Q1. A central hot water supply heater is proposed to design for a 200 units apartment building.

The
apartment building consists of two blocks and each block has 100 units. The designer has two
ideas for the system. First idea is to install single tank for supply of two blocks and the second is
to install one tank for each block. Some information for the sizes of water heater are as follows if
the 70% of the hot water in the storage tank is usable in the system:

Estimate the water heater sizes for the two proposals:

(a) Single tank for whole building:

(i) The storage system with minimum recovery rate; and

(ii) The storage system with a recovery rate of 3.6 10-3 L/s per apartment.

(b) Two separate tanks for each block:

(i) The total storage system with minimum recovery rate; and

(ii) The total storage system with a recovery rate of 3.6 10-3 L/s per apartment.

(c) Make your recommendation on selection between the single tank and two tanks systems with
supporting reasons;
(d) It is noted that the temperature of hot water supply and return are 60oC and 55oC respectively.
And the measured total heat loss of the system is 15 kW. If a hot water return pipe is proposed
to install for the hot water supply system, the velocity is limited to 1.5 m/s and the specific
heat of hot water is 4,180 J/kg/K,

q
Given: Q= ,  = 1,000 kg/m3 for water
C p T

(i) Determine the flow rate of the circulating pump.

(ii) Determine the size of the return pipe.

(iii) Briefly state FOUR (4) methods to prevent of Legionnaires’ disease in the design
precautions state.
Q2. (a) If the system has a peak demand of FAD 18 m3/min for 10 seconds and a continuous demand
of FAD 6 m3/min for the remaining 50 seconds in a ONE minute cycle, determine the
receiver’s capacity if the compressor delivers 12m3/min and the number of start per hour is
limited to 10.

(b) An air compressor system is designed for the operation of a group of pneumatic devices for
the Point-1 to Point-3 in air-conditioning system. The layout of the system is shown on the
Figure Q2. Using the given CIBSE Table Q2.1 to Q2.3, determine:

(i) the size of all main and branch;

(ii) the actual pressure at the end of each section.

Tabulate the answer as the following table form.

Section 1 2 3 4 5
Pipe size (mm)
Pressure (kPa)

Assume that:
- The main supply pressure from the air compressor plant is 650 kPa (absolute).
- The minimum discharge pressure at each outlet is 610 kPa (absolute).
- Allowance for fittings is equivalent to 30 % of the straight pipe length.
- Heavy grade steel pipes are used.

Figure Q2

Pressure factors for compressible flow.

P/kPa Z P/kPa Z
410 110,000 610 236,000
420 115,000 620 244,000
430 120,000 630 251,000
440 126,000 640 259,000
450 131,000 650 267,000
Z = P1.929
Table Q2.1
Table Q2.2
Table Q2.3
Q3. (a) A domestic sewage treatment plant consisting of a septic tank, circular biological filter and
humus tank is installed for a temporary site with a population of 300 persons. The depth of
septic tank and filter are assumed to be 1.5 m and 1.8 m respectively. Determine:

(i) the capacity and the dimensions of the septic tank;

(ii) the diameter of the filter;
(iii) the capacity of humus tank.
Given: Capacity of septic tank, C = 180N + 2000 (litre)
Volume of filter, V = 1.5 P0.83 (m3)
Capacity of humus tank, C = 30N + 1500 (litre)
Where N and P are the number of people served.

(b) A swimming pool system, which included main and child pools, is comprised of three pumps
(two duties and one standby), a surge tank and two pressure sand filters. Using the following
information and Table Q3, determine:

(i) the flow rate of each pump in L/s;

(ii) the capacity of surge tank;
(iii) the filter-bed diameter.

Main pool Children Pool

Dimension of Pool : Table Q2 12m (L)  6m(W)  0.3m (D)
Turnover rate : 4.0 hours 0.5 hours
Average displacement : 75 litres / person 15 litres / person
Population : 240 bathers 1.0m2 / child
3 2
Filtration rate : 24 m / m / hour

Bathing load, A B C D X Y Z L W
persons Dimension, m
48 2.4 2.7 1.5 1.0 4.6 6.1 7.6 18.3 6.1
75 2.4 2.9 1.5 1.0 4.6 6.1 12.2 22.9 7.6
108 2.4 2.9 1.5 1.0 5.5 7.6 14.3 27.4 9.1
147 2.4 3.0 1.5 1.0 5.5 7.6 18.9 32.0 10.7
192 2.4 3.0 1.5 1.0 6.1 9.1 21.3 36.6 12.2
243 2.4 3.0 1.5 1.0 6.1 9.1 25.9 41.2 13.7
300 2.4 3.0 1.5 1.0 6.1 9.1 30.5 45.7 15.2
432 2.4 3.0 1.5 1.0 6.1 9.1 39.6 54.9 18.3
590 2.4 3.0 1.5 1.0 6.1 9.1 48.8 64.0 21.3

Table Q3 Dimension of Official Swimming Pool

Q4. (a) In accordance with the statutory requirements of Hong Kong Fire Services Department, state
any FIVE (5) general precautions when considering the Oil Storage Installation.

