Part C:

Planning and Designs

of Plumbing Systems
Uniform Technical Guidelines

PART C : PLANNING AND DESIGN OF PLUMBING SYSTEMS

C.1 PLUMBING SYSTEMS

The components of a plumbing system comprises of service pipes, distribution

pipes, storage cisterns, feed cisterns, hot water apparatus, taps, valves, water
closets, baths, sinks, wash basins, and other connected appliances that are
normally installed within a building to distribute water supplied by the Water
Distribution Licensee to various outlets for use by a premise owner. Schematic
drawings describing the basic features of a plumbing system associated with a
landed property, and with a high rise building are depicted in Figures C.1 and C.2
respectively.

C.1.1 Rules and Regulations

a. This chapter on Plumbing Systems shall be read in conjunction with the

following documents:

i. Water Services Industry Act 2006.

ii. Water Services Industry (Water Reticulation and Plumbing) Rules

2014.

iii. Water Services Industry (Maintenance of Water Storage Tank in

High Rise Residential Buildings and Gated Community) Rules 201X
(when the proposed subsidiaries law has enforce).

b. The provisions specified in the above Rules and Regulations are not
necessary repeated in these Uniform Technical Guidelines.

c. Where there occurs a discrepancy between the Uniform Technical

Guidelines and the above Rules and Regulations, the provisions stipulated
in the Rules and Regulations shall prevail.

C.2 SUBMISSION OF PLANS

a. A competent person shall lodge one (1) set of plumbing plans of A1 size,
together with one (1) no. Compact Disk containing the soft copy of the
drawings in AutoCAD format, with the Local Authority and the Commission
respectively. The purpose of submission is for record purposes only, and not
for obtaining an approval.

Installation and certification of plumbing systems shall be subject to the

Certificate, Completion and Compliance process specified under the
Uniform Building Bye Laws. This is a self regulatory process wherein the
Principal Submitting Person shall design and certify plumbing systems in
compliance with the Water Services Industry (Water Reticulation and
Plumbing) Rules and other relevant written laws. A Permit Holder shall also
certify construction of plumbing systems in accordance with the designs.

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

Plumbing plans submission shall include the following information:

i. Site plan of the Premise.

ii. Floor plan and cross sections of the building, including locating the
position of meters, fittings, valves, pipeline layouts, etc.

iii. Sectional plans of building showing locations of storage cistern and

pumping rooms (where applicable).

iv. Schematic diagram or single line schematic diagram of pipework

layout.

v. Copy of approved letters issued by the WDL confirming permission

to source water from an approved external water reticulation system,
including location of tapping point.

b. Plumbing designs and drawings for buildings of 15 meters of height and

below, and not equipped with pumping or central heating systems, can be
submitted by either a competent person who can either be an architect,
mechanical engineer, civil engineer; or by a registered building draftsman as
stipulated in the second schedule of Water Services Industry (Water
Reticulation and Plumbing) Rules 2014.

c. Submission of plumbing designs and drawings for buildings of above 15

meters, and which are equipped with pumping or central heating systems
can be submitted by a competent person who shall be either a professional
mechanical engineer.

d. All plans for fire fighting systems shall be separately submitted to BOMBA.

C.3 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

C.3.1 General

a. Only Type A permit holders issued by the Commission shall be permitted to

carry out plumbing works.

b. Tapping works shall only be conducted by a Type A2 permit holder.

c. Only pipes, valves, storage cisterns and other installations that have been
registered by the Commission can be used.

d. Tap off to kitchen sinks shall be drawn directly from a service pipe. (Not
applicable for development with central storage cisterns).

e. Draw off tap to kitchen sinks that draw water directly from service pipe shall
be designed with an air gap to avoid contamination of the external water
reticulation system. Such draw-off taps shall be so fixed that their outlets are
at least 150 mm above the top edge of sink into which the water may
discharge.

