The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Hot Water Suply
From each riser, at a point below the highest branch, a small return, or circulating pipe, d runs down and connects independently to a return main e, which is joined to the bottom of the tank. By this arrangement a complete circulation is maintained in all the pipes, as shown by the arrows. The branches f to the different fixtures are not provided with circulating pipes, because they are short.
By the plan shown in (b), hot water from the tank is carried direct to the attic, and the hot-water-supply main b is run around the attic with a pitch downward to the farthest fixture. From this main the necessary drop risers c are taken to supply the various fixtures on the floors below. The base of each drop riser is independently connected into a return main d, which is run back to the tank. From the top of the highest point in the supply main b, a branch c is run to some fixture that is in frequent use. This branch serves to relieve the main of air that may accumulate at this point. The circulation of the water in this installation will be as shown by the arrows. An example of the ratio of reduction in pipe size to insure good circulation is shown by the sizes given. The sizes will be greater or less, according to the number of fixtures to be supplied.
45.Grouping of Stop-Cocks.—In hot- or cold-water distribution, it is a very good practice to control the various distributing branches from the same point, such as above the water heater. The waste tubes of the stop-and-waste cocks can then be joined to one waste pipe that discharges into some convenient place of disposal.
The advantages gained by supplying each line with a stop-cock are twofold. First, if a leak develops in any line of pipe, water need not be shut off from the entire water-supply system, but only from the line of pipe in which the leak occurs. Second, by closing a stop-and-waste cock and opening all the hot-water faucets at the fixtures supplied by that line of pipe, the water will all drain out of the pipe. The advantage of grouping the stop-cocks together is that in case of a leak the right one to shut off can be located without loss of time, while if the stop-cocks are scattered throughout the building much damage might be done to the walls and furniture before the right stop- cock could be found.
46. Covering Hot-Water Pipes.—Hot-water supply and circulation pipes should always be protected with some good non-conducting pipe covering to prevent loss of heat by radiation, and also to prevent the pipes from warming the water in cold-water pipes that may be placed near them. Any steam- pipe covering may be used on hot-water pipes, because sweat does not gather on them. Cork, or wool felt lined with asphalt paper are better adapted for cold- and ice-water pipes.