(b) In accordance with the Building (Refuse Storage and Material Recovery Chambers and Refuse
Chute) Regulation, describe any FIVE (5) requirements for the design of the Refuse Chute.
Q1. (a) A hot water supply system consists of a water storage tank serving for a High School having
720 students. Assume the usable volume of the cylinder is 75%. With the given Figures 19
& 22, calculate:

i) the minimum recovery rate and the required storage capacity of the system;

ii) the total minimum recovery rate and the usable storage capacity of the system if an
addition of a snack shop with maximum of 240 meals per hour is combined to the hot
water supply system;

iii) the recovery time of the whole system in terms of hour.

(b) The hot water supply system delivers hot water through a 200 m long insulated copper pipe
by a circulating pump. The supply and return temperature are at 55oC and 50oC respectively.
And the insulated copper pipe is having a heat loss of 125 W/m.

q
Given: Q =
C p t
Where Q = flow rate, m3/s
q = Heat loss, W
ρ = density of water 1000 kg/m3
Cp = specific heat of water 4.2 kJ/kg/k
Δt = temperature difference

i) Determine the flow rate of circulating pump;

ii) Determine the size of return pipe if the maximum velocity of hot water is 1.5 m/s;

iii) State the reasons to install the return pipe;

iv) Suggest Five (5) methods to prevent the Legionnaires’ disease during the operation and
maintenance period for the hot water supply system.
Fig. 22

Fig. 19
Q2. (a) An air receiver of volume 24 m3 is added to the gas supply-compressed air system that cuts in
at 650 kPa (absolute) and cuts out at 800 kPa (absolute).

i) Calculate the number of start of the compressor per hour, if the circuit has a demand of
FAD 30 m3/min and the compressor’s capacity is 45 m3/min.

ii) If the number of start per hour is limited to 12, calculate the required volume of the
receiver.

(b) In the Industrial Factory, the layout of a gas supply-compressed air plant system is shown
on Figure Q2. The main pressure of 630 kPa (absolute) is supplied to 2 outlets of A & B. The
discharge pressure to each outlet should not be less than 600 kPa (absolute). Assume that the
allowance of 25 % is on straight lengths for losses through fittings. With the provided CIBSE
Tables C4.37 & C4.41, determine the pipe size of each section and the pressure at each outlet
in the system. Heavy steel pipe is used for the system.

Figure Q2 Layout of a Gas Supply-Compressed Air Plant

Given:
P = 1.929√ Z

Pipe section 1 2 3 Method

Flow rate (m3/s)
Pipe diameter (mm)
Actual pressure loss
factor per length
Available pressure loss
factor per length
Pressure (kPa)
Table Q2

P / kPa Z
600 229,000
610 236,000
620 244,000
630 251,000
CIBSE Table C4.37 - Pressure Factors for Compressible Flow
CIBSE Table C4.41 Flow of Compressed Air in Heavy Steel Pipes
Q3. (a) A small sewage treatment plant comprises of a septic tank, circular biological filter and a
square of humus tank is proposed to build in a remote district where no public sewer available.
The population is 300 people and a restaurant with kitchen area of 500 m2 in the district area.
The design information is given as follows:

Recommended BOD 55 (g/head/day)

300 g/m2 kitchen area per day
Recommended design flow rate 300 (L/head/day)
0.5 m3/m2 kitchen area per day
Capacity of septic tank (Litre) 180N + 2000
Volume of filter media 0.9 m3 per person
Capacity of humus tank (Litre) 30N + 1500
Depth of filter 1.8 m
Depth of septic and humus tanks 1.5 m
Where N is the number of people

i) Estimate the total BOD loading, the dry weather flow rate and the design peak
flow arriving to the sewage treatment plant.

ii) Determine the volume of septic tank and its each compartment;

iii) Determine the diameter of the biological filter and the dimension of the humus
tank

(b) A swimming pool system which consists of three water circulating pumps (two duties and one
standby), a surge tank and two pressure sand filters is designed to install for a private club.
The pool information is given as below:

Pool Information
Population : 2.5 m2 / person
Dimension of pool : 25 m (L) × 20 m (W) × 1.8 m (H)
Water displacement : 75 litres / person
Acceptable Filtration rate : 24 m3 / m2 / hour
Turnover time : 2.5 hour

i) State the purpose of water circulation and the importance of the water circulation
rate in the swimming pool;
ii) Calculate the flow rate for each circulation pump;
iii) Calculate the capacity of surge tank; and
iv) Calculate the required diameter of sand filter.

