CHAPTER 14

HOT WATER
SUPPLY IN
BUILDING
Presented To Presented By
ENGR. ABOBAKAR SAROSONG GROUP 11
 14-1 Domestic Hot Water Supply

Agenda 14-2 The Up-feed and Gravity Return System

14-3 The Overhead Feed and Gravity Return System

14-4 The Pump Circuit System

14-5 Location and Operation of the Pump

14-6 Hot Water Tank

14-7 Size of Hot Water Tank

14-8 Working Load of Hot Water System

14-9 Water and Energy Waste in Hot Water Line

14-10 Protection of the Hot Water Tank

14-1

Domestic Hot Water Supply

Sanitation standards required hotels , restaurants and other
similar establishment to provide hot water facilities. Today,
even the humblest small dwellings are enjoying this type of
convenience for human confort. The rudimentary principles
behind the hot water supply in buildings are enumerated
partially as follows.
1.When water is heated , its molecular particles expanded and move in a direction opposite
with each other. As a molecular activity intensifies, the volume of water increases.

2.When the water reaches its boiling point under atmospheric pressure, its character
changes. The expanded molecules become lighter, disintegrate, and evaporate as steam
on the surface of water.

3. The movement of hot water in a distribution sysytem is the result of expansion and
contraction of the water molecules.

Heat increases the corrosive property of water that no galvanized iron metal could
withstand its corrosive effect. The choice of materials for hot water installation is
limited to copper tube, stainless steel pipe , or PVDC platic pipe. Hot water supply
system consists of a heater with storage tank and pipe connections to carry the hot
water to the farthest fixtures with a continous piping,to return the unused hot water
should be maintained at all times, to be drawn at any time from the fixture.
Hot Water Distribution has Two Types

1. The Up-Feed and Gravity Return System

2. The Overhead Feed and Gravity Return System

14-2

The Up-Feed and Gravity

Return System
The Up-Feed Gravity Return Sytem i commonly used in small
residential houses and other industrial installations with the
following services features:

1. It provides contat circulation of hot water.

2.Hot water is quickly drawn from the fixtures at any time
desired.
3.Provide economical circulating return of unused hot
water.
4.Eliminate waste of water.
Constrution of Up-Feed Gravity
Return System
1. The heatin unit and the storage tank are placed below the distribution pipeline.

2. The heating unit should be near and accessible to serve the pipe system conveniently and
efficiently.

3. The distribution main pipe is suspended from the ceiling of the basement. It is inclined upward from
the storages unit. The risers are connected to the distribution main.

4.The distribution main pipe is connected to the tapping on top of the storage tank closer to the flow
from the heater.
5. The distribution main pipe and flow rises are equiped with valve that is, of the Gate Type only.

6. The flow river is provided with a drip at its base for draining.

The efficient and equal supply for hot water to different fixtures of varried
heights and distances depends on how the riser is tapped to the main
distribution. (See Figure 14-3 to 14-5)
14-3

The Overhead Feed and Gravity Return

System
The Overhead Feed and Gravity Return System is an efficient type of hot water distribution
generally used in building of extreme heights. The operating principles are as follows.

1. That water distribution is dependent on the expansion of hot water and gravity. In a
closed pipeline system, water rises up to the highest point of the installation when
heated. The natural force of gravity, return the water into the storage tank.
2. That, water will circulate, even if there may be defect in the mechanical construction.
Construction of the Overhead Feed and
Gravity Return System

1. The storage heating until unit is placed at the lowest point of the
distribution pipe.
2. The overhead feed is connected to a tapping fitting located on top of the
storage tank.
3.As much as possible, the riser should be extended direct and free from
offsets. No fixture shall be connected directly to the riser.
 Construction of the Overhead Feed and
Gravity Return System
4. The distribution pipe is connected to the top of the riser. It is sloped away from the riser to
allow free flow of water to the last drop.
5. The horizontal runs of the riser should be short, direct, and equal in length as possible.
6. The horizontal riser branch is connected to the main distribution pipe, by 45 degree fitting
sloped to the vertical riser proper.
7. The horizontal riser branch is eqquipped with a valve installed closer to the main.
8. The is extended downward throuh the different storey of the building where the lavatories,
shower bath, and the like are connected.
9. A gate valve and a trip are connected to the base.
 Comparative Analysis

1. For Overhead Feed System, the large pipe of the installation is installed at the top
of the riser and the dimminishing pipe sizes passes through the lower floors.
2.For an Up-feed System, the larger pipe is installed at the bottom of the riser and
dimminishing sizes passes through the upper floors of the building.
14-4

The Pump Circuit Sytem

The Pump Circuit System is a mechanical device used to circulate hot water to the
plumbing fixtures. It is recommended for large building where difficulty of providing
natural circulation of hot water is encountered. The centrifugal type of pump is used,
because it is compactly designed, has a few working parts, easily repaired in case of
breakdown, and occupies limited space

Unlike the pulsating movement produced by the piston pump, the rotary motion of a
centrifugal pump impeller creates and even motion or flow of water in the piping system.
The circulating pump system is recommended on installation that has inefficient
circulation of water due to:
1. Building defects compelling the
plumber to trap run on the main
piping.
2. . When scientific principles could
not be applied to produce
circulation.
Advantages of using the Circulating Pump against the
Overhead Feed or UP-feed System

