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SECTION 15469 - WATER SOFTENERS

PART 1 - GENERAL

0.1 RELATED DOCUMENTS

A. Drawings and general provisions of the Contract, including Conditions of Contract and
Division 1 Specification Sections, apply to this Section.

0.2 SUMMARY

A. This Section includes water softeners and accessories for water-supply systems.

B. Related Sections include the following:

1. Division 15 Section "Equipment Insulation" for softener-tank insulation.

2. Division 15 Section "Pipe Insulation" for softener-piping insulation.

0.3 DEFINITIONS

A. The following are industry abbreviations for plastic materials:

1. ABS: Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene plastic.

2. FRP: Fiberglass-reinforced plastic resin.
3. PE: Polyethylene plastic.
4. PVC: Polyvinyl chloride plastic.

0.4 SUBMITTALS

A. Product Data: Include rated capacities; shipping, installed, and operating weights; ion-
exchange resins; salt purity and form; furnished specialties; and accessories.

1. Sample Warranty: Copy of manufacturer's proposed warranty, stating obligations,

remedies, limitations, and exclusions.

B. Shop Drawings: Detail equipment layouts and indicate dimensions, weights, loads, required
clearances, method of field assembly, components, and location and size of each field
connection.

1. Wiring Diagrams: Detail wiring for power, signal, and control systems and
differentiate between manufacturer-installed and field-installed wiring.

C. Certificates of Shop Inspection and Data Reports: For softener tanks, as required by ASME
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

D. Manufacturer's Field Service Reports: As specified in this Section.

E. Field Test Reports: Indicate and interpret test results for compliance with performance
requirements.

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F. Maintenance Agreement: As specified in this Section.

G. Maintenance Data: For water softeners to include in maintenance manuals specified in

Division 1.

H. Warranties: Warranties specified in this Section.

0.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Product Options: Drawings indicate size, profiles, and dimensional requirements of water
softeners and are based on the specific system selected. Other manufacturers' systems with
equal performance characteristics may be considered. Refer to Division 1 Section "Product
Requirements".

B. Electrical Components, Devices, and Accessories: Listed and labeled as defined in

NFPA 70, Article 100, by a testing agency acceptable to the Engineer.

0.6 WARRANTY

A. Manufacturer's Warranty: Provide written warranty, signed by the manufacturer agreeing to

repair or replace components of water softeners that fail in materials or workmanship within
specified warranty period. Include coverage for the following:

1. Attrition loss of resin not to exceed 3 percent per year.

2. Resin not to be washed out of system during service run or backwashing period.
3. Effluent turbidity not to be greater and color not to be darker than incoming water.
4. Underdrain system, gravel, and resin not to become fouled, with turbidity or by dirt,
rust, or scale from softener equipment or soft water, while operating according to
manufacturer's written operating instructions.

B. Warranty Period: [3] years from date of Substantial Completion.

0.7 MAINTENANCE SERVICE

A. Maintenance: Submit four copies of manufacturer's "Agreement for Continued Service and
Maintenance," before Substantial Completion, for the Employer's acceptance. Offer terms
and conditions for furnishing consumables and providing continued testing, maintenance
and servicing to include replacing materials and components. Include one-year term of
agreement, commencing at date of Substantial Completion, with option for one-year
renewal.

0.8 EXTRA MATERIALS

A. Furnish extra materials described below that match products installed and that are packaged
with protective covering for storage and identified with labels describing contents. Deliver
materials to the Employer.

1. Salt for Brine Tanks: Furnish at least four times original load, but not less than
500 kg. Deliver on pallets according to the following:

a. Pellet Form: In 20- or 25-kg packages.

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b. Pellet Form: In 50-kg packages.

c. Solar-Salt Form: In 20- or 25-kg packages.
d. Solar-Salt Form: In 50-kg packages.
e. Brine-Block Form: In 25-kg blocks.

2. Store salt on raised platform where directed by the Employer. Do not store in contact
with concrete floor.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

0.1 HOT-WATER SOFTENERS

A. Description: Factory-assembled, pressure-type, commercial water softener for hot-water

service.

B. Configuration: Single unit with one softener tank and one brine tank.

C. NSF Compliance: NSF 44, "Cation Exchange Water Softeners."

D. NSF Compliance: NSF 44, "Cation Exchange Water Softeners," and NSF 61, "Drinking
Water System Components--Health Effects."

