Water Supply & Distribution

Systems for Mid-rise to

High-rise Buildings

Preliminary Design and

Calculations
Design Objectives:
 To identify the different water supply and distribution
system commonly applicable for mid-rise to high-
rise buildings.
 To develop a user friendly step – by – step
calculation procedures for the different water supply
and distribution systems used in the building.
 To identify salient features that should be integrated
into the building to give due importance to its
utilitarian requirements relative to the totality of the
building design.
Sample Project
 Project : Proposed 25 Storey Office Building
 Estimated Design Population:
For Basements 1,2 and 3
Provide 2 hose bibb per floor
For Ground to 23rd Floor
Male staff employees = 50 per floor
Female staff employees = 50 per floor
Senior staff (with own Toilet) = 2 per floor
Male visitors per day = 100 per floor
Female visitors per day = 100 per floor
For 24th to 25th Floor
Senior Management = 1 Chief Executive Officer (25th floor)
(individual Toilet & Bath) = 1 Chief Operating Officer (25th floor)
= 1 Executive Vice President (24th floor)
= 1 Senior Vice President (24th floor)
Determination of Minimum Fixture
Requirements (AS PER THE NATIONAL PLUMBING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES)

Type of Building Water Closet Urinals Lavatories Drinking Fountain

OFFICE or PUBLIC Male 1: 1 – 100 1: 1 – 100 Male 1: 1 – 200 1for the first 75, and
BUILDINGS 2: 101 – 200 2: 101 – 200 2: 201 – 400 1 additional fixture for
(for public use) each 150 persons
3: 201 – 400 3: 201 – 400 3: 401 – 750
thereafter.
Female 1: 1 – 200 4: 401 – 600 Female 1: 1 – 200
2: 201 – 400 2: 201 – 400
There shall be a
3: 401 – 750 Over 600, add 1 3: 401 – 750 minimum of one (1)
Add 1 fixture for each fixture for each Over 750, add 1 drinking fountain per
additional 500 males additional 300 males fixture for each occupied floor in
and 2 for each additional 500 offices or public
additional 55 females persons buildings.
OFFICE or PUBLIC Male 1: 1 – 15 0: 1 – 9 Male
BUILDINGS 2: 16 – 35 1: 10 – 50 1per 40
(for employee use) 3: 36 – 55
Female 1: 1 – 15 Add 1 fixture for each Female
2: 16 – 35 additional 50 males 1per 40
3: 36 – 55
Over 55, add 1 fixture
for each additional 40
persons

Note: The total number of water closets for females shall be at least equal to the total number of water closets and
urinals required for males.
Summary of Plumbing Fixtures
 For Ground floor to 23rd floor
 For Basement 1,2 & 3 Female Employee Toilet:
2 Hose bibb per floor Water Closet – Flush Valve =6
 For Ground floor to 23rd floor Lavatory =3
Male Employee Toilet: Slop sink =1
Water Closet – Flush Valve =3 Female Public Toilet
Water Closet – Flush Tank =2 Water Closet- Flush Valve =2
Urinal =1 Lavatory =1
Lavatory =5 Note: Female employee toilet and the female
Slop sink =1 public toilet can be combined.
Male Public Toilet:  For 24th and 25th floor
Water Closet – Flush Valve =1 Water Closet – Flush Tank =2
Urinal =1 Lavatory =2
Lavatory =1 Shower =2
Note: Male employee toilet and the male public  For Drinking Fountain (ground to 23rd)
toilet can be combined, except for the VP
Toilet.
2 per floor
DIRECT PRESSURE SYSTEM
STEP – BY – STEP PROCEDURE
Table 1.0 EQUIVALENT *WATER SUPPLY FIXTURE UNITS (WSFU)
Number of Water Supply Fixture Units
(WSFU)
Type of Fixture Private Use Public Use

