By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
Mastering these skills ensures you can install water storage systems that work efficiently and safely, which is essential for providing reliable water supply in any building.
Water storage cisterns, tanks and hot water storage vessels form critical components of plumbing systems in Kenya, ensuring reliable water availability for domestic, commercial and institutional use. Proper installation of these storage units safeguards water quality, prevents contamination and supports efficient water management, especially in areas facing intermittent supply. Plumbing professionals require comprehensive knowledge of storage location considerations and mounting techniques suitable for different tank materials to deliver durable and compliant installations.
Selecting an appropriate storage location is fundamental to the performance and longevity of water storage tanks and vessels. The location affects accessibility for maintenance, structural support requirements, exposure to environmental factors and potential contamination risks. In Kenya, site conditions vary widely from urban apartments to rural households, so plumbers must adapt storage location choices to local constraints and user needs.
Several factors influence the decision of where to locate a water storage tank or vessel:
Structural support availability: Tanks need stable foundations or platforms capable of bearing their full weight when filled. For example, in Nairobi apartments, rooftop tanks require reinforced concrete slabs to prevent structural damage.
Accessibility for maintenance: Storage units must be accessible for inspection, cleaning and repairs without requiring excessive dismantling or risk to personnel.
Protection from contamination: Locating tanks away from sewage lines, waste disposal areas or chemical storage reduces the risk of water contamination.
Sunlight exposure: Excessive direct sunlight increases water temperature, promoting algae growth and deterioration of plastic tanks. Shaded or insulated locations help maintain water quality.
Security considerations: In public or commercial buildings like schools or hospitals, tanks should be placed in secure areas to prevent vandalism or unauthorized access.
Storage tanks can be installed indoors or outdoors, each with distinct considerations:
Indoor locations: Offer protection from weather and vandalism. Suitable for hot water vessels in hotels or hospitals where consistent temperature control is required. However, space constraints and ventilation must be addressed to prevent humidity-related damage.
Outdoor locations: Common in residential compounds and commercial premises where space is ample. Outdoor tanks require UV-resistant materials or coatings, and secure fencing if in public areas.
Example: A county government office in Kisumu installed outdoor polyethylene tanks on raised platforms with shading to prevent algae growth and facilitate gravity-fed water supply.
The elevation of storage tanks affects water pressure and distribution efficiency:
Elevated tanks: Positioned on rooftops or raised platforms to utilize gravity for water supply, reducing reliance on pumps. This is common in Nairobi residential buildings where electricity interruptions are frequent.
Ground-level tanks: Require pumping systems to distribute water, increasing complexity and energy costs but easier to maintain and inspect.
Height limitations: Structural capacity and safety regulations limit maximum tank height. Plumbing professionals must coordinate with structural engineers for high-rise buildings.
Locating storage tanks close to points of water use minimizes pipe lengths, reducing pressure losses and installation costs. For example, hotel kitchens and laundry facilities benefit from dedicated tanks nearby to ensure consistent supply during peak demand. However, proximity must be balanced against contamination risks and space availability.
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Create a free accountThis chapter covers the essential considerations and techniques for installing water storage cisterns, tanks, and hot water storage vessels. It begins by explaining the importance of selecting an appropriate storage location that ensures accessibility, structural support, and protection from contamination. Various types of storage tanks and vessels are then explored, including plastic tanks made of polyethylene, steel tanks, concrete tanks, masonry tanks, and insulated tanks, each with specific mounting requirements to guarantee durability and functionality. The chapter also details the processes involved in pipe cutting, bending, and jointing to achieve secure and leak-free connections. Installation of pipe fittings and control valves is addressed to maintain proper flow control and system efficiency. Finally, the chapter emphasizes the significance of good housekeeping practices during and after installation to ensure safety, cleanliness, and the longevity of the water storage system.
