BSR101

BUILDING SERVICES I
C.O.L.D W.A.T.E.R. S.U.P.P.L.Y
S.Y.S.T.E.M

COLD WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN

BUILDING

Factors in selecting a water supply system in buildings:

1) The efficiency and suitability of a system.
2) Method and the distribution of plumbing supplies.
3) The installation of the system resistance.
4) The water pressure in the main pipe.
5) The cost of installation and maintenance.

Two (2) water supply systems to the building:

1) Direct System
2) Indirect System

Direct System

All appliances in the building receive water directly from the

main supply pipe / services pipe.
No water storage tanks required, except when there is hot
water supply systems (hot water cylinder)- 114 liters tank
Suitable for small building and the maximum head pressure
of 3 bar (30m) in the main pipe.
Widely used in areas of northern Malaysia.
Risk of contamination through the process of back-siphonage
is higher.
Back-siphonage occurs when there is a lot of water usage
from water outlet. Dirty water flowed came out from inlet will
be back-siphonage into the main channel.

Direct System
Advantages

Providing clean water and

fresh water at all points.
Installation work is easier
because there is no storage
tank.
Economical use of the pipe
(no distribution pipes from
the tank).
The water pressure is
always high.
The cost in terms of pipe
and joint material is low.

Disadvantages

Water supply had to be cut if

the maintenance work required.
High pressure - the valve and
connections are susceptible to
damage.
The effect of water hammer
(vibration of water) easy to
occur due to high pressure and
produce noise.
Water
supply
will
be
disconnected if there is a
disruption in the main pipe.
Risk of water contamination
arising from occurrence of
back-siphonage of waste water
is high.

Direct System
Suitable water pressure is
important to ensure the
process water supply is
smoothly.
Minimum of pipe work
installation required.
If hot water supply system
installed, supply tank with
capacity of 114L required.
Drinking water from any
intake flow.
The pipe is installed at a
distance of approximately
600mm from the external
wall.
The valve can be installed
to isolate sections of pipe
work.

INDIRECT SYSTEM

Sources of water are supplied from storage tanks through a

distribution pipe except to the kitchen sink is directly from the
service pipe.
The water tank is always filled with water and is controlled by
a ball valve.
Capacity of tank is almost double compared to direct system
(min 227 L) - These water tanks supply water to all fixtures.
Location of the tank at the roof space.
A lot of pipe work installation rather than direct system.
Higher installation costs.
Lack of equipment is connected directly to the tract - lack of
risk of contamination through the process of back-siphonage.
Provide plenty of saving water.

Indirect System
Advantages

The water pressure is

constant.
Constant pressure and low
- less water, and avoid the
problem of noise.
Have enough of water
storage if the main pipe
supply interruption or cut
off the supply are occurred.

Disadvantages

Low pressure in the main pipe

- water can not enter the tank
- the water runs out.
Higher costs - tanks, and
piping connections.
Water tanks - should be
maintained (maintained and
cleaned)
Water quality is dependent on
- the cleanliness of storage
tanks.

Indirect System
Service pipe

1st floor

Toile
t2

Basin

Communication
pipe
Water
meter

Ground floor

Toilet 1

kitchen

Main pipe

2 storey building

Distribution
pipe

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM FOR PLUMBING

SYSTEM IN 2 STOREY BUILDING

1st floor

Toilet 2

Ground floor

Toilet 1

basin

Water
meter
Main pipe

kitchen

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM FOR PLUMBING SYSTEM

IN HIGH RISE BUILDING

Storage
Tank 1

Storage
Tank 2

Vent pipe
(Air Bleeding
Pipe)

Paip agihan
Service pipe
WC

Bulk
meter

Main pipe

WB

SH

KT

Suction
tank

Individual
meter

Pump
MULTI-STOREY
Injap sehala

legend:
WC water closet
WB wash basin
SH shower
KT kitchen tap

Cold Water Supply in Highrise

Building

Comparison Between Direct System and

Indirect System
Direct System

Indirect System

Cleaner water supply to all

appliances.
High pressure can damage the
tap reticulation pipes and other
equipment.
Pressure is not uniform in the
reticulation pipes affect the
consumer.
No storage where there is no
supply.
Less pipe must be installed.
No need to supporter because
not use storage tank.
Installation of pipe work and
the cost is cheaper.

Water in the tank may be dirty.

Low pressure does not damage
the equipment.
Changing demand can be
overcome with the storage
tank.
Existence when there is no
supply of storage water.
Less pressure in distribution
pipes, larger pipes to be used.
There should be supporter to
be put in the tank.
Plumbing installation will
increase the cost and more
expensive.

Comparison Between Direct System and

Indirect System
Direct System

Indirect System

Installation of plumbing and

the cost are cheaper.
Size of tank is 114L.
Easy to maintain.

Plumbing installation and the

cost are expensive.
Minimum tank size of 227L.
It is difficult to maintain.

Internal
Plumbing
Pelan
Isometrik Paip Dalaman
Plan
Bangunan.

Sumber : SYABAS

Appliances for back-flow

prevention

Appliances preventing reverse flow in the main pipe (backflow preventions)

fitted with a horizontal pipeline.
It's like an automatic valve that allows water to flow in one direction and
prevented from flowing back.
It is installed with the help of pump power. If the pump is stopped, the
water can not flow back into the pump and the main pipe.