Q4. (a) A boiler and oil storage tank room are proposed to install on the roof level and ground floor
respectively by a developer. The height of 15-storeys office building is 45 m. If you are the
Engineer, state whether the installation is acceptable or not, and give advices of design and
installation in accordance with the Statutory / Requirements of the Hong Kong Fire Services
Department.
Q1. A central hot water system is designed for an elementary school at 340 students with a student
canteen in the same premise. The student canteen, classified as type ‘B’ food service, serves a
maximum of 340 meals per hour. Assuming that the effective volume of the storage tank is 80 %
and the water heater is working under the minimum recovery condition. From IOP Figure 19 &
21, determine:

(d) the minimum recovery rate of the water heater in the system.
(e) the total storage capacity of hot water tank of the system.

IOP Fig. 21 IOP Fig. 19

(f) In order to maintain the stable hot water supply temperature for the kitchen of student
canteen, a return loop is provided for the hot water supply system as below information:
Temperature of hot water supply = 65 oC
Temperature of hot water return = 56 oC
Heat loss of the entire system = 14.175 kW
Specific heat of water = 4.18 kJ/kg/K
Density of hot water = 1 kg/L
q
Q=
  C p  T
(iv) Calculate the flow rate of the pump capacity in m3/s;

(v) Determine the size of the return pipe if the velocity of the hot water is limited to 1.2
m/s;
(d) A youth dormitory of the school with two storeys consisting of 4 apartments A, B, C and D
are served by a centralized hot water system as shown in Figure Q1.

Figure Q1

Each apartment has 2 wash basins, 2 baths, 2 showers and 2 sinks. Loading unit for wash
basin, baths, showers and sinks are 2, 10, 3 and 3 respectively.

Given that:
Pipe fitting resistance = 30 % of straight pipe
Minimum head at draw off point = 1.5 m
Maximum water flow velocity = 1.5 m/s

Pipe Section 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Pipe Length (m) 25 20 4 - - 6 6

Using IOP Graph A1 and method, determine the minimum sizes of the hot water supply pipes
for sections 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7 including item A to K at each pipe section. Tabulate your results
by completing Table Q1 in the answer script and show the steps in arriving at the size for each
branch circuit.

Item Section Answer from

(calculation,
1 2 3 6 7 measurement, table,
graph or item ? x
item ?)
A Loading unit LU
B Flow rate l/s
C Pipe diameter mm
D Velocity m/s
E Actual head loss per length m/m
F Available/Permissible head loss per length m/m
G Pipe length m
H Gross length with equivalent length for
m
fitting
I Total actual head loss m
J Progressive total actual head loss m
K Net available head m

Table Q1
(IOP)
Q2. (a) An air receiver of volume 20 m3 is designed for the compressed air system with Cut in / Cut
out pressure at 640 kPa (absolute) and 780 kPa (absolute);

(i) If the circuit has a demand of free air delivered 24 m3/min. and the compressor’s capacity
is 36 m3/min., calculate the number of start of the compressor per hour.

(ii) And the required capacity of the receiver if the number of start per hour is limited to 12.

(b) The layout of a compressed air plant system is shown on Figure Q2 for the Industrial Factory.
The main pressure of 630 kPa (absolute) is supplied to 2 outlets of A & B. The discharge
pressure to each outlet should not be less than 600 kPa (absolute). Assuming that the allowance
of 25 % is on straight lengths for losses through fittings. With the provided CIBSE Tables
C4.37 & C4.41, determine the minimum pipe sizes of the system.

Figure Q2 Layout of a Compressed Air Plant

Given:
Pressure factor: Z = P1.929, where P=gas pressure (kPa)
Pressure factor drop per length (meter): (Z1 – Z2) / L

Tabulate your answer in the answer script using the following table format.
Answer from
(calculation,
Pipe section 1 2 3
measurement
or table)
Flow rate m3/s
Pipe diameter mm
Actual pressure loss
factor per length
Available pressure
loss factor per length
Pressure kPa
Table Q2
(CIBSE)

CIBSE Table C4.41 Flow of Compressed Air in Heavy Steel Pipes

Q3. (a) A water sport centre consists of a standard swimming pool, a diving pool and a training pool.
Its circulation system and filtration system contain three duty pumps and three pressure sand
filters with filtration capacity ranging from 36 m3/m2/hr to 48 m3/m2/hr respectively. Using
the data from Tables Q3.1 & Q3.2, calculate:

(i) the circulation flow rate of each pool;

(ii) the each pump flow rate;

(iii) the minimum diameter of filter tank.

