The difference between direct and indirect plumbing systems concerns how cold water is distributed throughout the home. In an indirect system, the cold taps are supplied by the cold water storage cistern in the loft. In a direct system, they’re supplied by the mains. Each system comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
What is the difference between a direct and indirect cold water system?
In a direct system, they’re supplied by the mains. Each system comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we’ll go through the main differences. In an indirect system, the mains enters the property and branches off to supply the cold kitchen tap. It then rises up to the loft to feed the cold water storage cistern.
What is an indirect water supply system?
An indirect water supply system is the most common type found in modern houses. The mains water comes in via a rising main and directly feeds at least one cold tap at the kitchen sink with ‘potable’ water (i.e. water which is fit for drinking, cooking etc) and may also feed a washing machine, a shower and an outside tap etc.
What is the difference between direct and indirect plumbing?
The difference between direct and indirect plumbing systems concerns how cold water is distributed throughout the home. In an indirect system, the cold taps are supplied by the cold water storage cistern in the loft.
Where does the cold water supply come from in a direct system?
In a direct system, all of the cold outlets are supplied by the mains. The cold water storage cistern supplies only the hot water cylinder. Alternatively, there may not even be a storage cistern if the property has a combi boiler or an unvented hot water cylinder.
What is indirect and direct water supply?
While in the direct water supply system all the water points of a house are directly connected to the main supply line of the municipality/city government/supply company; in case of the indirect water supply system it is only the kitchen sink and the storage tank which are connected to the main supply line while all ...
What is indirect cold water supply?
In the indirect cold water system, water comes into house via rising main. It is then branched off to feed at least one tap (in the image above, this is the kitchen and outside tap and the boiler next to the sink) and then continues to a storage tank in the loft.
What are the two types of cold water system?
There are two basic systems of cold water used in domestic dwellings: 1 the direct system of cold water 2 the indirect system of cold water. With this system, all cold water taps are fed directly from the mains supply. This means that all taps are provided with a supply of drinking water.
What is indirect water?
Indirect water (also called “virtual water”) use refers to the water used to produce the goods and services others need and enjoy.
What is the difference between indirect and direct water use?
Water can be used for direct and indirect purposes. Direct purposes include bathing, drinking, and cooking, while examples of indirect purposes are the use of water in processing wood to make paper and in producing steel for automobiles. The bulk of the world's water use is for agriculture, industry, and electricity.
What is direct cold water?
In a direct system water is supplied at mains pressure to all cold water taps/faucets, WC (toilets) cisterns and a cold water storage cistern/tank if hot water is to be supplied from an open vented (low pressure) hot water cylinder.
What are the two types of water supply?
What are the types of water supply systems?Gridiron systems. In gridiron systems, the main water supply line goes through the central part of the area, while sub mains branch out perpendicular to the main line. ... Ring systems. ... Radial systems. ... Dead-end systems.
What is an advantage of an indirect cold water system?
Indirect water supply system, impose less pressure on distribution network, as rising main is not connected to all fixtures directly. There is no threat of pipe burst. If main is damaged or when water supply is stopped during certain time period; water can still be made available to users from the storage tanks.
How does the direct cold water supply work?
Cold water is fed directly from the mains, is heated and fed directly to the point of use, without the need for water storage tanks. Since the water in the system will expand due to heating, an expansion vessel and a safety temperature and pressure relief valve are required.
What are the advantages of indirect water supply?
The greatest advantages of the indirect water heaters are the significant reduction of flue losses. Less maintenance – no additional burners to maintain. Less cost – no additional venting required or fuel lines to run. Better performance – more available hot water with quicker recoveries.
What does indirect mean in plumbing?
An indirect connection is a connection to a private drain that then goes into a public sewer. A private drain is an existing pipe that only serves 1 property and is within the property boundary.
What is direct hot water?
A direct fired hot water system is fed via a direct fired water heater where the heat source for the water is physically located within the unit. This heater, such as an integral gas or oil burner, heats the water directly.
What is an advantage of an indirect cold water system?
Indirect water supply system, impose less pressure on distribution network, as rising main is not connected to all fixtures directly. There is no threat of pipe burst. If main is damaged or when water supply is stopped during certain time period; water can still be made available to users from the storage tanks.
