Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Newsletter
Autumn 2008
Contents :
Nz a thermal paradise Pg2
The lighter side of public health Pg4
Industrial Group -Technical Article Pg6
Spot the clangers Pg7
Thames water sewer visit Pg8
Energy conservation from wastewater Pg10
Industrial Group -Technical Article Pg 14
Forum pg18
SoPHE North West update Pg19
forthcoming technical events Pg21
New members Pg22
I am pleased to report that SoPHE membership continues to grow in numbers and influence. Our three SoPHE Regions - London and the SE, NW, and SW have all been active with various technical programmes which support the development of public health engineering. Planning has already begun on our Annual Dinner; once again the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington plays host to the event which will be held on Thursday, 6 November 2008. This promises to be even bigger and better than last year and marks our fifth anniversary a milestone I hope you will be able to help celebrate.
You will have seen that Professor John Swaffield of Heriot Watt University took office as President of CIBSE in May this year.
Many of you will be aware that John has had a distinguished career in Public Health Engineering and was Chairman of the Water Regulations Advisory Committee (WRAC), responsible for
the introduction of the regulations in 1999. Over the past five years, Prof Swaffield has been a great supporter of SoPHE and I am sure you’ll join me in wishing him a successful year in which he is highlighting the importance of PH Engineering and the role we have in sustainable water management. The University of Greenwich at Medway are set to accept their first batch of Public Health Engineering Technology students in September this year and I wish both Greenwich and those students all the best in this important endeavour. The importance of attracting new talent to our industry is also recognised by the setting up by our Education Committee of the SoPHE Young Engineers Award - details contained within.
Work on the revision of CIBSE Guide G - Public Health Engineering is underway. Collaborating with the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), a drafting committee has been set up. Dr Steve Ingle’s report on progress is contained within and there is still opportunity to get involved.
Coordinated by Samantha McDonough, SoPHE has provided comments on proposals for amending Part G (Hygiene) of the Building Regulations and its associated Approved Document. The major changes are reflected in the proposed new title ‘Sanitation, Hot Water Safety and Water Efficiency’. In addition, CIBSE and SoPHE will have direct meetings with officials of the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) responsible for the Building Regulations.
You will note that IPHE have added ‘Chartered’ to its title. I would like to congratulate CIPHE on this prestigious award made by the Privy Council which recognises the professionalism of the body. Following the collaboration on technical guidance, I look forward to SoPHE and CIPHE developing an even deeper working relation-ship, especially in technical and related areas.
Finally, I would like to thank all those serving on the Steering Committee and its sub-groups, the Industry Group and the Regional Groups for all their on-going work.
Message from the Chairman
SoPHE Autumn 08
24
FEEDBACKWe would welcome any comments on this newsletter or contributions to future editions, in particular with regards to:
Future events for considerationWhat should SoPHE be providing to our membersItems or comments you think may be worth raising or informing your fellow membersTechnical articles from members, giving situations encountered and how they were overcome.
Please email comments to Jonathan Gaunt at [email protected]
THE STEERING COMMITTEEChairman: Martin Shouler [email protected]
Vice Chairman: David Shaw [email protected]
HonorarySecretary: Chris Northey [email protected]
HonoraryTreasurer: Richard Mountney [email protected]
Roger Baker Peter Jefferson Jim Buckmaster Iain JohnstoneBill Bumstead Paul MarsdenIan Fellingham Alan NeallAlan Flight Jack OsbourneAlison Franklin Peter Pavlovic
Jonathan Gaunt Mark SampsonSimon Hedger Steve VaughanAlan Homewood Alan Watson Mike Darvill (Representative of the SoPHE Industrial Group)
Regional Committee ContactsManchester: Bristol:Paul Angus Michael [email protected] [email protected]
SoPHE Autumn 08
2
The Society of Public Health Engineers is a part of the Chartered Institution of Building Services EngineersCIBSE):
Chairman: Martin ShoulerEmail [email protected]
Vice Chairman: David ShawEmail [email protected]
Honorary Secretary: Chris NortheyEmail [email protected]
Honorary Treasurer: Richard MountneyEmail [email protected]
If you would like to know more about the SoPHE or are interested in becoming a member visit www.cibse.org/sophe or contact Nyree Hughes at [email protected]
SoPHE Autumn 08
3
New Zealand- a Thermal Paradise
‘You only get one crack at life’….
these were my mother’s
immortal words 28 years ago as
we sat around the table sharing a
ready-made Vesta curry that
tasted vaguely of spicy
cardboard and chewing gum.
The spring of ‘79 provided me with the motivation to move to greener pastures and five months later with little to offer apart from youth and a full head of hair, I secured a contract on a military airbase in the bleak landscape of Israel’s Negev desert (hardly the green pastures I had envisaged, but still, it kicked off my travels). It was here that I met a fitness fanatic Kiwi - he’s remained my good friend ever since.
One of the things I admired about him was his true love of his home country and its people. I don’t think I had ever come across such passionate ambassadorship. We met up again twenty four years later in 2004 whilst I was on holiday in New Zealand. A holiday, I might add, that fulfilled a journey of a lifetime and secured my employment with my current employer, Beca.
I thought our SoPHE newsletter would provide a great opportunity for me to share my experience of making the move to NZ and personally espouse the virtues of living and working in this part of the world. And who knows - it might just grab you!
We all have different reasons for wanting to move on in life. Being something of a traveller, I’d already lived and worked in six
countries before making the transition to New Zealand. We made the quantum leap in 2004, breaking up the journey with a wonderful stay over on one of the Malaysian Islands for a few days so the distance seemed less daunting and more of an adventure for my two teenage sons.
There were the normal harbingers of doom… ‘You can’t uproot the children, what about their education?’.‘You’ll miss the footie’ (not a chance on that score)….‘they haven’t got central heating in their houses’ etc… ‘Why do you have to move so far away’ … and ‘what about Corries?’ However, the reality was that it was actually pretty easy!
