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FEATURES
A Grundfos pump.
systems within commercial buildings: “The process
commences with the engineering consultant that will
design the system for the building, leading to the
required specification for the pump systems. Grundfos
will collaborate with the design engineer to specify the
best solution-based performance, innovative technology
and life cycle costing. Thereafter a contractor will be
appointed that will purchase, install and commission
the equipment.”
It is critical for engineers and developers to understand
and consider the total cost of the system over the
expected lifetime it will be in use, in other words,
life cycle cost. With the use of quality efficient pump
units combined with variable frequency drives and
intelligent system controllers, Grundfos systems will
consistently operate on the most efficient point for the
variable requirements of a commercial building. This
type of system can save up to 50% of energy against
conventional fixed speed pump systems.
Dobson believes that Grundfos supplies the lion’s share
of pump solutions to the commercial building market:
“Perhaps in as much as 70% of all commercial buildings
in Sandton you will find a Grundfos pump.” This he
attributes to the fact that Grundfos provides quality
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systems based on high valued components that deliver a
long-term cost-effective solution.
“In modern commercial buildings floorspace is money; as
little as possible space is utilised for the pump rooms.
With a modular design and small footprint, the Grundfos
systems are a major advantage for contractors. Due to
standard design layout and pipe sizes installation time is
minimised, not only with new development, but also
when replacement is required. Grundfos boosters are
delivered pre-setup with parameters supply at design
stage of the system, but to ensure optimal on-site
operation we suggest the use of a Grundfos authorised
contractor for the installation and commissioning of
the system. This will give the developer a peace of
mind, market leading warranty of 24 months on
the equipment.”
AN OVERVIEW OF PUMPS
There are basically two types of pumps, says Vollie Brink,
SABS committee member: “One type is for water and the
second type is for sanitation.”
“One type of water pump is to ‘lift’ water from one level
to higher level, for example from ground level to the
water tank to the top of a building. Municipalities do not
July 2019 Volume 25 I Number 5