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The Water Storage Roof

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Abstract
The paper proposes a further development of the inverted roof, which would conserve water and reduce the first cost of a building. Insulated paving slabs are raised above the waterproof membrane on small piers. The space thsu formed is used to collect and store rainwater, which is utilized in the building for flushing lavatories. The roof resevoir would be supplemented with mains water to maintain continuous supplies. Savings in the first cost of a building would arise mainly from the elimination of the rainwater disposal system: the amount of water required for flushing lavatories is much greater than can be collected from rain, so that there is no risk of the roof reservoir overflowing. The conventional rainwater system is therefore unnecessary; no falls are needed, nor gutters, downpipes, surface drains nor soakaways. In office blocks, the cold water storage cistern might be eliminated: provision for hand washing etc can be made direct from the mains if the storage cistern is no longer needed for suppplying lavatories. The collection and use of rainwater brings many other benefits and opportunities, especially in reducing demands on municipal services, e.g. reduction of surface-water run-off avoids surges of storm water at sewage works. Such reduction may also allow building development in badly drained areas. As fas as can be foreseen, the water storage roof avoids all the problems associated with conventional flat roofs.
Date
9/1974
Author(s)
Stephens, David
Page(s)
Paper 22
Keyword(s)
water storage roof; insulated paving slab; rainwater; reservoir;


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