New Zealand is a civilized, first world country. The language is the same, the culture is similar, and they even drive on the same side of the road! And it’s almost the same
A pumber’s life down under - Les Dawson size as (actually 25,000sqm larger than) the UK, but with a fraction of the population –about 4 million compared to the 60-odd million in the UK. You can draw your own conclusions about how the quality of life differs!
Of course, NZ isn’t Utopia, and it has its problems like all countries in the world. Salaries do not compete with those earned in Europe, so it’s not a place to get rich. What it does have going for it however is…. LIFESTYLE!
Kiwis love the great outdoors, whether that involves tramping (hiking) through its verdant undulating countryside, sandboarding down huge dunes on Ninety Mile Beach, skiing the snow fields of Mt Ruapehu or the Southern Alps, going to the beach or just lazing around having barbeques and doing absolutely nothing.
New Zealand also has more recreational boats per capita than any other country in the world, but more importantly it’s a great place to bring up a family.
Our new home Auckland enjoys a temperate sub-tropical climate
with plenty of blue skies to take you through the summer months and a mild wet winter. It’s the most heavily populated region at 1.5 million people. We’re surrounded by a scattering of dormant volcanoes and the Hauraki Gulf provides a beautiful backdrop to a host of delightful islands with names like Tiritiri Matangi, Rangitoto, and Waihekie.
Despite being the political centre of the country, the Capital city Wellington also has an arty, friendly, cosmopolitan feel about it with sophisticated bars and cafés, restaurants, a thriving cultural scene and a beautiful waterfront. It’s compact and well connected by public transport.
Rotorua (mid-North Island) is simply amazing with its bubbling
mud, burping fumaroles, steaming craters and multi-coloured mineral pools – in one word: a thermal paradise! It’s also the adrenaline capital of the North Island, which is not surprising given the myriad of ventures it has to offer such as
jet boating, ‘the Zorb’, the slingshot, white water rafting,
para-sailing and a fantastic luge to name but a few.
Mount Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park is truly magnificent and in the winter draws skiers and
snowboarders from distant shores, and around the country, whilst the top of the North Island benefits from the warm South Pacific Ocean and endless kms of golden beaches.
As yet I haven’t spent any time in the South Island, as we’re still discovering the North Island. But all the good things in life are worth waiting for - I’m told by many that it’s God’s own country down there…simply stunning!
On the work front, Beca is strongly positioned in the market place. It is New Zealand’s largest employee-owned multidisciplinary consulting firm, with seven busy offices throughout the North & South Islands along with offices in Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Myanmar, the UK and Dubai.
cont..
SoPHE Autumn 08
4
SoPHE Autumn 08
5
The head office is in Auckland, from where we also undertake work in Pacific Islands including Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and the Marshall Islands. Our projects are not limited by our own locations – to date, Beca has operated in over 60 countries, and project teams are put together based on skills and experience rather than geography.
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and diversity of the projects that are on offer here. Since my arrival in August 2004, I’ve had a number of opportunities to work on some really interesting projects, including two huge mixed retail complexes in Indonesia, each comprised of four 37 – 41 level office and apartment buildings, hotels, swimming pools, shopping retail areas in excess of 6000m2 complete with Venetian style canal
and gondolas and exotic water features.
On the home front, projects have been as diverse as police stations, correctional services, Auckland Airport, Eden Park rugby stadium, office buildings, healthcare work, several site reticulation projects involving gas, sprinkler and domestic water mains, an apartment building, and a steel mill.
Plus we are often called upon for peer reviews of projects coming out of London, Australia and the Pacific Islands. We are also heavily involved with sustainable engineering and have an in-house ESD team.
We’ve had two lots of family members visiting in the last eighteen months – and their conclusion - ‘Wow what a stunning country’!
I’m more than willing to share my experience living and working in New Zealand, so if you feel that Beca could be part of a meaningful move to a new country and you want to know more about the realities of living here, then you’re more than welcome to contact me personally at <[email protected]>
And why am I still sitting in the office on such a beautiful day when I could be down the beach kayaking? – might be pushing this one a little, as it is a work day morning!
The lighter side of public health
SoPHE Autumn 08
6
SoPHE Autumn 08
7
A f t e r 3 0 y e a r s o f manufacturing and supplying stainless steel drainage solutions, BLÜCHER UK Ltd have built a fine reputation for their products which has seen their drainage systems such as BLÜCHER® EuroPipe, a push fit pipework system for soil waste, rainwater and process applications both above and below ground, develop from a pipework used in process industry applications to a system used extensively in commercial building applications.
Recent projects where EuroPipe has been installed include Heathrow Terminal 5, which used over 40 kilometres of pipework ranging from 50-300 mm dia, and the recently opened Bexley Wing of St James teaching hospital, the largest Oncology centre in Europe where EuroPipe was installed both above and below ground.
So what has been driving the move from traditional systems to BLÜCHER stainless steel push fit?
The answer is not one single benefit over other systems, but a number of factors borne from the inherent qualities of stainless steel and its modern methods of production, and good design and efficient product manufacturing at Blucher. Together, these offer the specifier, installer and end user, a sustainable system, which is robust, cost effective and simple to both fit and maintain.
As BLÜCHER® EuroPipe system is manufactured from stainless steel it is inherently fire resistant and is considered as
non-combustible for the requirements of the Building Regulations. When exposed to a temperature of 800° C Stainless Steel will not soften or fracture to the extent that flames or hot gases will pass through the pipe wall. This benefits the designer, as there is no requirement to specify or include fire collars in the design of a building.
Another benefit of BLÜCHER® EuroPipe, as it is manufactured from stainless steel, is its natural resistance to corrosion. This pipework is manufactured without the need of additional coatings and paints and still achieves an excellent resistance to chemicals. The smooth bore of BLÜCHER® EuroPipe ensures good hydraulic flow properties.
