Hi Saferain
Sorry you have the wrong impression re my last post.
Oldfossils 376 sq m roof is serviced by ten 90 mm downpipes but they run wet into two 90 mm pipes, i.e. 188 sq m each! Oldfossil (I'm sure he's not!) has stated that his roof has overflowed during heavy storms but readers may have assumed it would overflow every time it rained given that his roof all drains from 10 into 2 90 mm PVC pipes. I thought my post would be of interest to readers as many may have erronerously believed that a gutter overflows when the downpipe draining to storm water is full of water and oldfossil's situation would have evoked the natural curiosity of ATA members. I agree that overflows do compromise a gutter's structural integrity and should be avoided.
The explanation in no way promoted Supadiverta as S/D does not drain rooves or replace the downpipe. Supadiverta works by syphonic drainage which prevents air entering pipe work and the resultant head pressure increasing velocity. Wet systems run full of water (and with entrained air provided flow rates are greater than 250 mm per second or 1.45 litres per second for 90 mm PVC; i.e. the speed of a rising bubble in still water). They are not syphonic and syphonic drainage was not mentioned. The heritage rainheads I mentioned are also not syphonic due to entrained air but they do generate some head pressure for increased efficiency. A hydraulic rainhead, if applicable, can offer a quick and cheap solution to inadequate roof drainage issues. I am sure the information given was understood by most as intended. If it wasn't, then I offer my apologies to yourself, thread visitors and the ATA.
There are many web sites that give information about syphonic drainage and most detail the inefficiencies of standard downpipes. Syphonic systems are widely researched and tested. They are even on Youtube. The fact that normal downpipe drainage never has less than two thirds air is often referenced and well documented.
My company is a research and development company and S/D was developed for a second company. It was also intended by a third company negotiating the licensing rights to manufacture S/D in China using ABS. We decided to retain control of the product and manufacture in Australia from superior ASA. Unfortunately, ASA is much more expensive than ABS, as is Australian manufacture, but we retain quality control.
S/D was released for public dissemination at Expos early 2008 but not released to retail outlets. This will soon commence. Other projects have impacted heavily on its release and promotion has not been entertained.
Re- "And work as you say". Most people, particularly plumbers strangely enough, don't believe it can work and when they see it demonstrated, still don't believe it! Your concerns that rainwater harvesting products should work as described is fully endorsed by myself. Bad products reflect poorly on the industries credibility.
It is refreshing to see the Saferain web site giving the 100 mm storm water pipe capacity as 8 litres per metre. I often see it claimed as 10 l/m and 90 mm PVC claimed as 7! I am sure consumers would jump up and down if they bought a PV system advertised as having 10 tubes but being given only 8!
As you say and I agree, Saferain is made to last. And work! I appreciate clever, innovative design. It is a very good product and very price competitive when compared to first flush systems that divert larger (non adjustable) amounts of flush. It also deserves to operate in its most efficient situation. I believe you would also want this.
The S/D web site links to other credible products. I would have no hesitation to link Saferain provided the Saferain site addressed the concerns I have re sediment flushing information when fitting units to tall risers.
The S/D site also mentions a vortex induced sediment separation filter that I decided not to proceed with (no time). It removes sediment from pipe work without using a filter. Why not have a look at it, it is easy to manufacture to any size. It could be manufactured to fit between two pipe lengths in a wet system. The sediment could be drained either manually or automatically through a dirty water solenoid. This would allow Saferain to operate with efficiency at the top of a tall vertical riser.
Due to it being in the public domain, prior art is known, but you would know patent law.
Saferain and S/D are not competitors.
Posted Sunday 9 May 2010 @ 5:27:40 am from IP
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