Design of Water Distribution System
Design of Water Distribution System
Domestic
Commercial
Industrial
Fire fighting purposes
Requirements of Good Distribution System
(2) Pumps and elevated storage: Through the use of pumps and elevated storage, the excess
water pumped during periods of low consumption is stored in elevated tanks or reservoirs.
During periods of high consumption, the stored water supplements the water that is being
pumped. This method allows fairly uniform flow rates and pressures throughout the water
system. Consequently, this method generally is economical because the pumps may be
operated at their rated capacity. Since the stored water supplements the supply used for fires
and system breakdowns, this method of operation is fairly reliable. However, it is necessary
that fire department pumpers be available to boost the pressure from fire hydrant to delivery
water through hose streams at the proper nozzle pressure to confine, control, and extinguish
developing structural fires and other related fire events.
(3) Pumps without storage: When stationary pumps are used to distribute water, and no
storage is provided on the distribution system, the pumps force water at the required volume
and pressure directly into the mains. The outlet for the water is through domestic taps on the
system or through fire hydrants. This is the least desirable type of distribution system because a
power failure could interrupt the water supply. In addition, as consumption varies, the pressure
in the water mains is most likely to fluctuate. To conform to varying rates, several pumps are
made available to add water output when needed, a procedure requiring constant attention at
the water plant. Another disadvantage is the fact that the peak power demand of the water
plant is likely to occur during periods of high electric power consumption, thus increasing
power costs to operate the water system. However, one advantage of direct pumping is that a
large stationary fire pump may be used on demand for structure fires. This pump increases the
residual pressure to any desired amount permitted by the construction of the water mains.
Rates of Water Use
Three historical or predicted water demand rates are involved in the discussion of water system
demand and
design flow rate criteria for both consumer consumption and needed fire flow. These are as
follows:
(1) Average daily consumption: This is the average of the total amount of water used each day
during a 1-year period (usually expressed in million gallons per day, MGD)
(2) Maximum daily consumption: This is the maximum total amount of water used during any
24-hour period in a 3-year period. This number should consider and exclude any unusual and
excessive identified used of water that would affect the calculation. Such abnormal uses would
include a water main break, a large-scale fire, or an abnormal industrial demand. This is often
referred to as the MDC rate.
(3) Maximum hourly demand: This is the maximum amount of water used in any single hour, of
any day, in a 3-year period. It is normally expressed in gallons per day. It is determined in
gallons per day by multiplying the peak hours by 24. This can also be express as MHD.
Distribution System Appurtenances
Piping and valve arrangement: Water systems typically have three classifications of pipe used to
transport to demand points
throughout a community. These are identified as follows:
(1) Primary feeders: These are large pipes, usually with diameters ranging from 12 to 36 inches,
based
on the size of the population served. Primary feeders transport water form the water treatment
plant
to corporation line of the community and/or to major water storage locations within the
community.
(2) Secondary feeders: These are connected to the primary feeders to transport water along
the major
streets of the community. Secondary feeders need to be in place to supply all commercial
property,
public buildings, and private sector buildings that have a needed fire flow over 1,000 gpm.
Secondary
feeders typically are 10 to 16 inches in diameter.
(3) Distributor mains: These are used to transport water from the secondary feeders to
individual streets
in the areas of the community that have small businesses like convenience stores and gas
stations but,
more importantly, along residential streets. The minimum pipe size should be 6 inches and,
based on
the system design, a possible dead- end pipe may need to be 8 or even 10 inches.
Advantages:
Exact calculation of sizes of pipes is not possible due to provision of valves on all branches.
Ring System:
The supply main is laid all along the peripheral roads and sub mains branch out from the mains.
Thus, this system also follows the grid iron system with the flow pattern similar in character to
that of dead end system. So, determination of the size of pipes is easy.
Advantages:
Advantages:
Advantages:
Relatively cheap.
Determination of discharges and pressure easier due to less number of valves.
Disadvantages
If the future population 50000 Fire flow for main line = 20 L/sec Fire flow for sub-mains = 10 L/sec Fire
flow for branches = 5 L/sec It is assumed that 2 fires with a duration of 5 hours then amount of water
necessary for firefighting in the service reservoir:
Fire hydrants are used on sub-mains to provide a connection for fire hoses to fight fire. Fire hydrants
should be located at easily accessible locations. In Turkey, length of fire hosed is about 50-75m.
Therefore, distance between fire hydrants is about 100-150m. Sub-mains should be divided into sections
and valves should be provided in each, so that any section may be taken out of operation for repairs. For
this purpose, gate valves are usually used. 3 gate valves are used at all crosses. 2 gate valves are used
at al tees. To remove air from pipelines or to allow automatic air entrance when the pipeline is emptied
(in order to prevent vacuum), air release and relief valves are placed at high points.