The System Enable & Disable Feature on the Grundfos CU352 Controller allows the Pump System to be shut down without having to power down. This is helpful when pump or system maintenance is required. We also recommend using this feature to disable the pumps anytime the power needs to be turned off. This protects the VFD’s and motors from losing power while under a load condition.
Many commercial buildings in Houston have large water storage tanks to meet city plumbing code requirements. These break tanks provide water for fire protection pumps and domestic (potable) water pumps to supply the building. A major concern with break tanks in the building is the potential for flooding due to tank overflow. This is especially critical when the tanks are in a basement level.
Many commercial buildings use storage tanks for Domestic (Potable) and Fire Water Applications, especially in Houston where it is required by code. As water is used in the building, an automatic system is required to replenish the water and maintain a constant level in the tank. In domestic applications, this process can repeat multiple times an hour during peak demand loads. An automatic level-control system has two main components, Fill Valves and Controls.
Some call them House Tanks, others Break Tanks, Storage Tanks or Buffer Tanks. If you have been in the pump room of a building in Houston, you’ve seen these large water tanks, but why are they used? The Houston Amendments to the Uniform Plumbing Code states that upstream from a pump system, an atmospheric storage tank with an air gap between the tank and city water supply must be used. This applies any time the city water pressure is insufficient to supply a building for both Domestic (potable) and Fire Water applications and the addition of pumps is required.
In Houston, there was a construction boom in the 1970’s and 80’s with hundreds of high-rise buildings adding to the skyline. Many of these buildings are still using the original mechanical systems for HVAC and pumping applications. Potential mechanical failure and energy savings are forcing building operators to choose between modifying existing equipment or replacing them all together.
We had a blast participating in the 5th Annual Engineer All Stars Maintenance Olympics that took place this past Saturday, October 6, at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, TX.
According to ASHRAE 90.1, Domestic Water Booster Systems must shut down during periods of no flow demand. Operating pump systems when there is little or no demand wastes energy and increases wear and tear on the pump and piping system. While this sounds simple, it is one of the most challenging control sequences for a Booster System.
Recently Cougar USA employee Deanna Parmenter worked with Living Water International to drill water wells in Honduras. Living Water is an NGO based in the HOUSTON, TX area. Here she shares her experience.
More than 60 years ago, the Late Dr. Roy B. Hunter developed a system for calculating water loads in commercial buildings. The estimated water demand of fixtures (water closets, sinks, etc.) are given a value called Fixture Units which have an equivalent demand load in Gallons Per Minute (GPM). The Fixture Units and Demand Load relationship is known as Hunter’s Curve and is still the basis for plumbing system design today.
In 2017 about 39% of total US Energy Consumption was consumed by the residential and commercial sectors. In a commercial building, HVAC Equipment (ie. chillers, boilers, cooling towers, etc) and Lighting are the biggest targets for energy savings, but the capital costs for improving these may be prohibitive. There are many opportunities for energy savings and building performance improvements with other systems in commercial buildings.
