Sprinkler systems connected to non-potable public water supplies or alternative sources of water can still pose contamination risks if the potential for a cross-connection exists to a city’s drinking water. Backflow from systems that contain antifreeze or other chemicals such as foam is also a serious concern.

High water pressure increases the risk of a pipe breach throughout the year, but in the winter, those odds get even worse. When water freezes in the winter, it may expand and cause your pipes to burst. To avoid a costly water line repair, we recommend investing in a water pressure regulator valve for your house.

DCVs are specifically designed to prevent backflow in fire sprinkler systems. The mainstay for normal fire protection applications, DCVs feature an inlet (upstream) shutoff valve, two independently operating spring-loaded check valves (usually inside a single valve body), four test cocks, and an outlet (downstream) shutoff valve.

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Once the internal parts of the pressure reducing valve on your property become damaged, they will be less reactive to changes in pressure. The average life cycle of a water pressure regulator valve varies from 8 to 12 years. If you notice a drastic increase in water pressure when you are showering or washing the dishes, this is a sign of a broken pressure reducing valve.

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A screw near the top of the pressure reducing valve allows you to enhance or restrict the flow of water in the valve. Tightening the screw will decrease the total amount of water that is circulated to the faucets and appliances in your household. You can easily loosen or tighten the screw to adjust the water pressure in your shower, kitchen, or basement. If the water pressure on your property is low, this is a sign of a blockage in the water pressure regulator valve.

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Backflow from fire protection systems can threaten the safety of potable water. Understanding how backflow preventers work and why they are important in a home or business helps property owners prevent avoidable accidents—and meet code requirements in their area.

Backflow preventers are otherwise required in many fire protection systems, however. Mandates for installing backflow preventers are set forth by local plumbing codes developed and enforced by organizations like municipalities, water purveyors, and plumbing inspectors to protect local drinking supplies.

Hydraulically operated pressure reducing control valves reduce a higher upstream pressure to a constant lower downstream pressure.

City water mains provide water for most homes and buildings, including the water used in fire protection systems. But the stagnant water that fills the pipes of wet fire protection systems is “non-potable”—it’s not fit to drink. Thus, water authorities often require property owners to install backflow preventers to keep stagnant water from mixing with the treated, “potable” water in the city water supply.

A water pressure regulator valve is a device that is engineered to control the water pressure in your home. Most pipes can reliably support water pressure of about 80 psi (pounds per square inch). However, pipes are designed to accommodate brief periods of high water pressure. The pipes in your house are engineered to withstand water pressure ratings between 100 – 150 psi for a short period of time. However, you may begin to notice plumbing problems if the water pressure in your home is continuously above 80 psi. Here are 3 reasons to install a pressure reducer valve in your house.

Some jurisdictions also allow alternatives to backflow preventers. For instance, Philadelphia’s water district requires all residential systems supplying dedicated sprinkler heads to have a connection from the sprinkler system to the toilet tank that’s farthest from the water supply. This removes the need for a backflow preventer, because every time that toilet is flushed, it draws water through the fire line to keep the water fresh.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) supports model code requirements by offering guidance for when backflow preventers should be installed based on the degree of hazard presented by a fire protection system. A low-hazard cross-connection might create a nuisance or would be aesthetically objectionable if there is a backflow incident but would not create a health hazard. An unprotected high-hazard cross-connection is a health hazard, involving any substance that could cause death or illness or spread disease if it is introduced into the city’s water supply.

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603.5.14 Except as provided under Section 603.5.14.1 and Section 603.5.14.2, potable water supplies to fire protection systems that are normally under pressure, including but not limited to standpipes and automatic sprinkler systems, except in one – or two-family or townhouse residential sprinkler systems, piped in materials approved for potable water distribution systems shall be protected from backpressure and backsiphonage by one of the following testable devices:

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On a fire protection system, backflow preventers rely on two one-way valves, or check valves, assembled in a series to prevent water from backing up into the supply line. Think of the check valves as one-way gates, only allowing water to flow through them in one direction.

While fighting a fire, firefighters are understandably more concerned about drawing enough water to douse the blaze than backflow prevention. Not only will they use water from any available source to achieve their goal, but fire department vehicles often carry non-potable water treated with antifreeze, corrosion inhibitors, or extinguishing agents.

For those reasons, the model code often treats fire protection systems with FDC connections as high-hazard situations for backflow.

However, UPC model code requires stand-alone residential systems using non-potable piping materials to achieve the same level of protection as a commercial system. Increased protection is also required when chemicals are added to a fire protection system supplied by a potable water supply.

Water regulator valves are integrated with a screw that allows you to modify the pressure applied to the spring mechanism inside the valve. Once the screw is tightened, it will become harder for water to circulate through the diaphragm. On the other hand, releasing pressure from the screw will have an opposite reaction. If the water pressure is low in your home, do not have an anxiety attack.

It’s important to understand that RPZ assemblies, while more reliable, experience much higher pressure and volume loss than double-check assemblies. Fluctuations in line pressure, upstream or downstream, will prompt a properly functioning RPZ assembly to periodically discharge small amounts of water. During a backflow condition, a large volume of water will flow from the relief valve. For this reason, RPZ assemblies shouldn’t be installed in areas subject to water damage. Adequate drainage must also be provided.

