Pouring cold water on new technology!

Author : Tim Fryer

30 November 2011

Another interesting day out this week was to witness the launch of new cold water tank monitoring and control technology.

The product, called Tanktronic, provides system designers, installers and building services professionals with an integrated solution for water storage tank monitoring and management. It can be used to gain accurate readings of water levels, tank volume and temperature, and also be used to manage and control tank filling. Previously all such functions have not been available in a single, integrated format.

A main control unit is combined with a pressure and temperature sensor, continuously submerged inside the water storage tank. This provides accurate readings on water depth and temperature delivered via a user-friendly interface. An alarm function, which can be linked to a building management system (BMS), can be programmed to inform the user if volume or temperature levels exceed those criteria.

As an additional option, tank filling can be completely controlled by the Tanktronic system. When the water in the tank reaches the minimum required level, a signal opens the valve. Similarly, when the water reaches the designated full level, a signal closes the valve. The delay between the open and close level provides delayed action filling, which helps to avoid water hammer, and gives maximum water turnover.

“All buildings are required to store water, at specific volumes according to the structure’s size and application under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. This is necessary for welfare at work and health and safety functions such as cleaning, hygiene and even emergency fire control. However, until now there has been no easy way for building mangers or building service engineers to measure and monitor the required water volume or temperature effectively,” said manufacturer Keraflo’s Sales Manager, Neil Weston, “Tanktronic changes this. It is user-friendly and offers a complete, cost-effective solution to water monitoring with accurate digital readings.”

Water usage has an impact on important health and safety issues, such as the risk of stagnation, which could provide the potential for Legionella bacteria to breed. This is because, if a large volume of water is left standing with temperature fluctuations left un-checked, it presents an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Compliance with water storage regulations and the recommendations set out by WRAS is achieved through the correct management and in-depth knowledge of water use within the building. Keraflo claim that Tanktronic provides the capabilities to provide a solution to this need.