E. Softener Tank: Steel, electric-welded, pressure-vessel quality. Include hydrostatic test at

minimum of one and one-half times pressure rating and the following:

1. Construction: Fabricated and stamped to comply with ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Code: Section VIII, "Pressure Vessels."
2. Pressure Rating: [690 kPa minimum] [860 kPa minimum] [1035 kPa].
3. Wetted Components: Suitable for water temperatures from 4.4 to 71 deg. C.
4. Freeboard: 50 percent minimum for backwash expansion above normal resin bed
level.
5. Finish: Hot-dip galvanized on exterior and interior of tank after fabrication or
exterior spray painted with rust-resistant prime coat and interior sandblasted and lined
with epoxy-polyamide coating.
6. Distribution Systems: Manufacturer's standard, modified for hot-water service.

F. Softener Tank: Stainless-steel, electric-welded, pressure-vessel quality. Include hydrostatic

test at minimum of one and one-half times pressure rating and the following:

1. Construction: Fabricated and stamped to comply with ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Code: Section VIII, "Pressure Vessels."
2. Pressure Rating: [690 kPa minimum] [860 kPa minimum] [1035 kPa].
3. Wetted Components: Suitable for water temperatures from 4.4 to 71 deg. C.
4. Freeboard: 50 percent minimum for backwash expansion above normal resin bed
level.
5. Distribution Systems: Manufacturer's standard, modified for hot-water service.

G. Softener Tank: FRP, pressure-vessel quality. Include hydrostatic test at minimum of one
and one-half times pressure rating and the following:

1. Construction: Fabricated and stamped to comply with ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Code: Section X, "Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels."
2. Pressure Rating: [690 kPa minimum] [860 kPa].

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3. Wetted Components: Suitable for water temperatures from 4.4 to at least 66 deg. C.
4. Freeboard: 50 percent minimum for backwash expansion above normal resin bed
level.
5. Distribution Systems: Manufacturer's standard, modified for hot-water service.
6. Liner: PE, ABS, or other material suitable for hot potable-water service.

H. Controls: Electrical or mechanical timer. Include programmable-, automatic-, and manual-

operation features.

I. Brine Tank: Combination brine and brine measuring. Include section with salt platform
and screen for dry-salt storage and section for brine, or single section for wet-salt storage
without platform.

1. Construction: Fabricated from FRP or molded PE. Include plastic cover.

2. Brine Valve: Float operated and plastic fitted for automatic control of brine
withdrawn and freshwater refill. Include brine tubing and fittings.
3. Size: Sufficient for at least four regenerations at full salting.

J. Include the following factory-installed accessories:

1. Piping, valves, drains, and pressure gages.

2. Sampling cock.
3. Main-operating-valve position indicator.
4. Water meter.

0.2 HOUSEHOLD WATER SOFTENERS

A. Description: Factory-assembled, pressure-type, household or commercial water softener

suitable for household applications.

B. Configuration: Single unit with one softener tank and one brine tank.

C. Softener Tank: Steel or FRP, with coating or liner suitable for potable-water service and
690 kPa minimum pressure rating.

D. NSF Compliance: NSF 44, "Cation Exchange Water Softeners," and NSF 61, "Drinking
Water System Components--Health Effects."

E. NSF Compliance: NSF 61, "Drinking Water System Components--Health Effects."

F. Controls: For automatic or fully automatic operation.

G. Brine Tank: Combination brine and brine measuring. Include single wet-salt storage
section.

1. Construction: Fabricated from FRP or molded PE. Include plastic cover.

2. Brine Valve: Float operated and plastic fitted for automatic control of brine
withdrawn and freshwater refill. Include brine tubing and fittings.
3. Size: Sufficient for at least two regenerations at full salting.

0.3 LIGHT-COMMERCIAL WATER SOFTENERS

A. Description: Factory-assembled, pressure-type, commercial water softener.

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B. Configuration: Single unit with one softener tank and one brine tank.

C. Configuration: Twin unit with two softener tanks and one brine tank.

D. NSF Compliance: NSF 44, "Cation Exchange Water Softeners."

E. NSF Compliance: NSF 44, "Cation Exchange Water Softeners," and NSF 61, "Drinking
Water System Components--Health Effects."

F. Softener Tank: FRP, pressure-vessel quality. Include hydrostatic test at minimum of one
and one-half times pressure rating and the following:

1. Construction: Fabricated and stamped to comply with ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Code: Section X, "Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels."
2. Pressure Rating: [690 kPa minimum] [860 kPa].
3. Wetted Components: Suitable for water temperatures from 4.4 to at least 49 deg. C.
4. Freeboard: 50 percent minimum for backwash expansion above normal resin bed
level.
5. Support Legs or Skirt: Constructed of plastic or structural steel, attached to tank
bottom.
6. Upper Distribution System: Single, point type, fabricated from pipe and fittings.
7. Lower Distribution System: Hub and radial-arm or header-lateral type; fabricated
from nonmetallic pipe with individual, fine-slotted, nonclogging plastic strainers;
arranged for even flow distribution through resin bed.
8. Liner: PE, ABS, or other material suitable for potable water.