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

f. No draw of tap for the purpose of any activity performed within the boundary
of the premises but external to building structure can be directly connected
to a service pipe provided that a backflow preventer is installed between the
tap and the service pipe.

g. Piping systems for domestic water supply, air conditioning, fire fighting
systems and for distribution of non-potable water shall be separated from
each other. No inter-connections are permitted.

h. The WDL may require a constant flow valve to be installed upstream of the
meter for supply to commercial or industrial premises whose water demand
exceeds 250m3 per day.

i. Automatic flushing of urinals, other than controlled by a sensor mechanism,

is not permitted.

j. Manual flushing, or a flush valve, shall be used for urinals.

k. All bolts and nuts placed below ground shall be of stainless steel.

C.3.2 Pipes and Valves

A. Pipes

a. The nominal size, type and class of pipes shall be specified in the drawings.

b. Minimum internal diameter of pipes for plumbing systems shall be 15 mm.

c. Use of Galvanized Iron (G.I.) pipes are not permitted for domestic internal
plumbing systems.

d. Non-metallic & composite pipes which are laid cross drain or laid exposed
shall be protected by steel pipe sleeves or by any other method permitted by
the commission

e. Types of pipes permitted, and their complying standards, for internal

plumbing systems are described in Table C.1.and Table C.2 respectively.

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

Table C.1 : Pipe Materials for Plumbing Systems

Type of Pipe D< 100mm dia. D • 100mm dia.
Service Pipe Stainless Steel / ABS / Mild Steel / Ductile Iron /
(Downstream of Polypropylene Random Co- Stainless Steel / ABS / GRP /
Meter) Polymer (PPR) / Copper / PPR / HDPE / uPVC
Polybutelyne / Polyolefine
Blend (POB) / GRP /
Composite Pipe / CPVC
(Chlorinated PVC)
HDPE
All Pumping Stainless Steel / Copper / Mild Steel / Stainless Steel /
Mains (Pump Composite Pipe / Ductile Iron / Polypropylene
Suction and Polypropylene Random Co- Random Co-Polymer (PPR)
Delivery Pipes) Polymer (PPR)
Distribution Pipe Stainless Steel / ABS / Mild Steel / Ductile Iron / ABS
Polypropylene Random Co- / HDPE / PPR / uPVC
Polymer (PPR) / Copper /
Polybutelyne / Composite
Pipe / Polyolefine Blend
(POB) / GRP / uPVC / HDPE

Note:-

1. Only pipes registered with the Commission can be used.

2. Registered pipes and manufacturers are listed in the website of the
Commission i.e. www.span.gov.my.
3. Ductile iron pipe for riser pipes shall be flange ended or push-in-jointed
complete with restraint tie bars.
4. All plastic pipes shall be of PN 12 and above
5. All stainless steel pipes shall be of Grade 304, except in coastal areas where
Grade 316 shall be used.

Table C.2 : Complying standards of pipes used in internal plumbing system

Types of Pipe Complying Standard

1. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) MS 1419:2007
2. Polybutylene (PB) MS ISO 15876- part 1,2 & 3: 2004
MS 1058-part 1&2: 2005
3. Polyethylene (PE)
& part 3 : 2006
4. Ductile Iron MS 1919: 2006
5. Copper BS EN 1057:2006
6. Stainless Steel MS 1841: 2010
7. High Density Poyethylene (HDPE) MS 1058 Part 2:2005
8. Unplasticised PVC (uPVC) MS 628 : Part I 1999
9. Polypropylene (PP) ISO 15874:2003 (Part 1 to Part 4)
10 Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) MS 2045:2007
11 Mild Steel Cement Line Pipe BS 534:1990

Note: The Commission may from time to time permit other standards to be used.
The Competent Person shall be responsible for adopting the latest revised or
updated (version) edition of the standards listed under Table C.2

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

f. In the case of dropper pipes where the water pressure exceeds 30m head,
pressure reducing valves or break cisterns shall be employed to reduce
static pressures.

g. The distance between supports and hangers for different types of pipes
shall be in accordance with Section 6.1.7 (Table 12) of BS 6700:2006.

