Mains Water Pipe Sizing

Pipe Sizing Procedure

1. Reference the pipe section. 2. Calculate flow rates from Table below. 3. Estimate flow rates in each section. Keep velocity below 2 m/s. See also CIBSE Guide G (2003) part 2, Table 2.19. 4. Estimate pipe diameter from pipe sizing tables in CIBSE Guide C. 5. Measure the pipe run from drawings. 6. Calculate length of pipe equal to resistance of fittings. The Total equivalent length of a fitting = Equivalent Length x Pressure Loss factor z (Zeta). 7. Calculate effective pipe length. 8. Determine pressure loss due to friction from CIBSE Tables. 9. Calculate pressure consumed due to friction (Pa) = effective pipe length (m) x pressure loss due to friction (Pa/m) 10. Calculate total pressure consumed = Friction loss + Static pressure loss 11. Determine pressure at start of section. 12. Calculate pressure available at end of section = Pressure at start of section - Total pressure consumed If pressure available at end of section is less than the maximum allowable pressure drop then we can accept this pipe size. 13. Determine pressure required at end of section, this can be the minimum pressure that is required for terminal equipment. 14. If the pressure available at the end of the section is more than or equal to the pressure required at the end of the section then the pipe size is correct.

Water Flow Rates Cold water flow rates for sanitary appliances for small installations may be found from the table below. Approximate hot or cold water demand Basin (spray tap) Basin (tap) Bath (private) Bath (public) Flushing cistern Shower (nozzle) Shower (100mm rose) Sink (15mm tap) Sink (20mm tap) Wash fountain

Flow rate (l/s) 0.05 0.15 0.30 0.60 0.10 0.15 0.40 0.20 0.30 0.40

In larger more complex buildings where many sanitary appliances are installed simultaneous demand should be considered from tables CIBSE Guide B (1986) B4.20 and B4.21. Notes:An alternative method of pipe sizing is to use a nomogram. This can be found in CIBSE Guide G (2004) Public Health Engineering Figure 2.21. Pipe Sizing table

Pressurised Cold Water Pipe Sizing Table

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Ref

Demand Units if required

Flow Rate (l/s)

Estimated Pipe Dia. (mm)

Measured Pipe Run (m)

Length of Effective Pipe Equal to Pipe Length Fittings Col . 5 + 6 Resistances (m) (m)

From CIBSE Tables

Pipe Pressure Loss (Pa/m)

Pressure Friction loss + Consumed due Static to Friction pressure loss Col. 7 x 8 = Total (Pa) Pressure Consumed (Pa)

Pressure at Start of Section (Pa)

Pressure Pressure Available at Required End of at End of Section Section (Pa) (Pa)

Final Pipe Size (mm)

Example 1

Calculate an appropriate pipe size for the system shown above. Use Copper Table X pipework for water at 10oC.. Answer The maximum allowable pressure drop along the length of pipe = 300,000 Pa 250,000 Pa = 50,000 Pa Pressurised Cold Water Pipe Sizing Table
1
Ref

2
Demand Units if required

3
Flow Rate (l/s)

4
Estimated Pipe Dia. (mm)

5
Measured Pipe Run (m)

8
Pipe Pressure Loss (Pa/m)

10

11
Pressure at Start of Section (Pa)

12
Pressure Available at End of Section (Pa)

13
Pressure Required at End of Section (Pa)

14
Final Pipe Size (mm)

Length of Effective Pipe Equal to Pipe Length Fittings Col . 5 + 6 Resistances (m) (m)

A A

none none

0.8 0.8

22 28

50 50

none none

50 50

Pressure Friction loss + Consumed due Static to Friction pressure loss Col. 7 x 8 = Total From CIBSE (Pa) Pressure Tables Consumed (Pa)

3500 1000

175,000 50,000

175,000 50,000

300,000 300,000

125,000 250,000

250,000 250,000

Too small 28

Pipe Sizing Procedure 1. Reference the pipe section - section A.

2. 3.

Calculate demand units or loading units from Tables in CIBSE guide (attached). not required, see No.3 below. Estimate flow rates in each section. Keep velocity below 2 m/s. - given

4. Estimate pipe diameter from pipe sizing tables in CIBSE Guide C. 22mm (velocity too high at approx 2.4 m/s) or 28mm (velocity is 1.5 m/s). 5. 6. 7. 8. Measure the pipe run from drawings. 50m Calculate length of pipe equal to resistance of fittings. no fittings Calculate effective pipe length. - 50m Determine pressure loss due to friction from CIBSE Tables. See Table 4.18 in Guide C (CD version).