BLÜCHER® EuroPipe as a push fit system offers very fast jointing which is made even simpler and easier due to its light
weight. Stainless Steel has a high tensile strength, which enables BLÜCHER® EuroPipe to be manufactured with a thin wall making it a simple but robust system to install. Installation times can be as much as 40% quicker to install than other metallic systems. The slim-line joints also make the system ideal where space is at a premium eg in a confined stack space
Installers have an increasing requirement for off-site fabrication and again BLÜCHER® EuroPipe can offer real benefits. We are able to manufacture, on short lead-times special pipe fabrications such as one-piece pipe and fittings combinations or non-standard fittings, which are ideal for off-site fabrications.
The lightweight construction of BLÜCHER® EuroPipe also has a benefit on its sustainability credentials because compared to
The World of Stainless Steel Push Fit Pipework - BLÜCHER UK other metallic systems, which are far heavier, many more metres of pipework can be manufactured and transported per tonne of material.
Sustainability is a topic which affects every sector of the building industry, and which Public Health Engineers increasingly play a key role. The specification of pipework can affect the carbon footprint and green qualities of a building but it is difficult to easily compare the various plastic and metallic systems available as there are no uniform methods in place to measure the sustainability of a product.
In BLÜCHER UK Ltd’s case research has been undertaken to enable us to provide information on the sustainability of BLÜCHER drainage systems, from the pro-duction of stainless steel itself , through the products manufacture, to installation and the end of the life cycle where stainless steel can be 100% recycled.
In addition to BLÜCHER® EuroPipe, BLÜCHER also manufacture an extensive range of drainage channels, floor drains to suite all applications, which are all fully compatible with the pipework system.
The latest additions to our range of products are the Design range of channels and floor drains, which are the perfect drainage solution in wet bathrooms, and the updated grease spearators as shown below which now have contoured corners.
Spot the clangers C a n y o u f i n d t h e mistakes in the schematic below?
In the last issue of our news letter we published the schematic below and asked our readers to ‘spot the mistakes’. How did you get on?There were five mistakes to find and the answers are below.
We were inundated with responses from members, all of whom correctly identified the mistakes. As promised the first person to correctly respond became the owner of a SoPHE pin badge.
We are pleased to announce that first member to correctly respond was Paul Angus, a pin badge is on
its way in the post as we write.
Many thanks to all of you who took the time to respond.
Hopefully you didn’t find this too challenging. Watch this space for future plumbing/trivia fun.
Answer’s;
1. HWSRcirculatorpumpingthewrongway2. Notemperatureandpressurereliefvalveon waterheater
3. Nothermostaticmixingvalveshownonwhb4. Draincocksshownincorrectlyatahighpoint inthesystem5. Hotwaterreturnconnectedatthewrongendof branch,couldcausedeadlegs.
,
SV SV SVSV SVSV SVVSV
DC DC
T
GULLY
WATER HEATER
LTHW BOILER
WHB WHB WHB WHB
FROM CW
BOOSTER SET
IV
IV
HWSR CIRC
EVIV
EXP VESSEL
SCV
PLANTROOM
LEGEND
IV – ISOLATING VALVE
SV – SERVICE VALVE
DC – DRAIN COCK
EV – EXPANSION VALVE
SCV – SINGLE CHECK VALVE
WHB – WASH HAND BASIN
BCWS – BOOSTED COLD WATER SERVICE
HWSF – HOT WATER SERVICE FLOW
HWSR – HOT WATER SERVICE RETURN
BCWS
HWSF
HWSR
SoPHE Autumn 08
8
SoPHE Autumn 08
9
Every year Thames Water host
what they call Sewer Week,
where they invite groups of
people to visit their facilities and
learn more about the London
Sewer System. On 13 May, six
SoPHE members were invited to
take part in the Sewer Week and
visit the Thames Water Abbey
Lane pumping station.
The afternoon visit consisted of a lecture charting the history of the London Sewer system and the main design achievements that have led us to the Sewer system that London relies on today. The future of the sewer system was also touched upon, highlighting the projects that Thames Water are currently working on. The most interesting facts that came out of the presentation were:
-The original meaning of the word ‘sewer’ meant channel for storm water and in the 14th Century, the storm water from the land was discharged to the sewers while all foul waste was simply piled in the streets.
-Many of the sewers at the time were classed as what we now refer to as the hidden rivers of London, which all ultimately discharged into the Thames river.
-It was thought at the time that the Black Death was due to poor sanitation – this lead to the 1388 Antipollution Act which employed men paid by the state to clear away foul waste from the streets – this could now be compared to our modern day refuse collectors.
-New purpose built surface water sewers started to be constructed from the mid 16th century.
-In the 18th Century, Charles II promoted the use of cesspits to deal with the foul waste from London households. It was estimated that there was approximately 1 cesspit per 5 households in London.
-Circa 1780, foul water from households would be discharged through gratings within the street directly into cesspits. As the water supply to households improved with improvements in pipework
technology, increased volumes of foul water were being discharged to the sewer. This led to an increase in overflowing cesspits. To overcome this, overflows were built, connecting into the local sur-face water sewers. This was illegal at the time but was found to be a common practice.
-With the industrial revolution came urban migration. Workers flocked to the city from urban areas, following the promise of jobs. This led to an increased load on foul water discharge and increased foul water discharge to the surface water sewers.
-With increased development of London, there was pressure to develop more and more land. As a result, many of the rivers of London, which took much of the cesspit overflow discharge, started to be culverted, allowing development over the rivers. It was this that led to the water courses becoming known as the ‘hidden rivers of London’.
-Ultimately, all of the foul water
SoPHE THAMES WATER SEWER VISIT - Jonathan Gaunt followed the hidden water courses and ended up in the Thames river.
-In 1848 the Metropolitan Board of Works organised for a survey to be carried out to chart all of the London Sewers.