Type: Individual
| Tools & Equipment | Materials |
|---|---|
| Tape measure | Sand |
| Spirit level | PPEs (Safety boots, Gloves, Dustcoat) |
| Mallet | |
| Shovel | |
| Broom | |
| Marking paint or chalk |
| S/N | Item | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tape measure | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 2 | Spirit level | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 3 | Mallet | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 4 | Shovel | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 5 | Broom | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 6 | Marking paint or chalk | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 7 | Sand | 0.05 m3 per Candidate |
| 8 | PPEs (Safety boots, Gloves, Dustcoat) | Full set per Candidate |
| Items to be Evaluated | Marks Available | Marks Obtained | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| TASK 1: Site Selection and Preparation | |||
| Wore appropriate PPE in line with occupational safety and health requirements (Award 1 mark for each PPE worn correctly or zero) | 3 | ||
| Used tape measure and marking tools to measure and mark out a 1500mm x 1500mm area accurately (Award 1 mark for each correct measurement and marking point or zero) | 5 | ||
| Checked and ensured the site is level using spirit level (Award 5 marks for accurate leveling or zero) | 5 | ||
| Cleared the site of debris, vegetation, and other obstructions ensuring cleanliness (Award 4 marks for thorough site cleaning or zero) | 4 | ||
| Prepared the base by spreading and leveling sand evenly within the marked area (Award 5 marks for correct sand spreading and leveling or zero) | 5 | ||
| Maintained proper housekeeping by cleaning tools and disposing waste properly (Award 3 marks for proper housekeeping or zero) | 3 | ||
| Sub-Total | 25 | ||
| PRODUCT CHECKLIST | |||
| Site dimensions measured and marked accurately at 1500mm x 1500mm (Award 5 marks for accurate measurements or zero) | 5 | ||
| Site base is level within ±5mm tolerance (Award 5 marks for correct leveling or zero) | 5 | ||
| Site is clean, free from debris and hazards (Award 5 marks for cleanliness and safety or zero) | 5 | ||
| Sand base evenly spread and compacted to provide stable surface (Award 5 marks for proper sand base preparation or zero) | 5 | ||
| Tools and materials stored properly after task completion (Award 5 marks for correct storage or zero) | 5 | ||
| Sub-Total | 25 | ||
| GRAND TOTAL | 50 | ||
Type: Individual
| Tools & Equipment | Materials |
|---|---|
| Hacksaw | 1000 litre plastic (PE) water storage tank |
| Pipe wrench | Concrete base 1200mm x 1200mm x 150mm |
| Tape measure | 50mm diameter PVC pipe |
| Screwdriver | 50mm diameter PVC elbow |
| Spirit level | 50mm diameter PVC ball valve |
| 50mm diameter tank connector | |
| Thread seal tape | |
| Silicone sealant | |
| PVC pipe clips | |
| Sand | |
| PPE (Safety boots, gloves, dust coat) |
| S/N | Item | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1000 litre plastic (PE) water storage tank | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 2 | Concrete base (pre-cast 1.2m x 1.2m x 0.15m) | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 3 | 50mm diameter PVC ball valve | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 4 | 50mm diameter tank connector (female threaded) | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 5 | Thread seal tape | 3 rolls per Candidate |
| 6 | Silicone sealant | 1 tube per Candidate |
| 7 | PVC pipe 50mm diameter (1.5 m length) | 1.5 m per Candidate |
| 8 | PVC elbow 50mm diameter | 2 Pcs per Candidate |
| 9 | PVC pipe clips 50mm | 4 Pcs per Candidate |
| 10 | Sand (clean fine sand) | Sufficient for bedding and leveling |
| 11 | Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety boots, gloves, dust coat | Full gear per Candidate |
| 12 | Hacksaw | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 13 | Pipe wrench | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 14 | Tape measure | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 15 | Screwdriver | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 16 | Spirit level | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| Items to be Evaluated | Marks Available | Marks Obtained | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| TASK 1: Preparation and Safety Compliance | |||
| Wore appropriate PPE (safety boots, gloves, dust coat) (Award 1 mark for each PPE worn or zero) | 3 | ||
| Selected and arranged tools and materials correctly before starting work (Award 1 mark for each correct tool/material arranged, up to 3 marks) | 3 | ||
| Prepared and leveled the concrete base using sand bedding as per specification (Award 4 marks for proper leveling and preparation or zero) | 4 | ||
| Sub-Total | 10 | ||
| TASK 2: Installation of Plastic Water Storage Tank and Connections | |||
| Positioned the 1000 litre plastic tank squarely and securely on the prepared base (Award 5 marks for correct positioning and stability or zero) | 5 | ||
| Measured, cut and deburred 50mm PVC pipe accurately as per drawing (Award 4 marks for accurate measurement and clean cutting or zero) | 4 | ||
| Fitted tank connector tightly on tank outlet using thread seal tape and silicone sealant (Award 5 marks for proper sealing and tight fitting or zero) | 5 | ||
| Connected 50mm PVC pipe with elbows and ball valve correctly using pipe clips (Award 6 marks for correct connections and secure fixing or zero) | 6 | ||
| Checked alignment and levelness of pipe work using spirit level (Award 3 marks for correct alignment and leveling or zero) | 3 | ||
| Tested installation for leaks and functionality (Award 4 marks for successful leak-free operation or zero) | 4 | ||
| Cleaned work area and disposed of waste materials properly (Award 3 marks for proper cleaning and waste disposal or zero) | 3 | ||
| Stored tools and leftover materials as per manufacturer's instructions (Award 2 marks for proper storage or zero) | 2 | ||
| Sub-Total | 32 | ||
| PRODUCT CHECKLIST | |||
| Tank positioned squarely and stably on 1200mm x 1200mm x 150mm concrete base (Award 5 marks for correct positioning and stability or zero) | 5 | ||
| PVC pipe and fittings measured and cut accurately to 1500mm total length with correct bends (Award 6 marks for accurate pipework dimensions or zero) | 6 | ||
| Tank connector and ball valve fitted without leaks and sealed properly (Award 5 marks for leak-free, tight joints or zero) | 5 | ||
| Pipework aligned and fixed level using pipe clips as per drawing (Award 4 marks for proper alignment and fixing or zero) | 4 | ||
| Completed installation free from defects and ready for use (Award 8 marks for completeness and workmanship or zero) | 8 | ||
| Sub-Total | 28 | ||
| GRAND TOTAL | 70 | ||
At the start of this chapter we promised you would be able to:
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