As a student of engineering or an engineer, you know how important it is to have safe and effective systems for managing water.
A backflow preventer is one of the most important parts of making sure these systems are safe.
This small but powerful device keeps dirty water from flowing backward into a clean water supply.
This protects both the public's health and the water supply's quality.
In this blog post, we will talk about what a backflow preventer is, how it works, and why it is important to have one in your water management system.
Whether you are a student or an experienced engineer, this information is important for keeping water systems safe and working well.
Please read on to find out more.
Backflow Preventer Overview
Formal definition:
A device used to relieve a vacuum formed in a water supply line to prevent backflow.
or:
A backflow prevention device is used to protect potable water supplies from contamination or pollution due to backflow.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backflow_prevention_device
Backflow preventer valves can be set up on a property in different ways, depending on the level of risk involved with the application.
Some backflow preventer valves that are often used are:
- Double Check Valves: This type of valve is engineered to keep toxic chemicals out of the sanitary water in your pipes.are made to keep dangerous chemicals from getting into the clean water in your pipes.
It comes with two check valves that are made to close if there is a sudden change in pressure in your plumbing system.
This prevents any damage from happening.
- Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) Valves: RPZ valves use two spring-loaded check valves and an intermediate relief valve.
When the pressure between the two check valves goes down, the relief valve opens.
This kind of valve is used in places with a lot of risk, like hospitals and factories.
- Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) Valves: PVB valves have an air inlet valve that opens when the pressure between the inlet and outlet sides of the valve drops.
This kind of valve is used in low-risk situations, like home irrigation systems.
Importance of Backflow Preventers
Backflow prevention devices are important because they make sure that drinking water is clean and safe.
Most places require them by law because they are important for safety.
The best way to keep your home or business from getting contaminated by a backflow event is to install and take care of a backflow prevention device.
Installing a backflow preventer in your home is especially important if your sprinkler system is connected to your drinking water system.
Cross-connections between a source of non-potable water and the drinking water system, like a swimming pool or an irrigation system, can cause contamination if a backflow event happens.
So, it is important to have a backflow preventer put in so that contaminated water does not flow backwards.
Protect Your Water Supply with Backflow Preventers
Still hard to understand? Let me change the point of view a bit:
Are you sick of drinking water that is clean and safe? Do you like the thrill of not knowing what kind of bacteria, chemicals, or other harmful things might be in your water supply? Well, then you might not want to read this article about backflow preventers.
But if you care about your health and the safety of the water you drink, keep reading.
Okay, that was just a joke made to look like a TV ad.
Now let's go back to the explanation.
Backflow Preventer Installation and Maintenance
Backflow preventers must be installed and kept in good working order for safety and legal reasons.
To install a backflow preventer, you must choose the right type of device and think carefully about where to put it.
The backflow preventer must be put in below the building's flood level and be easy to test, maintain, and fix.
The device can be put above ground in an outdoor enclosure, which keeps it safe and makes it easy to get to.
During the installation process, it is important to follow the instructions from the manufacturer and any codes and rules that apply.
It is also suggested that the installation be done by a licensed plumber or backflow preventer specialist.
Tip: Turn on the caption button if you need it. Choose “automatic translation” in the settings button, if you are not familiar with the spoken language. You may need to click on the language of the video first before your favorite language becomes available for translation.
Maintenance and Testing of Backflow Preventers
A licensed plumber should check backflow preventers once a year to make sure they are working properly.
Turning off the downstream shut-off valve is part of the inspection.
Testing the pressure in the system and looking for places where the pressure is not right are also part of the inspection.
If no repairs are needed, the testing process usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes to finish.
How much it costs to have a backflow preventer checked depends on where it is and what kind of device is installed.
Replacing a Backflow Preventer
To replace a backflow preventer, you have to dig up the box where the valve is, take out the old device, and put in a new one.
How to replace a backflow preventer will depend on the type of device and the building codes in your area.
To do the replacement, it is best to watch tutorials online or hire a licensed plumber.
Sprinkler Backflow Preventer
A sprinkler backflow preventer is a type of backflow preventer that keeps backflow from an irrigation system from getting into the public water supply and making it dirty.
