A.

Explanation regarding Wet Riser pressure and stage height limitations according to UBBL 1984,
amendment 2021

By-law 231(4) – Each stage of the wet rise shall not exceed 150 metres in height and the pressure for
each stage shall not exceed 20 bar and in each stage of the wet riser, the height between the
topmost and the lowest landing valves shall not exceed 75 metres and be provided with its own
pump set.

To comply with the requirement of this by-law, all four criteria must be met (refer to Figure 1
below):

1. Pressure in the WR system for any stage shall not exceed 20 bars (P1 and P2 to not exceed
20 bar).
2. Each individual stage, defined by the distance between the lowest and highest landing valves
in the stage shall not exceed 75 meters (HS1 and HS2 to not exceed 75m).
3. Total system stage height, defined by the distance between the lowest and highest landing
valves for all stages in a system shall not exceed 150 metres (HT to not exceed 150m).

Figure 1: Wet Riser System

Definition of Wet Riser system pressure limit

Wet Riser system pressure is defined as the highest pressure recorded in any part of the system
when the Wet Riser system is under standby or during operation.

For a pumped system, the highest pressure in the system is normally attained during Jockey pump
cut-off.
Examples of UBBL 1984 compliant designs for Wet Riser system

Example 1: Upfeed and Downfeed Pumped Wet Riser System (Figure 2)

Maximum Pressure for Stage 1

Design Pump Head for WRP-1 = 115m static height + 40m LV pressure + 10m Loss = 16.5 bars

Duty Pump pressure switch cut-off pressure = 1.1 x 16.5 bars = 18.15 bars

Jockey Pump pressure switch cut-off pressure = 1.1 x 18.1 bars = 20 bars

Highest System Pressure, P1 = 20 bars (at the limit of 20 bars)

Maximum Pressure for Stage 2

Design Pump Head for WRP-2 = 40m static height + 40m LV pressure + 10m Loss = 9 bars

Duty Pump pressure switch cut-off pressure = 1.1 x 9 bars = 9.9 bars

Jockey Pump pressure switch cut-off pressure = 1.1 x 9.9 bars = 10.9 bars

Highest System Pressure, P2 = 10.9 + 3.5 = 14.4 bars (below 20 bars limit)

(Note: The above computation is a simple calculation to demonstrate compliance. Actual pipe
pressure drops to be based on design and pumps cut off pressures to be based on actual pumps
selection and installation.)

Figure 2: Upfeed and Downfeed Wet Riser System

Example 2: Downfeed Pumped and Gravity Assisted Wet Riser System (Figure 3)

Maximum Pressure for Stage 1

Design Pump Head for WRP-1 = 40m LV pressure + 10m Loss = 5 bars

Duty Pump pressure switch cut-off pressure = 1.1 x 5 bars = 5.5 bars

Jockey Pump pressure switch cut-off pressure = 1.1 x 5.5 bars = 6.1 bars

Highest System Pressure, P1 = 6.1 bars + 7.5 bars = 13.6 bars (lower than limit of 20 bars)

Maximum Pressure for Stage 2

Highest Pressure at P2 = 15 bar (lower than limit of 20 bars)

Note that in this example, both individual stage heights are at the limit of 75m, and the total system
stage height is also at the limit of 150m.

Figure 3: Downfeed Pumped and Gravity-Assisted Wet Riser System