WO2002035018A1

WO2002035018A1 - Hydraulic services for residential and hotel buildings

Info

Publication number: WO2002035018A1
Application number: PCT/AU2000/001307
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kevin Mark Monk
Original assignee: STEPHEN PAUL HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: STEPHEN PAUL HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2000-10-26
Filing date: 2000-10-26
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2003-04-26
Also published as: AU2001211161A1

Abstract

The invention provides a hydraulic service system for multi-level buildings. The hydraulic service system includes a sanitary plumbing service, a hot water service and/or a cold water service for residential and hotel buildings, and optionally further includes a storm water drainage system, a gas service and/or a fire service.

Description

HYDRAULIC SERVICES FOR RESIDENTIAL AND HOTEL BUILDINGS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hydraulic service system for multi-level buildings. The invention particularly, but not exclusively, provides a hydraulic service system including a sanitary plumbing service, a hot water service and/or a cold water service for residential and hotel buildings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The provision of hydraulic services for multi-level, residential and hotel buildings represents a considerable expense in the cost of building construction, labour construction time and ongoing maintenance and running costs for completed buildings. Therefore it is considered that there is a continual need for improvements in the provision of hydraulic service systems for residential and hotel buildings given the increasing demand for high- rise buildings in cities and resort locations. Use of new, innovative and environmentally sensitive design solutions can enable the provision of cost effective and more environmentally friendly hydraulic service systems for such multi-level buildings. Advantages to be gained from innovative hydraulic service systems include lower subcontracting costs and time savings, reductions in the amount of hardware, materials and plant equipment required, a decrease in the maintenance and running costs for completed buildings, greater flexibility of design and wider options to create asthetic and functional solutions, and ultimately an improvement on the return of capital investments.

OBJECT

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hydraulic service system for a multi-level building, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice over existing systems. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In one broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a hydraulic service system for a multi-level building including one or more service units selected from the group consisting of: a) a sanitary plumbing service, b) a hot water service, and c) a cold water service.

In a preferred embodiment the hydraulic service system includes the combination of a sanitary plumbing service, a hot water service and a cold water service. The hydraulic service system may further include a storm water drainage system, a gas service and/or a fire service.

The sanitary plumbing service is preferably a single stack unvented sanitary system for conveying waste liquid to a sewer. The sanitary plumbing service preferably has a substantial amount of the horizontal pipe work and fittings located within concrete slab floors of the building.

The hot water service preferably includes a centralised boiler feeding a main hot water distribution pipe extending to each floor of the building where hot water is required, whereby the hot water distribution pipe has a manifold at each floor for the supply of hot water to one or more rooms of the building. The hot water system distribution pipe preferably is insulated and fitted with a plurality of heat trace cables and thermostatic mixing valves connected to a centralised temperature control system. The hot water is preferably distributed to each room by a fully retrievable poly pipe installed in a conduit cast within concrete slab floors of the building. Typically each manifold on the hot water distribution pipe has a plurality of meters to individually monitor the water supplied to each serviced room, and the manifold and meters are installed in one central cupboard on each floor supplied with hot water.

The cold water service preferably includes a main distribution pipe extending to each floor of the building where cold water is required, whereby the cold water distribution pipe has a manifold at each floor for the supply of cold water to one or more rooms of the building. The cold water is preferably distributed to each room by a fully retrievable poly pipe installed in a conduit cast within concrete slab floors of the building. Typically each manifold on the cold water distribution pipe has a plurality of meters to individually monitor the water supplied to each serviced room, and the manifold and meters are installed in one central cupboard on each floor supplied with cold water.

The hydraulic service system may also include a syphonic storm water drainage system having a negative pressure (siphon) within the piping network of the storm water drainage system to convey large quantities of storm water at high velocity to a storm water drainage discharge point. The negative pressure may be generated by small diameter piping having substantially no grade installed on the piping network at a minimum head above the storm water drainage discharge point.