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RPZs expand upon the double check valve concept with a hydraulically operated relief valve that makes them virtually foolproof. They typically consist of an inlet shutoff valve, two spring-loaded check valves separated by a pressure differential relief valve, four test cocks, and an outlet shutoff valve.

A backflow preventer is a device designed to keep water inside fire-protection and other water-based systems on a property—ensuring it only travels in one direction: from the water main into the system’s pipes.

Be sure to check out our selection of Backflow Check Key Tools and Tool Sets that quickly and painlessly remove or install cam checks found in Ames and Watts backflow prevention assemblies.

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Maintaining the perfect temperature and humidity balance in your home is the key to keeping it nice and comfortable all year long. Without the help of your home HVAC system, maintaining this delicate balance would be impossible.

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Approved backflow assemblies have met the requirements of different approved testing agencies such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Society of Sanitary Engineer (ASSE), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FM), and UL (formerly Underwriters Laboratory).

The model plumbing code also requires backflow preventers on fire department connections (FDC) located less than 1,700 feet (518.2 m) from a non-potable water source that might be used by the fire department.

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Backflow preventers are required in fire protection systems by the 2018 edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code, the model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to promote the public’s health, safety, and welfare by governing the installation and inspection of plumbing systems.

On the other hand, the spring in the pressure regulator valve can be loosened to increase the water pressure in your house. Investing in a pressure regulator will help prolong the lifespan of the shutoff valves on your property. In addition, a pressure valve is designed to alleviate stress on the interior valves of appliances. This valve is utilized by professionals to eliminate variations in water pressure in homes.

Requirements in NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems for installing backflow preventers and in NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems for performing annual forward flow tests are sometimes perceived as a mandate to have them. But the intent of the code is to only attach installation and ITM requirements to systems where backflow preventers are present.

Make sure to check with your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) on the exact backflow prevention requirements for your area, system, and occupancy type.

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Water that enters a home or building’s fire protection, plumbing, or irrigation system from a main water supply line should only flow in one direction: into the property. But sometimes, pressure changes in the pipes can cause water to seep back into the main supply line.

Testable backflow preventer assembly (1/2") connection: 1/2" FNPT. Maximum operating pressure: 150 psi. Fluid temperature range: 33–150 °F. Material: DZR low ...

For instance, a water-main break or the opening of a fire hydrant can cause water pipes to lose pressure. When that happens, water is no longer pushed forward into the property, enabling it to flow backward into city water supplies.

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If you need to maintain a backflow preventer in your fire protection system, be sure to check out our selection of Backflow Check Key Tools and Tool Sets. They painlessly remove or install cam checks found in Ames and Watts double check and reduced pressure zone backflow prevention assemblies.

PVB assembles, intended for lawn irrigation, are the least expensive type of whole-system backflow preventer. They are relatively simple in design and the easiest to install, maintain, and repair.

Touted as the most complex and reliable backflow preventers, RPZ assemblies are primarily intended for a building’s internal systems like plumbing or fire protection. In fire protection systems, they are most commonly used when hazardous chemicals like antifreeze or corrosion inhibitors are introduced—although some municipalities require RPZs on all fire protection applications.

WM Henderson provides emergency plumbing repair services to homes in areas of Pennsylvania such as Drexel Hill, Havertown, Broomall, West Chester, and Ardmore. Give us a call by phone at (484) 206-8594 to book an appointment to receive assistance with an issue. Our team of licensed plumbers offers various types of plumbing services such as water heater repair, gas line installation, sump pump replacement, and water softener repair. If you are encountering the negative consequences of a basement flood or a pipe burst, call a certified plumber on our team to receive support.

Backflow is dangerous because it can pollute the public drinking supply with contaminants like fertilizers, pesticides, human waste, and harmful chemicals. In 2010, for example, students at a Bowling Green, Kentucky elementary school suffered nausea and other symptoms after a contractor working on the HVAC system caused the antifreeze chemical glycol to backflow into the school’s drinking supply.

In commercial applications, for instance, AWWA M-14: Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control Recommended Practices recommends a DCV assembly on wet or dry sprinkler systems unless there is a risk of a high-hazard cross-connection. In those cases, an RPZ assembly is suggested.

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There’s often confusion about whether National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards require backflow preventers on fire protection systems. Let’s be clear: they do not.

RPZ assemblies also feature two independently operating check valves. However, they add another layer of protection that makes them essentially fail-safe by also locating a hydraulically operated differential relief valve below the first check valve.

A water pressure reducing valve is integrated with a temperature defiant diaphragm that is connected to a spring. The diaphragm is responsive to pressure and will close tightly when the water pressure is too high. If the incoming water pressure is too low, the diaphragm will cause the spring mechanism to open. Although a water pressure regulator valve is assembled with durable parts, it’s interior components will start to deteriorate over time.

