can have only UGT or OHT tank or a combination of both

NOTE—General guidelines for calculation of capacity of these storage

tanks are as follows:
(As per NBC norms)

a) ln case only OHT is provided, it maybe taken as 33.3 to 50 percent of

one day’s requirement
b) In case only UGT is provided , it maybe taken as 50 to150 percent of
one day’s requirement
c) In case combined storage is provided ,It maybe taken as 66.6 percent
UGT and 33.4 percent OHT of one day’s requirement.

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Capacity for storage tanks
 In practise underground tank is built with minimum full capacity of
the water requirement and minimum storage of half a day’s supply
for overhead tanks.

 When only one communication pipe is provided for water supply to

a building, it is not necessary to have separate storage for flushing
and domestic purposes for health reasons.

 If different sources of water is used, examples municipal water, bore

well, rainwater then compartments are made in tanks separate for
domestic and flushing.

 Flushing compartment is 1/3 rd the capacity while domestic

compartment is 2/3rd the capacity of the tank
Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar
Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Lets calculate water storage tanks for a
bungalow with
4 people

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Water Storage tank- Calculations For a bungalow
 With 135 litres daily use per person per day
 For a typical family (4 members)
 Total water requirement is 135 litres x 4 = 650 litres per day.
 In order to find volume of water needed per day for the family, we
need to convert 650 litres of water into volume of water
 The formula for conversion is
1 m3 = 1000 litres
1 litre = 1/1000 m3
1 litre = 0.001 m3
 Our requirement is 650 litres,
650 x0.001 = 0.65 m3 (Volume)

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Water Storage tank- Calculations For a bungalow
In order to get the size of the water tank, you need to mention at least
one dimension (Length, Width or Depth of the water tank).
Therefore, to store 0.65 m3 Volume of 1.47m
water lets
Assume our water tank depth as 0.6 m

0.74m
And length equal to breath (l =2b)
Note: you can also replace your input
if you know the length,
Area of tank = l x b x h = 0.65
2b x b x 0.6 = 0.65 0.3 free
board
2b x b = 1.083
b² = 0.54
b = √0.54 = 0.74 m
L = 2b = 2x0.74 = 1.47m
m
Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar
Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Water Storage tank- Calculations For a bungalow
1.47m
So, For tank with 650 litres
water capacity
L = 1.47 m

0.74m
B = 0.74 m
H = 0.6 m

0.3 free
board

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Lets calculate water storage tanks for a
residential building with 4 floors and having
2 flats per floor with 4 people per flat

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Water Storage tank- Calculations For a building
 With 135 litres daily use per person per day
 4 (floors) x 2(flats) x 4 (people per family) = 32 (members)
 135 (litres per head) x 32 (people) = 4320 litres
 Now, we need to convert 4320 litres of water into volume of water
 The formula for conversion is
1 m3 = 1000 litres
1 litre = 1/1000 m³
1 litre = 0.001 m³
 Our requirement is 4320 litres,
4320 x 0.001 = 4.32 m³ (Volume)

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
down take pipes
 Water Storage tank- Calculations For a building
In order to get the size of the water tank, you need to mention at least
one dimension (Length, Width or Depth of the water tank).
Therefore, to store 4.32 m³ Volume of 2.683m
water lets
Assume our water tank depth as 1.2 m

1.34 m
And length equal to breath (l =2b)
Note: you can also replace your input
if you know the length,
Area of tank = l x b x h = 4.32
2b x b x 1.2 = 4.32 0.3 free
2b x b = 3.6 board

1.2m
b² = 1.8
b = √1.8 = 1.34 m
L = 2b = 2x1.34 = 2.683 m
Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar
Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Water Storage tank- Calculations For a building
Area of tank = l x b x h = 4.32
2.7m
2b x b x 1.2 = 4.32
2b x b = 3.6
b² = 1.8

1.33 m
b = √1.8 = 1.34 m
L = 2b = 2x1.34 = 2.683 m

So, For tank with 4320 litres

water capacity
0.3 free
board
L = 2.7 m
B = 1.33 m 1.2m
H = 1.2 m

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Water Storage tank- Calculations For a building
If different source of water serves for
Domestic and flushing use, we need to Flushing Domestic
provide separate compartment for the Compartment
1/3rd of the tank
Compartment
2/3rd of the tank
same.

Flushing compartment = 1/3rd

plan
of the tank
Domestic compartment = 2/3rd
of the tank
Flushing Domestic
Compartment Compartment
1/3rd of the tank 2/3rd of the tank

Section

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Water Storage tank- Calculations For a building
0.90 m 1.80 m
Domestic compartment
= 2/3rd x 4.32 = 2.88 m³
= 1.2 x 1.33 x L = 2.88 Flushing Domestic

1.33 m
Compartment Compartment
L = 1.8 m 1.44 m³ 2.87 m³
Flushing compartment size =
1.2 (h) x 1.33 (b) x 1.8 (L) =2.87 m³
plan
Flushing compartment = 1/3rd
of the tank

0.30 m
Flushing compartment
Flushing Domestic
rd
= 1/3 x 4.32 = 1.44 m³
1.20 m
Compartment Compartment
1.44 m³ 2.87 m³
= 1.2 x 1.33 x L =1.44
L = 0.90 m
Flushing compartment size = Section
1.2 (h) x 1.33 (b) x 0.9 (L) =1.44 m³
Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar
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 Overhead tank Calculations For a building
3.00 m
Overhead tank is generally taken half
the capacity of UG tank
Flushing Domestic

1.50m
Hence, OH tank will be Compartment Compartment

= UGT/2
= 4.32 /2 = 2.16 m³
Considering, plan
L = 3.0 m & b = 1.5 m
OHT = L x b x h = 2.16

0.30 m
= 3 x 1.5 x h = 2.16
Flushing Domestic
h = 0.57 = 0.6 (approx) Compartment Compartment

0.60m
Therefore,
Size of the OH tank is
L = 3.0 m, b = 1.5 m, h= 0.6m Section

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
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 Thank you

Semester 3 Design of water storage tanks, and Prof. Janhavi Bhavsar

Building Services At, Viva School of Architecture
down take pipes