1. Increased efficiency of the system.

2. Economical because the heated water is returned to .
3. Faster circulation giving the occupants a better supply of hot water.
14-5
Location and Operation of the Pump
1.The pump is installed at the circulating return main.
2.it should be closer to the heating unit as possible.
3.The circulating return is connected to the inlet side of the pump.
4.The outer side of the pump is connected to the return and then to the
heater .
5.Provide gate valve on each side of the pump.
6.The pump must be equipped with a by-pass, by inserting Tees of the
same diameter as the circulating return ahead of the valves.
7.In case of pump trouble, the control valves are closed. Hot water will
circulate to the pump into the return pipe of the heater.
8.When the pump is functioning, the valves on either side of the pump
must be open at all times. When the by-pass is not in use , its valve
must be closed.
 14-6
Hot Water Tank
The purpose of hot water tank is to serve the domestic hot water system.
The tank should be strong enough to resist the high pressure of boiling
water stored in it.
Hot Water Tank is Classified into Two Types:
1. The small hot water tank called Range Boiler.
2. The large hot water tank is called Storage Boiler.

The Range Boiler is generally made of copper or stainless steel sheet. It

is built into cylindrical shape with concave ends, welded or riveted to
assure strength and durability. Range Boiler varies in sizes from 30 to
60 centimeters diameter and a length not more than 180 centimeters
long, installed in either vertical or horizontal position.
When standard metal gauge is used, the working pressure is limited not
to exceed 85 psi. Pressure greater than 85 psi. Will require an extra
heavy duty tank.
14-7

Size of Hot Water Tank

The size of hot water tank depends on the following considerations:

1. The kind building served.

2. The expected number of occupants or users.
3. The heating capacity of supply device.

The water heater must be sufficient capacity to replace the discharged water in reasonable time
interval. If a tank installed is designed to serve 50 gallons of water in any one hour of the day, the
heater must be able to replace the same in one hour. The rating or capacity of the water heater is
indicated by manufacturer in the label of their products.
 Test results of hot water consumption per person ranges fro 2 to 10 gallons per hour.
Consumption depends upon the type of building served, and the purpose for which the
water is used. A safe estimate of hot water consumption for hygenic and average use per
person according to the type of building is presented in Table 14-1.
14-8

Working Load of Hot Water System

The working load of hot water supply system in building is somewhat difficult
to estimate, but experienced proved that:
1.For schools, offices or industrial type buildings, the average rated
maximum consumption of hot water per person is about 25%
2.For apartments and residences, the average working load is about 35%.
3.For Hotels, the working load is 50% of the rated consumption per person.
ILLUSTRATION 14-1

Determine the size of a residential boiler tank required to serve a family of 6 person
ILLUSTRATION 14-2

Determine the size of a residential range boiler

tank to serve a family of 8
14-9

Water and Energy Waste in Hot Water Line

In every household equipped with hot water installation, water waste and energy waste cannot be
avoided. Hot water inside the pipe simply cools off between the time it was drawn and shut off. The
next time hot water is drawn the cooled water inside the pipe is the first one to come out before the hot
water reaches the faucet. Therefore, The volume of water standing in the pipe is just thrown away and
wasted not withstanding the energy consumed when it was previously heated.
ILLUSTRATION 14-3

Find the monthly volume of water and energy ( in kilo watt hour) wasted for a hot water
installation serving the fixtures with the following data:
Suggestion How To minimize Hot Water and Energy Waste
1. Hot water pipeline should be short as possible.
2. The hot water tank should be near and accessible to where most hot water is needed.
3. Use the smallest size of pipe that will provide a satisfactory supply. It is less expensive in
terms of heat and water waste.
4. A 10mm (3/8") cooper tube if not too long connection, is the most economical size to serve
runs for sinks, lavatories, shower bath and other similar fixtures. Copper tube absorb less heat
than steel pipe, thus, less insulation is required.
5. Pipe carrying domestic hot water , should be insulated to conserve fuel cost, and to assure a
correct water temperature at the point of use A 12mm (1/2") thick fiberglass was proven
efficient insulating cover.
6. Hot and cold water line running parallel with each other should be separated at a minimum
distance of 15 centimeters to prevent heat intercharge.
7. Small storage tank and heater is preffered.
ILLUSTRATION 14-7
14-10

Protection of the Hot Water Tank

Pressure and temperature if not controlled may cause serious damages to the hot water storage unit.
Excessive pressure or temperature inside the tank may cause rupture or exposion of the tank. Protect
your tank with temperature Pressure Relief Valve.
Install a Temperature Pressure Relief Valve on the hot water tank, or hot water supply line to protect
the system. The presure relief valve must be closer to the tank, provided with a drip pipe from the
relief valve extending downward to the basement floor near the floor drain.

The purpose of Steam Relief Valve is to protect the hot water space heating system, while the
Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve protects the hot water supply system.

There are Two Types of Water Heating System

1. The Hot Water Space Heating System where water is confined within system at low temperature.
2. The Hot Water Supply System not in closed system which operate on much higher temperature.
The settings of these Relief Valves were factory made. They should not in any manner, Be tampered
by the owner on his unauthorized technichian.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
GROUP 11