Project Vision

ACCURATE & SUSTAINABLE

The sizing of potable water supply systems is a common task for hydraulic engineers; however, despite it being common knowledge within the industry that pipes are generally oversized, it would be detrimental personally and commercially to venture from the Australian Standards.

FUTURE PROOF CONVERSIONS

We would also be looking for the conversion to peak demand to come from a full flow calculation rather than loading unit calculation. This future-proofs the conversion against unforeseeable industry changes which are certain over time e.g. changes to tapware flow rates, increased use of vacuum toilets, new technologies.

DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

We also think that some serious thought needs to be put into the velocity that is recommended to be designed to. Designing the very rare peak to 1.5 m/sec generally leads to low and non-cleansing velocities for all other times. It may be beneficial designing a ‘daily peak’ to 1.5 m/sec whilst ensuring that the ‘annual peak’ is within 3m/sec.

A Better Standard

The overall outcome is to update the Australian Standards to cover multiple sectors rather than just residential. This would enable moving away from performance solutions when designing buildings such as hospitals which are currently not covered under AS/NZS3500.

project benefits

  1. Saving residential projects an average of $x/m2 in capital cost and $x per year in operating cost

  2. Carbon footprint reduction in of residential projects on average of xkW and xCO2e per year

This project aims to reduce:

Risk to public health by ensuring self cleansing velocities in pipework

Valuable retail space required for hydraulic services

The embodied energy of hydraulic services components

Capital and ongoing costs for the building owner

The carbon footprint of hydraulic services systems

 
“THIS PROJECT AIMS TO REDUCE Risk to public health by ensuring self cleansing velocities in pipework, Valuable retail space required for hydraulic services, The embodied energy of hydraulic services components, Capital and ongoing costs for the building owner, The carbon footprint of hydraulic services systems”