Bar Sink 1 2

Bathtub (with or without Shower over) 2 4

Bidet 2 4
Drinking Fountain (each faucet) 1 2
Hose Bibb 3 5
Laundry Tub or Clothes Washer 2 4
Lavatory 1 2
Shower (each head) 2 4
Sink (kitchen) or dishwasher 2 4
Urinal (wall or stall type) - 5
Water Closet – Flush Tank 3 5
Water Closet – Flush Valve: 19mm 3 6
*Water Supply Fixture Unit (WSFU) – is a numerical weighing factor to account for the water demand of
Water
various Closet
plumbing– fixtures,
Flush Valve: 25mm
using the 6 It is just an index number
lavatory (for private use) as 1 WSFU. 10 meant
to put all fixtures on a common basis.
Zone 1: Upfeed / Downfeed by
Direct Pressure System
The calculations involved in this system is in the sizing of
the main supply pipe & riser and the distribution pipes.
The designer must first know the Pressure available at
the Water Main (Pwm).
 Step 1. Determine the type of building or occupancy in
order to know if it is for public use, for private use or for
both public and private use.
 Step 2. Determine the type and quantity of plumbing
fixtures connected to the system. Check the flushing
mechanism of the fixtures if they are of flush valve or
flush tank. Get the equivalent Water Supply Fixture Unit
(WSFU) value per type and quantity of plumbing fixture
connected to the system. Refer to Table 1.
 Step 3. Estimate the Water Demand in either Gallons
per Minute (GPM) or in Liters per Second (LPS). Refer
to Tables 2A and/or 2B.
TABLE 2A. ESTIMATING WATER DEMAND

SUPPLY SYSTEMS PREDOMINANTLY FOR FLUSH TANKS

LOAD IN WATER WATER DEMAND LOAD IN WATER WATER DEMAND
SUPPLY FIXTURE SUPPLY FIXTURE
UNITS (WSFU) Gallon per minute Liter per second UNITS (WSFU) Gallon per minute Liter per second

1 3.0 0.19 60 32.0 2.02

2 5.0 0.32 70 35.0 2.21
3 6.5 0.41 80 38.0 2.40
4 8.0 0.51 90 41.0 2.59
5 9.4 0.59 100 43.5 2.74
6 10.7 0.68 120 48.0 3.03
7 11.8 0.74 140 52.5 3.31
8 12.8 0.81 160 57.0 3.60
9 13.7 0.86 180 61.0 3.85
10 14.6 0.92 200 65.0 4.10
12 16.0 1.01 250 75.0 4.73
14 17.0 1.07 300 85.0 5.36
16 18.0 1.14 400 105.0 6.62
18 18.8 1.19 500 124.0 7.82
20 19.6 1.24 750 170.0 10.73
25 21.5 1.36 1000 208.0 13.12
30 23.3 1.47 1250 239.0 15.08
35 24.9 1.57 1500 269.0 16.97
40 26.3 1.66 2000 325.0 20.50
45 27.7 1.76 2500 380.0 23.97
50 29.1 1.84 3000 433.0 27.32
TABLE 2B. ESTIMATING WATER DEMAND

SUPPLY SYSTEMS PREDOMINANTLY FOR FLUSH VALVES

LOAD IN WATER WATER DEMAND LOAD IN WATER WATER DEMAND
SUPPLY FIXTURE SUPPLY FIXTURE
UNITS (WSFU) Gallon per minute Liter per second UNITS (WSFU) Gallon per minute Liter per second

1 - - 60 54.0 3.41
2 - - 70 58.0 3.66
3 - - 80 61.2 3.86
4 - - 90 64.3 4.06
5 15.0 0.95 100 67.5 4.26
6 17.4 1.10 120 73.0 4.61
7 19.8 1.25 140 77.0 4.86
8 22.2 1.40 160 81.0 5.11
9 24.6 1.55 180 85.5 5.39
10 27.0 1.70 200 90.0 5.68
12 28.6 1.80 250 101.0 6.37

