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Head Loss IN TAPPING SLEEVES
Author(s) -
Walski Thomas M.,
Lubenow Brian,
Spaide Jeffrey
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2002.tb09384.x
Subject(s) - tapping , body orifice , head (geology) , hydraulic head , tap water , nominal pipe size , environmental science , mechanics , computer science , environmental engineering , engineering , materials science , geology , geotechnical engineering , mechanical engineering , physics , composite material , geomorphology
When they install a branch from a water distribution main, water utility managers often debate the benefits of using a tap as opposed to shutting down the line to install a T‐fitting. Part of the discussion centers around the fact that a tap, especially a size‐on‐size tap, will have a smaller orifice size than will a T‐fitting. The concern is that this will lead to additional head loss and decreased capacity. For low‐flow conditions, this loss in capacity is negligible, but during fire flows, this loss can become significant. This article reports the results of experiments that indicate the loss of carrying capacity in distribution systems is not significant as long as the orifice (tap cutout) is greater than 90% of the pipe size.