The hydraulic service system may also include a gas service including a vertical gas riser extending to each floor of the building gas is required, whereby the vertical gas riser has a manifold at each floor for the supply of gas to one or more rooms of the building. The gas may be distributed to each room by a lagged copper pipe cast within concrete slab floors of the building. Typically the manifold has a plurality of meters to individually monitor the gas supplied to each serviced room, and the manifold and meters are installed in one central cupboard on each floor supplied with gas.

The hydraulic service system may also include a fire service pressurised by a service pump. The same service pump may also be used to assist in the pressurisation of the hot water service and the cold water service.

The invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts elements of features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

FIGURES

These and other aspects of the present invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 : represents a cross sectional elevation of a HDPE pipe work cast in concrete water closet installation according to the invention;

Figure 2: represents a plan view of HDPE pipe work cast in concrete single stack system according to the invention; and

Figure 3: represents a cross-sectional elevation of HDPE pipe work cast in concrete floor waste installation according to the invention.

The present invention has many and varied combinations and applications, and indeed can be constructed in numerous different patterns and designs depending on the individual services connected to the hydraulic service system, the desired functional or aesthetic layout of the service units and the architectural constraints of the building in which it is installed.

In one embodiment of the invention Figure 1 represents a cross-sectional elevation of I-IDPE cast in concrete water closet installation. Water closet 2 is installed in the bathroom defined by walls 4 and 6. Water closet 2 is connected by HDPE sanitary pipe work 22 to I-IDPE vertical stack 8 located within a fire rated mechanical vent and plumbing duct defined by walls 4 and 10. Sanitary pipe work 22 has a 90° WC bend 24 connected to 90° WC collar 26 joining water closet 2 to vertical stack 8 by joint 28. Horizontal sanitary pipe work 22 is cast in 200 mm concrete floor slab 30 having Y 12 steel reinforcement 32 at 200 mm centres from both top and bottom steel layers. Stack 8 has various fittings including expansion socket 12, screwed access pipe 14, retro fit fire stop collar 16 and 160° ball fitting 18, and is accessible via fire rated access door 20.

In another embodiment of the invention Figure 2 represents a plan view of HDPE pipe work cast in concrete single stack system. HDPE vertical stack 8 is located within a fire rated mechanical vent and plumbing duct defined by walls 9 and 10. Floor waste gully 50 connects tundish 52, basin 54 and shower 56 to vertical stack 8 by horizontal HDPE cast in concrete pipe work 44. Water closet 2 is directly connected to vertical stack 8 by horizontal sanitary cast in concrete pipe work 22. Sink 58 is connected to vertical stack 8 by horizontal HDPE cast in concrete pipe work 44 at oblique junction 60.

In yet another embodiment of the invention Figure 3 represents a cross-sectional elevation of a HDPE cast in concrete floor waste installation. Vanity basin 54 is installed in the bathroom defined by walls 4 and 6. Basin 54 is connected by HDPE sanitary pipe work 22 and 27 to HDPE vertical stack 8 located within a fire rated mechanical vent and plumbing duct defined by walls 4 and 10. Sanitary pipe work 27 includes an S-bend trap 23 from vanity basin 54 to ring seal socket join 25 to floor waste gully 50, which in turn is joined to stack 8 by sanitary pipe work 22 through electroweld sleeve coupling 70. Shower 55 is also connected to floor waste gully 50 by sanitary pipe work 22. Horizontal sanitary pipe work 22 is cast in 200 mm concrete floor slab 30 having Y12 steel reinforcements 32 at 200 mm centres for both top and bottom steel layers. The shower compartment is fitted with shower hob 72. Stack 8 has various fittings including expansion socket 12, screwed access pipe 14, retro fit fire stop collar 16 and 160° ball fitting 18, and is accessible via fire rated access door 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The hydraulic service system of the present invention includes one or more service units selected from the group consisting of a sanitary plumbing service, a hot water service and a cold water service. Developments in the design and construction of the individual units of the hydraulic service system of the present invention has resulted in the improved performance of the services together with a reduction in the cost of labour and materials in the installation of the services. Whilst it is particularly preferred that the hydraulic service system of the invention includes all three service units, it will be understood that the various innovative modifications and improvements described herein may be made to any one or two of the sanitary plumbing service, hot water service or cold water service units and still be within the scope of the present invention. In addition, it will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention that further modifications and improvements may also be proposed to the hydraulic service systems without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. Each of the three main service units of the hydraulic service system are discussed in turn below.

