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Roof Tank Fill Pumps: How Roof Pumps for Water Work and Should Be Maintained

New York City uses a gravity-fed water supply, making the service of high-rises challenging, if not impossible, without the city’s iconic rooftop tanks. However, to get the water to the tank where gravity can again do the work to supply the structure below, properties must have and maintain mechanical roof pumps for water. These pumps are needed to deliver adequate water pressure for both integral safety systems and everyday living. Discover the inner workings of these devices and how to maintain them.

How Roof Pumps for Water Work

Primary Mechanics of Pump Operation

Most buildings will use a centrifugal pump to pull water from the gravity-fed system and shoot it up to the rooftop tank. The device uses rotational energy from a series of driver motors or impellers. The rotating impellers not only draw water into the device but also increase its pressure and velocity while directing it toward an outlet.

The casing of the pump also plays a role in the flow of the discharge. For example, a volute casing increases the cross-sectional space as water moves toward the outlet, effectively increasing the pressure for a more powerful output.

NYC Skyscrapers typically need more than one centrifugal pump and may rely on several in a basement-level pump station. Still, the system often requires additional support to get the water from the ground level to the roof, especially in taller structures. Booster pumps are secondary pumps with the sole purpose of re-pressurizing water sent from a lower level or delivered from a tank.

Roof Pumps for Water and Booster Systems

Modern water tank systems require booster pumps. These pumps pressurize water from ground level and gravity-fed systems to push the water up to the roof tanks. A single booster system with a basement pump station is adequate for smaller buildings, but property owners of taller buildings should consider modified systems.

In taller buildings, a single pump station can usually get water to the rooftop tank. However, the flow delivered from the tank to the lower floors may become too pressurized because of gravity. Because of this, skyscrapers and other tall structures often use multiple boosters and pumps within the complex to maintain the expected PSI throughout the entire building.

Regardless of the size of the system, roof pumps for water require annual professional maintenance. Centrifugal pumps and similar booster pumps depend on high-speed impellers and other somewhat fragile mechanics.

Why Roof Tanks Are Necessary in NYC

Necessity is the Mother of Invention

At the turn of the 20th century, a string of devastating fires in the garment district forced NYC officials to think about the inadequate water pressure from existing gravity-fed systems. Rooftop tanks became an immediate necessity as new regulations were instigated.

Because the existing systems did not have enough power to supply adequate water pressure above the fifth or sixth floor, property managers and builders needed a solution. Rooftop reservoirs with roof pumps for water were the fix.

As NYC grows upward, the taller buildings require bigger or multiple tanks. On average, a roof tank can hold between 7,500 and 20,000 gallons, requiring one or more fill pumps. However, many larger structures in NYC now call for up to 30,000-gallon tanks or multiple tanks because of new environmental and conservation concerns. The larger the tank, the more pumps are necessary to carry water to it and balance the PSI delivered from it.

How To Maintain Tanks and Roof Pumps

Ensuring Longevity Through Proper Maintenance

Tanks and roof pumps for water are not hassle-free systems; they need continuous upkeep. Property managers must stay on top of maintenance issues to ensure the reservoir continues to supply adequate water and pressure to critical systems.

Most skyscrapers and multi-level buildings in NYC have a pump station on the property’s lowest level that supplies water to the rooftop tank. Pumps require routine maintenance. While many on-site engineers or maintenance professionals can keep an eye out for signs of damage or wear, professional inspections are necessary on an annual basis. Maintenance staff should watch for the following:

• – Heavy leakage
• – Moss and algae
• – Cracks or seal issues
• – Broken or loose switches or wires

NYC also mandates annual cleaning of the tanks. According to the plumbing code, property owners drain and clean the tanks at least once per year, inspecting the mechanics and integral systems. Neither a property owner nor their maintenance staff should handle the cleaning and inspections. Using a professional service is necessary to avoid hazards and complications.

Avoiding the Dangers of Tank and Pump Maintenance

Some building owners may try to save money by employing DIY maintenance, but such choices often result in property damage or injury. Tanks are large reservoirs that present drowning hazards if not emptied correctly before inspection or maintenance.

Also, pump stations and individual roof pumps for water are mechanical devices that require electricity and the cooperation of many delicate parts. Working on pumps without adequate knowledge risks the functionality of the device and the operation of the entire supply system. For the safety of employees and building operations, only licensed professionals should work on pumps and water supply systems.

Professional Services for Roof Pumps for Water Tanks

Hire Antler Pumps for All Your Maintenance Needs

Pumps and tanks are crucial components for NYC buildings. This equipment requires routine and annual maintenance to ensure large structures maintain adequate water pressure for essential safety systems and plumbing.

Contact Antler Pumps at 212-534-2500 to schedule an inspection or to learn more about how roof pumps for water tanks fit into your plumbing system. From new installations to pump repairs and maintenance, our team has your building covered. We even offer emergency response services, ensuring you always have a company you can count on.