B. Valves

D Isolating valves (ball or stop cock type), shall be installed on:-

L All inlet pipes to suction cisterns and shall be positioned at a

minimum of 1.8 metres above the floor level.

LL All outlet pipes from suction cisterns, and shall be placed in an
accessible position and located a maximum height of 1.8 metres
above the floor level.

LLL Scour pipes attached to storage cisterns.

E Separate pipes shall be routed to each toilet compartment, and to fittings

such as sinks, basins, water closets (WC) and urinals.

F All valves employed in an internal plumbing system shall be made of brass,

ductile iron or stainless steel. Valves made of thermoplastic materials shall
not be used, except for valves of XS WR 5mm nominal diameter within
landedpremisesDQGZLWKLQXQLWVLQKLJKULVHEXLOGLQJV.

G The pressure rating of the valves used shall be adequate to withstand the
operating pressure of the piping system, and also the expected pressure
(1.5 times the maximum permissible working pressure) during the hydraulic
pressure test of the piping system.

H The valves used in the plumbing system shall comply with the requirements
of applicable standards specified in Table C.3.

Table C.3 : Complying Standards for Valves

Valves Nominal Bore (NB) Complying Standard

Stopvalves 9DULRXVVL]HV BS EN 1213:200DQG6,5,0
BS EN 12288:2003 (copper alloy valves)
Gate Valves Various sizes
BS EN 1171:2002 (cast iron valves)
Butterfly Valves 100 mm and above BS EN 593:2004
BS EN 12288:2003 (copper alloy)
Check Valves Various sizes BE EN 12334:2001 (Cast Iron)
BS EN 14341: 2006 (Steel)
MS 1882:2005
Float Operated Valves Various sizes BS 1212, Part 1, 2, 3,4 for valves and BS
1968 or BS 2456 for float.
Pressure Reducing
Various sizes BS EN 1567:2000
Valves

Note: The Commission may from time to time permit other recognised standards to
be employed.

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

C.3.3 Storage Cistern Within Consumer Premises

The storage cistern within a consumer’s premise serves several functions including
(a) providing sufficient storage of water to safeguard against disruption of water
supplies over a twenty-four hour period, (b) maintaining suitable pressures within
the distribution piping system serving a building and (c) safeguarding against
backflow of stored and used water to the external reticulation system. A schematic
drawing illustrating the basic components of a storage cistern is depicted in Figure
C.3.

a. Capacity

i. Generally, the effective capacity of a storage cistern (i.e. the

maximum volume of water that can be drawn for use over a twenty-
four hour period) shall provide for one day’s water consumption
needs of different types of premises. The minimum storage
capacities for different types of buildings are specified in Table C.4,
Table C.5 and Table C.6.

Table C.4 : Minimum storage capacities for hospital, airport and

particular industry

Minimum storage
Type of Building capacity for one day
(liters)
Hospital 1500 / bed
Airport 25 / passenger
Heavy Industry 65000 / hectare
Medium Industry 50000 / hectare
Light Industry 33,000 / hectare
Light Industrial Workshop 1500 / unit
Wet Market 1500 / stall
Dry Market 450 / stall
Semi Detached / Bungalow / Workshops 1500 / unit

Table C.5: Minimum storage capacities for residential / shop premises

Minimum storage capacity for

Type of Building
one day (liters)
Dwelling Houses (Rural) 800 / unit
Dwelling Houses And Flats With
1300 / unit
Individual Storage Cistern(Urban)
Flats With Shared Storage Cistern 1000 / unit
Low Cost Houses (Rural And Urban) 800 / unit
Shop House (Single Storey) / Low
2000 / unit
Cost Shop
Shop House (Double Storey) 3000 / unit
Shop House (Three Storey) 4100 / unit
Shop House (Four Storey) 4550 / unit