Sanitary Plumbing Service

The sanitary plumbing service for use in the present invention is preferably a single stack unvented sanitary system for conveying waste liquid to a sewer. The system utilises the implementation of a single stack in which to convey all soil and waste discharges from all plumbing fixtures, without the requirement of venting, for use in buildings up to 30 stories high. The provision of the single stack unvented system eliminates the need for installation of any pipe work for the purpose of venting, and provides a cost efficient alternative to fully vented systems.

The sanitary plumbing system may be compartmentalised as required for use in buildings of significant height, such as greater than 30 stories, or due to any unique architectural design. The sanitary plumbing service required for such tall or unique buildings often requires the implementation of inefficient hydraulic service installations in order to meet various national plumbing and drainage codes. The single stack unvented sanitary system used in the hydraulic service systems of the present invention maybe utilised in a compartmentalised sanitary plumbing system to overcome particularly inefficient and di ficult installation and associated costs in order to adhere to conventional code requirements. The compartmentalised system can utilise the single stack unvented method covering a maximum of 30 stories. A number of compartments may be employed as required to service buildings taller than 30 stories and buildings with unusual designs. Each of the these individual compartments drain to a dedicated express stack which conveys the sewage down to the sewer connection point.

Therefore, the compartmentalised sanitary plumbing system allows the single stack unvented method to be applied to tall buildings without an upper limit, maintaining satisfactory system performance whilst offering considerable cost savings.

The pipe work for sanitary plumbing services is typically underslung on each floor level which requires the need and expense for false ceilings and bulkheads, sound baffles and access to the floor below when maintaining or servicing the sanitary plumbing system. In the hydraulic service system of the present invention the sanitary plumbing system is preferably relocated to within the concrete floor slab obviating the need for underslung pipe work on each floor level below. This system utilises the concrete floor slab within the wet rooms of apartments and hotels in which to install the sanitary plumbing pipe work from the fixture outlets.

In order to lower costs, the pipe work can be installed in the concrete floor slab without any wrapping membrane when the pipes are constructed from suitably durable materials such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes and fittings in accordance with building standards. Judicious selection of materials and specialised fittings can allow for the accommodation of the horizontal sanitary plumbing pipe work in concrete floor slabs to a minimum thickness of 200 mm. Containment of the pipe work within the concrete floor slabs meets the acoustic requirements of building codes and obviates the need for underslung sanitary plumbing. Further benefits achieved by locating the pipe work and fittings within concrete slab floors of the building include the elimination of false ceilings in wet rooms, the reduction of installation costs and increased installation speed, the elimination of acoustic treatments to pipe work, the ability to increase the quantity of high rise floor levels without increasing the building height and obviating the need for access to the apartment below for maintenance of the sanitary plumbing.

In an embodiment of the present invention the floor waste gully and shower waste gully of the sanitary plumbing service may be combined. This utilises the shower grate as a dual purpose fitting thus deleting the requirement for a floor waste gully typically located in the centre of the wet room floor. This may be achieved by allowing for the wet room floor to drain into the shower recess and to the shower waste gully. The shower recess may utilise a shower screen that continues down to the floor surface where a series of small slot openings are provided for in the frame of the shower screen at the floor surface level. Typically the floor surface is tiled whereby the tiles are layed with an increased grade, falling to the shower grate within the shower area which will allow the entire wet room floor to be graded to the shower grate. Deletion of the floor waste gully reduces the installation costs and increases installation speed of the wet room during construction.

