Pump Station/Water Tank/Fire Flow Demand 1

[RyanSpaustat]

I'm working on an isolated water distribution system that is serviced by a pump station and water tank. The water tank satisfies the fire flow demand, however it is a steel tank that will need to be taken off-line every 15 years to be refinished for 1-2 months. Generally, the pump station's sole purpose is to fill the water tank.

Does the pump station need to be sized to meet the fire flow demand during the down time even though its so infrequent? This results in a significant up sizing of the pump station. Or can are there alternate measures that can be put in place during the down time?

 

[cvg]

call rain for rent and get a temporary booster pump

http://www.rainforrent.com/

 

[bimr]

Like cvg says, install a temporary booster pump.

You should not get into the details with this, just make sure that it is possible. It will be up to the Contractor to develop the temporary plan. In the specifications, you should require that the Contractor maintain service at all times at his cost. The specification should also require that the Contractor's plan will be submitted for approval.

This is a "means and methods" area that the Contractor is responsible for. If you attempt to specify all the details for the Contractor, you may regret it later.

Something like this:

INTERRUPTION OF THE WATER SERVICES
The Contractor shall ensure minimum water services interruption during construction. Each interruption of service during construction requires a written approval by the Engineer and the Owner. If warranted, the Engineer may specify
that certain water service interruptions be restricted to off-peak hours and/or weekends. No extra payment will be allowed for such off-peak hours and weekend works

 

[fel3]

If your tank is small (say <= 150,000 gallons), would it work for you to temporarily substitute a pillow tank (e.g.

http://store.interstateproducts.com...Style-Water-Storage-Pillow-Tank-Non-Potable)?

I have never used one, but came close once. On the other hand, I have twice used temporary hydropneumatic systems while a tank was being rehabilitated.

If the tank is large, what about installing two smaller tanks instead of one? That way, you can rehab one at a time.

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"Is it the only lesson of history that mankind is unteachable?"
--Winston S. Churchill

 

[greggy]

Don't forget to tell the local fire chief when you will have the tank down for maintenance since it may impact his available flows.