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

Table C.6: Minimum storage capacities for other types of buildings

Minimum storage capacity

Type of Building
for one day (liters)
Hotels 270 / person
Hostels 180 / person
Day Schools / Kindergarden 30 / person
Boarding Schools 180 / person
Restaurants 14 / person
Mosque Or Other Place Of Worship 50 / person
Barrack (Army And Police) 250 / person
Office / Complex / Commercial
1000 / 100 square metre
(Domestic Usage)
Community Centres Or Halls 1000 / 100 square metre
Education Institutions (Other Than
100 / student
School And Kindergarten)
Institution Of Higher Learning With
250 / student
Hostels Facilities
Prison 250 / person
Army Camp 250 / person
Bus Terminal 900 / service bay
Petrol Kiosk (With Car Washing Bay) 50,000 / unit
Petrol Kiosk (Without Car Washing
10,000 / unit
Bay)
Stadium 55 / person
Golf Course 1000 / 100 square metre
Warehouse 1500 / unit
Others As per the estimated water
demand by the owner

ii. For premises where the population is transient and unknown the
required storage cistern capacity may be estimated by the number
of, and the types of, fittings installed as denoted in Table C.7.

Table C.7 : Estimation of Water Demand based on Types of Fittings

Storage Capacity Type of Fittings
1. 450-900 liters Per Shower
2. 910 liters Per Slipper Bath
3. 180 liters Per Water Closet
4. 90 liters Per Lavatory Basin
5. 90 liters Per Sink
6. 180 liters Per Urinal
7. 180 liters Per Bed Pan Washer
8. 225 liters Per Wash-Up Sink

iii. Storage cisterns for hospitals, airports and medium and heavy
industries shall have a storage capacity of not less than two days
water demand based on projected consumption pattern in
accordance with Table B.1.

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

iv. Factories with future expansion plans shall allocate sufficient space
for ultimate storage requirements.

v. Top Water Level (TWL) for suction cisterns and roof storage cisterns
shall be referred to Ordnance Datum Level.

vi. Separate water storage cisterns and distribution pipes shall be

provided for supplying water to food courts in buildings, and for
kitchen and food and beverage outlets at hotels, hospitals and
convention centre’s.

b. Pipeworks and Materials

i. Water storage cistern with a capacity of 4,500 liters and below shall
have an overflow pipe which shall function as a warning pipe and
shall be installed at a visible location.

ii. The overflowing level of the warning pipe shall be set 50mm above
the water line and not less than 50mm below the top edge of the
cistern.

iii. Water storage cisterns with capacity of above 4,500 liters shall have
separate overflow and warning pipes which shall be installed at a
visible location so that visual detection of overflows can be made.

iv. Overflow pipes and scour pipes shall be one size larger than an
incoming pipe and not smaller than the outlet distribution pipe.

v. Scour pipes shall be installed at the lowest point (underneath or

side) of the cistern and channeled to the nearest floor trap, sump or
drain at a visible location.

vi. Materials permitted to be used in the construction of water storage

cisterns shall conform to the Commission’s registered list or other
permitted Recognised Standards.

c. Dedicated Water Storage Cisterns

i. These provisions shall be applicable for every dedicated storage

cistern installed to serve a single consumer occupying any type of
landed property, shop house, shop offices and flatted factory which
is served by an individual meter.

ii. A hatch of not less than 600mm x 600mm shall be provided to

access to the water storage cistern if the latter is placed within a roof
truss area of a building.

iii. If the water storage cistern is placed other than within the roof truss
area, it shall be shaded against the sun and be readily accessible for
maintenance and replacement; provided that it may also be located
in an unshaded area so long as the storage cistern is constructed
from materials that are ultra violet resistant.

iv. The storage cistern shall be placed on flat platform which prevents
distortion of the base of the cistern.