-As a result of the Great Stink in 1858, pressure was put on the government to improve the sanitation of London.
-In 1856, the Metropolitan Board of Works, lead by Bazalgette designed a network of intercepting sewers that crossed the London rivers capturing the foul water and discharging it further downstream in the River Thames.
-In January 1859, work commenced on the construction of a network of high and mid level intercepting sewers that would ultimately take foul water from the west of London and discharge into the Thames to the east of London, downstream of the city.
-The sewer network incorporated a number of pumping stations to overcome changes in elevation, many of these pumping station are still operating today, although the original steam turbine pumps have now been changed for electrically driven pumps.
-Bazalgette was knighted in 1874 for his work on the London Sewer system. The following year flooding was witnessed across London as a result in the increase in paved areas across London, and the fact that the Sewer network had not been designed to take the storm water runoff now being experienced.
-This resulted in a number of storm sewers being developed to take storm discharge directly into the Thames.
-These relief sewers still exist and operate today.
-There is however still a very real risk of flooding in the modern day from the overloaded sewer systems. Thames Water estimate that there are approximately 20,000 properties at risk from sewer surcharge in the UK today, 75% of which are located in London.
-There are currently 20 pumping stations within London that are dedicated to pumping storm water overflow to the Thames, with a combined pumping flow rate of 350m³/sec.
-This leads to Thames Water’s ongoing projects, the largest of which being the design and construction of a new Storm Water sewer that will be 7.5m diameter and 35km long which will follow the course of the Thames and is due to be completed in 2015.
The above factual points are a small review of the interesting talk that was given. We hope to invite a Thames Water representative to a SoPHE technical evening to present the history of the London Sewer system as it is well worth listening to.
The lecture was followed by a guided tour around the Abbey Lane pumping station which is one of the main sewer pumping stations on the Thames Water sewer network.
Following the tour around the pumping station, we were invited to descend into one of the main Thames Water trunk sewers. This involved donning waders, boiler suits and hard hats, but it was when we were all given an emergency oxygen pack that we all started to wander what we had let ourselves in for!
After descending approximately 5m through a rather tight manhole cover, we found ourselves in the hidden world of the cavernous trunk main sewers. The particular sewer we descended into was one of the main sewers that fed to the Abbey Lane pumping station and was 3m in diameter, so plenty of room to move for those concerned with claustrophobia.
At the time of our visit, the flow through this particular section of the sewer had been controlled by a network of sluice gates, limiting the flow through this particular section. We were guided along an approximate length of 100m of the sewer, but this was more than enough to experience the conditions of the sewer, including the smell and the tide marks on the sewer wall showing the previous water depths experienced in the system.
Cont...
SoPHE Autumn 08
10
The most memorable item of the sewer tour was the quality of the brick work – exceptional craftsmanship, the likes of which I have not seen anywhere before!
Thankfully, due to the size of the sewer, its normal water level and general remoteness from local amenities and accommodation, we did not see any rats within the network. When asked what the most unusual items were that had been found within the sewer, the Thames Water engineers laughed and stated that they had found items ranging from mopeds to double mattresses, but they stated that one of the biggest issues that they had to deal with was the quantity of grease discharged into the system.
This has resulted in many filter screens within the pumping station having to be regularly dug out. This is one area where Public Health engineers can have a greater impact on how the sewer system within London operates and is maintained.
We hope to try and secure a visit next year for SoPHE members and will keep you informed as to potential places – as an interest-ing and educational trip , I would thoroughly recommend it.
Hong Kong was the recent location of a joint CIBSE / IHEEM and Hong Kong Institution of Engineers technical seminar, considering the external human environment. Attendance to the Joint event, the first of its kind in Hong Kong, was significantly supported by 100 plus British and Chinese CIBSE & IHEEM members and was facilitated by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and HKIE, on the 22nd February 2008.
The technical seminar – ‘A UK Perspective on Sustainability in the Built Environment’, built on the success of a joint UCLan / CIBSE Hong Kong Branch seminar in March 2007 and was successfully delivered by Paul Angus – Energy conservation from wastewater, Ian Hinitt – Modifications to multiple bedded hospital wards and Andrew
Parry – Green roof technologies. All three presenters were attending an international symposium and technical visit arranged by the University of Central Lancashire, where they are currently studying BEng (Hons) and MSc in Building Services.
Paul Angus, Public Health Engineer of WSP - Manchester, presented his technical paper, entitled ‘Conservation of Energy from Waste Water’. Paul discussed trends in global warming associated with the increasing use of fossil fuels and the resultant adverse effects of rising Carbon Dioxide (C02) emissions, contributing to global warming. Paul highlighted the importance of the Building Services Engineer’s role in helping to reduce emissions and conserve energy and to provide sustainable solutions to climate change. Paul’s paper
focuses on a project investigating the potential energy savings that can be achieved by recovering energy from waste water, where a significant amount of energy can be recovered and used to heat hot water for both domestic and commercial applications. A large proportion of energy is still retained within the water after the point of use and in most circumstances it is simply allowed to flow down the drain with little or no thought for energy recovery.
Paul has conducted an in depth study, as part of his final year building services degree dissertation into the various domestic configurations available in the USA, Canada and Europe. Recovering energy from wastewater systems can take place through numerous forms, which may range from simple heat exchangers to more complex
Energy Conservation from wastewaterSustainability Seminar at Joint CIBSE / IHEEM / HKIE Meeting in Hong Kong
BLUCHER®••Which soil, waste and
rainwater pipework is...
BLÜCHER® EuroPipeNow available from 50 to 250mm dia
Sustainable?
Fast Fitting?
Fire Proof?
Lightweight?
Station Road . Tadcaster . LS24 9SG Tel: 01937 838 000 Fax: 01937 832454 www.blucher.co.uk
BLÜCHER® EuroPipe, the stainless steel push-fit pipeworksolution for soil, waste, rainwater and process applications.
