WATER SUPPLY

A) DESIGN
1. Reference to the drawing, the type of pipe that were used in this project are Mild
Steel Cement Lining (MSCL) type or mild steel pipe. For mild steel pipe, the size that
were used are 150 mm, 200 mm, 300 mm, and 400 mm.

B) CONSTRUCTION
i) Water pipeline construction.
1. Check plumber registration with Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN).
Prior to commencement of work, the responsible person have to ensure that
contractor is registered with SPAN.
2. Then, the contractor need to check and ensure that the referenced drawing is a
construction drawing of the latest revision. The contractor also need to check the
work programme activity status and ensure that if work program allow the
pipeline construction activity, and whether it is in the critical path method. The
assigned contractor can bring the drawing to Pengurusan Air Pahang Berhad
(PAIP) and they will advise about which suitable or nearest water supply that can
be connected to the construction site.
3. Next, the assign contractor must ensure that the material delivered to site is as
approved in the method statement and drawing.
4. After the contractor has ensure that every step above is completed, then the land
surveying can do their works which is to mark the centerline of pipeline and must
be carried out by licensed surveyor.
5. Then, site clearing for pipe laying must be done to remove trees and vegetation.
6. Once pipes are delivered to site, it is the duty of site staff to check that the pipe
conform to approved method statement, drawing and specification. They are to
check according to UTG procedure.
7. After that, check pipe thickness to prevent catastrophic damage from leaking
water of gases, including fire risk.
 8. After that, lowered the risk of damage to other building elements and to ensure
safe working conditions.

i) Pipe laying record or pipe log.

1. The pipe log detail contains a pipe log data and the sketched drawing which is
verified by the contractor and consultant.

ii) Trench excavation.

1. Cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the earth’s surface formed by earth removal.
2. A trench is defined as a narrow underground excavation that is deeper than it is
wide for pipe laying.

iii) Pipe jointing.

1. It is required to connect each pipes to the area involve in the project. There are
few types of jointing used depends on the condition of the pipes.

iv) Pipe laying work and backfilling the pipes after the placement of the pipe is
confirmed.
1. It requires specifications, contract requirements and understanding soil conditions.
2. Backfilling is used in tasks such as protecting foundations, landscaping, or filling
in voids in underground structures.

v) Testing pressure or strength and leakage

1. A pressure test is a way of checking for leaks in the water piping, pressure testing
of pipelines should normally be carried out using water.
2. Only in exceptional circumstances should pneumatic pressure testing using
compressed inert gas or air be used, and then only under carefully controlled
conditions.
3. Before conducting the pressure test, make sure to check that all high points have a
tap or vent to facilitate removal of air during filling and that these are all closed.
 4. Secondly, blank, plug, or seal any open ends and close all valves at the limits of
the test section of the piping.
5. After the pressure testing, sterilizing and disinfection works must be carry out to
ensure that the water supply is free of harmful pathogens, so the water supply is
safe.
6. Sterilizing and disinfection work usually carry out when a new water supply has
been constructed or when a water supply is damaged and then repaired. In this
works, usually chlorine chemicals is used, because it is very effective against
bacteria, viruses, and fungi that contaminate water.
7. The material, type, and the installation method of communication pipe must be
comply to specification that set by authorities (SPAN) or being approved before
installation works carried out.

vi) Tapping
1. It is the method of making a connection to existing piping or pressure vessels
without the interrupting or emptying of that section of pipe.
2. This means that a pipe or tank can continue to be in operation whilst maintenance
is being done to it.

vii) Connect the proposed pipe to existing main pipe

1. It means during the connecting works the water supply still running to user
without any interruption.

viii) As-built drawing or revised set of drawing must be submitted by contractor.

1. As-built drawing reflect all changes made in specifications and working drawings
during construction process, and show the exact dimensions, geometry, type of
component, location, and all addition or deletion of instruments such as pipe
tapping, valve, and fire hydrant.

ix) Project handover

 1. Handover of project post construction inspection which identifies any all defects,
incomplete work or poor or substandard finish.
2. Common defects or poor works usually can be found such as backfilling,
compaction of the soils, clean-up, and restoration of the ground.
3. A handover report is a comprehensive inspection report specifically focused on
defects or substandard work that may or may not comply with the standard code
or specifications.
4. It is an overall report where we are looking to ensure that the project is complete
and ready for the client.