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

v. A professional structural engineer as stipulated in the second

schedule of competent persons who shall certify that cistern and its
support system is structurally sound and is safe.

vi. The storage cistern shall be placed in a position where the interior of
the cistern may be readily inspected and cleaned. A clear space of
not less than 375mm shall be provided between the top of the cistern
and any obstruction.

vii. A stable platform of not less than 600mm wide shall be provided at
least along three sides of a cistern for assisting in maintenance of
the tank.

viii. The storage cistern shall be provided with a chlorine resistant cover
which is dust and mosquito-proof. Such cover shall be provided with
an opening of a size not less than 300mm diameter located directly
above the float operated valve or inlet valve of the storage cistern to
enable easy maintenance without having to remove the entire
storage cistern cover.

d. Shared water storage cisterns

i. These provisions shall apply to a single storage cistern that serves

more than one customer (e.g. parcel owners in a condominium,
multi-story flats, high rise buildings, etc.).

ii. Secured access shall be provided for shared storage tanks. Persons
entering secured storage tank areas shall be registered and their
intent recorded in a Registration Booklet maintained by the
Management Corporation or Owners of buildings.

iii. A storage cistern (including any tap fitted to the storage cistern) and
its ancillary equipment shall be kept properly locked at all time.

iv. All roof storage cisterns shall be easily accessible with proper
staircases located within the premise. Only spiral or walk up RC
staircases shall be used and no cat ladder shall be allowed.

v. There shall be proper access and ancillary facilities provided for

regular inspection and cleaning of the water storage cistern. A
minimum head room of 900mm, and similar horizontal clearances,
shall be provided on top of and around the storage cistern.

vi. The storage cistern shall be placed on a flat RC slab or RC plinth (as
the case may be) completes with proper drainage system
discharging to a conspicuous location, such as a scupper drain or
floor traps.

vii. The base of the storage cistern shall be fully supported over its
whole area by a durable, rigid, flat and level platform sufficiently
strong to withstand the weight of the cistern without deflection when
filled with water. For FRP / GRP panel storage cisterns and hot
dipped galvanized storage cisterns, support or skids shall be
provided between the cistern and the concrete plinth.

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

viii. Storage cisterns of 10,000 litres or more shall have internal

compartments to facilitate maintenance of the cistern. Alternatively,
multiple cisterns may be employed. An equalizing pipe shall be
provided between each compartment or between each separate
storage cistern supplying water to the same distribution pipe.

ix. Ladders to access the interior of the storage cistern shall be of

stainless steel grade 316.

x. All internal reinforcement (tie rods) if required for the storage cistern
shall be of stainless steel grade 316.

xi. All internal bolts, nuts and washers shall be of stainless steel grade
316.

xii. Bolts, nuts and washers external to the storage cisterns and roof
plate shall be hot dipped galvanized to MS 740 : 1981.

xiii. External ladders to access to the top of the storage cistern may be of
stainless steel, aluminium or hot-dipped galvanized steel.

xiv. All storage cisterns constructed of concrete or steel panels for

domestic water systems shall be lined with HDPE or other corrosion
resistant material for ease of cleaning.

C.3.4 Supply Pressure

a. Landed Residential Premises

i. The residual pressure at any water fixture shall not be less than
2.0m head.

ii. Any section of the plumbing system shall not be subject to a

pressure of more than 30m head, otherwise a pressure reducing
valve shall be used to lower water pressures.

b. Multi-storey Buildings

i. The minimum pressure to be supplied shall be as follows:-

Location Minimum Pressure

Parcel meters of residential units 10m head
Water Fixtures at commercial buildings 7m head
(non-flush valves)
Flush valves 10.5m head

ii. All distribution pipes shall not be subjected to a pressure of more

than 30m head, otherwise a pressure reducing valve shall be
employed to lower water pressures.

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

c. Water for non potable purposes

i. The pressure of water supplied for non-potable use, e.g. for

industrial process, cooling, washing, etc., shall conform with
equipment manufacturer specifications.

ii. If pressures of more than 30m head are required, piping and fittings
of a higher pressure rating to suit the specific requirement of a
manufacturer shall be provided. If required, a separate localized
pressure boosting pump set shall be employed to meet the required
pressure levels.