In another embodiment of the invention the laundry floor waste gully may be omitted by the provision of laundry tubs with an internal overflow built into the tub bowl and the use of flood stop valves on the hot and cold water outlets for the washing machine. The provision of the laundry tub having an internal overflow built into the tub bowl prevents the flooding of the laundry floor due to the laundry tub overflowing. The internal overflow simply conveys any excess water back to the waste pipe below the tub bowl. The potential flooding caused by the bursting of the washing machine hoses is overcome by the installation of flood stop valves on the hot and cold taps. The flood stop valves automatically close upon detection of a burst hose. Use of an internal overflow built into the laundry tub bowl and flood stop valves on the hot and cold water taps allows for the omission of the laundry floor waste gully which can reduce installation costs and increase the installation speed over the sanitary plumbing system during building construction.

It is common to find laundry tubs and washing machines installed in the main bathroom or kitchen of residential and services apartments. Typically larger diameter waste pipes are required to convey the waste water back to the stack position. In an embodiment of the present invention bathrooms and kitchens in which washing machines are installed may have the waste pipe connected directly to the floor waste gully riser provided that the foaming that may occur from the floor waste grate when the washing machine is pumping out is controlled. Foaming may be controlled by the implementation of an anti-foaming valve also known as a grate valve. This device detects foam levels rising in the floor waste gully riser and automatically closes preventing foam to rise up out though the floor grate. Utilisation of an anti-foaming valve allows for direct connection of the laundry tub and/or washing machine to the floor waste gully without the need for a larger diameter waste pipe back to the vertical stack position, and thicker slab floors to accommodate the larger diameter waste pipe.

It is not uncommon within apartment buildings for sinks, such as kitchen sinks, to be a significant distance from the sanitary plumbing stack in the hydraulic service duct. When the distance from the sink or drain to the stack exceeds 2.5 m, typically an additional stack is installed within close proximity to the kitchen sink fixture. In an embodiment of the present invention, the necessity for an additional stack is avoided by the provision of an air admittance valve installed at the location of the trap connection. The valve allows air to enter the fixture waste branch, however, it will not allow foul air to escape. The utilisation of air admittance valves for single stack unvented systems provides benefits in maximising the efficiency of the system, and obviates the need, expense and floor space for installing an additional stack.

Hot Water Service

The hot water service utilised in the hydraulic service system of the present invention includes a centralised boiler feeding a main hot water distribution pipe extending to each floor of the building where hot water is required, whereby the hot water distribution pipe has a manifold at each floor for the supply of hot water to one or more rooms of the building. Most preferably the hot water distribution pipe is insulated and fitted with a plurality of heat trace cables and thermostatic mixing valves connected to a centralised temperature control system. The centralised temperature control system maintains the required hot water temperature throughout the hot water distribution pipe extending through the floors of the building. This system is suitable for both metallic and non- metallic piping materials, such as thermal plastics. This heat trace system eliminates return lines, flow and return pumps, balancing valves and air release valves in order to recirculate the hot water thereby reducing heat loss and lowering the cost to install, run and maintain the system. The desired hot water storage and delivery temperatures are achieved by utilising a centralised temperature control system, which through a series of thermostatic mixing valves and temperature sensors stores and distributes the hot water at any pre-determined temperature. The centralised control of the system maintains the required design temperatures and pressures in the main hot water distribution pipe extending to each floor of the building to provide a satisfactory performance to all fixture outlets.

The performance of the hot water supply may be greatly improved by having both the hot and cold water supplies function at similar pressures and flows, thereby providing a more uniform, balanced and controlled hot water delivery to each fixture outlet. The age-old problem of pressure and temperature fluctuations whilst showering is addressed by the hot water service utilised in the present invention.