Reader Enquiry No. XXXX or www.specifierinfo.com
CERTIFICATE No: 86/1751
1 / 2008 - UNITS 15/1/08 16:10 Page 7
BLUCHER®••Which soil, waste and
rainwater pipework is...
BLÜCHER® EuroPipeNow available from 50 to 250mm dia
Sustainable?
Fast Fitting?
Fire Proof?
Lightweight?
Station Road . Tadcaster . LS24 9SG Tel: 01937 838 000 Fax: 01937 832454 www.blucher.co.uk
BLÜCHER® EuroPipe, the stainless steel push-fit pipeworksolution for soil, waste, rainwater and process applications.
Reader Enquiry No. XXXX or www.specifierinfo.com
CERTIFICATE No: 86/1751
1 / 2008 - UNITS 15/1/08 16:10 Page 7
SoPHE Autumn 08
12
SoPHE Autumn 08
13
devices concerning thermal storage or heat pump applications.
He went on to explain that approximately 40 % of waste heat energy could be recovered from sanitation systems and re-used by implementing a simple heatrecovery from waste water system.
Residential heat recovery from wastewater systems available in America and Canada generally
consist of a heat exchanger, although in some instances with a storage tank, including the associated plumbing. The heat exchanger design ranges from fairly simple, to extremely complicated, such as those that are incorporated with a storage tank or heat pump. However, in the majority of the installations, the drainage configuration may require to be modified to separate the waste and foul water. This is to
ensure that any effluent or discharge which contains solids, grease and other potential contaminants do not come into contact with the heat exchanger. The operating principles of a simple domestic heat recovery system are quite straight forward, as demonstrated in the diagram below left.
Effectively the incoming potable water from the main cold water counter flows through one side of the heat exchanger, while the wastewater passes through the other, pre-heating the incoming cold water. After leaving the heat exchanger the potable water is plumbed to the hot water generator, in most cases the hot water cylinder or directly to the hot water appliances, such as a shower.
There are several notable benefits, which a heat recovery from wastewater system can provide to the end user:
-Energy savings.-Reduction in carbon emissions.-Reduction of the instantaneous peak demand.
Of the configurations available the most interesting technology available is sewer heat recovery, which can be used in conjunction with a heat pump. Effectively specially adapted concrete sewers are installed with heat exchanger plates cast inside the pipework, located on the bottom (invert) of the sewer. The heat from the wastewater within the sewer is then recovered and extracted to be used with a heat pump facility.
This arrangement is illustrated in picture below.
Channels are cast into the concrete sewer to ensure close proximity of heat transfer can take place from the effluent within the sewage.
To provide an idea of water tem-peratures in sewers, in winter the average minimum temperature is approximately 10°C, whereas in summer the minimum temperature is 19°C, therefore the mean annual temperature is 15°C
Figures from an independent case study were recently published by WasteWaterHeat, a joint European project involving research insti-tutions from Germany, Austria, Sweden and Norway who focus on testing of wastewater recovery devices. Data from a sewer installation in Zurich, Switzerland, that has been in operation since 1999 provided a minimum efficiency of 69% in recapturing wastewater energy. From the research data published indicates
that this type of system can recover 3 to 7 kW of useful heat, per 1m2 of heat exchanger. The sewer in Zurich provides heating and hot water to approximately 900 dwellings (5,300 MW·h of heat per year).
Paul went onto explain that there is a risk of removing too much heat from the sewer that could ultimately affect the operation of the sewage treatment plant downstream of the heat exchanger. Also due to the high number of nutrients contained within the wastewater, bio films can also coat the internal pipework and heat exchanger, making the heat transfer process more complicated. From extensive tests carried out Wanner discovered that the prevention of bio film within the wastewater is not achievable. Effectively the heat exchanger efficiency quickly reduces with time due to the formation of bio film, which requires backwashing, as part of a regular maintenance regime.
Currently there are over fifty sewer heat recovery installations in operation, including 930 apartments in Zurich and various technology and business centres in Switzerland. An installation in Vancouver, Canada is planned, where the Winter Olympic Village is being constructed for 2010 Olympics. To find out more information please contact Paul Angus at [email protected]
1
SoPHE Autumn 08
14
SoPHE Autumn 08
15
As Europe’s market leader in automat ic shut o f f and water saving control solutions, SOPHE member Douglas Delabie calls on the organisation, its members and industry audiences to be even more conscious of efficient water management - now.
Bob Purdom, the company’s commercial director explains why it’s so important for the benefit of the future. Highlighting key issues in effective water management, he outlines product solutions enabling building owners, designers and facilities managers to make the washroom environment more installer/user friendly, water efficient and a safer place.
Desp i t e t he impor t ance o f wa te r sus t a inab i l i t y and inc reas ing Governmen t recognition of its importance, statistics still paint a depressing picture: • Each one of us uses 70% more water than 30 years ago. • Thames Water leakage due to London’s Victorian-built sewer equates to 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools a day • UK drought condition – lowest rainfall for 85 years. However, if everyone turned off the tap when brushing their teeth, collectively in one week we’d save enough water to fill the O2 Arena (Millennium Dome).
Water sustainability With our underground resources threatened by increasing consumption (water usage has doubled in the last 20 years), water supply is fast becoming an unpredictable, unevenly distributed resource. Therefore, consumption habits must change. More effective water utilisation and waste reduction is essential. Water companies are investing in improving the necessary infrastructure and reducing the hemorrhage of mains water losses.
Historically in the UK, we have used domestic water control product solutions in commercial applications where both usage patterns and user demands are quite different. This is in part related to the historical use of low-pressure systems.
Today’s building designers have a new set of design criteria for commercial buildings including: • Modern, aesthetic styling • User safety/comfort • Proven design/product innovation • Durability – long service life • Water efficient - lowering water/energy costs – delivering value for money • Buildability – simple to install, easy to use.
