Buildings & Construction

Supplying water at the required pressure in Israel’s high-rise buildings is an ongoing challenge. The standard practice in high-rise buildings is to pump water up to a reservoir on the roof. The water then descends through the building piping using gravitational force, creating high pressure that must be reduced for consumer use.

In emergencies, the functional stability of vital structures such as the Bank of Israel is crucial. An underground shelter was constructed for the building, 40 meters below ground level. To provide a flow of drinking water to the people living and working there, a water supply system was required. The system also had to supply water for the fire hydrants.

How to gain control of fire in highway and railway tunnels

Water supply for firefighting has always posed a challenge, especially when trying to get water into long and narrow tunnels with limited access for fire trucks.

Pressure reducing valves (PRVs) are used in high-rise buildings to maintain constant outlet pressure at all times. These PRVs often operate in tough conditions that can cause them to fail and stop protecting against high pressure conditions, which in turn can result in severe flooding, damage to pipes and fixtures, mold and other health hazards.

One of the biggest challenges in designing safe and effective water delivery systems in high-rise buildings is ensuring that the water in basement and rooftop reservoirs remains at acceptable levels at all times.