C.3.5 Pumping System

a. Before commencement of any design work for a pumping system, the WDL
shall be consulted on the minimum water pressure available at the identified
tapping point along an existing public main. In this context application for a
water pressure test may be made to the WDL to determine the pressure
available at the proposed tapping point. Should the available pressure be
inadequate to supply water to the elevated storage cistern; a pumping
system shall be provided.

b. Duty and standby hydro-pneumatic pump sets, or variable speed pump sets,
shall be provided to raise the pressure of water supply to the top two floors
of high rise residential and commercial buildings. The pumps shall be fed
with water from the elevated storage cistern.

c. Separate pumping systems shall be provided for non-potable distribution

water systems.

d. GHOHWHG

e. The capacity of suction cistern should be from 30% to 70% of the total daily
storage capacity required. The balance of the storage volume shall be
provided at the elevated (roof top) cistern.

f. The capacity of the break cistern shall be equivalent to sustaining 1 hour of

pumping of the transfer pump, or 11.5m3, whichever is greater.

g. Minimum pumping rate for a duty pump shall be adequate to fill a

commercial or office building elevated storage cistern in eight (8) hours; and
a residential building storage cistern in sixteen(16) hours.

h. Pumping system operation shall be automated with the assistance of

stainless steel electrodes located within both the suction cistern and storage
cistern.

i. Selector switches shall be provided at the starter panel in order for pumps to
be operated manually.

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

j. For pumping designs using a pressurized system, and where all of the
storage of water is provided at the ground level storage cistern, the following
shall apply:-

i. The number of pumps on standby shall be 100% of the duty pumps.

ii. Pumping system shall be of variable speed drive type.

iii. The power supply shall be tapped from Tenaga National’s power
supply system and be backed up by a standby generator.

k. Alarm systems shall be provided to display a signal when the water level in
the storage cistern is lower than the pump start level.

l. For buildings with multi-basements that are lower than the external road
level, pumps and suction cisterns shall not be located at the lowest
basement level in order to avoid water contamination, and damage to
pumping equipment. For buildings with single basement, or where the
lowest basement is above the road level (as in hill side developments),
pumps and suction cisterns may be located at the lowest basement level,
provided that proper drainage systems are installed to prevent flooding.

m. The design of the pumping system shall adopt measures to minimize the
effect of water hammer. Available solutions, depending on the pumping
head and pumping rate, are as follows:-

i. Using multiple check valves at the header and riser.

ii. Using surge anticipator valves and pressure relieve valves.

iii. Use of hydro-pneumatic tanks (with motorized valve at the elevated

storage cistern, and a pressure sensor positioned on the pump
delivery header for pump control).

n. The manufacturer of the surge anticipator valve and pressure relieve valve
shall be consulted when selecting the most suitable types to be used.

o. The types of pump sets permitted for raising water in a building system shall
include either horizontal end suction pumps or vertical in-line pumps.
Variable speed pumping systems, if introduced, shall be an integral unit
complete with pumps, suction and delivery header pipes, variable speed
drives and pump control systems all assembled by the pump manufacturer.

p. Thermoplastic pipes are permitted to be used in low pressure pumping

systems associated with landed residential premises only.

q. The power supply to any pumping system, other than those located within
landed properties, shall be backed up by a generator set.

r. Booster pumps of capacity lower than 10 m3/hour (< 10 m³/hr) shall have
efficiencies of not less than 45%. Booster pumps of capacity exceeding 10
m3 /hour (• 10 m³/hr) but lower than 30 m3/hour (< 30 m³/hr) shall have
efficiencies (pump side) of not less than 50%. The efficiency of all types of
booster pumps of higher capacity shall meet the minimum requirements
tabulated in Table D.1.

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

s. Compliance with EFF1 ratings for booster pump motors is voluntary.

However, buildings conforming with Green Building Ratings should have
pump motors complying with EFF1 rating.

