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There has been an increase in the rate of construction of high-rise buildings in modern times. With it has come a rise in the need for high-rise construction plumbing. Such high-rise plumbing needs to be expertly planned and well functioning. In fact, the need for effective plumbing solutions can make you want to know who installs high-rise plumbing.
This post is a detailed guide on high-rise buildings and who installs their plumbing. You can learn more about the quintessential components, purposes, plumbing challenges, and plumbing solutions of high-rise buildings. Finally, you can read up on high-rise plumbing maintenance tips and services of plumbing companies.
What is a high rise building?
You should not merely imagine tall buildings when considering high-rise buildings. There are more specific criteria that define high-rise buildings. A high-rise building in Australia is any building with between 9 -19 floors. A building with 20 floors or more is called a super high-rise building.
A high-rise building has an occupied floor 75 feet (22.8 metres) above the level for staging firefighting apparatus. With this low threshold, such facilities must have specific features to improve higher-level access and promote life safety.
Components of high-rise plumbing systems
High-rise plumbing systems generally comprise water supply, drainage, and supporting fixtures and equipment. For high-rise plumbing systems to be effective, the three essential components need to provide effective function.
- The potable water supply system has to be drinkable.
- There must be adequate and safe drainage systems.
- The supporting fixtures and equipment need to be ample and adequate.
Purposes of high-rise plumbing systems
Here are some purposes to expect from high-rise plumbing systems:
- You should be able to get an adequate and potable hot and cold water supply.
- Suitable wastewater and sewage drainage into public sewers or private disposal systems should exist.
High rise plumbing challenges
Just like the plumbing for regular homes, high-rise construction plumbing poses challenges of flow, pressure, and distribution. However, specific considerations for high-rise plumbing include the following:
Getting the same water pressure to top building residents
High-rise buildings' plumbing and drainage systems can face the challenge of providing even water pressure. For plumbing systems, every 2.3 feet (0.6-0.9 cm) of elevation leads to a pressure loss of 1 pound (0.5 kgs) per square inch. Thus, it can be challenging to maintain a high minimum pressure at the top levels. This is a significant challenge to solve for toilets in office buildings.
Plumbing and drainage issues relating to balconies
In this instance, improperly set up plumbing systems can cause property damage and inconvenience residents. The position of the drain needs to be placed appropriately. Otherwise, water can seep through tiles when there's less than adequate fall from the balcony.
Blocked drains in high-rise buildings
Trade waste can cause blockages in balcony drain outlets. That is why the final cleaning of balcony drains should be included in high-rise construction projects. General rubbish or tiller cement that gets into the drain should be cleaned.
Ordinarily, you should periodically check for blocked drains in areas with obstructions, such as leaf matter and standard rubbish. This can be a common cause of stormwater system failure.
Effective use of venting methods
High-rise drainage systems need a vent stack to provide pressure equalisation and relief. The vent system effectively helps relieve pressure in the drainage systems by letting air flow in both directions. High-rise vent systems need relief vents that allow sewer drain without pressure limitations.
Excessive water system pressure
The taller a building gets, the greater the tendency for water systems to exert pressures above the safe working pressure of copper tubing. Standard or stainless steel light wall pipes are used in some areas to increase safe working pressure.
Vertical piping systems
Generally, high-rise plumbing engineers find vertical piping systems more effective than horizontal piping systems. However, while vertical piping is more effective in providing drainage, there is the challenge of multiple penetrations through structural slabs.
If these penetrations are not sealed or protected, fire and smoke can migrate vertically and turn tall buildings into tall chimneys. The number of penetrations can even affect the integrity of the fixture's structure and function.
Effective fire protection systems
High-rise designs need to include effective fire protection systems. For instance, all high-rise buildings need sprinkler systems on each floor. Likewise, there should be standpipe systems in each stairwell. This will help protect life and property.
High-rise plumbing engineers must properly consider outlet placements and coverage density based on the specific building type and height. Similarly, they must consider the location and local fire authorities.
Furthermore, fire protection systems in high-rise buildings need dedicated fire pumps to provide adequate flows and pressures.
Other high-rise plumbing challenges
The following are challenges that occur with high-rise plumbing:
- Water temperature management
- Collation and removal of wastewater
- Managing stormwater from roofs and balconies
- Cold water system challenges in hospitals
Solving high-rise building plumbing challenges
A plumbing company with high-rise plumbing construction experience can provide dependable plumbing solutions. They can offer systems that are efficient, energy-saving, and long-lasting. However, you must invite them early in construction to get the best results.
Managing water supply distribution
You can use various pumping schemes to ensure water supply distribution in very tall, high-rise buildings.
- One method uses elevated storage tanks with fill pumps positioned at the bottom of the building.
- A more modern approach is a direct pumping system that uses multiple pump packages to distribute water with constant speed and pressure controls.
- The variable-speed and direct-pumped package is a method that has variable-frequency electric drives and lower energy consumption.
Fixing high or low water supply issues
High-rise plumbing design can feature a water reservoir or a series of pumps to help raise water pressure. Professionally installed water booster systems can help raise low water pressure.
High-rise plumbing maintenance
Whether you are the high-rise property owner, building manager, or simply an occupant, you need to check the condition of the plumbing regularly. This includes the conditions of water heaters, pipes, and valves. You also have to take preventive measures to avoid plumbing damage. Everyone should know what to do and who to call during a plumbing emergency.
Qualities of good commercial plumbing companies
Here are some characteristics to watch out for when hiring commercial plumbing companies for your high-rise plumbing:
- Commercial plumbers should have enough long-term experience to maintain plumbing for multi-story buildings. For example, they should be able to install and fix backflow prevention devices.
- The commercial plumbing team should be able to identify plumbing code violations. Likewise, they should be able to spot defective plumbing.
- Your commercial plumber should have the latest plumbing technologies. For instance, they can use trenchless technologies to repair and replace pipes.
- Depending on the plumbing issue, your contractor may need fully equipped service vehicles.
Range of high-rise plumbing services
High-rise plumbing does not end after installation commissioning. You can take advantage of an array of high-rise plumbing services.
Residential plumbing services
High-rise residential plumbers typically provide the following services:
- Troubleshooting fresh hot and cold water systems. This can include fire protection and piping systems.
- Fixing sanitary and drainage system issues. This includes drainage fixtures like toilets and sinks.
- Providing stormwater drainage solutions.
- Gas fitting services. This can include the provision of natural gas to gas appliances.
Commercial plumbing services
Whether it is high-rise office buildings, towers, or city buildings you want to provide plumbing for, you can take advantage of an array of commercial and high-rise plumbing services a professional plumbing company offers.
Emergency plumbing services
It is essential to have quick access to emergency plumbing services. After all, time can be a vital factor in resolving emergency plumbing issues. Examples of emergency services that your plumbing contractor should be able to provide include the following:
- Roof leaks
- Toilet repairs
- Emergency drain repairs
- Gas leakages
- Fixing blocked drains and fixtures
Supply, installation, and repair services
These services can include the following:
- Boiling water units installations, servicing, and repairs.
- Supply, installation, and repairs of hot water systems.
- Installation, commissioning, and testing of backflow prevention devices.
- Installation of the thermostatic mixing valve.
Hire a professional high rise plumber
Now that you know who installs high-rise plumbing, you can be more confident on how to go about setting up and fixing plumbing issues. Certainly, high-rise plumbing is not something to take for granted.
You must be proactive and invite a professional plumbing contractor if you have problems. They can fix the problem and even provide high-rise plumbing maintenance services.