14 30.2 1.91 300 108.0 6.81

16 31.8 2.01 400 127.0 8.01
18 33.4 2.11 500 143.0 9.02
20 35.0 2.21 750 177.0 11.17
25 38.0 2.40 1000 208.0 13.12
30 42.0 2.65 1250 239.0 15.08
35 44.0 2.78 1500 269.0 16.97
40 46.0 2.90 2000 325.0 20.50
45 48.0 3.03 2500 380.0 23.97
50 50.0 3.15 3000 433.0 27.32
 Step 4. Solve for Pressure Head (Ph).
Ph = Pressure loss at meter + Gravity Head + Pressure requirement @ fixture
Where : Pressure loss at meter = assume 69 kPa
: Gravity head = Riser height (9.81 kPa/m)
: Pressure requirement at fixture = Refer to Table 3.

 Step 5. Solve for Pressure available for pipe friction (Pa).

Pa = Pressure at water main – Pressure Head
*Pressure at water main must first be determined on site or from the water district.
 Step 6. Solve for Pressure loss at pipeline due to friction (Pp).
Pp = Pressure loss at pipeline due to friction
Equivalent Length in meters
Where:
Equivalent length= measured horizontal length from water main to riser x 1.85.

1.85 is the factor multiplied to account for the fittings and valves for G.I. threaded
system.
 TABLE 3.0 PROPER FLOW & PRESSURE REQUIRED DURING FLOW FOR DIFFERENT FIXTURES

FLOW PRESSURE FLOW

FIXTURE FITTING kPa PSI Gallon/minute Liter/second

Ordinary Lavatory Faucet 55 8 2.0 0.13

Self-closing Lavatory Faucet 83 12 2.5 0.16

Sink Faucet ( 9 mm ) 69 10 3.5 0.22

Sink Faucet ( 12 mm ) 35 5 4.5 0.28

Drinking Fountain Jet 55 8 0.75 0.05

Washing Machine / Dishwasher 55 8 4.0 0.25

Laundry Faucet 35 5 5.0 0.32

Bathtub Faucet 35 5 5.0 0.32

Shower Head ( 12 mm ) 83 12 5.0 0.32

Ball Cock for Water Closet 104 15 3.0 0.19

(Flush Tank)
Flush Valve for Water Closet 104 15 27.0 1.70
( 19 mm )
Flush Valve for Water Closet 172 25 35.0 2.21
( 25 mm )
Flush Valve for Urinal ( 19 mm ) 104 15 15.0 0.95
Garden Hose,15m and Sill Cock 207 30 5.0 0.32
 Step 7. Solve for Hydraulic Slope (S).
S = Pp in kPa/m
9.81 kPa/m

 Step 8. Solve for the Diameter of the Supply Pipe and Riser, use the
formula:

Where: D = Diameter of pipe in meter

Q = Rate of Flow (from Estimated Water Demand) in cubic meter per second
C= Roughness Coefficient; Use 100 for Fairly Rough Pipe for G.I.
S = Hydraulic Slope
* You can cross check the diameter of the pipe through the Hazen – Williams
Nomograph.
 Step 9. Prepare a Table of Values, as shown below:

FLOOR ACCUMULATED WATER PRESSURE DIAMETER

SERVICE WSFU DEMAND in LOSS DUE OF PIPE in
PIPE TO MILLIMETER
LITER PER
SECOND FRICTION
in
kPa/meter

Step 10. Solve for the Diameter of the Distribution Pipe per floor, use
the formula:

