Australia’s copper and hydraulic engineering industries have launched a comprehensive online guide for cold and heated water plumbing design and installation for all buildings.
The Hydraulic Services Design Guide sets out all the fundamentals of system design methods, materials science and calculations in a single easy-to-use manual, complete with instant access to the latest regulations and codes.
A free domestic version pipe sizing app, as well as a Pro version app for multi-unit development/high rise apartments and commercial construction, are also available online.
The Guide includes 20 chapters of essential design elements and installation principles, including water design principles, pipe sizing, specification, pressure, velocity, valves, renewable water and energy, and water efficiencies.
The Guide and accompanying apps have been designed to be as usable and portable as possible, providing interactive features, video tutorials, illustrations and simple automated calculation tools.
Explaining that a ‘how-to’ copper plumbing guide has not been done for nearly 40 years, John Fennell from the International Copper Association Australia points out that construction in that time has increasingly shifted to taller, higher density buildings creating new challenges for water systems. Grey or black water use, new forms of energy in buildings such as solar or wind, and changing rules on water efficiencies and sustainability have also emerged in the last ten years as issues for any plumbing design. There have also been rapid changes in plumbing codes, practices, materials and products.
The e-Guide and apps, which can be found online at www.copper.com.au, were developed in partnership with Crane Copper Tube, MM Kembla, the Association of Hydraulic Services Consultants Australia Pty Ltd and the International Copper Association Australia.