Solutions
Significant savings can be achieved, as the following typical applications in commercial build-ings in the key areas of water utili-sation, basins and shower controls indicate.
Extensively using the appropri-ate water management solutions products in public buildings, hos-pitals, sports and leisure facilities, motorway services and education establishments, can prevent water wastage - and improve water diver-sity by automatically regulating the quantity of water delivered to wash basins, showers, WCs or urinals.
Basin control Increasingly, the cost of water sup-ply and drainage will impact on the bottom line of business. Consider that ‘Hot’ water costs us between five and eight times the cost of Cold water with energy, storage and treatment costs, then the im-pact on margins of high water users can be dramatic.Motorway service areas, schools, leisure companies and retail sec-tors are seeing massive increases associated with water supply.
The traditional basin tap designed for the low-pressure applications is a ‘water waster’ in today’s modern commercial plumbing systems.
cont...
BEING WATER-WISE FOR EFFECTIVE WATER MANAGEMENT - Douglas Delabie
However, an alternative example like Tempostop is a cost effective time flow basin tap with a pre-set flow rate at 6 litres per minute, offering ease of use and eliminat-ing risk of cross contamination (no hand contact after washing).Water savings of over 50%, with equivalent energy savings, can be achieved.
Another example is the Tempostop AB anti blocking tap.Flow only commences after the push button is released preventing deliberate flooding of the washroom. The flow rate is adjustable without dismounting the mechanism or cutting off the water supply.
In addition, there is a new genera-tion of electronic controls providing a ‘total hygiene’ solution with non-touch operation to prevent cross contamination and reduce the risk of transferring harmful – even life-threatening bacteria/viruses. An infrared sensor monitors local hands presence. When the hands are removed, water stops automatically. Simple to install, water savings of up to 70 per cent are achievable. Tempomatic 3 is such a product.
Anti-Legionella devices
Some electronic basin taps and mixers now incorporate an anti-Legionella feature, which provides an automatic duty flush cycle for one minute if the tap has not been operated in the previous 24 hours. Examples includeTempomatic 3 and Tempomatic Mix 3.
Safe Hot water temperature control A thermostatic mixing valve (TMV), independently tested and certified under BuildCert’s TMV3 scheme, must be used to provide safe hot water temperatures and prevent scalding. In disabled areas.
Shower control
The UK has seen massive growth in the installation of thermostatic shower valves in new and existing domestic properties. Consumers have identified the benefits of peace of mind through improved safety and comfort. This is largely due to our traditional use of low- pressure water storage systems.
However, the use of ‘domestic’ thermostatic shower valves in the commercial environment comes at a cost. Designed to deliver high performance at low pressure in the domestic sector, in commercial applications (where typically system pressures are 2.0 – 3.0 bar) these devices will increase:Water/energy costsSize/capacity of hot water generators, pipe workDrainage sizes to take away excessive water supply.
Table 2: Basin Control Solutions - Comparative Water Savings Table 2 gives an overview of water savings com-pared with the traditional ‘classic’ basin tap at 2.5 bar:A. ‘Classic’ basin tap/mixer, without flow regulation B. Time flow basin tap/mixer with integral flow regulation at 6 litres per minute (adjustable) and auto close after nominal 15 seconds run time. C. Electronic basin tap or mixer, with preset flow rate at 6 litres per minute, automatic close on removal of hands.
SoPHE Autumn 08
16
SoPHE Autumn 08
17
One example is the Avance Elite thermostatic shower valve, tested and certified to NHS Estates Model engineering specification D08 and incorporating flow regulation at 9 litre per minute.
For group shower applications in schools and sports clubs a device like the Sporting Shower Panel is appropriate. The pre-assembled shower panel, finished in brush aluminium, has an integrated anti vandal shower head and time flow control (set for a nominal 30 second) and 8 litres per min flow regulator.
WC and Urinal Controls
Urinal flushing systems can be major water users. However, self-closing and non-touch infrared mains flushing controls solutions provide: reduced hygiene risk, eliminating need for high
maintenance water flush cisterns. Building owners gain an improved return by increasing lettable floor space.
BREEAM Impact
Buildings account for 50 per cent of the UK’s Carbon Dioxide emis-sions. BREEAM’s environmental assessment initiative enables Gov-ernment departments, and private sector building owners/designers to review and improve the environ-mental performance of a building’s design.
Effective water management alone is not the answer, but can make a significant contribution to meet-ing BREEAM’s objectives like reducing energy/running costs, delivering a ‘Green Building’ more attractive to potential clients and customers, management check list
of building performance, creating a better, healthier working environment for staff/building users.
Heritage
Effective water management in-tegrates water utilisation, hygiene control and safety.With increasing cost of water it will significantly improve the ‘bottom line.’
Water is a common heritage. Everyone must save it and use it wisely. The issues are real and can - and must - be addressedThe technology is proven, the solutions readily available.
Table1: Shower Control Solutions - Comparative Water Savings Table 1 gives us an overview of the water savings available as compared with the traditional ‘Classic’ thermostatic shower valve at 2.5 bar:
A. ‘Classic’ thermostatic shower valve without flow regulation B. ‘Classic’ thermostatic shower valve with flow regulation at 10 Litres per minute C. Time flow shower control with nominal time 30 seconds and regulated flow at 8 litres per minute D. Thermostatic electronic shower control, combines full thermostatic performance with infra red on/off control for maximum water efficiency.
CIBSE Guide G Update CIBSE Guide G - Public Health Engineering was last revised in 2004 & CIPHE Plumbing Engineering Services Design Guide in 2002. It is time to undertake a revision of guide G. To that end, a panel has been set up, which recently met at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. The new guide will be in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE)
which is involved in the technical revision to produce a joint guide. The panel is looking for volunteers to assist with the drafting of the revision as well as reviewers for each section. Please contact Steve Ingle 0161-228-2331 or [email protected] if you wish to get involved.
