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Rainwater harvesting options for commercial buildings using siphonic roof drainage systems : lessons for building surveyors
Conference paper   Open access

Rainwater harvesting options for commercial buildings using siphonic roof drainage systems : lessons for building surveyors

Terry Lucke, S Beecham and G Zillante
Proceedings of the 4th International Conference of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors, pp.44-54
International Conference of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors, 4th (Adelaide, Australia, 04-Mar-2007–07-Mar-2007)
Australian Institute of Building Surveyors
2007
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Abstract

Civil Engineering Building siphonic roof drainage stormwater harvesting water reuse building services design
Water conservation is an integral part of sustainable building practice and Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD). New building design priorities have been established in Australia that focus on reducing the consumption of both energy and water. The stormwater runoff from commercial buildings is one area in which much potential for improvement has been identified. Gone are the days where the only concern with roof runoff was to ensure its rapid removal from the site. The need to harvest this precious resource has been recognised and new technologies are emerging to resolve this issue. Siphonic roof drainage is a relatively new building services technology which has many benefits over conventional drainage systems. Building designers and architects are specifying siphonic roof drainage systems on an increasing number of commercial and industrial buildings. For example, Sydney Olympic Stadium, the Norman Foster designed Chek Lap Kok airport in Hong Kong and the new International Terminal Buildings at Adelaide and Sydney airports all have siphonic roof systems. The benefits of these systems include, ability to quickly drain high intensity rainfall events, substantial cost reductions, virtual elimination of underground pipework and the opportunities for significant stormwater reuse options. This paper aims to provide an overview of the many benefits that are being realised by planners, building designers, engineers, architects, surveyors, contractors and owners by specifying a siphonic roof drainage system. Furthermore, it will examine the water conservation and reuse options that are possible with siphonic drainage and compare these to conventional roof and property drainage systems.

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