Pool type Length  Width Average Depth

(meter) (meter)

Standard Pool 50  25 2.0

Diving Pool 35  25 3.4

Training Pool 30  20 1.5

Table Q3.1

Pool type Turnover time

(hour)

Standard 4.0

Diving/ Training 5.0

Table Q3.2

(b) A small treatment plant (STP) is designed for a village with 290 people in population. The
system comprises of a septic tank with circular biological filter and a humus tank in square
cube size which information is given as follows:

Septic tank
Capacity, L 180N + 2000
Depth, m 1.5
The dry weather flow, m3/day 310
Volume of biological filter V = 0.8N

where N is the number of people to be served

(i) Advise the design peak dry weather flow (DWF) arriving at the plant;
(ii) Determine the volume of the septic tank and the dimension of each compartment;

(iii) Determine the diameter of the biological filter where the depth of filter at 1.8m.
Q4. (a) Define the criteria on the oil storage capacity and advise the maximum height requirements
above ground level for DG store in Hong Kong.

(b) An adequate Refuse Collection and disposal system can prevent from bed smells and disease
spreading, and provide health environment. Selection for types of refuse treatment is important
on site. State the advantages and disadvantages between refuse collection using refuse chute
system and on site incineration system.
Q1. (a) A centralized hot water system using a minimum recovery rate is installed in an office building
with 680 people. Assuming 70% of the hot water volume in the storage tank is usable. Using
Figure Q1a, determine the total recovery rate and storage tank capacity of the system.

Figure Q1a

(b) An indirect hot water system connecting with 200 sinks are installed in an office. From the
data provided in Table Q1b, determine the probable simultaneous demand for the hot water
system in L/s.

(4 Marks)

Given : m = np + 1.8 2np(1 − p) ; p = t / T

Average time between

Flow rate per Average time for water
Appliance occasions of use, T
point (L/s) consumption, t (sec.)
(sec.)
Sink 0.50 320 160
Table Q1b
Q1. (c) Figure Q1c shows a hot water supply system in a residential building with 4 flats. Assuming
that copper pipe to BS 2871 is used (Graph A1 attached) , the equivalent lengths for the pipe
fittings losses are approximately 25% of the corresponding pipe length and the acceptable
range of flow velocity is v = 0.9 - 1.5 m/s. The loading unit per flat is 50 LU and the minimum
outlet pressure per flat is 2 m.
(i) Complete Table Q1c in your answer book.
(ii) Comment the outlet pressure at Flat B.

Section 1
20 m

Hot Water
Tank
Flat Flat 5 m
A B
Flat 1 m
Flat
D C 5 m
mm
1 m Section 2
Section 3

22 m 10 m 12 m

Figure Q1c

Complete Table Q1c in your answer book

Item Section 1 2 3
A Loading unit LU
B Flow rate l/s
C Pipe diameter mm
D Velocity m/s
E Actual head loss per length m/m
F Pipe length m
Gross length with
G m
equivalent length for fitting
H Total actual head loss m
Progressive total actual head
I m
loss
J Net available head m
Table Q1c
(IOP)
Q2. (a) A compressed air plant which provides pressurized air supply for a workshop has the
following design data:

Compressor rated delivery flow rate : 45 m3/min FAD

System average demand flow rate : 15 m3/min FAD
Compressor cut out pressure : 8.0 bar (gauge)
Number of start of the compressor per hour : 10
Volume of air receiver : 30 m3

Determine the charge time, the discharge time, the total cycle time and the compressor cut in
pressure.

(b) A plant operated at a pressure of 640 kPa (absolute) supplies compressed air to electro-
pneumatic (E/P) control panels as shown in Figure Q2. With the aid of Table Q2.2 and CIBSE
Tables C4.41, complete the Table Q2.1 in your answer book.

Section 5 Section 3
[6 m, 16 l/s] [20 m, 37 l/s]
E/P Panel-3 E/P Panel-2

Section 2
[24 m]
Section 4
[28 m, 28 l/s]
E/P Panel-1
Section 1
[18 m]
Note:
Section X
[pipe length (m), flow rate (l/s)]
Air Compressor

Figure Q2

Given:
The minimum discharge pressure to each machine is 610 kPa (absolute).
Pressure factor: Z = P1.929, where P=gas pressure (kPa)
Pressure loss factor per length: (Z1 – Z2) / L
Allow 30% on straight lengths for losses through fittings.
Heavy grade steel pipes are employed in the system.