G. Softener Tank: Steel, electric-welded, pressure-vessel quality. Include hydrostatic test at

minimum of one and one-half times pressure rating and the following:

1. Construction: Fabricated and stamped to comply with ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Code: Section VIII, "Pressure Vessels."
2. Pressure Rating: [690 kPa minimum] [860 kPa minimum] [1035 kPa].
3. Wetted Components: Suitable for water temperatures from 4.4 to at least 49 deg C .
4. Freeboard: 50 percent minimum for backwash expansion above normal resin bed
level.
5. Support Legs or Skirt: Constructed of structural steel, welded to tank bottom.
6. Finish: Hot-dip galvanized on exterior and interior of tank after fabrication or
exterior spray painted with rust-resistant prime coat and interior sandblasted and lined
with epoxy-polyamide coating.
7. Upper Distribution System: Single, point type, fabricated from pipe and fittings.
8. Lower Distribution System: Hub and radial-arm or header-lateral type; fabricated
from nonmetallic pipe with individual, fine-slotted, nonclogging plastic strainers;
arranged for even flow distribution through resin bed.
9. Liner: PE, ABS, or other material suitable for potable water.

H. Controls: Factory mounted on units and factory-wired cycle controls. Include the
following:

1. Adjustable duration of various regeneration steps.

2. Push-button start and complete manual operation.
3. Electric time clock and switch for fully automatic operation, adjustable to initiate
regeneration at any hour of day and any day of week or at fixed intervals.
4. Sequence of Operation: Program multiport pilot-control valve to automatically
pressure actuate main operating valve through steps of regeneration and return to
service. Include the following:
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a. Pointer on pilot-control valve to indicate cycle of operation.

b. Means of manual operation of pilot-control valve if power fails.

5. Main Operating Valves: Industrial, automatic, multiport, diaphragm type with the
following features:

a. Slow opening and closing, nonslam operation.

b. Diaphragm guiding on full perimeter from fully open to fully closed.
c. Isolated dissimilar metals within valve.
d. Self-adjusting, internal, automatic brine injector that will draw brine and rinse
at constant rate independent of pressure.
e. Valve for single unit with internal automatic bypass of raw water during
regeneration.
f. Sampling cocks for soft water.
g. Special tools are not required for service.

6. Flow Control: Automatic, to control backwash and flush rates over wide variations in
operating pressures, and that does not require field adjustments.

a. Meter Control: Equip each softener tank with standard register water meter
that will record quantity of soft water produced in liters .
b. Meter Control: Equip each softener tank with signal-register-head water meter
that will produce electrical signal indicating need for regeneration on reaching
hand-set total in liters. Design so that signal will continue until reset.
c. Demand-Initiated Control: Equip single softener-tank unit with automatic-
reset-head water meter that will electrically activate cycle controller to initiate
regeneration at preset total in liters. Design so that head will automatically
reset to preset total in liters for next service run.
d. Demand-Initiated Control: Equip each softener tank of twin units with
automatic-reset-head water meters that will electrically activate cycle
controllers to initiate regeneration at preset total in liters. Design so that heads
will automatically reset to preset total in liters for next service run. Include
electrical lockout to prevent simultaneous regeneration of both tanks.

I. Brine Tank: Combination brine and brine measuring. Include section with salt platform
and screen for dry-salt storage and section for brine.

1. Construction: Fabricated from fiberglass or molded PE. Include plastic cover.

2. Brine Valve: Float operated and plastic fitted for automatic control of brine
withdrawn and freshwater refill. Include brine tubing and fittings.
3. Size: Sufficient for at least four regenerations at full salting.

J. Include the following factory-installed accessories:

1. Piping, valves, drains, and pressure gages.

2. Sampling cocks.
3. Main-operating-valve position indicators.
4. Water meters.

0.4 COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL WATER SOFTENERS

A. Description: Factory-assembled, pressure-type, commercial water softener.

B. Configuration: Twin unit with two softener tanks and one brine tank, on skids.
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C. Configuration: Triple unit with three softener tanks and one brine tank.

D. Configuration: Quadruple unit with four softener tanks and one brine tank.

E. NSF Compliance: NSF 44, "Cation Exchange Water Softeners."

F. NSF Compliance: NSF 44, "Cation Exchange Water Softeners," and NSF 61, "Drinking
Water System Components--Health Effects."

