Design considerations Design issues Calculations Systems and equipment

17 COLD WATER STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION

Project title ........................................................................... Project No. ............................................... Design stage ....................

Engineer ................................................................................... Revision No .............................................. Date........................................

Checked by ............................................................................ Approved by............................................ Date ........................................

Design inputs Notes / Design file cross-reference

• Details of the application, such as the type of building
and its function, number of occupants, number and
type of sanitary fittings, and whether occupancy is
permanent or transitory, and the balance between
them
• Period and hours of occupation and pattern of water
use
• Details of available water quantities and pressures
from the water supply company (also any planned
reductions in water pressure)
• Water quality such as hardness (degrees Clark) and
appropriate requirement for water treatment
• Water storage capacity for client requirements,
including any recommendations

Design outputs Notes / Design file cross-reference

• Size, material options (such as plastics, galvanised
steel, lined steel), location, fittings and thermal
insulation of cisterns
• Weight, type and supports required for cisterns

• Requirements for access

• Requirement for backflow-prevention devices

• Cold water distribution network

• See Design Outputs for Legionnaires’ Disease – Cold

Water Services

Key design checks Notes / Design file cross-reference

• Systems have to comply with the Water Supply
(Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, the Water Byelaws
2000, Scotland and the associated Water Regulations
Guide
• Systems should be designed in accordance with
BS 6700 and BS EN 806-2

Project specific checks and notes Notes / Design file cross-reference

50 DESIGN CHECKS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

© BSRIA BG2/2006
 Design considerations Design issues Calculations Systems and equipment

17 COLD WATER STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION

Design inputs Design outputs
• Details of the application, such as the type of building and its • Size, material options (including plastics, galvanised steel,
function, number of occupants, number and type of sanitary and lined steel), location, fittings and thermal insulation of
fittings, and whether occupancy is permanent or transitory, cisterns
and the balance between them • Weight, type and supports required for cisterns
• Period and hours of occupation and pattern of water use • Requirements for access
• Details of available water quantities and pressures from the • Requirement for backflow-prevention devices
water supply company (also any planned reductions in water • Cold water distribution network
pressure) • See Design Outputs for Legionnaires’ Disease – Cold Water
• Water quality such as hardness (degrees Clark) and Services
appropriate requirement for water treatment
• Water storage capacity client requirements, including any Key design checks
recommendations • Systems have to comply with the Water Supply (Water
Fittings) Regulations 1999, the Water Byelaws 2000, Scotland
Design information and the associated Water Regulations Guide
• Intended location of cistern and space allocation • Systems should be designed in accordance with BS 6700 and
• Location of water fittings BS EN 806-2
• Capacity for support for storage, (particularly if located in
roof space), and in-ground detailing See also: Pipe Sizing– Cold and Hot Water Services, Hot Water
• Quality of water to be stored, its hardness or acidity (this Storage and Distribution, Legionnaires’ Disease – Cold Water Services,
influences material of storage cistern and lifespan of cistern Pressure Boosting of Water, Reclaimed Water Systems – General,
and associated components) Reclaimed Water Systems – Greywater, Reclaimed Water Systems -
• Compatibility of cistern and system materials with intended Rainwater
water use

DESIGN WATCHPOINTS
Sizing and selection 16. Allow for pressure-reduction valves where appropriate.
1. Consider whether a gravity water system or a boosted water system is the 17. Consider the risk of bimetallic corrosion where dissimilar metals are being
more appropriate. connected.
2. For a boosted water system, consider which of the following is the most 18. For hospitals and other healthcare buildings, check that the requirements
appropriate: flooded suction to pressurise the cold water system to a high of HTM 2027 are met.
level break tank; suction lift to pressurise the cold water system to a high
level break tank; flooded suction or suction lift to directly pressurise hot
Installation, operation and control
and cold water systems. (See Pressure Boosting of Water for further 19. Check that all pipework/appliances and controls do not obstruct users.
information.) 20. Check that pipework and fixings are enclosed to deter vandalism and avoid
3. Consider any requirement for treatment. accidental damage.
4. Determine cold water storage requirements. See Tables 2.2 and 2.3 of 21. Check that services are colour banded in accordance with BS 1710.
CIBSE Guide G and Table 2 of Plumbing Engineering Services Design-Guide: 22. Consider sterilisation of the system in accordance with BS 6700.
Section – Hot and Cold Water Supplies. 23. Check that suitable identification of services are provided.
5. Determine relevant fluid categories with regard to necessary backflow 24. Check that provision is made for an operating and maintenance manual
prevention measures. The risk of water being contaminated by backflow and/or incorporation of operating details in the building log book.
and the methods required to prevent this are detailed in the Water 25. Consider any requirements for bunds.
Regulations Guide. Check that these requirements are strictly adhered to. 26. Check requirements for electrical earthing and bonding in accordance with
6. Confirm with the architect the number of sanitary fittings based on the BS 7671.
guidance provided by BS 6465:Part 1. 27. When pipes are to be installed in ducts, check that the requirements of
7. Consider likely client requirements for water storage capacity. BS 8313 are followed.
8. Check that cisterns over 1000 litre capacity are provided with 28. Consider requirements for the protective coating of pipework, such as if
compartments or a standby cistern in order to avoid interruption of the bedded in corrosive materials such as concrete or contaminated land.
water supply when repairs or maintenance are carried out. 29. Check that the system will be commissioned in accordance with CIBSE
9. Check that cisterns over 1000 litre capacity are provided with a washout Commissioning Code W and BSRIA AG 2/89.3 where relevant.
pipe located flush with the bottom of the cistern at its lowest point. Access and maintenance
10. Check that the provision of overflows and warning pipes for cisterns 30. Check that sufficient access to cisterns for installation, commissioning,
comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and the Water testing and maintenance is provided. Check that cisterns allow reasonable
Byelaws 2000, Scotland. access to the inside so that it may be easily inspected and cleaned, and so
11. Consider how best to minimise noise. Check that pipes are not fixed that the float operated valve (or other comparable device) may be easily
rigidly to lightweight panels. Install pipes within substantial enclosures. adjusted, repaired or renewed.
Consider the location of pipes in relation to noise-sensitive areas. Take 31. Check that cisterns will be fitted with a rigid, close fitting and securely
care in the design of pipework layouts to minimise the possibility of fixed cover that is not airtight but excludes light and insects.
cavitation occurring by ensuring that low pressure/high velocity situations 32. Check that all valves, including any backflow prevention devices, are readily
are avoided in the pipework layouts. Consider the different approaches to accessible for examination, commissioning, testing and maintenance.
alleviate water hammer and select the most appropriate solution. 33. For large storage cisterns check internal/external access ladders are
Transmission of pump and motor noise can be reduced by the use of provided where necessary Consider hand railing around tops of tall
flexible connections and anti-vibration mountings. cisterns where there is a danger of falling from height.
12. Consider the risk of frost damage. The location of pipes, cisterns and 34. Consider requirements for future pipe repainting.
system components must be considered. If frost damage is possible,
protection should be provided in accordance with BS 6700 and the Water Economics
Regulations Guide. 35. When costing, consideration should be given to both the cost of materials
13. Check that structural requirements for weight loadings have been allowed and fittings and different methods of installation.
for by the structural engineer. 36. Consider life cycle costs based on storage vessel material, maintenance,
14. Consider requirements for cistern base/support pier requirements cleaning and the expected use and life of the building.
according to the type of storage system selected. 37. Consider the likely influence of water quality on the lifespan of the system
15. Consider connections for level switches/temperature sensor points. and the economic benefit of water treatment.

DESIGN CHECKS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH 51

© BSRIA BG2/2006