Utilisation of a central hot water boiler installed in a dedicated plant room obviates the need for individual hot water heaters being installed in each apartment, thereby reducing the amount of hardware, materials and plant equipment required in the provision of the hot water service. The centralised control of the hot water allows the building management to control the energy consumed by the hot water plant. The energy consumed by the hot water plant is demand driven by simple cable connection between the hot water plant room and the management system of the building. As the occupancy rate of the building increases, additional hot water plant can be activated automatically allowing only the necessary energy to be consumed. Conversely, as the occupancy rate decreases the hot water plant can be progressively de-activated so that the energy consumed is reduced, being solely driven by demand. This method has proven to be the most efficient option for both installation and the minimisation of energy consumption. Control of the energy consumed by the hot water system may be achieved by the centralised boiler comprising a plurality of individual water heaters connected in parallel to the hot water service. As the hot water demand increases or decreases, the individual water heaters may be switched on or off to ensure supplies are available to meet demand. Typically government and regulatory bodies require hot water systems to heat water to a given temperature such as 60°C or more and store the water for a period of time sufficient to kill legionnaires' bacteria and other microbes. However, the delivery temperature of hot water to fixture outlets is typically regulated to a maximum of 50°C. Usually temperature regulation is achieved by the installation of a temperature limiting valve to each hotel room or apartment. These valves reduce the hot water temperature from the main distribution pipe down to the maximum of 50°C as the hot water supply enters each hotel room or apartment. To obviate the need for supplying a temperature limiting valve to each hotel room or apartment, and the inherent inefficiencies in both the installation and commissioning costs to the project, the hot water service of the present invention utilises the centralised temperature control system to regulate the temperature in the main hot water distribution pipe. This system utilises a series of thermostatic mixing valves installed adjacent to the hot water plant in a manifolded configuration. From these valves water is supplied from the centralised boiler to the main hot water distribution pipe and up to the fixture outlet at a maximum temperature of 50°C. The centralised temperature control system and the thermostatically controlled main hot water distribution pipe eliminates the need for a temperature limiting valve to be installed in every hotel room or apartment. The centralised system reduces installation costs of the hot water service and provides a more accurate and controlled hot water temperature delivery to each fixture.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the hot water is distributed to each hotel room or apartment by a fully retrievable poly pipe installed in a conduit cast within concrete slab floors of the building, which maintains pipe work retrievability if required.

The main hot water distribution pipe manifolds may have a plurality of meters to individually monitor the water supplied to each serviced room. The manifold and meters maybe installed in one central cupboard on each floor supplied with hot water, and prelerably the cupboard is a fire hose reel cupboard, utilising the often empty space in such cupboards.

In comparison to conventional methods of hot water distribution, the present system provides reduced installation costs, reduced running costs, equally balanced hot and cold water pressure, obviates the need for access into each apartment for meter reading or maintenance and eliminates the need for hot water mains within each apartment, resulting in more useable floor space and the elimination of noise and heat from the mains.

Cold Water Service

The cold water service utilised in the hydraulic service system of the present invention includes a main distribution pipe similar to that of the hot water system. The main distribution pipe extends to each floor of the building where cold water is required, whereby the cold water distribution pipe has a manifold at each floor for the supply of cold water to one or more rooms of the building.

Preferably the cold water is distributed to each room by a fully retrievable poly pipe installed in a conduit cast within concrete slab floors of the building, which maintains pipe work retrievability if required.

Typically the cold water distribution pipe manifold has a plurality of meters to individually monitor the water supplied to each serviced room. Preferably the manifold and meters are installed in one central cupboard on each floor supplied with cold water. Typically this cupboard may be the fire hose reel cupboard or another cupboard specifically designed to accommodate the hot and cold water manifolds and meters. Preferably the cold water distribution pipe also supplies water to each fire hose reel as it passes through all floor levels of the building. The supply pipe is sized to cater for the demands of the building. In addition the entire system maybe maintained at the required design pressure in order to provide a satisfactory performance to all fixture outlets.

