project
31 picked up, feeding into a separate pipe that runs exactly symmetrical to the other, at the exact gradient to ensure a neat installation. This pipe was connected to the third tank. And then on the right‐hand side of the building, they ran a third pipe that picks up the remaining four downpipes; this pipework discharges into the fourth tank. The discharge pipes have been connected to the tanks in this order to ensure that the discharged water spreads evenly through the tank and is symmetrical.
To ensure that the system remains clean, leaf catchers have been installed on the downpipes to keep out leaves, twigs, and bird droppings, among others.
Maintenance Burgess has signed a maintenance contract to clean the system out twice a year. Maintenance is quite straightforward and involves stripping the tanks and washing them out. With the way the system has been designed, each tank can be isolated and cleaned individually, without affecting the rest of the system. Cleaning the entire system will take about two days.
A happy client The entire project was completed in only a week. Once it was complete, it was handed over to a satisfied client on 24 July 2017.
Backups An overflow has been installed on the tanks in times of excessive rain. Burger explains that the tanks have been spaced to cope with the worst possible rainstorm, following in-depth research he conducted on previous rainstorm patterns in the area from a reliable source.
Another safety feature is a float switch, which disconnects the electrical supply to the pump, so when the water in the tanks get too low this feature prevents the pump from burning out.
The tanks have level indicators to show how full they are so that people know when to open the valves to let water out.
1
Phase two will soon commence and will involve collecting the rainwater on the backside of the building by adding in an additional nine 5 000l rain tanks with pipework to suit. PA
List of suppliers Astore Plumblink HMS Pumps Urban Rain Cell TW Electro( electricians) Legends Hire( scaffolding)
1. The pump is equipped with a float switch to disconnect it if the water levels get to low, thus preventing burnout.
2. The pipes were installed at the same gradient, ensuring a neat installation.
With the heavy rains last year, the infrastructure in the area was unable to cope with the excess water from the continuous rainfall at the time.
2
www. plumbingafrica. co. za September 2017 Volume 23 I Number 7