plumbing in a new stables. commercial size

[shepster]

Hi all,

Open house on this one all replies and standard humour much appreciated.

Firstly if anybody out there has been involved in such a job I would really like to hear of your experiences.

I,ve got a job to supply all the services for an equestrian centre which will have up to 21 individual stables (6 + 15 in separate blocks) each to have independent supplies for spigots, a shower block with 3 cubicles and all associated extras... electric showers & a large pump, 3 WC's, hand dryers, an on site canteen with a large water heater, double sink, american style taps, dishwasher.( all water from an elevated loft area(25ft) in the tallest barn (i'm thinking of either a single 2k ltr tank or 3 x 100 gal') (plenty of support for the weight in structure)). Up to 6 additional outside taps. Drainage for all running to existing sewer to on site large home. The site is approximately 130x150ft and is currently used on a smaller scale as a farm yard.

I have a list as long as my arm for materials that I buy weekly but have no idea where to go or trust for the horse/stable items....???? Ideas

The other obvious thing is how much time am I looking at here.... yes I know thats a tough one but I honestly haven't a scooby doo! a day? a week? a month of sundays?

If you think i'm a bit of an bum for thinking of taking it on then you might be right but the customer is known to me and i've been invited to get in the saddle and come along for the ride....( it's started and there off!)

What do you think? will it be a mare' or am I just worrying needlessly?

Thoughts chaps.... ouch!

 

[Bernie2]

What do you already have in the way of water supply?

Any ideas what the owners want regarding stable drinking water for the horses?

I've worked on farms where we have been asked to feed troughs from a central stored water facility to enable the farmer to dose the pigs all at once.

Have you ever seen a pig up close?

They are big or these ones where!!! And they had tusks!!! And do they squeal!ll Scares you to pieces!!! :

I'll tell you one thing though.

Your fixings have got to be spot on. To put troughs in a cow shed, we where required to mount it on a 14" concrete block wall and drill right through to the other side, put stud iron through the wall, clamp trough on to stud iron, go around the other side of the wall and put a 1/2" thick drilled steel plate on the stud iron, tighten it up, and they still got one of them loose. You just don't realise how strong farm animals really are.

Anyway I will have a go at it later.

 

[shepster]

Thankfully no other type of farm yard animals will be present on site, just the lovely horses and the occasional dog. No request for such things as a trough although I did suggest a douse area but it seems that there will be large bore hoses attached to the outside taps for cleaning/washing purposes.

Regards the pump to service the entire site, I could do with a pointer on that one as I have never installed a commercial strength pump before.

Water supply is mains on site and no hot hence electric heater route. Drinking water for each horse will be a single large spigot type in each stable, I know you can get ones with a sensor on them but I am told by the owner they are not suitable for the horses so an alternative is required.

Cheers again

shepster

 

[justlead1]

Hi From that which you describe, i would advise you ask the clients to employ a plumbing designer. They would produce a drawing and take off quantities. Leaving you the job of installation without the worry of failure. Good luck

 

[oldplumber]

Horses are happy to use individual drinking bowls that easily bolt onto the walls and have build in , protected ball valves. Try looking at your WRAS guide to see how you should connect into this sort of set up or you will quickly fall foul of the water regs, it even shows you examples of the kit required. Buy you kit from a farm supplier/ merchants.

Dont forget that if the pressure is limited and the yard is using large bore hoses you could investigate using an accumalator to provide the water at a reasonable pressure. If you are not sure what an accumalator is, let someone else have the work and dont embarass yourself any further by having to ask.

 

[Bernie2]

Have a look at Arrow valves site for Booster pump info, Grundfos is okay but it may be too big for what you want and don't forget when designing system this sort of set up is nearly all Cat 5 risk on the stable side.

Still thinking about it, but you'll probably have done the job by the time I've finish thinking.

 

[secret squirrel]

are you going to be on an hourly rate? has your customer got any idea how much it'll cost? are you doing all this on your own? are you going to get paid incrementally?

I am presuming the customer is going to pay for the parts on delivery,

Are you going to be able to continue taking up small jobs to build up your customer base (if you've not been doing this long)....

Just being nosey really, the job seems interesting but a logistical nightmare..

I had to re-read your post because I started wondering why horses needed showers.......

 

[shepster]

Hi all, thanks for your thoughts so far, just before I EMBARRASS myself further can I check? do you think the horse's would lean more towards an all in one shower gel or as they are going to be quite posh nags they would prefer separate conditioner?

Seriously though, I have already suggested a specialist advice service to the customer and the main builder regarding the project but they both thought it over kill. It seems that I am the one (as usual) who is being overly cautious about everything. I have contacted Farm & Stable Supplies, there good value for advice and would gladly have me as a customer. Those drinking bowels can be quite pricey!

Your right Bernie2 regarding the cat'5 risk on everything, I have basically approached this as though it was nuclear, everything is going to have twin checks etc etc and actually now that I have had a chance to break it all down it looks as though about 4/5 weeks of work should be enough as long as the builder is on schedule. So to answer secret squirrel I will charge them a day rate and will receive it 50/50, the customer will pay me direct and I shall furnish the suppliers.

It will mean the call out stuff will be passed on but the other stuff which is already booked shall take precedence as i am not in the habit of upsetting my existing customers.

Thanks again

Shepster

(just off to the bookies to find myself an ACCUMULATOR)!

 

[justlead1]

Hi Shepster. Thats why they are builders and not plumbers. They tend to forget these statements when the 5hiit hits the fan. I would consider checking the mains supply prior to design, consider a break cistern either gravity or pumping set. Other items like fire hose reels may be an issue where live stock are housed. The check list is endless. Good Luck

 

[stevetheplumber]

Sounds like its time to get the threading machine out a couple of two inch galvinised cold feeds at high level with an inch tees at every fitting and bush down to what you need depending on the layout you could even run them as a ring
electric showers fed direct from main

 

[shepster]

Cheers chaps, regarding the sparkie and all related, I have firmly passed the buck on that one and the builder is in charge and knows I won't bend on that. Definately going for a pumped set up and all delivery points for the nags are easy as all the best drinkers incorporate the AA gap. I have planned the job out now and am looking forward to the start.... I have of course allowed for the oh so familiar F' U' Factor and as such am confident that me and the horses will get by just fine.

shepster