Complete Table Q2.1 in your answer book

Section 1 2 3
3
Flow rate m /s
Pipe diameter mm
Available pressure loss factor per
---
length
Actual pressure loss factor per
---
length
Pressure kPa
Table Q2.1
 P/kPa Z P/kPa Z P/kPa Z
610 236,000 625 247,500 640 259,000

615 240,000 630 251,000 645 263,000

Table Q2
620 244,000 635 255,000 650 267,000

Pressure factor: Z = P 1.929 where P = gas pressure (kPa)

Table Q2.2 Pressure Factors for Compressible Flow

CIBSE Table C4.41 Flow of Compressed Air in Heavy Steel Pipes

Q3. (a) A modern village with a design population of 800 people was built in a remote territory. It
included a restaurant with a kitchen floor area of 50 m2. A small sewage treatment plant (STP) with an
equalization tank, using 4-stages Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) with pretreatment (7 % of BOD
is removed after fine screen), is used to handle the sewage of the modern village housing. With the aid
of Tables Q3.1 and Q3.2, determine:

(iv) the total dry weather flow and design peak flow discharging to the STP with an
equalization tank in m3/hour; and

(v) the BOD loading in g/day and the concentration of inlet BOD in g/m3 entering the
RBC after pretreatment.

Given:
- Design peak flow = 4 x DWF (for population over 1000)
- Design peak flow = 6 x DWF (for population under 1000)
- Design peak flow = 3 x DWF (for Sewage Treatment Plant with Equalization Tank)

Flow
Type of development Recommended design flow rate (L/head/day)
Residential R1 300
Residential R2 370
Residential R3 460
Residential R4 460
Modern Village Housing 300
Traditional Type Village Housing 185
Temporary Housing Area (THA) 185
Schools (Not including canteen) 23 (students, staff etc.)
Office (Not including canteen) 55
Services (shops etc.) 70 (for equivalent population)
Restaurants/canteens 0.5 m3/m2 kitchen area/day
Table Q3.1

Load
Type of development Recommended BOD Load Recommended SS Load
(g/head/day) (g/head/day)
Residential, all types 55 55
Schools (Not including canteen) 23 23
Office (Not including canteen) 23 23
Factories (not including 23 23
industrial and canteen wastes)
Services to be pro-rata to equivalent residential population
Restaurants/canteens 300 g/m2 kitchen area/d 300 g/m2 kitchen area/day
Table Q3.2
Q3. (b) The village has a swimming pool which comprises two duty pumps, one standby pump, one
surge tank and three sand filters. Determine:

(i) the flow rate of each circulating pump in L/s;

(ii) the capacity of surge tank; and

(iii) the diameter of each filter-bed.

Given:
1. Pool Dimension : Diameter 25 m, depth 1.5 m
2. Population density : 2.5 m2/bather
3. Water displacement : 75 liters / person
4. Turnover rate : 4 hours
5. Filtration rate : 25 m3/m2/hour

Q4. (a) Briefly describe the design considerations for a refuse chute of dry disposal system in the aspect
of shape and dimensional requirements of the chute and the hopper.

(b) Design and sketch a diagram of an on-site incineration of refuse system for a low rise building.
Clearly show and indicate the hoppers, refuse chute, and other necessary items to form the
complete system.

(c) A new refuse treatment system is to be built for an existing factory which is far away from city.

(i) Distinguish the differences between “collection method” and “on site incineration”.

Based on the (i) above, suggest a proper refuse treatment method for the factory.
Q1. Figure Q3 shows a hot water supply for two domestic flats. Flat A has 3 basins, 3 baths
and 4 sinks. Flat B has 4 basins, 3 baths, 4 sinks and 1 shower. Using IOP Chat/Graph A1,
calculate the sizes of all hot water supply pipes. Tabulate your results by completing Table
Q3 in the answer script and show the steps in arriving at the size for each branch circuit.

Loading units for basin, bath, sink and shower are 1.5, 10, 3 and 3 respectively
Pipe fitting resistance = 30 % of straight pipe length
Minimum head at draw-off point = 3 m

Pipe section 1 2 3 4
Pipe length (m) 20 10 11 6

Fig. Q3

Section 1 2 3 4 Method
Loading unit LU
F r om
Pipe diameter mm 42 42 35 28 Graph Answer
A1

Flow rate l/s

Velocity m/s
Actual head loss per length m/m
Estimated/Available head loss per length m/m
Pipe length m
Equivalent length for fitting m
Total equivalent/Gross length m
Total head resistance / loss m