Society of Public Health Engineers (SoPHE)
YOUNG ENGINEERS AWARD
The ChallengeInnovation within water conservation.
The BriefConsider a building in the UK. What measures would you
propose to conserve water? You should address environmental
and societal aspects in addition to the technology.
The PrizeA trip for three to fabulous Las Vegas for 4 days including a
behind the scenes visit to the awe inspiring Hoover Dam.
EntrantsTeams of up to 3 people, aged 18-30.
How to enterVisit www.cibse.org/sophe to download an entry form.
Submissions must be received by 30 September 2008.
www.cibse.org/sophe
12354 BSJ 164x178 ad.indd 1 26/6/08 10:21:33
SoPHE Autumn 08
18
SoPHE Autumn 08
19
This section will enable members to raise or ask questions relating to specific projects or design items for comments or guidance. This would enable other members to assist by explaining or giving design advice, considerations, or stating where/which BS Codes or authorities could be contacted in answering original questions.
1. Please inform us of any technical subjects or design issues which you feel we would all benefit from arranging for an evening presentation.
2. We would appreciate any comments on the previous technical evening events.
3. Are there any design issues within the Water, Drainage, Sanitation, PHE scope of works which you may feel could be investigated or which you feel could be reviewed /re-evaluated. For example 24 Hour Cold Water Storage within buildings. Do you think the storage allowance is grossly over the top, should storage figures be revised to avoid risks of stagnation etc?
Please forward any questions, comments or answers you may have to the above points to:[email protected].
FORUM HOW TO ACCESS THE FORUM SoPHE NORTH-WEST UPDATE - Kate Fletcher It is now 4 years ago since I took the plunge, set up the NW branch of SoPHE and we had our first technical meeting in 2004.
It is with huge thanks that I look back at the support that Durapipe gave me to take on the mantle of that first technical meeting, with a massive 6 people in attendance (including me). Since that humble beginning, we have had meetings every two months with only the odd hiccup, and we now regularly get between 15 and 30 people along. Design engineers, contractors, facilities managers, reps who just want to further their knowledge. There are many regulars and there are many aquaintances, and (dare I say) friendships which have struck up as
a result of the regular meetings.
Now though, 4 years on, I will be relinquishing my grasp of SoPHE in the Northwest and will passing the reins on. There is a great team ready to share the organisation, not only continuing the regular techni-cal meetings, but wanting to push it on with seminars and getting in-volved in projects such as updating the new CIBSE Guide G for Public Health Engineering. The very capable team I leave in my wake are: Paul Angus and Steve Ingle.
I leave behind a SoPHE group that worked much better than I’d ever imagined and I know Paul and his team will continue to grow and evolve it in to a better than ever SoPHE.
Paul Angus writes
The SoPHE North West members would particularly like to thank Kate Fletcher (Longley) for her fantastic enthusiasm and hard work in forming and successfully run-ning the North West SoPHE region. At the end of May 2008, Kate relo-cated back to her roots in London, whilst working for Arup in Man-chester she was the North West SoPHE Secretary for over 4 years on a voluntary basis. To show our appreciation for her dedication and efforts to date, Kate was presented with a large bouquet of flowers by Paul Angus at her last ever North West Technical evening on the 21st May.
SoPHE SOUTH WEST UPDATESoPHE South West is up and running with a strengthened vision to create an informative and educational forum in the South West!
Since its inauguration, there have been two interesting and interac-tive technical evenings.
They included presentations from Blucher’s Frank Netherwood, on the benefits of Stainless Steel pipe and Geberit’s Technical Director - Peter Snoad, who gave an insight to BS Code writing for Syphonic rainwater systems. The follow up event also included a presentation by Saint Gobain on the performance of cast iron systems.
The evenings are a perfect opportunity for contractors, manufacturers and consulting engineers (even participants from London and Cheltenham) to meet up in a relaxed atmosphere.
Future events have been scheduled for the latter parts of September and November. For specific dates, participation or any enquiries, please contact either, Michael
Jones HOREA LEA (Secretary), John Wilson SAINT GOBAIN or David George ARUP (Membership Secretary).
Log on to the CIBSE website www.cibse.org and click on theforum icon
Then simply click on the forum you are interested in viewing, in this case the SoPHE forum, and the screen will show the forum in the format below.
To add a thread click the start new thread icon.To read the existing threads click on the blue thread title. To post a reply you will need to enter the thread first as above, then its just a case of hitting the add response icon.
SoPHE Autumn 08
20
SoPHE Autumn 08
21
PREVIOUS TECHNICAL EVENTS (2003-2008)
Full details of events will be advised to members of (Region or Branch) prior to each meeting.Members may contact the Secretary for details.
Society of Public Health Engineers (SoPHE) - London and South West Region Forthcoming Events
2008
14 October TuesdayReview of safety standards, including water and drain-age provisions associated with safety showers & eye wash stations within hospital and laboratory buildings. Presented by: - Hughes.
11 November TuesdayDesign risk assessment & evaluation of the principles associated with rainwater designs as described within BS EN 12056 : Part 3. Presented by: - Brian Whor-low.
2009
17 February TuesdayDesign concepts associated with rainwater attenuation sizing, including oil separation. Presented by: - TBC.
21 April TuesdayReview of the design principles associated with mist & fog systems, including the requirements of FM 200. Presented by: - TBC. 19 May Tuesday Review of the technical properties associated with stainless steel pipelines anddrainage products as used within Public Health Engi-neering services. Presented by: -BM Stainless.
23 June TuesdayA review of the design principles associated with labo-ratory drainage systems. Presented by: - TBC.
Society of Public Health Engineers (SoPHE) - North West Region Forthcoming Events
All technical sessions are held every other month on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at: The Rain Bar, Board Room (2nd Floor) 80 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester. M1 5JG 6pm (for 6.30pm start) to 8pm approx.
