Houston multi-family commercial plumbing services help ensure that all of the units in a high-rise apartment building have access to clean, safe water. But how exactly does water get up to the top floors?
There are two standard methods for piping water up through a high building: a rooftop reservoir system or a booster pump system. If your system is not working properly, contact our experienced plumbers to schedule a service appointment today.
Typical Apartment Buildings Are Taller Than Ever Before
Over the past thirty years, the average height of apartment buildings has noticeably increased. According to the World Property Journal, the average apartment building was only 3 floors high in the 1990s. As we entered the 21st century, the trend shifted towards taller buildings, with the average height reaching 4 floors in the 2000s.
Nowadays, the average apartment building is 6 floors high, reflecting our ever-growing population and the desire to utilize space efficiently. As urban areas become more densely populated, developers are looking upwards to satisfy the demand for housing, and this trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
Required Water Pressure for a High-Rise Apartment
When it comes to maintaining a high-rise building in Houston, there are a lot of codes and regulations you need to follow. One of these is the restriction on water pressure. To be compliant, your water pressure cannot exceed 80 psi. This may seem like a small detail, but it can have a big impact on the safety and usability of your building.
Maintaining appropriate water pressure is critical as it not only ensures the efficient functioning of all water-dependent systems in the building, but also protects the plumbing infrastructure from damage caused by excessive pressure. For example, in a standard single-owner home, the water pressure typically falls between 40 and 60 psi, enough to comfortably run everyday household appliances.
However, a high-rise building’s water pressure is more complex. It cannot exceed 80 psi for safety and compliance reasons, yet it must manage the demands of potentially hundreds of apartments. Comparatively, a city water treatment plant experiences much higher pressures, often exceeding 100 psi, to manage large-scale water purification processes.
To ensure that your apartment building’s water pressure is properly regulated, you need the help of experienced Houston multi-family commercial plumbing services. They have the expertise and equipment needed to check your pressure levels and make any necessary adjustments. Don’t risk violating this crucial code—call in the professionals today.
Method One: Rooftop Reservoir
For over a century, booster pumps have been a reliable method for bringing water to the top of buildings. By pumping the water up to a rooftop reservoir, gravity can then take over and distribute the water throughout the floors below. It’s a simple yet effective solution that has stood the test of time. No longer do buildings have to rely solely on the pressure from main water lines to reach the upper floors.
Method Two: Multiple Booster Pumps
When it comes to maintaining adequate water pressure in multilevel buildings, the other option is to use multiple booster pumps that are positioned at various interior levels of the structure. This approach typically involves having a simplex or duplex booster pump stationed in the basement or on the ground level to supply water to lower floors.
Then, to ensure that water pressure is maintained for upper floors, a second mechanical room is installed halfway up the building. While this method requires some upfront planning and investment, it can provide reliable results and help to avoid problems associated with low water pressure.
Commercial Plumbing Services for Multi-Family Buildings in Houston
Whether you are a building superintendent or building owner, it is essential to make sure water pressure and plumbing problems are addressed quickly and correctly. Before long-term solutions can be established, the root of the problem needs to be identified.
Our experts at AAA Plumbers will provide you with quality service that is uniquely tailored to your situation so that your multifamily residential property has balanced water pressure flowing throughout the building. Take advantage of our skill and knowledge in order to improve both convenience and safety. Contact us now to schedule an appointment and get started on solving your water pressure issues today!