Where: D = Diameter of Pipe in meter

Q = Rate of Flow in liter per second
P = Pressure loss due to friction in
kPa / meter
Design and Calculations of Direct Pressure
System for the Sample Project: The
Solution
Upfeed Supply and Downfeed
Distribution System
 Step – by – Step Procedure
 Components:
1. Suction Tank or Break Cistern
2. Transfer Pumps
3. Upfeed Pipe or Supply Riser
4. Overhead or Gravity Tank
Zone 2 and Zone 3: Upfeed
Supply & Downfeed by Gravity
Distribution System
 The calculations involved in this system is in determining
the size or capacity of:
1. Overhead Tank
2. Suction Tank
3. Transfer Pump
4. Upfeed Pipe
5. Manifold
6. Downfeed Pipes
7. Distribution Pipes
Sizing the Overhead Tank: By Fixture Unit Method
 Step 1. Determine the following data:
A. Type of building or occupancy
a. Building for public use
b. Building for private use
B. Type and quantity of plumbing fixtures used in the building
a. Fixtures with flush tanks
b. Fixtures with flush valves

 Step 2. Determine the equivalent water supply fixture unit (wsfu)

per type and quantity of plumbing fixture used in the building. Refer
to Table 1.

 Step 3. Get the total fixture load (total wsfu) and estimate the total
water demand in gallons per minute (gpm) or liters per second (lps).
Identify if the plumbing fixtures are predominantly of flush tanks or
of flush valves, as in step 1B. Refer to Tables 2A and 2B.
 Step 4. Solve for the Average Day Demand (ADD) by
multiplying the total water demand by 30 minutes or
1800 seconds.
a. ADD = total water demand in gpm x 30 minutes
b. ADD = total water demand in lps x 1800 seconds

 Step 5. Solve for the capacity of the overhead water tank, use the
formula:
a. If ADD is in gallons: Ctank = ADD in gallons x 1.03
b. If ADD is in liters: Ctank = ADD in liters x 1.03
where: 1.03 = factor supplied to account for water evaporation

At this step, you can determine the commercial equivalent of the capacity of
tank and/or quantity if you intend to use prefabricated tanks, such as
stainless steel or fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks. Refer to Tables 4A
and 4B.
 Step 6. If the overhead tank is to be constructed, solve for
its volume (Vtank).
a. Vtank = Capacity of tank in gallons
264 gallons per cubic meter

b. Vtank = Capacity of tank in liters

1000 liters per cubic meter
The dimensions of the tank can be determined after its volume is known.

 Step 7. Design the overhead tank.

Table 4A. STAINLESS STEEL TANK
TABLE 4B. FIBER REINFORCED PLASTIC ( FRP ) TANK
Sizing of Suction Tank or Break Cistern:

 The capacity of the suction tank can be:

1. The same capacity as that of the overhead tank.

2. Double the capacity of the gravity tank to account for a 1 day

retention. In this manner, the tank is usually comprised of 2
chambers. Each chamber is equivalent to the Average Day
Demand (ADD) for water in the building. One of the redundant
chamber will act as a buffer in case there is a long interruption of
water supply from local water district or in the event periodic
chlorination / disinfection is undertaken in the tanks.

3. The suction tank should not be too big that water stagnation
may occur.
Sizing the Capacity (horsepower) of the Transfer
Pumps:
 Step 1. Determine the Rate of Flow ( Q ) from the following:
A. Tank capacity in gallons or in liters.
B. Tank volume in cubic meters.
C. Refilling period; usually 1 hour
The rate of flow ( Q ) can be either in cubic meter per hour, gallon per
minute (gpm) or liter per second (lps).
The conversion factors are: 1 cubic meter / hour = 4.4 gpm
: 1 gallon / minute = 0.063 lps

 Step 2. Solve for the Total Dynamic Head (TDH), using the formula:
TDH = Pump Setting + Tank Elevation + Friction Loss
where:
Pump Setting = the vertical distance from the bottom of suction tank to the center line of the
suction end of the pump.
Tank Elevation = the vertical distance from the center line of the discharge end of the pump up
to the inlet side of the overhead tank.
Friction Loss = ( Total measured length of the pipe x 1.50 ) 1.13 kPa / meter
9.81 kPa / meter
 Step 3. Solve for the *Water Horsepower (WHP), using
the formula: WHP = Q x TDH where: Q = Rate of Flow in lps
75 TDH = Total Dynamic Head in meters
* Water Horsepower (Output Horsepower) – is the energy transferred by pump to the
water.

