FLUSHING CISTERNS Flushing cistern of water closet is a device which releases a fixed quantity of water under pressure so as to flush

and clean the pan and trap of water closet or urinal. Cisterns are usually actuated by means of a chain and handle attached to the flushing lever. The two types of flushing cistern 1) The Bell flushing cistern These are made of cast-iron with a capacity of 5 to 15 litres. It is only suitable for high level cistern. This type of flushing cistern is now virtually outdated and their origins may still be found in old factories, schools and similar established buildings. It consists of a bell connected to flushing chain through a lever. When the chain is pulled, the bell is lifted up and the water in the tank rushes through the flushing pipe by siphonic action. The float valve now allows the water from the inlet into the cistern. Once the water starts down the pipe, it starts a siphoni effect drawing the rest of water from the cistern until air is drawn under the bottom of the bell.

The emptying action takes only a few seconds causing powerful flush in the water closet below. The chain should be released immediately after being pulled to force the water out of flush pipe. This cistern is supplied with water through a ball valve arrangement so that the water inlet gets closed when the cistern is full with water up to water line and gets open when it is empty, permitting entry of water. It is also provided with an over flow pipe to drain out excess incoming water if the ball cock gets out of order so as to avoid spilling of water over the cistern in the toilet.

The bell cistern does not have any parts to wear and so is highly reliable. Their weaknesses are if water level is set too low, insufficient water goes down the pipe when the chain is pulled, it will not start the siphon effect. Low water levels can be remedied by adjusting the float controlling the inlet valve. It also tends to be mechanically noisy as the top lever pivots and lifts the cast iron bell.

Below is a diagram showing a bell type flushing cistern

2) The disc flushing cistern (siphon) This is manufactured in a variety of materials including plastics and ceramics for application to all categories of building. Depressing the lever raises the piston and water is displaced over the siphon. A siphonic action is created to empty the cistern. The siphon is basically an inverted U within the cistern with the bend above the level of the water. One end of the siphon is coupled to the down pipe connecting the cistern to the pan, the other end of the siphon is near the bottom of the cistern and incorporates a perforated disc covered by a flexible material (the flap valve) which can be moved up and down within the siphon by means of a vertical rod attached to a lever mechanism.

When the perforated disc is lifted up within the siphon by the vertical rod being operated by either by a handle or chain action, the water above the disc/flap is forced over the top of the inverted U and flows down in the pipe to the pan. Once the water starts to flow down the down pipe, the siphon effect created draws the rest of the water out of the cistern to flush the lavatory. The siphon continues to work until air is drawn into the cistern. After the cistern has been emptied, water begins to refill the cistern and a weight on the perforated disc causes it to drop back down. As the level of water rises in the cistern, the flexible material covering the perforated disc allows water to enter that end of the siphon. The water level in the siphon remains below the bend (so it cannot flow down to the pan) and is ready to initiate the siphon the next time that the handle or chain is operated.

Below is the diagram of Disc flushing cistern

Comparing the Bell and Disc types of Flushing Cisterns

Similar in siphonic action. Flushing cisterns discharge water in one operation through a flush pipe or differently to the pan by siphonic action. In both, the cistern is filled through a valve operated by a ball float and arm Both contains an air gap between the highest level of water in the cistern and the outlet of the float valve Both are reliable types of flushing cisterns All cisterns in houses ought to be provided with covers to deaden the sound, or entirely cased with woodwork. In both types, the usual water supply is sufficient and no additional water supply is needed Both types of flushing cisterns require less area Helps to prevent smell since latrines remain clean and neat Are composed of a valve to provide leak tightness when it holds water Made of a system for flushing of water out of the cistern when operated

In general, they are made of an overflow to shed the supply water when in case of malfunction.

Contrasting the Bell and Disc types of Flushing Cisterns

The bell type is made from cast iron where as the disc type is made from plastics and ceramics. Bell type flushing cistern is noisy where as disc type flushing cistern is quieter. The bell inside the cistern is lifted up by pulling down a chain, allowing water in the cistern to empty into flushing pipe by siphonic action where as in disc type the depressing the lever or handle raises the piston and water is displaced over the siphon. The bell type is a high level flushing cistern while a disc type is a low level flushing cistern

REFERENCES
Building Services Handbook, F. Hall and R. Greeno, 4th Edition, 2007, Elsevier Limited. The Construction of Buildings, R. Barry, Volume 5 Building Services, 3rd Edition Plumbing and Pipeline Work, Practical Guide Book Series, J.M. Patekari, 2009, Railway Engineering Technical Society Environmental Engineering, S.P. Venkateswera Rao, 1st Edition, 2005, Telugu Akademi