What does indirect mean in plumbing?
An indirect connection is a connection to a private drain that then goes into a public sewer. A private drain is an existing pipe that only serves 1 property and is within the property boundary.
What are the different types of cold water distribution?
There are three main types of hot and cold water systems:Gravity system with recirculation. This type of system is found in many commercial buildings. ... Gravity system without recirculation. ... Mains pressure (closed) systems. ... Substitution.
What is indirect pumping system?
An indirect feed system works in a similar way to a direct feed system, however instead of pumping rainwater directly to the appliance, the submersible pump inside the tank pumps rainwater to a header tank in the roof space of the property.
What is direct and indirect water?
In this context, direct and indirect refers not to how the cylinder is supplied, but how the water is heated. For more information, check the hot water cylinder page.
What is the difference between direct and indirect plumbing?
The difference between direct and indirect plumbing systems concerns how cold water is distributed throughout the home. In an indirect system, the cold taps are supplied by the cold water storage cistern in the loft. In a direct system, they’re supplied by the mains.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of an indirect water system?
Advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of an indirect system is that even if the water supply to the property is cut off, there’s still a reserve of water. For example, you’ll still be able to flush the toilet until the loft cistern is empty. Indirect systems also operate at a lower pressure than mains water.
What is a cold water storage cistern?
The cold cistern supplies cold water to everywhere else in the household, such as the cold bathroom taps, and the hot water cylinder. In a direct system, all of the cold outlets are supplied by the mains. The cold water storage cistern supplies only the hot water cylinder.
Do cisterns need to be fitted?
Current water regulations require cisterns to be fitted with a set of components to ensure the water remains potable, i.e. drinkable. However, the idea of brushing your teeth in water which has come from a tank in the loft may not be very appealing.
Do hot water cylinders need a cold water storage cistern?
In a direct system, all of the cold outlets are supplied by the mains. The cold water storage cistern supplies only the hot water cylinder. Alternatively, there may not even be a storage cistern if the property has a combi boiler or an unvented hot water cylinder. Both of these appliances are fed directly from the mains.
What is indirect water supply?
Indirect water supply. An indirect water supply system is the most common type found in modern houses. The mains water comes in via a rising main and directly feeds at least one cold tap at the kitchen sink with ‘potable’ water (i.e. water which is fit for drinking, cooking etc) and may also feed a washing machine, a shower and an outside tap etc.
What valve can isolate the cold water feed to the hot water tank?
Gate valve which can isolate the cold water feed to the hot water tank. Gate valve which can isolate the cold water to the WC and taps etc. Hot water cylinder. Gate valve which can isolate the hot water to the taps.
What is WC overflow pipe?
WC overflow pipe - this takes any overflow from the WC cistern out of harms way and deposits it outside of the building. It needs to be positioned so that any water flow is immediately noticed as it would indicate a problem.
What is a draincock?
Draincock - this allows the rising main within the house to be drained down at the lowest point.
How does a stopcock work?
A stopcock works like a tap in that when it is closed, a washer is pushed over an opening to stop the water flow whereas when a gate valve is operated a 'shutter' is wound across the opening. With a stopcock, some water pressure is usually required to lift the washer clear of its seat when it is opened to allow the water to flow; with a gate valve no pressure is required.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of direct water?
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT WATER SYSTEM ADVANTAGES OF DIRECT WATER SYSTEM 1. Saving in pipework especially in multistory buildings. 2. Fresh drinking water is available at all draw-off points 3. Cold water distribution pipe from the cistern being omitted 4. In systems without cistern there is no risk of polluting the water from this source DISADVANTAGES OF DIRECT WATER SYSTEM 1. There is a danger of foul water from the sanitary fittings being siphoned back into the main water 2. During peak periods, there is a tendency for the lowering of pressure 3. If there is a main burst, there is no store of water ADVANTAGES OF INDIRECT WATER SYSTEM
What are the advantages of a cistern during peak periods?
During peak periods, there is a tendency for the lowering of pressure 3. If there is a main burst, there is no store of water ADVANTAGES OF INDIRECT WATER SYSTEM 1. Large capacity cistern provides a reserve of water during interruption of supply 2.