 Step 4. Solve for the *Brake Horsepower (BHP), using the formula:
BHP = WHP where: E = Efficiency of pump motor, use the following:
E - For Centrifugal Pump
a. Good installation ------- 60 % (up to 4 meter lift)
b. Fair installation ------- 50 % (up to 4 meter lift)
c. Over 4 m to 5 m lift ---- 40 %
- For Jet Pump
a. 10 meter lift ------------- 30 %
b. 15 meter lift ------------- 20 %
*Brake Horsepower (Input Horsepower) – is the energy supplied to the prime mover
of an installed pump. Because of losses due to friction, impeller slippage, etc., the
brake horsepower is always greater than the water horsepower.
 Alternative Steps in Calculating the Pump Capacity
Some pump motors that are made in Europe are rated in kilowatt
(kw) rather than in horsepower. Pump capacity can also be
determined in terms of the Brake Kilowatt (BKW). The formula is:
BKW = TDH x Q X 9.81
3600 x E
Where: TDH = Total Dynamic Head in meters
Q = Rate of Flow in Cubic Meter per Hour
E = Pump motor efficiency

 You can convert BKW to BHP by using the formula:

BHP = BKW x 1000
746

 Step 5. Specify the Transfer Pump. Indicate its Q and TDH.

Sizing for the Upfeed Pipe or Supply Riser:
 Step 1. Solve for Pressure Head (Ph).
Ph = Tank elevation x 9.81 kPa / meter

 Step 2. Solve for Pressure at Riser (Pr).

Pr = Pump Pressure* - Ph * Pump pressure usually ranges from 207
kPa to 518 kPa (30 – 75 psi), with a
maximum operating pressure of
1000 kPa. You can refer to pump
catalogs for specific details.

 Step 3. Solve for Pressure available after valves (Pa).

Pa = Pr - Pv where: Pv = Pressure at valves; use 13.80 kPa or 2 psi

 Step 4. Solve for Pressure at Pipeline (Pp).

Pp = Pa
Total measured length of pipe x 1.85
 Step 5. Solve for the Hydraulic Slope ( S ).
S = Pp
9.81 kPa / m

 Step 6. Solve for the Diameter of the Upfeed Pipe, using the
formula:

Where: Q = Rate of Flow in cubic meter / second

C = Pipe roughness coefficient; use 100 for G. I. pipe
S = Hydraulic slope
D = Diameter of pipe in meter
Downfeed Distribution System: Sizing of the
Manifold
 Step 1. Determine the Rate of Flow ( Q ) which is equal to the
Total Water Demand of the System.
 Step 2. Solve for the Diameter of the Manifold, using the formula;

Where: Q = Rate of Flow in Liters per Second

D = Diameter of pipe in meter with water
flowing at 2.40 meter per second

TABLE 5.0 SIZING OF MANIFOLD

NOMINAL PIPE SIZE ( NPS ) MAXIMUM DEMAND IN LITERS PER SECOND

Inches millimeters Velocity at 1.20 m per Velocity at 2.40 m per

second second
½ 15 0.125 lps 0.315 lps

¾ 20 0.378 lps 0.693 lps

1 25 0.63 lps 1.26 lps

1-1/4 32 0.945 lps 1.95 lps

1-1/2 40 1.386 lps 2.772 lps

 Downfeed Distribution System: Sizing of Downfeed
Pipes and Main Branches

 Step 1. Prepare a Table of Values, as shown below:

FLOOR ACCUMULAT WATER PRESSURE AT FIXTURE EFFECTIVE PRESSURE DIAMETER OF PIPE
SERVICE ED WSFU DEMAND in RISER PRESSURE LENGTH LOSS DUE TO
PIPE (Pr) REQ’T FRICTION in
LITER PER
SECOND kPa / meter

INCHES MM

 Step 2. Solve for the Diameter of the Distribution Pipe per floor, use
the formula:
Where:
D = Diameter of Pipe in meter
Q = Rate of Flow in liter per second
P = Pressure loss due to friction in
kPa / meter
Zone 4: Hydropneumatic
Pressure Boosting System
 The calculations involved in this system is in the
determining in the capacity of:
1. Booster Pump
2. Pressure Tank

 Step – by – Step Procedure

Sizing of Booster Pump :

 Step 1. Check for building floors that have negative pressure

relative to the tank elevation, static pressure at riser versus the
biggest pressure requirement of the fixture.

 Step 2. Determine the fixture load and the corresponding water

demand. Refer to Tables 1, 2A and 2B.

 Step 3. Determine the Rate of Flow ( Q ) in liter per second.

 Step 4. Solve for the Total Dynamic Head ( TDH ), using the
formula: TDH = Static Height in meters + Discharge Pressure
Desired in meter + Friction Loss in meter
 Step 5. Solve for Water Horsepower ( WHP ), using the formula:
WHP = Q x TDH
75

 Step 6. Solve for Brake Horsepower ( BHP ), using the formula:

BHP = WHP * for E, usually use 0.50

E
SIZING OF PRESSURE TANK :

 Use the formula:

Ctank = Vstorage Where: Ctank = capacity of pressure tank in liters
f Vstorage = 15 x Q
N
where: Vstorage = storage volume in liters
Q = Rate of Flow in liter per minute
N = Number of pump cycles per hour ;
Use 12 cycles per hour / pump
15 = constant
f = acceptance factor
= cut – out pressure – cut-in pressure
cut-out pressure
Note: cut – out pressure = maximum system pressure, use 345 kPa
cut – in pressure = minimum sustem pressure , use 207 kPa.
 Annex 1a. Data for G. I. Pipe for supply pipes, risers and
in – house piping

Nominal Pipe Size ( NPS ) Outside Diameter Wall Thickness Nominal Wt. per
( mm ) ( mm ) length of 6 meter
inches mm

½ 15 21.3 2.77 7.62

¾ 20 26.7 2.87 10.08

1 25 33.4 3.38 15.00

1-1/4 32 42.2 3.56 20.28

1-1/2 40 48.3 3.68 24.30

2 50 60.3 3.91 32.58

2-1/2 65 73.0 5.16 51.72

3 80 88.9 5.49 67.68

4 100 114.3 6.02 96.36

Reference Standard: PNS 26 Medium Series for NPS 15 to 40 and Heavy Series for NPS 50 to 100.
: ASTM – Schedule 40 ( ANSI / ASME B36. 10M - 1985
  Annex 1b. Date for PVC Pressure Pipes for Supply Pipes
and Risers

Nominal Pipe Size ( NPS ) Outside Diameter Wall Thickness Length

( mm ) ( mm ) (m)
Inches mm

2 50 63 3.60 6

2-1/2 63 75 4.30 6

3 75 90 5.20 6

4 100 110 6.30 6

6 150 160 9.20 6

8 200 225 12.90 6

10 250 280 16.00 6

12 300 315 18.00 6

Reference Standard: PNS 65 Class 150 – Series 8
 Annex 1c. Data for PVC In – House Water Pipes

Nominal Pipe Size ( NPS ) Outside Diameter Wall Thickness Length

( mm ) ( mm ) (m)
Inches Mm

½ 20 20 1.80 6

¾ 25 25 1.90 6

1 32 32 2.00 6

1-1/4 40 40 2.30 6

1-1/2 50 50 2.90 6

2 63 63 3.60 6

Reference Standard: PNS 65