Water Supply & Distribution Systems for

Mid-rise to High-rise Buildings:

Upfeed Supply and Downfeed by Gravity

Preliminary Design and Calculations

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

 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.

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

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) 3: 201 – 400 3: 201 – 400 3: 401 – 750 each 150 persons
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
Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU
for males.
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 Closet – Flush Valve: 25mm 6 10
*Water Supply Fixture Unit (WSFU) – is a numerical weighing factor to account for the water demand of various
plumbing fixtures, using the lavatory (for private use) as 1 WSFU. It is just an index number meant to put all fixtures
on a common basis. Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU
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 Danilo
1.84 V. Ravina NAMPAP3000
CEBU 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 Danilo
3.15 V. Ravina NAMPAP3000
CEBU 433.0 27.32
 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
Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU
 Upfeed Supply & Downfeed by Gravity
Distribution System

• The calculations involved in this system is in determining the

size or capacity of: In this calculations, it is assumed that
1. Overhead Tank the pressure at the downfeed pipes
are within acceptable limits.
2. Suction Tank
3. Transfer Pump
4. Upfeed Pipe
5. Manifold
6. Downfeed Pipes
7. Distribution Pipes
Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU
 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

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

 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.
Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU
• 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 and losses
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.
The minimum capacity of the overhead tank can 25% of ADD.

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

• 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.

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

Table 4A. STAINLESS STEEL TANK

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

TABLE 4B. FIBER REINFORCED PLASTIC ( FRP ) TANK

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

 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 suction 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.

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

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
• Alternative method is the use of Maximum Day Demand (MDD). Maximum Day
Demand is the day with the highest water demand. Usually, this occurs during dry
season generally on a Monday. The value from the Maximum Day Demand is used
in determining the minimum transfer pump capacity.
The formula is: Maximum Day Demand = 1.30 x ( Average Day Demand)

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

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

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

• 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.

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

• 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.

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

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

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

• 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
Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU
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
TABLE 5.0 SIZING OF MANIFOLD
per second
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
Danilo V. Ravina lps CEBU
NAMPAP 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 LITER PER (Pr) REQ’T FRICTION in
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
Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU / meter
Sample Project

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

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 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

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

 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

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

• 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

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

 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 , use 0.30
= cut – out pressure – cut-in pressure
cut-out pressure
Note: cut – out pressure = maximum system pressure, use 345 kPa
cut – in pressure = minimum system pressure , use 207 kPa.

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

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Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU
• 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.
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: 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 Inside Diameter
( mm ) ( mm ) ( mm )
Inches mm

2 50 63 3.60 55

2-1/2 63 75 4.30 66

3 75 90 5.20 79

4 100 110 6.30 97

6 150 160 9.20 141

8 200 225 12.90 199

10 250 280 16.00 218

12 300 315 18.00 279

Reference Standard: PNS 65 Class 150 – Series 8

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• Annex 1c. Data for PVC In – House Water Pipes

Nominal Pipe Size ( NPS ) Outside Diameter Wall Thickness Inside Diameter
( mm ) ( mm ) ( mm )
Inches Mm

½ 20 20 1.80 16

¾ 25 25 1.90 21

1 32 32 2.00 28

1-1/4 40 40 2.30 35

1-1/2 50 50 2.90 44

2 63 63 3.60 55

Reference Standard: PNS 65

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PPR PN 20
Nominal Pipe Size Outside Diameter Inside Diameter
( NPS ) ( mm ) ( mm )
Inches

1/2 20 13

5/8 25 16

3/4 32 21

1 40 26

1-1/4 50 33

1-1/2 63 42

2 75 50

2-1/2 90 60

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU

End of Presentation

Danilo V. Ravina NAMPAP CEBU