Building services

BUILDING SERVICES

1. WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE IN BUILDINGS

The plumbing systems required for water supply and drainage in buildings are:

(i) Rain water drainage system above the ground level

(ii) Water supply system inside the building

(iii) Wastewater drainage system above the ground

(iv) Drainage system below the ground carrying foul water to septic tank or the public sewer.

Water discharged from waste appliances is called waste water or grey water. Water discharged from soil appliances such as closets, urinals, etc. is called sewage. The waste water from sewage is called foul water. The waste water and foul water have to be collected safely and disposed of from a building.

2. ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO BUILDINGS

Electricity is brought to a building by underground cables. When the electricity load is small and total current drawn is less than 30 amps, only single phase and a neutral are sufficient. However, when the load is heavy for operating equipment such as air conditioner, heaters, pump, washing machine, etc., three phase connection is necessary. In this way, the load drawn among the three-phases is distributed.