For a pump system to perform a low-flow shutdown, it must first be able to measure the flow demands in the system. Flow Switches and Flow Meters are mechanical means of measuring flow, which can work, but both require proper installation in the system piping for proper readings. Space and piping constraints can limit the installation of switches or flow meters.

The outlet pressure is determined by two factors. First is the number of floors the PRV Station is serving, and the second factor is whether the station is feeding the floors above or below the station. A good rule of thumb is that each floor will result in a pressure change of 5 PSI. If the floors fed by the PRV Station are the floors above, then you would need a higher outlet pressure at the PRV Station (around 65 to 75 PSI) because the pressure will drop about 5 PSI each floor higher in the piping. If the PRV Station is feeding the floors below, the outlet pressure would need to be lower (around 40 to 50 PSI) because the pressure will increase 5 PSI for each floor lower in the piping.

The primary purpose of a Pressure Boosting System is to maintain constant pressure in the building (surprising, right?!).  In Part II of this Tech Talk, we explain the factors to consider when determining the pressure requirements for a building. 

Pressure Boosting Systems – Pressure – Part 2 Tech Talk Transcript:

Hi, I’m Tim Zacharias with Cougar USA. On this Tech talk, we’re going to be talking about calculating the system pressure required for a pressure boosting application of a commercial building. This is part two of a three-part series, so if you haven’t seen part 1 on the flow calculation, make sure to check that one out as well.

Pressure Boosting Systems are essential for delivering water to high-rise buildings; however, the method for sizing these systems has not changed significantly in over 50 years!  Cougar USA’s High-Performance Design approach combines our extensive knowledge & experience with the best products on the market to deliver systems that provide constant water pressure with little to no downtime and the lowest Life Cycle Cost.  Check out this three-part Tech Talk series on Booster System Design to see how we do it.  We will cover the flow and pressure requirements of a building and pump & system selections to meet them.

Pressure Boosting Systems Design Part 1 Tech Talk Transcript:

Hi, I’m Tim Zacharias with Cougar USA on this Tech talk, this will be the first of a three-part series for sizing and selecting pressure boosting systems. On this one, we are going to be looking at the flow rate for a commercial building.

Now, a couple of different things that we need to take into account when we are looking at flow. The first place that we can start is Hunter’s curve in the fixture unit counts. This is a method that goes back to the 1960s. Basically, we can count up our fixture units in the building, look at the chart for what that says the equivalent flow rates are, and what that is going to give us is our worst-case flow rate for that building.

With few exceptions, the water demands of a Commercial Building are significantly overestimated, which has negative impacts on the long-term performance, reliability, and efficiency of a Booster System.  At Cougar USA, we design our systems to be most efficient at the partial load of the building, which improves performance & reliability and reduces operating costs.  In this Tech Talk, we cover the pump and system selection for Booster Systems.

Make sure to check out Parts I & II!

Pressure Boosting Systems – Selection – Part 3 Tech Talk Transcript:

Hi, I’m Tim Zacharias with Cougar USA, on this Tech talk we’re going to be going over system selection for pressure-boosting systems in commercial building applications. This is part three of a three-part series. So please check out Parts one and two if you haven’t already.