WGE’s Sydney hydraulics team, led by Dave Steblina and Dr Houman Tamaddon, have been working on a new approach to ensuring optimum water pressure in high rise buildings with a much smaller footprint than traditional methodologies.
After setting up a test rig to investigate pressure reduction valves (PRVs) in a dual-stage configuration, and working with Caleffi Hydronic Solutions and All Valve Industries to develop a prototype PRV, the team are applying their findings to a 36-storey development in Sydney.
Dave says the dual-stage approach using the new 536 series PRV balances cost and performance but still delivers the robust performance required in high rise projects.
“This has eliminated the need for staged storage tanks and plant rooms at regular intervals,” he said.
“The whole system can be easily monitored and accessed for any repairs and maintenance.”
Houman says the system is based on a simple concept.
“If the required pressure reduction ratio from the main riser to the point of use is more than the optimal zone of the pressure reduction valve, then implement a two-stage, serial reduction configuration.”
The WGE team recently spoke to Plumbing Connection magazine about the dual-stage PRV solution. Click here to read the full story by Deborah Andrich.
