What Is a Water Storage Tank?
A water storage tank is a facility designed for storing water, commonly used in residential buildings, industrial facilities, and for firefighting purposes. These tanks can be made from concrete, stainless steel, or fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). Cisterns are equipped with features like vents, drain pipes, overflow pipes, inspection manholes, and electrode holders for efficient operation and maintenance.
Uses for Water Storage Tanks
Water storage tanks are essential for supplying drinking water, industrial water, and firefighting water. They are particularly crucial in buildings with high water demand or insufficient direct water supply pressure, ensuring a continuous and reliable water supply.
Principle of Water Storage Tanks
The design and operation of water storage tanks take into account factors such as required volume, seismic strength to withstand natural disasters, and the method of water distribution within the building. Maintenance, including annual cleaning, is vital for ensuring water quality and tank integrity.
Types of Water Storage Tanks
There are three main types of water storage tanks: receiving tanks, high-set water storage tanks, and pressure tanks.
1. Receiving Tank
A tank used to store tap water from the water supply piping. They can be installed in basements, outdoors, or on a trestle in a water storage tank room, and they can be installed on the second or third floor of a building, or an FRP tank can be buried in the ground.
2. High-Set Water Storage Tank
Installed on the roof of a building, the water supplied to the receiving tank is supplied by a pump. Water is supplied to the hydrant by the pressure generated by the difference in elevation. A fixed amount of water can be stored, and it is possible to respond to sudden increases in usage or water outages.
3. Pressure Tank
This is a sealed pressure tank directly connected to the discharge pipe of the water supply pump. Tap water is raised by water pressure to the upper floors, and when the water pressure decreases, the pump is automatically activated by a pressure switch.
Structure of Water Storage Tanks
Water storage systems are categorized into receiving tank systems and direct water supply systems, with variations like direct pumping, high storage tank, and pressure tank systems. Each system is designed to meet different water supply demands, from direct pumping for high-rise buildings to pressure tanks for maintaining consistent water pressure.
How to Select a Water Storage Tank
Selection considerations include capacity, material, installation location, and the specific water supply needs of the building. In many modern installations, multiple tanks or divided tanks are used to prevent water outages during maintenance or repair works, ensuring continuous water availability.