9. Calculate pressure consumed due to friction (Pa) = effective pipe length (m) x pressure loss due to friction (Pa/m). Column 7 x 8 in Pipe Sizing Table. 10. Calculate total pressure consumed = Friction loss + Static pressure loss. There are no vertical pipe sections and therefore no static pressure loss. 11. 12. Determine pressure at start of section. Given in drawing as 300,000 Pa. Calculate pressure available at end of section = Pressure at start of section - Total pressure consumed. 300,000 175,000 = 125,000 Pa. (22mm) ..300,000 50,000 = 250,000 Pa (22mm). If pressure available at end of section is less than the maximum allowable pressure drop then we can accept this pipe size.

13. Determine pressure required at end of section, this can be the minimum pressure that is required for terminal equipment. Given in drawing as 250,000 Pa. 14. If the pressure available at the end of the section is more than or equal to the pressure required at the end of the section then the pipe size is correct. 28mm pipe is correct, 22mm is too small since there is not enough pressure available at the end of the section and the water velocity is also too high.

Example 2

Calculate an appropriate pipe size for the system shown above. Use Copper Table X pipework for water at 10oC.. Answer The maximum allowable pressure drop along the length of pipe = 120,000 Pa 90,000 Pa = 30,000 Pa

Pressurised Cold Water Pipe Sizing Table

1
Ref

2
Demand Units if required

3
Flow Rate (l/s)

4
Estimated Pipe Dia. (mm)

5
Measured Pipe Run (m)

6
Length of Pipe Equal to Fittings Resistances (m)

7
Effective Pipe Length Col . 5 + 6 (m)

8
Pipe Pressure Loss (Pa/m)

10

11
Pressure at Start of Section (Pa)

12

13

14
Final Pipe Size (mm)

From CIBSE Tables

none

0.5

22

14

1.6

15.6

1500

Pressure Friction loss + Consumed due Static to Friction pressure loss Col. 7 x 8 = Total (Pa) Pressure Consumed (Pa)

Pressure Pressure Available at End Required of Section at End of (Pa) Section (Pa)

23,400

23,400

120,000

96,600

90,000

22

Pipe Sizing Procedure 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Reference the pipe section - section A. Calculate demand units or loading units from Tables in CIBSE guide (attached). not required Estimate flow rates in each section. Keep velocity below 2 m/s. - given Estimate pipe diameter from pipe sizing tables in CIBSE Guide C. 22mm (velocity is 1.5 m/s). Measure the pipe run from drawings. 14m Calculate length of pipe equal to resistance of fittings. 2 bends. The Total equivalent length of a fitting = Equivalent Length x Pressure Loss factor z (Zeta). See Pipe Sizing Heating Section - page 4 - pipe fitting losses. Copper pipe elbow z (Zeta) = 1.0 x 2 bends = 2.0 Determine equivalent length from CIBSE table C4.18, le = 0.8 Total equivalent length of fittings = 0.8 x 2.0 = 1.6 metres. 7. 8. Calculate effective pipe length. - 15.6m Determine pressure loss due to friction from CIBSE Tables. See Table 4.18 in Guide C (CD version).

9. Calculate pressure consumed due to friction (Pa) = effective pipe length (m) x pressure loss due to friction (Pa/m). Column 7 x 8 in Pipe Sizing Table. 10. Calculate total pressure consumed = Friction loss + Static pressure loss. There are no vertical pipe sections and therefore no static pressure loss. 11. Determine pressure at start of section. Given in drawing as 120,000 Pa.

12. Calculate pressure available at end of section = Pressure at start of section - Total pressure consumed. 120,000 23,400 = 96,600 Pa. If pressure available at end of section is less than the maximum allowable pressure drop then we can accept this pipe size. 13. Determine pressure required at end of section, this can be the minimum pressure that is required for terminal equipment. Given in drawing as 90,000Pa. 14. If the pressure available at the end of the section is more than or equal to the pressure required at the end of the section then the pipe size is correct. 22mm pipe is correct.