In comparison to conventional methods of cold water distribution, the present system achieves a reduction in installations costs, equally balanced hot and cold water pressure, obviates the need to access each apartment for meter readings or maintenance and the centralising of all valving and metering in each fire hose reel cupboard. Storm Water Drainage, Gas Services And Fire Services

The preferred storm water drainage system for use in the hydraulic service system of the present invention embodies a syphonic drainage system. The syphonic storm water drainage system utilises the creation of a negative pressure (syphon) within the piping network of the storm water drainage system to convey large quantities of storm water at high velocity to a storm water drainage discharge point. The negative pressure may be generated by a small diameter piping having substantially no grade installed on the piping network at a minimum head above the storm water drainage discharge point. The storm water drainage system may be purposely engineered by those skilled in the art to cope with the rain fall conditions the building typically will be subject to and given the roof catchment area of the building. The advantage of the syphonic storm water drainage system includes cost savings in the supply of fewer down pipes, smaller diameter piping and less bracketing to fix the piping.

The hydraulic system of the present invention preferably includes a gas service including a vertical gas riser extending to each floor of the building where gas is required, whereby the vertical gas riser has a manifold at each floor for the supply of gas to one or more rooms of the building. The gas may be distributed to each room by a lagged copper pipe cast within concrete slab floors of the building. Typically the vertical gas riser manifold has a plurality of meters to individually monitor the gas supplied to each serviced room. The manifold and meters may be installed in one central gas supply cupboard, and the cupboard may be separate to or the same as that used to house the hot and cold water manifolds and meters. The supply piping to each hotel room or apartment may be used to supply gas to any area of the apartment as required, such as to the cook top_. for room heating, to the balcony barbecue, and the like.

The advantage of the gas service of the present invention is the requirement for only one gas riser and the central location of all the valving and metering in one cupboard located in a common area. This system obviates the need for several individual risers, and valves and meters within apartments requiring greater quantities of piping installation time and difficulties in accessing meters for reading. The hydraulic service system of the present invention preferably includes the provision of a fire service as mentioned above. In a preferred embodiment the fire and domestic cold water system is combined where in the event of a fire, the building management would adopt a fire mode which requires all occupants to vacate the building. At no time would both the fire and cold water services be required to be utilised simultaneously, reducing the requirement for individual piping for both cold water and fire services to the building.

The fire service, hot water service and cold water service may be pressurised by the mains, or pressurisation may be assisted by a service pump, if required. Typically hydraulic service systems utilise a first pump to maintain the domestic supply, with a second, dedicated pump sitting idle for the fire service. The hydraulic service system of the present invention preferably combines the two individual pump sets, by the supply of water to each respective service by the one pump set. The pump is sized to satisfy the larger demand of either service and has the advantage that the fire service is connected to the pump used daily in order to maintain the domestic cold water supply, rather than being connected to an idle pump, only being tested periodically. The improvements gained by the combined fire and domestic cold water system offers significant cost savings in the supply and maintenance of the pumping plant and equipment, whilst also improving the performance and reliability of the services.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that building codes, practices, guidelines, regulations and laws can differ from each locality, province, state and country. The hydraulic service system of the present invention may be modified so as to conform with any such regulations as required without necessarily departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour.

Claims

We claim:

A hydraulic service system for a multi-level building including one or more service units selected from the group consisting of: a) a sanitary plumbing service, b) a hot water service, and c) a cold water service,

i A hydraulic service system of claim 1 wherein the sanitary plumbing service is a single stack unvented sanitary system for conveying waste liquid to a sewer.

3. A hydraulic service system of claim 2 wherein two or more single stack unvented sanitary systems are utilised in the one building and each single stack unvented sanitary system drains into the sewer.

4. A hydraulic service system of claim 2 wherein the sanitary plumbing service has pipe work and fittings located within concrete slab floors of the building.

5. A hydraulic service system of claim 4 wherein the sanitary plumbing service pipe work and fittings located within the concrete slab floors are constructed from high density polyethylene (HDPE).

6. A hydraulic service system of claim 4 wherein the concrete slab floors have a minimum thickness of 200 mm.

1, A hydraulic service system of claim 1 wherein the sanitary plumbing service includes a combined floor waste gully and shower waste gully.

