DESIGNERS NOTEBOOK
Using Arresters to Stop Water Hammer
Joseph V. Messina, CPD
Water hammer is a water pressure
surge that occurs in the water piping
when valves are shut off quickly. It is
prone to happen with quick-shutoff
valves such as those found on wash-
ing machines or other mechanical
equipment. When the valve is shut
off, the flowing water hits the closed
valve or faucet and bounces back. The
water continues bouncing until it hits
a point of impactthe connection
between two pipes or at a joint in a
piping systemand causes a bang-
ing or knocking sound when the pipe
vibrates due to the pressure wave.
This impact eventually, or sometimes
immediately, damages valves, fittings,
and equipment such as water heaters,
washing machines, dishwashers, and
mechanical equipment. The damage
subsequently can cause water leaks or
equipment failure.
(Note that many valves, fittings, and
plumbing fixtures are designed to
operate and resist damage up to 150
pounds per square inch. This creates
a margin of safety against unexpected
pressure increases, since most codes do
not allow pressure more than 80 psi to
enter a home or commercial building.)
Calculations can determine the
amount of pressure that is produced
Table 1. Air Chamber Failure Rates
Capacity Line Size Air Chamber
Units (cubic in) (in) Diameter (in)
1 30
2 50 1 58.2
3 75 1 1
4 110 1 1
5 170 1 2
6 300 2 3
Source: Standard PDI-WH201 Water Hammer Arrester Standard
when the water flow is stopped
abruptly. This pressure is approxi-
mately 60 times the velocity of the
water moving through the pipe. Plumb-
ing engineers generally design the
velocity between five and 10 feet per
second, which can produce a pressure
wave between 300 and 600 psi. Testing
of the piping system at this pressure is
not done and is not a good idea.
52 Plumbing Systems & Design March/April 2005
You can use an air chamber or a
water hammer arrester to control water
hammer. However, water hammer
arrestors are a more feasible option.
The Problem With Air Chambers
In many cases, air chambers are
installed to cut costs. Air chambers
are simply capped vertical pieces of
pipe filled with air and installed on the
water line. Many times an air cham-
ber is just an extension of the piping
serving the lavatory, sink, or water
closet. The airs purpose is to absorb
the shock of the water hammer. Most
chambers only work for a short period
before the water absorbs the air in the
pipe, which causes the air chamber to
become waterlogged. Once this hap-
pens, the air chamber no longer can
protect the piping from water hammer.
The U.S. Testing Laboratory has run
tests on air chambers to determine
the elapsed time for an air chamber to
exceed 150 psig and the elapsed time
for failure, as evidenced by a violent
pounding and vibration in the piping
system (see Table 1). The tests were
run with four valve closures per minute
(1,900 valve closures a day), using 60
psi at 10 feet per second, and the air
chambers completely failed (filled with
water) after the third day.
Air Chamber Failure Rate
Height (in) Exceeded 150 psi Total Failure
56.7 1st hour 2nd day
1st hour 3rd day
50 1st hour 2nd day
54 1st hour 2nd day
50.5 1st hour 1st day
40.5 1st hour 2nd day
When air chambers are used in
buildings, refilling them with air after
they become waterlogged is difficult
because the water system needs to
be drained and recharged. However,
Plumbing and Drainage Institute
Standard PDI-WH 201 states that it is
impossible to replenish the air by this
method because the supply piping in
many plumbing systems forms a trap
that makes it difficult to drain the water
from the piping sufficiently to allow
air to enter. Regardless of how the
piping is arranged, no possible way
to introduce air exists. An air chamber
only can work if the plumbing system
is designed to drain all the risers and
branches so air can be introduced.
Thus, an air chamber cannot be an
effective means to control shock in a
piping system.
Sizing and Locating Water Hammer
Arresters
The alterative to air chambers and
best solution to control water hammer
is water hammer arresters, which
absorb the surge so the water piping is
not damaged. Water hammer arresters
are engineered devices that use gas or
air to control water hammer. The gas
or air is sealed in the unit permanently
and can control shock for many years.
Many styles of water hammer arresters
are on the market, and they come in
all sizes to fit all applications. While
the basic principle of operation in
each unit is different, all are designed
with the permanent cushion of gas
or air needed to control shock. Water
hammer arresters should be placed
upstream from all quick-shutting valves
and faucets, which can be found on
washing machines, icemakers, and
dishwashers and would include elec-
tronic operated valves used on hands-
free faucets.
Standard PDI-WH 201 covers water
hammer arrester certification, sizing,
and placement. PDI produces a sizing
table based on the fixture unit value
applied to the line on which placement
of the water hammer arrester is being
considered (see Table 2).
Water hammer devices should meet
PDIs testing requirements. You can
Table 2. Water Hammer Arrester Sizing
Pipe Size
PDI Symbol Fixture Unit Rating (in)
A 1-11
B 12-32
C 33-60 1
D 61-113 1
E 114-154 1
F 155-330 2
Source: Standard PDI-WH201 Water Hammer Arrester Standard
 DESIGNERS NOTEBOOK
refer to Standard PDI-WH 201 for the testing standards and
procedures. TM

After selecting a water hammer device for a project, you

should pay close attention to where the device will be
located. Air chambers often are located behind fixtures, Grinders
By Liberty Pumps
and access to them is not possible without tearing into
the wall, which can be costly. Thus, air chambers may not
be the device of choice. Some manufactures and building
codes require access to a water hammer arrestor, which

Hungry by Design
may necessitate access panel installation to reach the arres-
tor if it needs to be replaced. Some manufacturer warran-
ties state that the manufacturer will pay for any repairs that
are required to access an arrestor, so access panels are not
required, but still recommended.

Joseph V. Messina, CPD, is the discipline

director of plumbing engineering for CUH2A
Inc., Architecture, Engineering, Planning,
in Atlanta. He has more then 30 years
experience specializing in plumbing and re
protection design of instructional, research,
and medical facilities. His email address is
jmessina@cuh2a.com.

Clarication
In the November/December 2004 Designers Notebook
column Discussing Acid Waste Systems, the figures origi-
nally came from Town & Country Plastics Inc.

continued from page 40

you can design and control this kind of pumping system.
The reference contains a wealth of additional design
details to help you solve problems, minimize costs, and
provide comfort to building occupants.
Thoughtful application of primary-secondary pumping
principles in the hydronic system can solve problems by
providing increased flexibility at low cost and even reduc-
ing operating costs. On the other hand, increasing the
complexity of the piping/pumping system without a clear
analysis may simply compound problems.
References
Primary-Secondary Pumping Application Manual, ITT
Fluid Handling Division Bulletin Number T E H 775.
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March/April 2005 Plumbing Systems & Design 53