C.3.6 Hot Water System

a. Hot water apparatus shall not draw water directly from a service pipe.

b. Hot water apparatus installed in landed residential properties, or other

premises having dedicated storage tanks and served by a single water
meter, can draw water directly from the storage cistern.

c. For high rise residential buildings, the supply to a hot water system shall be
drawn from the distribution pipe located downstream of parcel meters
measuring water use at individual dwelling units. Pumping system is only
allowed downstream of the storage cistern.

d. In the case of high rise commercial buildings a separate feed cistern,

supplied by water from a shared storage cistern through a distribution pipe,
shall supply water to a hot water apparatus.

e. Cold water supplied to a heating apparatus shall be controlled by a stop

valve, and shall be discharged within the heating apparatus at a level above
the overflowing level of the apparatus (air gap provision). This condition may
be waived in the case when the discharge from the heating apparatus is in
open air or through a mixing valve.

f. Control valves shall not be fixed at the heater outlet pipe in the case of
instant water heaters.

g. Hot water pressure tanks shall be constructed from corrosion resisting

materials that are capable of withstanding twice the operating pressure of
the tank.

h. Safety valves, whether in the form of vent pipes or pressure relief valves,
shall be drained to the bathroom floor trap in the case of storage type water
heaters. Vent pipes shall have nominal diameters exceeding 20mm.

i. Types of pipes permitted for use in hot water systems include stainless
steel, copper, CPVC pipes and PPR pipes.

j. Hot water systems shall be designed to be energy efficient. In this respect

all measures shall be taken to minimize heat losses from heating apparatus,
storage tanks and transmission pumping. Pipelines conveying hot water
should be lagged especially in cases where the distribution is extensive. The
recommended distances between hot water apparatus and draw-off taps
where pipe lagging is not required as a function of pipe size as summarized
in Table C.8 below. Pipe with hot water conveyance lengths greater than
stated in Table C.8 should be substantially lagged with appropriate
insulation material.

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

Table C.8 : Pipe Lagging Requirement

Largest Nominal Diameter of Pipe Length

Not exceeding 13mm 18m
Exceeding 13mm but not exceeding 19mm 12m
Exceeding 19mm but not exceeding 25mm 8m
Exceeding 25mm 3m

k. All un-insulated pipes conveying hot water in landed and high-rise

residential premises (non centralized hot water system) shall as far as
possible be concealed within a brick wall.

l. The outlet level of a pipe conveying cold water from a storage cistern to a
hot water apparatus shall be at the same level or higher than cold water
distribution pipe supplying water to water fixtures from the same cold water
storage cistern.

m. The design of centralized hot water supply systems is beyond the scope of
these Uniform Technical Guidelines. For the design of such systems,
reference shall be made to CP 342-2, Code of Practice for Centralized Hot
Water Supply – Part 2: Buildings Other Than Individual Dwellings.

n. Cold water supplies to a solar heater shall be from a distribution pipe

discharging water from a storage cistern.

C.3.7 Public Swimming Pools

a. Pool capacity, turnover time, rate of water cycle, rate of filtration and make-
up water volume, which consists of backwash, water displacement,
evaporation loss and the details of filtration plant shall be stipulated in the
design drawings to be lodged with the Local Authority and the Commission.

b. Detailed schematic drawings of swimming pool piping systems approved by

the Principal Submitting Person shall be lodged with the Commission for
record purposes only and a copy extended to the Local Authority.

c. The water inlet pipe shall terminate at least 225 mm above the overflow
level of the balancing cistern which shall be secured and access made
available to authorized personnel only.

d. Swimming pools shall be designed in order to be filled within one (1) day to
three (3) days.

e. Water supplies to swimming pools shall be separately metered for

condominiums and high rise buildings.

f. All public swimming pools shall be supplied from a dedicated

communication pipe fitted with an independent meter. Draw-offs from
service pipes serving individual landed properties is not permitted unless
approved by the Commission. In the case of high rise buildings or
condominiums, draw off from service pipes to serve swimming pools is
permitted provided that the water is either discharged to a feed or building

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Uniform Technical Guidelines

storage cistern with an air gap of at least 225mm, or a backflow preventer is

installed downstream of the connection with the service pipe but before any
tap offs.