8. A hydraulic service system of claim 1 which includes a laundry tub having an internal overflow built into the tub and/or washing machine hose connections fitted with flood stop valves.

. A hydraulic service system of claim 1 wherein the sanitary plumbing service includes a floor waste gully riser to which a laundry tub and/or washing machine is connected, the floor waste gully riser having an anti-foaming valve installed.

10. A hydraulic service system of claim 2 wherein the sanitary plumbing service includes a sink with a trap connected to the stack by a waste branch of length greater than 2.5 m, said sink having an air admittance valve installed at the location of the trap connection.

1 1 . A hydraulic service system of claim 1 wherein the hot water service includes a centralised boiler feeding a main hot water distribution pipe extending to each floor of the building where hot water is required, whereby the hot water distribution pipe has a manifold at each floor for the supply of hot water to one or more rooms of the building.

12. A hydraulic service system of claim 11 wherein the hot water distribution pipe is insulated and fitted with a plurality of heat trace cables and thermostatic mixing valves connected to a centralised temperature control system.

13. A hydraulic service system of claim 11 wherein the centralised boiler comprises a plurality of individual water heaters connected in parallel to the hot water service.

14. A hydraulic service system of claim 1 1 wherein the central boiler heats the water to a temperature of 60°C or more.

15. A hydraulic service system of claim 1 1 wherein the hot water distribution pipe supplies water at a temperature of 50°C or less.

16. A hydraulic service system of claim 1 1 whereby the hot water is distributed to each room by a fully retrievable poly pipe installed in a conduit cast within concrete slab floors of the building.

17. A hydraulic service system of claim 1 1 whereby the manifold has a plurality of meters to individually monitor the water supplied to each serviced room.

18. A hydraulic service system of claim 17 whereby the manifold and meters are installed in one central cupboard on each floor supplied with hot water.

19. A hydraulic service system of claim 18 wherein the cupboard is a fire hose reel cupboard.

20. A hydraulic service system of claim 1 wherein the cold water service includes a main distribution pipe extending to each floor of the building where cold water is required, whereby the cold water distribution pipe has a manifold at each floor for the supply of cold water to one or more rooms of the building.

21. A hydraulic service system of claim 20 whereby the cold water is distributed to each room by a fully retrievable poly pipe installed in a conduit cast within concrete slab floors of the building.

22. A hydraulic service system of claim 20 whereby the manifold has a plurality of meters to individually monitor the water supplied to each serviced room.

23. A hydraulic service system of claim 22 whereby the manifold and meters are installed in one central cupboard on each floor supplied with cold water.

24. A hydraulic service system of claim 23 wherein the cupboard is a fire hose reel cupboard.

25. A hydraulic service system of claim 24 whereby the cold water distribution pipe also supplies water to the fire hose reel located in the cupboard.

26. A hydraulic service system of claim 1 which further includes a syphonic storm water drainage system having a negative pressure (siphon) within the piping network of the storm water drainage system to convey large quantities of storm water at high velocity to a storm water drainage discharge point.

27. A hydraulic service system of claim 26 whereby the negative pressure is generated by small diameter piping having substantially no grade installed on the piping network at a minimum head above the storm water drainage discharge point.

28. A hydraulic service system of claim 1 which further includes a gas service including a vertical gas riser extending to each floor of the building gas is required, whereby the vertical gas riser has a manifold at each floor for the supply of gas to one or more rooms of the building.

29. A hydraulic service system of claim 28 whereby the gas is distributed to each room by a lagged copper pipe cast within concrete slab floors of the building.

30. A hydraulic service system of claim 28 whereby the manifold has a plurality of meters to individually monitor the gas supplied to each serviced room.

31. A hydraulic service system of claim 30 whereby the manifold and meters are installed in one central cupboard on each floor supplied with gas.

32. A hydraulic service system of claim 1 which further includes a fire service pressurised by a service pump.

33. A hydraulic service system of claim 32 wherein the hot water service and/or cold water service are also pressurised by the assistance of the service pump.