G. Softener Tank: FRP, pressure-vessel quality. Include hydrostatic test at minimum of one
and one-half times pressure rating and the following:

1. Construction: Fabricated and stamped to comply with ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Code: Section X, "Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels."
2. Pressure Rating: [690 kPa minimum] [860 kPa].
3. Wetted Components: Suitable for water temperatures from 4.4 to at least 49 deg. C.
4. Freeboard: 50 percent minimum for backwash expansion above normal resin bed
level.
5. Support Legs or Skirt: Constructed of structural steel, attached to tank bottom.
6. Upper Distribution System: Single, point type, fabricated from galvanized-steel pipe
and fittings.
7. Lower Distribution System: Hub and radial-arm or header-lateral type; fabricated
from nonmetallic pipe and fittings with individual, fine-slotted, nonclogging plastic
strainers; arranged for even flow distribution through resin bed.
8. Liner: PE, ABS, or other material suitable for potable water.

H. Softener Tank: Steel, electric-welded, pressure-vessel quality. Include hydrostatic test at

minimum of one and one-half times pressure rating and the following:

1. Construction: Fabricated and stamped to comply with ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Code: Section VIII, "Pressure Vessels."
2. Pressure Rating: [690 kPa minimum] [860 kPa minimum] [1035 kPa].
3. Wetted Components: Suitable for water temperatures from 4.4 to at least 49 deg. C.
4. Freeboard: 50 percent minimum for backwash expansion above normal resin bed
level.
5. Handholes: 100 mm round or 100 by 150 mm elliptical, in top head and lower
sidewall of tanks 750 mm and smaller in diameter.
6. Manhole: 300 by 400 mm in top head of tanks larger than 750 mm in diameter.
7. Support Legs or Skirt: Constructed of structural steel, welded to tank bottom.
8. Finish: Hot-dip galvanized on exterior and interior of tank after fabrication.
9. Finish: Exterior of tank spray painted with rust-resistant prime coat, 0.05 to 0.075
mm dry film thickness. Interior sandblasted and lined with epoxy-polyamide coating,
0.20 to 0.25 mm dry film thickness.
10. Upper Distribution System: Single, point type, fabricated from galvanized-steel pipe
and fittings.
11. Lower Distribution System: Hub and radial-arm or header-lateral type; fabricated
from PVC pipe and fittings with individual, fine-slotted, nonclogging PE strainers;
arranged for even flow distribution through resin bed.
12. Liner: PE, ABS, or other material suitable for potable water.

I. Controls: Fully automatic; factory mounted on units and factory-wired cycle controls.
Include the following:

1. Adjustable duration of various regeneration steps.

2. Push-button start and complete manual operation.
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3. Electric time clock and switch for fully automatic operation, adjustable to initiate
regeneration at any hour of day and any day of week or at fixed intervals.
4. Sequence of Operation: Program multiport pilot-control valve to automatically
pressure actuate main operating valve through steps of regeneration and return to
service. Include the following:

a. Pointer on pilot-control valve to indicate cycle of operation.

b. Means of manual operation of pilot-control valve if power fails.

5. Main Operating Valves: Industrial, automatic, multiport, diaphragm type with the
following features:

a. Slow opening and closing, nonslam operation.

b. Diaphragm guiding on full perimeter from fully open to fully closed.
c. Isolated dissimilar metals within valve.
d. Self-adjusting, internal, automatic brine injector that will draw brine and rinse
at constant rate independent of pressure.
e. Sampling cocks for soft water.
f. Special tools are not required for service.

6. Flow Control: Automatic, to control backwash and flush rates over wide variations in
operating pressures, and that does not require field adjustments.

a. Meter Control: Equip each softener tank with signal-register-head water meter
that will produce electrical signal indicating need for regeneration on reaching
hand-set total in liters. Design so that signal will continue until reset.
b. Demand-Initiated Control: Equip each softener tank of twin or other multiple
tank units with automatic-reset-head water meters that will electrically activate
cycle controllers to initiate regeneration at preset total in liters. Design so that
heads will automatically reset to preset total in liters for next service run.
Include electrical lockout to prevent simultaneous regeneration of more than
one tank.

J. Brine Tank: Combination brine and brine measuring. Include section with salt platform
and screen for dry-salt storage and section for brine.

1. Construction: Fabricated from 4.75 mm thick fiberglass or 9.5 mm thick molded PE.
Include plastic cover.
2. Brine Valve: Float operated and plastic fitted for automatic control of brine
withdrawn and freshwater refill. Include brine tubing and fittings.
3. Size: Sufficient for at least four regenerations at full salting.