C.4 PRESERVATION OF WATER QUALITY

C.4.1 Prevention of Backflow

a. Air gaps between the level of water discharged and the water line of roof
storage cisterns, suction cisterns, bath tubs, sinks and basins shall be
designed and maintained at not less than 75mm.

b. A backflow preventer of the Dual Check Valve type shall be installed at an

appropriate distance downstream of the water meter measuring water
supplies to:-

x Agricultural, and horticultural premises and premises for processing

x
general chemical;
Factories using toxic chemicals and processing water other than

x
potable water;

x
Hospitals, mortuaries and veterinary clinics;
Automated car wash centres.

b. A backflow preventer of the Dual Check Valve type shall be provided along
the service pipe upstream of all point of entry water filters and water kiosks.

c. A Single Check Valve backflow preventer shall be installed upstream of a

garden tap if the fixture is supplied with water from a service pipe.

d. A backflow preventer is not required if these appliances are supplied which

public water supplies through a distribution pipe that is connected to an
approved storage cistern.

C.4.2 Cleaning and Maintenance of Water Storage Cisterns

a. Shared water storage cisterns installed at high rise residential buildings and
gated communities shall be inspected and if required cleaned and
maintained in conformance with provisions specified under the Water
Services Industry (Maintenance of Water Tank at High Rise Buildings and
Gated Community) Rules 201X (when the proposed subsidiaries law has
enforce).

b. Owner of other premises should take initiatives to inspect, clean and

disinfect water storage cisterns at their premises at regular intervals on a
voluntary basis.

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C.4.3 Disinfection of Storage Tanks and Distribution Pipes

All buildings equipped with a shared water distribution plumbing system shall
employ a permit holder to disinfect all new or altered water fittings after its
installation but prior to its use. Individual landed residential properties and individual
residential units within a multi-storey building are exempted from his condition.

C.5 WATER CONSERVATION

C.5.1 Water Conservation Measures

a. Water shall be used efficiently and effectively at all times. Consumers are
encouraged to adopt water conservation measures in both non-domestic
and domestic premises, and at construction sites, in order to lower the rate
of consumption of water.

b. Installation of flow control valves and self closing delay action taps in high
rise commercial, office, institutional, and industrial buildings is encouraged.

c. Installation of dual flush cisterns with the full flush discharging not more than
6 litres shall be installed in all new buildings. The partial flush shall not
exceed 3 litres.

d. Owners of factories consuming a large amount of water shall study the

feasibility of using recycle water for washing, cooling, and other non potable
uses, and implement such measures if found to be economical.

C.5.2 Use of Non-Potable Water

a. Rain water harvesting system, if adopted by the consumer, shall be tailored to

supply water for:-

i. General washing and gardening.

ii. Flushing water closets.

b. There shall be no cross connection between non-potable and potable water

distribution systems within buildings.

c. Distribution pipes for supplying non-potable water shall be painted green

along its entire barrel.

d. Taps and outlets for non-potable water shall be clearly identified as ‘Not for
Drinking Purposes’.

e. The water storage cistern for potable and non-potable water shall be
separated and shall not be inter-connected.

f. Any service pipe conveying potable water to top-up a rain water storage
cistern containing non-potable water shall have a backflow preventer of the
Dual Check Valve type; and the service pipe shall terminate at least 225 mm
above the overflow level of the rain water storage cistern.

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C.6 CERTIFICATION PROCESS

C.6.1 Certification during Construction

Principal submitting person or his representative at Site, and the Permit Holder,
shall jointly certify all inspections and tests carried out during the construction of
facilities.

C.6.2 Certification of Completion

The principal submitting person and the permit holder shall jointly certify in Form G5
that the plumbing installation has been constructed in accordance with the
approved plan (current requirement in Form G5 which form part of the staged
Certificate Forms over the CCC process).

C.6.3 Record Drawings and Calculations

The principal submitting person shall maintain as built record drawings and design
calculation for a period of seven (7) years.

The premise owner shall maintain as-built drawings for future reference.

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