Stabicad for AutoCAD and Revit offers a powerful tool for calculating sanitary networks, and in particular hot water loop diagrams. It's important, however, to be fully aware of the importance of this hydraulic set-up, and of the fundamental principles that are integrated into the software and that contribute to the quality of the design.
It is compulsory to install a DHW loop in all multi-family housing and commercial, sports, leisure and healthcare buildings. While this is now widely accepted, it is important to remember the objectives of this permanent circulation of DHW and its temperature maintenance.
First and foremost, the DHW loop system guarantees water hygiene by preventing the proliferation of micro-organisms that are dangerous to human health, while the hot water arrives. Legionella comes to mind, and the respiratory illness caused by these bacteria is known as legionellosis. Always at over 50°C, hot water stops the growth of bacteria, making it easier to treat this public health problem.
Secondly, collective DHW looping ensures comfortable use of the sanitary system by reducing the waiting time for hot water at the tap. Bear in mind that user expectations are high: a 90% satisfaction rate is achieved with a maximum waiting time at the tap of five seconds. At 10 seconds, this rate falls to 60%, and at 11 seconds, it plummets to 40%.
The other side of the coin: the looping of domestic hot water systems consumes energy. That's why, through its design and choice of components, the hydraulic system must be able to control heat loss in the distribution circuit and overall consumption for DHW production. Trimble's Stabicad software enables fluid and energy design engineers to meet this challenge head on.