It is put in place on the main line of the sprinkler system, before any irrigation lines branch off.
In commercial buildings, backflow preventers are required and are checked and tested every year.
Backflow prevention devices come in many forms, such as double check valves, reduced pressure zone (RPZ) valves, and vacuum breakers.
How Sprinkler Backflow Preventers Work
Backflow preventers on sprinklers work by letting water flow in one direction but not the other.
A typical sprinkler backflow preventer has two independent check valves that make sure water only flows in one direction and a relief valve that opens if the pressure in the system drops, stopping any water from flowing backwards.
Even if one of the check valves breaks, the other one keeps water from going back into the main water supply.
The relief valve lets air into the system to stop water from being sucked out.
The sprinkler backflow preventer needs to be checked every year to make sure it is working right and does not have any leaks.
Winterizing a Sprinkler Backflow Preventer
Follow these steps to get a sprinkler system with a backflow preventer ready for winter:
- Turn off the main water supply to the house, which is often found near your water meter.
- Turn off the controller or timer that controls the sprinkler system.
- If your sprinkler has manual drain valves, shut off the valves on the backflow preventer.
- Open all the valves on the sprinkler system to allow water to drain out of the pipes.
- Open test cocks on the backflow preventer to drain all the water from it.
- Blow compressed air through the sprinkler system using an air compressor to remove any remaining water from the pipes.
- Once water is drained, close both shutoff valves with a one-quarter counterclockwise turn.
- Cover any above-ground components with insulation or protective covers to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.
If you do not have an isolation valve between the water meter and the backflow prevention device, you should leave the backflow device on and properly insulate it for a freeze.
Also, the way to winterize a sprinkler system with a backflow preventer may be different depending on the type of system and the parts that are involved.
Follow the instructions from the manufacturer or talk to a professional to make sure that the winterization process is done right and works well.
The Importance of Sprinkler Backflow Preventers
Backflow can get harmful chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers into the public water supply.
Because of this, backflow preventers must be put on every irrigation system in many places.
Backflow prevention systems are devices that are attached to a pipe and only let water flow in one direction.
They work like one-way gates that let water from the city's public water supply flow into your home's pipes but stop it if it tries to flow backward into the main water supply.
Plumbing Backflow Preventers
Use cases
| Used in: | Description: |
|---|---|
| Residential Water Systems: | Backflow preventers are needed in residential water systems to make sure that the water residents use is safe and clean.Installing a backflow preventer on the main water line coming into the house will stop any dirty water from flowing back into the public water supply.They are especially helpful in places where a back-siphonage effect could happen, like when the power goes out or a water main breaks. |
| Irrigation Systems: | Irrigation systems get their water from a different source, like a well or a tank.In these systems, you need a backflow preventer to stop dirty water from flowing back into the main water supply.Most of the time, a backflow preventer is put in place where the irrigation system connects to the main water supply.This makes sure that the water used for irrigation is safe and clean. |
| Commercial and Industrial Water Systems: | Commercial and industrial water systems often use chemicals or other substances that can be harmful if they get into the public water supply.Installing a backflow preventer keeps dirty water from flowing back into the main water supply.In these systems, backflow preventers are usually put in place where the water supply comes into the building or in other key spots where there is a chance of contamination. |
| Fire Suppression Systems: | Systems that put out fires use water that is stored in tanks or cisterns.On the water supply line that goes to the fire suppression system, a backflow preventer is put in place to make sure that dirty water does not get into the system.If dirty water gets into the fire suppression system, it could make firefighters and the public unsafe and even put them in danger. |
Conclusion
In the end, a backflow preventer is an important part of any system for managing water.
It not only protects public health by keeping dirty water from getting into the clean water supply, but it also keeps the water supply as a whole from getting messed up.
As an engineering student or engineer, it is your job to make sure that the systems you design or take care of are safe and work well.
A backflow preventer is an important part of making this happen.
You can make a big difference in the quality and safety of our water systems by using this small but powerful tool.
So, the next time you work on a water management project, keep in mind how important a backflow preventer is to our communities' health and well-being.
Share on…
