The Importance of Pressure Reducing Valve in Multi-storey Buildings

Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) or Water Pressure Regulator is commonly used in buildings with large pipe installation systems, such as high-rise buildings. PRV is a liquid / fluid pressure regulator for the distribution of fluids from a high pressure source system (such as a pump, compressor or reservoir tank) to a low-pressure user system via piping installation. PRV can be used in hydraulic or pneumatic system components.

Clean water installation systems in high-rise buildings are strongly influenced by the earth’s gravitational force. In accordance with the hydrostatic theory, the pressure exerted by water will increase as the depth of the pipe is measured from the water surface. In other words, the taller a building, the greater the water pressure on the pipes on the ground floor.

This difference in pressure in each floor endangers the installation of pipes and other supporting devices if a pressure regulator is not installed. If the installation is not carried out properly, the water pressure can cause the water pipe to burst. PRV is used to adjust the water pressure to be stable and level on all floors of the building.

The working principle of the PRV is the flow in the capillary pipes which can be adjusted so that the water pressure is stable. There are two regulators in each PRV. The first regulator functions to regulate the maximum pressure, and the second regulator functions to regulate the minimum water pressure.

The first regulator functions to adjust the maximum level of water pressure desired. Application of the maximum level of water has its respective benefits in each part of the toilet. If the pressure is too high it will have an impact on toilet equipment, such as shower spray, jet spray, etc. For example, when the water pressure is too high, the water jets from the washer will be painful for the toilet seat user.

The second regulator functions to regulate the minimum level of water pressure desired. For example, during breaks the water usage will increase so that the water pressure on the floor below the PRV will decrease drastically.

PRV installation depends on the needs of each building. In general, the placement of PRV for clean water in multi-storey buildings is spaced every 6 floors. For example, if the floor height is 3 meters, then the placement of PRV is 18 meters.

PRV can be mounted in a horizontal position. This is because the PRV work system uses a membrane, so that the horizontal installation will prevent the erosion of the part which results in obstruction of the PRV performance. You can use the best quality valves from Sinar Mas Adhika for installation in high-rise buildings.