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Installation Guidelines

This document provides installation guidelines for rainwater harvesting systems in schools and health clinics in Timor-Leste. It outlines 5 key steps: 1) Preparing existing roof infrastructure, 2) Fixing gutters to collect water, 3) Attaching downpipes to direct water, 4) Installing filters to treat water at the first flush mechanism, and 5) Constructing the tank stand and storage tank according to the design drawings. The guidelines are intended to help local contractors implement high-quality, long-lasting systems using standard construction techniques for the area.

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Lindo
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35 views5 pages

Installation Guidelines

This document provides installation guidelines for rainwater harvesting systems in schools and health clinics in Timor-Leste. It outlines 5 key steps: 1) Preparing existing roof infrastructure, 2) Fixing gutters to collect water, 3) Attaching downpipes to direct water, 4) Installing filters to treat water at the first flush mechanism, and 5) Constructing the tank stand and storage tank according to the design drawings. The guidelines are intended to help local contractors implement high-quality, long-lasting systems using standard construction techniques for the area.

Uploaded by

Lindo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Installation guideline for school and health

clinic rainwater harvesting systems

This brief implementation guideline is intended for reference to support the


installation of rainwater harvesting and storage systems in schools and health
centres in Oecussi, Timor-Leste. All systems have been designed in such a way
that align with the skills and standard methods of rural contractors in Timor-
Leste. It is expected that implementing contractors are competent to
accurately interpret the provided drawings and implement accordingly using
standard construction techniques widely utilised in Timor-Leste. This guideline
provides important additional information and steps which must be followed
to ensure the implementation of high-quality and long-lasting infrastructure. It
is important to note that this guideline is not comprehensive due to the
expectation that competent contractors are engaged and have existing
knowledge of proper construction methods.

1
Deciding the site-specific design and layout of system components
The scale of storage tank required and specific layout of the system components used is unique for each
particular site. Factors to consider in the selection of tank size and site layout include:
• Topography and relative elevations of buildings and key site locations.
• Condition of existing roofing structures.
• Distance between buildings and key site locations.
• Location of and access to other sources of water for future connection.
• Location of and access to drainage channels for overflow.
• Surface area of existing roofing structures to be utilised.
• Layout of buildings and key site locations.
• Annual rainfall distribution of the specific implementation location.
• Water use requirements of the school or clinic.

This step required the input of an experienced engineer to guide the implementing contractor. Once
final decisions regarding system design, tank size and site layout have been made and communicated to
the implementing contractor, the contractor should follow the following steps alongside normal
construction practices to implement the provided design.

STEP 1: Preparing the existing collection surface infrastructure


• Ensure the roof is clean of dirt and other debris.
• Ensure the roof surface is in good condition and does not have lose paint or other contaminants
present.
• Ensure the roof, rafters, fascia and walls are structurally sound and strong enough to support
the weight of gutter and pipes filled with water.
• Reinforce, add or replace components of the existing infrastructure to ensure the designed
rainwater harvesting system can be mounted to the existing building in a secure manner.
• Ensure that the roof area of the building is sufficient to accommodate rainwater according to
design requirements

STEP 2: Fixing the gutters to the fascia board


• Ensure a minimum slope of 0.5% (preferably 2%, the greater the slope the better) is maintained
throughout the gutter length with continuous fall towards the downpipe connecting to the first
flush mechanism.

2
• Securely attach the gutter brackets to the fascia board using fixtures rated for long-term
external use. Brackets should be installed at appropriate spacings roughly 1m apart.
• Aluminium or galvanized steel are recommended materials for the gutter brackets.
• Clip the guttering securely into the mounting brackets and ensure the entire gutter is flat and
securely attached, reinforce with additional brackets it required.
• Ensure proper sealing between joins where guttering sections meet, this can be achieved using
commercially available joints or liberal application of silicone sealant.
• Ensure downpipes are well connected and sealed with PVC cement and/or silicone sealant as
appropriate.
• Ensure end caps are well secured and sealed with silicone sealant.
• Ensure the end of the roof sheet is overhanging the guttering in all locations.
• Test the system by pouring a large amount of water on the furthest location from the downpipe
and observing for any leaks or areas in which water does not flow freely towards the downpipe.
• Test all locations along the length of the building to ensure water flows freely from the roof to
the gutter in all locations.
• If roof slow is low and water runs back up past the gutter on the underside of the roof sheet in
some locations this can be amended by slightly bending down the end of the roof sheet or with
the application of a single bead of silicone sealant on the underside of the roof sheet, 5mm in
from the edge to promote the deposition of water in this area and break the surface tension
drawing water back up the underside of the roof sheet.

STEP 3: Fix downpipes with brackets


• Ensure a minimum slope of 0.5% (preferably 2%, the greater the slope the better) is maintained
throughout the downpipe length with continuous fall towards the first flush mechanism.
• Securely attach the PVC downpipe to the wall using brackets with fixtures rated for long-term
external use. Brackets should be installed at appropriate spacings roughly 1m apart.
• Aluminium or galvanized steel are recommended materials for the gutter brackets.

3
• Ensure downpipes are well connected and sealed with PVC cement and/or silicone sealant as
appropriate.
• Test the system by pouring a large amount of water into the downpipe and observing for any
leaks or areas in which water does not flow freely.

STEP 4: Inlet filter and first flush mechanism


• Install the inlet filter and first flush mechanism vertically, directly below the downpipe outlet.
Ensure proper alignment to maximise water flow into the inlet filter.
• Securely attach the brackets to the wall using fixtures rated for long-term external use. Brackets
should be installed at appropriate spacings roughly 1m apart.
• Aluminium or galvanized steel are recommended materials for the brackets.
• Ensure the first flush drain valve is accessible and drains to an appropriate location.
• Ensure pipes and filters are well connected and sealed with PVC cement and/or silicone sealant
as appropriate.
• Test the system by pouring a large amount of water into the downpipe and observing for any
leaks, misalignments or areas in which water does not flow freely.

4
STEP 5: Construction of tank stand and storage tank
• Ensure that the elevation of the inlet of the tank will allow for adequate continuous fall from the
top of the first flush mechanism to ensure sufficient flow of water from the collection system to
the storage tank. Adjust the foundation height and depth accordingly based on specific site
conditions.
• Ensure hardcore base well compacted.
• Install formwork for slab concrete.
• Slab levelling with lean concrete 1:3:6 according to drawing.
• Install rebar (reinforcement steel) for the slab.
• Install formwork for wall of storage tank according to drawing.
• Ensure overall formwork is strong and according to size before being cast.
• Cast in place for concrete must be 1:2:3 according the drawing.
• Ensure the inlet pipe to the storage tank is straight with a continuous fall towards the tank.
• Ensure the inlet pipe has a minimum slope of 0.5% (preferably 2%, the greater the slope the
better) is maintained throughout the inlet pipe.
• Ensure the inlet pipe is sufficiently supported to ensure it does not move or warp over time,
accounting for the weight of water when the pipe is full.
• Ensure the installation of the outlet, overflow pipes and box controls according to the drawing

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