The main water lines of a city offer water for most of the buildings and homes including the water that is used in the fire protection systems. But the stagnant water which fills up the pipes of the wet fire protection system is not safe to drink. So, for this, water authorities need the owners of the property to install backflow preventers for keeping stagnant water from getting mixed with the safe drinking water in the water supply of the city. Dutco Tennant LLC, being the largest supplier of a qualified range of plumbing products in the region, is here to explain what you need to know about backflow preventers.

Let’s begin with what is backflow

Water that enters the plumbing, fire protection system, or irrigation system of a building from a main water supply line is required only to flow in one direction that is towards the property. But in some cases, pressure changes in the pipes may cause the water to get back into the main supply line. For instance, a break in the main water line or the opening of a fire hydrant may cause the water pipes to lose the pressure. When this happens, the water is no more pushed forward into the property which allows it to flow backward into the water supplies of the city. Backflow can pollute the public drinking supply with several contaminants like pesticides, fertilizers, harmful chemicals, and human waste which makes it extremely dangerous. Apart from all these hazards, backflow can also be very expensive to deal with the problems.

What is a backflow preventer?

A backflow preventer is an amazing device that has been designed for keeping the water inside the water-based systems on a property that ensure that it can only get towards one direction from the main water into the pipes of the system. The backflow preventers which have been approved have met the requirements of several approved testing agencies like the Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FM), and UL (formerly Underwriters Laboratory).

Here is a look at some of the best-known backflow preventers –

Double Check Valves (DCV)

Double Check Valves have been designed mainly for preventing the backflow in a sire sprinkler system. They are mainly used for normal fire protection applications. They have an inlet shutoff valve, two independently operating spring-loaded check valves which are usually inside a single valve body, an outlet shutoff valve, and four test corks.

Reduced Pressure Zones

They are known as the most reliable and complex backflow preventers. These assemblies are mainly intended for the internal systems of a building like a fire system or plumbing. In the case of fire systems, they are mainly used when hazardous chemicals like corrosion inhibitors or antifreeze are introduced. They can get expanded upon the double check valve concept with a relief valve that is hydraulically operated which makes them virtually foolproof. They mainly comprise an inlet shutoff valve, an outlet shutoff valves, four test cocks, two spring-loaded check valves that are separated by a pressure differential relief valve.

Pressure Vacuum Breakers

PVB assemblies are intended for lawn irrigation and are the least expensive type of complete system backflow preventer. They are having a relatively simple design and are easiest to maintain, install, and repair.

If you are looking for Backflow Preventers in the Middle East, then you can check out the products offered by Dutco Tennant LLC. We have a wide range of solutions which are manufactured using the most updated and advanced range of technologies. Our supplied range of Backflow Preventers is manufactured by WATTS. Over the years we have worked with several big names on their projects and they have expressed massive appreciation for our offered products. If you are also looking for plumbing products for your projects in the Middle East, then call us today.