Full details of each event will be advised to members of the North West region and SoPHE members prior to each meeting.
2008
5th November Wednesday
Control of Legionella Bacteria in water systems and solutions. Full day Joint seminar with CIBSE, SoPHE & IHEEM, Lancashire Cricket Club presented by Mira and guest speaker Dr Tom Makin.
19th November Wednesday
Siphonic Rainwater Systems, presented by Geberit, plus special Guest Speaker CIBSE President – Professor John Swaffield who will provide a key note speech and also Guest Speaker Dr. Lynne Jack from Heriott Watt University
The keynote speech by Professor John Swaffield, President of CIBSE, will address the role that water and drainage systems play in meeting new challenges in public health engineering. The presentation will cover issues such as the change in urban population density and how this and the impactsof climate change upon the built environment demand new design approaches in order to address predicted changes in the availability of water. Professor John Swaffield will also be accompanied with Dr Lynne Jack who lectures at Herriot Watt University and is actively involved in the Built Environment Drainage Research Group. Also Geberit, who are sponsoring the evening, will also present to the audience on the theme of Siphonic Rainwater Systems’.
cont...
FORTHCOMING TECHNICAL EVENTS5th ANNIVERSARY SoPHE ANNUAL DINNERThe SoPHE annual dinner takes place on 6th November 2008 at the same venue as last year - The Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London.
This year promises to be an even bigger affair with more tables
available and more time for networking and meeting old friends.The pre-dinner drinks will begin at 5.30pm. We have negotiated a room rate with the hotel for anyone wishing to stay overnight.
SoPHE will, once again make a donation to our adopted charity WaterAid. Please contact Veron Williams [email protected] 020 8772 3613 for further details or see the website.
1. TYCO/WORMALD FIRE SYSTEMS. Life and building fire protection Contact: www.wormald.co.uk
2. MARLEY PLUMBING. Sanitation sizing to BS12056, Part 2. Contact: www.marleyplumbinganddrainage.com
3. HYDROTEC UK LTD. Technical overview of physical water conditioners and ultra violet disinfection. Contact: www.hydrotec.co.uk
4. A O SMITH (WATER PRODUCTS Co). Assessing, sizing of direct and storage type hot water heaters for commercial/industrial applications, giving consideration to latest building regulations. Contact: www.hotwater.com
5. VERNAGENE. Chlorine dioxide, Disinfection. Understanding the principles of dosing with consideration to health and safety aspects. Contact: www.vernagene.com
6. NEW HADEN PUMPS. The design and sizing of both foul and surface water pump sump chambers and stations. Contact: [email protected]
7. ALLAN AQUA LTD. Design principles for boosted cold water and fire services relating specifically to high rise buildings. Contact: www.allanaqua.co.uk
8. THAMES WATER PLC. Discussions on items within the Regulations which required clarification. Contact: www.thames-water.com
9. CLAY PIPE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION LTD. An overview of Building Regulations ‘H’, Parts H1-H6 Drainage and Waste Disposal.
10. KSB LTD. Grey Water Re-cycling for various types of buildings. General over view on the design principles with advantages and disadvantages on the possible options for re-using water
11. BRE. Control of Legionella Bacteria in water systems.
12. SPEL Products. An introduction to surface water/Foul water Puraceptors, Stormceptors, both full retention and by-pass types. Sizing, Alarms, Regulations and update on the latest Rivers Authority Requirement etc
13. EVAC. Design principles for vacuum drainage systems.
14. GRINEL. Designing Sprinkler Mist systems
15. GEBERIT. Design principles of symphonic rainwater systems
16. HONEYWELL. Applications of Thermostatic Mixing Valves. TM2 and TM3 valves
17. NEW HADEN PUMPS. Over pumping into surcharged sewers
18. GRUNDFOS. The principles of borehole pumping and pump sizing. www.grundfos.co.uk
19. MICRO DRAINAGE. Suds attenuation modelling through the use of Micro Drainage computer software.
20. CONDER. Sizing principles of small sewage treatment works. www.conderproducts.com
21. POLYPIPE. Engineering solutions in relation to SUDS. www.polypipe.com
22. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS. Storm water control.
23. HOME ENGINEERING. Design principles associated with the selection of TMV valves.
24. CLEARWATER TECHNOLOGY. Chlorine Dioxide built in line with ACOP L8 & HTM 04
SoPHE Autumn 08
22 23
USEFUL WEBSITES AND EMAILSThe Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineerswww.cibse.org
Society of Public Health Engineerswww.cibse.org/sophe
Technical Group: Alan Neall – aneall@ geneverandpartners.co.uk
Membership Group: Martin Shouler – [email protected]
Communication Group:Jonathan Gaunt- [email protected] Northey- [email protected]
Education Group:Ian Fellingham – [email protected]
SoPHE Industrial Group:Mike Darville (Chairman) – [email protected]
Associates:C BathT Grabowski
Associate Members:A JonesD ManningJ Williams
Members:G CanningsG FryerR GoardD Haynes
S HornB JordanM KellyD Turner
Industrial Associates:GoodwaterGeberitIBP ConnexEmmeti UKVictaulic
2009
21st January Wednesday
Commercial Building Services pumping solutions, presented by Grundfos
18th March Wednesday
Drainage systems for hygienic and corrosion resistant applications, presented by ACO
20th May Wednesday
Solar Hot Water Solutions, presented by AO Smith
15th July Wednesday
Modern day design in vitality swimming pools and water features, presented by Barr & Wray
NW Secretary: Paul Angus WSP Buildings The Victoria 150 – 182 The Quays Salford Greater Manchester M50 3SP Tel: +44 (0)161 886 2438 Mob: +44 (0) 7920 250646 Email: [email protected]
NEW MEMBERS
