The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Hot Water Suply

51. The cold-water supply pipe i, Fig. 21, is taken from the bottom of the tank and extends to the floor, where it is divided into two branches, which drop to the basement and connect to the main water supply. These drop lines supply the fixtures on the different stories, and a branch j supplies the hotwater tank k. A branch l from the supply pipe i extends above the tank and serves as an air vent for draining the pipes when the valve m on the line i is closed. The pipe n supplies fresh water directly from the street main for drinking purposes.

The fixtures on the different stories are supplied with hot water by two branches of the hot-water pipe o which run parallel with the cold-water pipes to the highest fixtures, above which they terminate in small pipes p that extend to a point over the tank a and serve as expansion pipes and air vents. From the hot-water branches, at points just below the highest fixtures, return, or circulating, pipes q are connected, and carried to the bottom of the hot-water tank k. No valves are placed on the hot-water lines. The valve r on the cold-water inlet allows the water to be shut off from the tank, and the hot water can then expand into the hot-water lines. No safety valve is therefore required at the tank, which is connected to a separate heater in the basement in the usual manner.

The best practice in the installation of a water piping system is represented in Fig. 21. Air chambers for all of the lavatories, the sink, and the laundry tubs are provided, in order to prevent water hammer, although there is little danger of this when a house tank and large pipes are used. Each fixture is provided with a separate shut-off valve, and all the pipes may be drained if necessary. The illustration is intended to show only the general plan of installation and not the exact details.