Pipe system in water distribution system

Pipe system in water distribution system

The pipe system in water distribution system consists of three types of pipes.

1. Primary pipes
2. secondary pipes
3. distribution pipes

• Primary pipes

These are known as primary feeders or mains. They are the skeleton of the water distribution system. They are so located that they carry large quantity of water from the pumping plant to storage tanks and from storage tanks to the various parts of area to be served. This pipe system form loops. The distance between two main pipes should not be greater than 1 km. They should have valves no more than 1.5 km apart. Large and long feeders should be equipped with blow off valves at lower point and air relief valves at higher point.

• Secondary pipes

These are the pipes which carry water from the primary pipes to the various areas for normal supply or for fire fighting. Secondary pipe system form smaller mains within the primary mains by running from one primary pipe to another. They should be only a few blocks apart. The diameter of these pipes should not be greater than 400 mm.

• Distribution pipes

This pipe system consists of the network of uniformly spaced horizontal and perpendicular pipes. These pipes supply water to fire hydrants and service pipes of the residential and other buildings. The size of these pipes is determined according to the demand for fire flow. Their diamter should not be less than 150 mm for fire hydrants and 75 mm for residential buildings.