As water is dispersed through the pressure valve, a buildup of minerals may start to form over time. Once the buildup of limescale becomes severe, the flow of water through the pressure valve will be negatively impacted. The only way to improve your water pressure is to hire a certified technician to dismantle and clean your pressure regulator valve. Soak the valve in a limescale resistant solution to eliminate excess mineral deposits. Next, you will need to reconstruct the pressure reducer valve to restore the water in your home.

Here’s how it works: During normal operation, the pressure between the two check valves—referred to as the zone of reduced pressure—is maintained at a lower pressure than the supply pressure. If either check valve should leak, the relief valve is designed to open and discharge water to the outside, ensuring backflow never occurs.

Potable water supplies to fire protection systems that are not normally under pressure shall be protected from backflow and shall be in accordance with the requirements of the appropriate standards referenced in Table 1701.1.

The source of the weak water pressure may be a low pressure setting on the pressure reducing valve. The valve can be adjusted to increase the water pressure in your household. A majority of reducer valves feature a maximum pre-set pressure rating of 50 psi. Luckily, the maximum pressure rating can be easily adjusted by a licensed technician.

When you need outstanding plumbing repair services, you need an outstanding licensed plumber to provide those services. That is precisely what you can expect when you work with the professionals here at WM Henderson.

Whatis the use ofa pressure reducing valvehydraulic

The double check assembly was developed in the 1950s for the fire protection industry, creating a redundancy designed to ensure that one check valve will continue to protect the city water supply even if the other fails. This assembly also enables the closure of one valve to reduce the pressure differential across the other, creating a more reliable seal and avoiding even minor backflow leakage. Test cocks, or small ball valves, enable the attachment of testing equipment that evaluates whether the double check assembly is functional.

While UPC does differentiate between residential and commercial systems, its leniency only applies to residential systems using potable water piping materials. In one- and two-family dwellings, AWWA states that backflow preventers are not needed on sprinkler systems constructed of approved potable material and designed to flow water, so it doesn’t stagnate. Instead, backflow requirements for domestic plumbing could apply to those sprinkler systems.

Several types of backflow preventers exist, and each is intended for specific applications. The most common assemblies include:

When the water pressure in your home is too high, more of it will be wasted while you are washing the dishes or taking a shower. A water pressure reducing valve will cut down on wasted water and save you some money on your monthly bills.

603.5.14.2 Where antifreeze, corrosion inhibitors, or other chemicals are added to a fire protection system supplied from a potable water supply, the potable water system shall be protected by one of the following:

A water pressure regulator valve will protect your pipes, fixtures, and shower heads from the devastating effects of high water pressure. This will help expand the lifespan of your plumbing fixtures, appliances, and system. Since you won’t have to worry about fixing the sinks or fixtures in your home, you can allocate that money towards renovations or vacations with family.

Whether your home’s heating system is in need of repair or replacement, contact the team at Wm. Henderson. Our skilled HVAC technicians provide heating repair and installation services to homes in areas of Pennsylvania such as West Chester, Broomall, Havertown, Drexel Hill, and Ardmore. We will work tirelessly to bring warmth back to your home.

In fact, reverse flow testing designed to ensure that backflow preventers prevent backflow was removed from NFPA 25 in 2011. While NFPA recognizes that backflow remains a legitimate health concern, it considers preventing it outside the scope of NFPA 25. Instead, NFPA presumes that local or state requirements will ensure that backflow preventers are properly tested by qualified personnel.

It’s also essential to note that both types of backflow preventers reduce available downstream water pressure. A knowledgeable contractor must account for this when designing fire protection systems.

Such potential health dangers are alarming, but they aren’t the only problem. Backflow can also be extremely expensive to remediate. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that the average backflow incident takes nearly 500 hours to fix at a cost of $14,800.

A water pressure regulator valve is installed near the main water shutoff valve on a property. Pressure regulators are equipped with a spring mechanism that can be tightened with a tool to increase the total pressure in the valve. Once the spring is tightened, the incoming water pressure from the main water line will be decreased before it is distributed to the fixtures and appliances in your home.

These organizations view backflow prevention through the broad lens of the overall community need—and recognize that every cross-connection between a wet building system and city water has the potential to trigger a serious backflow event. Water purveyors also typically require backflow preventers to be tested regularly and maintained by certified professionals to ensure they are reliable and functioning properly. It is important to check with your local water authority to understand specific requirements for backflow preventers in your area.

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Pressure reducing valveworking principle

In wet fire protection systems like certain types of sprinklers or standpipes, a large volume of water never moves until it flows from an activated sprinkler head or a broken sprinkler pipe. When water is stagnant, bacteria can fester—transforming the sprinkler water into a thick, smelly, black, oily sludge that could potentially cause serious issues if it reverses into a city’s drinking supply.

603.5.14.1 Where fire protection systems supplied from a potable water system include a fire department (Siamese) connection that is located less than 1700 feet (518.2 m) from a non-potable water source that is capable of being used by the fire department as a secondary water supply, the potable water supply shall be protected by one of the following:

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Any time the pressure on the property (downstream) side exceeds the pressure on the city side, the two redundant check valves close—preventing any backflow. However, while DCV systems are considered safe for most fire protection systems, they do have a flaw: if both valves fail or debris in the water line prevents them from closing completely, backflow can occur.