B. GENERAL SPECIFICATION FOR WATER PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION.

1. The minimum depth of pipe of 1.0 m from top of pipe to ground level. The pipes
shall be laid minimum of 600 mm from utilities and drains.
2. Minimum clearances to sewer pipe shall be 1.0 m for vertical and 3.0 m for
horizontal.
3. Minimum vertical clearance for S-Bend shall be 300 mm from the top of culvert.
Isolating valve shall be provided at all junctions or branches.
4. In-live valves located along supply mains shall be installed at intervals between
500 m to 2000 m. the size of isolating valves shall be at least the size of pipeline.
5. For 900 mm above, size can be one size smaller.
6. Scour valve locations and sizes designed such that the pipelines can be drained of
water within 3 hours.
7. Air valves shall as a minimum be provided at all peak points along a pipeline
profile and there are significant negative changes in pipeline gradient.
8. For external reticulation with diameter 200 mm and below, air valves shall be
provided not greater than 1 km apart.

C. INSPECTION, TESTING, AND COMMISSIONING OF PIPELINE.

i) Hydrostatic testing of pipelines,
 1. The installation inclusive of all testing equipment shall be inspected by the
competent person or representative at the site.
2. The inspection of underground pipe shall focus on the depth of trench, pipe
bedding, pipe invert level, irregularity at joints, and correct fitting of valves.
3. It also focus on correct installation of thrust anchor or diaphragm blocks where
applicable.
4. Filling material used also shall comply with the specifications.
5. The inspection of the installation of any pipes in a building will focus on several
thing which is all pipes to be securely fixed, all valves to be correctly installed, all
water storage cisterns to be properly supported and secured, all debris to be
removed from water storage cisterns, and clearance and headroom for
maintenance to be provided it is not less than 375 mm between the top of the
cistern and any obstruction.
6. Hydrostatic test is a must for plumbing system. The installation shall be tested
with potable water.
7. Water shall be filled slowly to allow air to be expelled from the system. The
complete system shall be inspected for leaks. No part of concealed pipework shall
be covered up until the installation has passed the hydrostatic test and clearance
has been given by the competent person or his representatives.
8. The procedure for hydrostatic testing of plastic pipes within a building shall
follow the guidelines. The pipeline and installation within the buildings shall be
tested to 1.5 times the working pressure for 1 hour.
9. The completed system shall be inspected for leaks during the test.
10. The pipe installation is considered to have passed the hydrostatic test if no visible
leak and no drop in the pressure reading are observed during the test.

ii) External reticulation mains hydrostatic test

1. If the water for testing the underground pipe is obtained from the supply main, the
supply main shall be disconnected or isolated before commencement of the test.
2. To avoid risk of contamination, water for testing shall be obtained from the
supply main.
3. Water shall be filled slowly to allow air to be expelled from the system. Long
pipelines should be tested in sections as the work progresses.
4. No part of the pipe trench should be backfilled until pipeline has passed the
hydrostatic test and clearance has been given by the competent person or his
representative.
5. The external pipelines together with communication pipe shall be subject to
hydrostatic test in accordance with established practices and particular
requirements of the certifying agency.
6. Prior to the pressure and leakage test, the weight thrust and anchor blocks must be
first installed in order to ensure no pipe movement during the test.
7. These tests shall be conducted for the entire system including installations,
tapping tees, ferrule components and the connecting pipe after it has been
installed or connected to the external reticulation pipes.
8. All leaks detected during pressure and leakage test shall be repaired and the said
section shall be retested after the repair is completed. Detail results of pressure
and leakage test must be included as part of the handing over documents to the
operator.
9. There are several acceptance criteria for external reticulation main hydrostatic
test. After the section of the pipeline has been filled with water for a period of not
less than seven days, more water shall be pumped into the section to raise the
pressure slowly in increments of 10 m head of water with pause of one minute
between each increment.
10. If any appreciable drop in pressure be noted during one of these pauses, the test
shall be stopped until the cause of the pressure drop has been investigating and
rectified.
11. An engine driven pump may be used until 55 m head pressure is attained, and
thereafter only a hand operated pump shall be used.
12. The pressure or strength test shall be considered to have been passed when the
pressure gauge shows no reduction in pressure during the specified one minute
pause and also during the period of ten minutes after full test pressure has been
 attained. If these conditions are not satisfied, a thorough inspection of the section
of the pipeline shall be made.
13. All defects shall be repaired and the test shall be repeated.

iii) Leakage test

1. The pressure shall be reduced to 10.5 bars head of water and shall be maintained
as constant as possible for a period of 24 hours.
2. Make-up water shall be pumped into the section of the pipeline from time to time
to maintain this pressure.
3. The leakage test shall be considered to have been passed if the make-up water
pumped into the section of the pipeline does not exceed the allowable leakage
calculated as 0.05 l/mm of internal diameter per kilometer of pipe per 24 hours.
4. If this specified rate of leakage is exceeded a thorough inspection of the section of
the pipeline shall be made.
5. All leaks discovered shall be repaired and the section shall be tested again.