K. Include the following factory-installed accessories:

1. Piping, valves, drains, and pressure gages.

2. Sampling cocks.
3. Main-operating-valve position indicators.
4. Water meters.

0.5 CHEMICALS

A. Ion-Exchange Resin: High-capacity, sulfonated polystyrene that is stable over entire pH

range with good resistance to bead fracture from attrition or shock. Include capacity to
68.7 kg of calcium carbonate hardness/cu. m of resin when regenerated with 6.8 kg of salt.
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B. Salt for Brine-Tank Applications: High-purity, sodium chloride that is free of dirt and
foreign material. Rock and granulated forms are unacceptable.

1. Form: [Food-grade salt pellets] [Salt pellets] [Solar salt, crystallized in shallow
ponds and milled into irregular particles] [Plain, brine block salt].

0.6 WATER TESTING SETS

A. Water-Hardness Testing Set: Manufacturer's standard testing apparatus and chemicals with
testing procedure instructions and metal container suitable for wall mounting.

PART 3 - EXECUTION

0.1 CONCRETE BASES

A. Install concrete bases of dimensions indicated, or otherwise required, for equipment. Refer
to Division 3 Section "Cast-in-Place Concrete" and Division 15 Section "Basic Mechanical
Materials and Methods".

0.2 WATER SOFTENER INSTALLATION

A. Install water softener equipment on concrete bases, level and plumb, according to
manufacturer's written instructions, layout drawings, original design, and referenced
standards. Maintain manufacturer's recommended clearances. Arrange units so that
controls and devices needing servicing are accessible.

B. Anchor tanks and floor-mounting accessories to substrate.

C. Install seismic restraints for tanks and floor-mounting accessories and anchor to substrate.

D. Install pressure gages on raw-water inlet and soft-water outlet piping of each water softener
tank. Refer to Division 15 Section "Meters and Gages" for pressure gages.

E. Install water testing sets near each water softener and mount on wall where indicated.

0.3 CONNECTIONS

A. Piping installation requirements are specified in other Division 15 Sections. Drawings

indicate general arrangement of piping, fittings, and specialties.

B. Install piping adjacent to equipment to allow service and maintenance.

C. Make piping connections to dissimilar-metal water piping with dielectric fittings. Refer to
Division 15 Section "Basic Mechanical Materials and Methods" for dielectric fittings.

D. Install drains as indirect wastes to spill into open drains or over floor drains.

E. Install brine lines and fittings furnished by the manufacturer but not specified to be factory
mounted.

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F. Install electrical connections for power, controls, and devices. Electrical power wiring,
devices, and connections are specified in Division 16 Sections.

G. Ground equipment.

1. Tighten electrical connectors and terminals according to manufacturer's published

torque-tightening values. If manufacturer's torque values are not indicated, use those
specified in UL 486A and UL 486B.

0.4 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL

A. Manufacturer's Field Service: Engage a factory-authorized service representative to inspect

field assembly of components and installation of water softeners, including piping and
electrical connections. Report results in writing.

1. Leak Tests: After installation, charge system and test for leaks. Repair leaks and
retest until no leaks exist.
2. Operational Test: After electrical circuitry has been energized, start units to confirm
proper operation. Remove malfunctioning units, replace with new units, and retest.
3. Test and adjust controls and safeties. Replace damaged and malfunctioning controls
and equipment.

B. Sample water softener effluent after startup and at three consecutive seven-day intervals
(total of four samples), and prepare certified test reports for required water performance
characteristics. Comply with the following:

1. ASTM D 859, "Test Method for Silica in Water."

2. ASTM D 1067, "Test Methods for Acidity or Alkalinity of Water."
3. ASTM D 1068, "Test Methods for Iron in Water."
4. ASTM D 1126, "Test Method for Hardness in Water."
5. ASTM D 1129, "Terminology Relating to Water."
6. ASTM D 3370, "Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits."

0.5 COMMISSIONING

A. Engage a factory-authorized service representative to perform startup service.

B. Perform the following final checks before startup:

1. Water Piping Systems: Verify that tests have been completed.

2. Load Softener Tank: Install gravel to cover lower distribution system and add water;
smooth gravel surface and add softening resin.
3. Load Brine Tank: Add water and fill tank with [pellet-form] [solar] [brine block]
salt.

C. Energize circuits.

D. Adjust operating controls.

0.6 DEMONSTRATION

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A. Engage a factory-authorized service representative to train the Employer's maintenance

personnel to adjust, operate, and maintain water softeners. Refer to Division 1 Section
"[Demonstration and Training] [Closeout Procedures]."

1. Schedule at least eight (8) hours of training.

END OF SECTION 15469

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