Over the years, technology has affected every industry. It usually takes time for new tech to become widespread, but NEVER has a technology changed so much — or as quickly — as the IoT. It has affected nearly every aspect of our daily lives.
But what actually is the IoT? The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the billions of physical devices around the world that are now connected to the Internet. As they connect to the Internet via the cloud or building automation system, companies are able to collect, utilize, transform, and share that data. However, technology alone is not enough. If you don’t have the customer at the center, technology will fail. The strategy’s core has to be around customers’ evolving needs, and not only technology. In other words, there needs to be a tangible benefit to us as certified testers, building owners, water utilities and other stakeholders in the protection of our safe drinking water. Operational efficiency, remote control, real-time information, predictive maintenance and automation are key to justifying why this makes sense to embrace as an industry.
Backflow prevention assemblies such as RPZ (ASSE 1013) and DC (ASSE 1015) have been tested and inspected using proven methods and test procedures that have been developed by our leading industry experts. To be clear, I am not suggesting we change this; rather, we should look at using this new technology to enhance public drinking water safety. Backflow preventors and IoT technology have not really been synonymous with each other, until now. IoT technology has allowed integrated flood sensors on RPZs to detect excessive water discharges from the relief valve and notify you anywhere, anytime. Fire tamper switches on OS&Y gate valves have evolved and are more reliable, and backflow valve performance monitoring has recently come to the market and can now provide live pressure updates to building management systems.
SOME ADVANTAGES INCLUDE:
- Real-time monitoring of multiple backflow prevention assemblies to mitigate risk of flood damage and waste.
- Water conservation, as an RPZ can dump hundreds of gallons of water before someone notices. That is not only wasteful but can be extremely costly in regions where water is heavily conserved like California and the Southwest.
- RPZs are being specified by engineers for their high hazard protection; specifically, ASCE has a water conservation initiative to support programs of sustainability.
- Flood sensor monitoring is becoming more prevalent with RPZs being used in fire sprinkler lines. It’s important to note that these lines can’t be non-operational for more than four hours before a firewatch must be implemented, and there are some hefty violations associated with down systems. If a flood sensor is used, notification could be responded to immediately, reducing the risk of those fines.
SO, WHY FLOOD DETECTION?
Water damage is the leading cause of property damage, exceeding both fire and theft. On average, commercial water damage costs $11,000 to $24,000 for minor flood events. Major flooding can cost as much as $75,000. Water and mold damage costs insurance companies $2.5 billion every year. Also, there is a high risk of black mold in humid climates. Most RPZ relief valve discharge is visually monitored. It is important not to let hours, days or even weeks go by before someone notices.
Here is a solution to this risk: RPZ flood sensor technology. When activated through an add-on sensor connection kit, the flood sensor relays a signal that triggers notification to qualified service personnel who can take corrective action, thus avoiding the possibility of excessive flooding and costly damage.
Also, this sensor kit can be connected to an automated control valve (ACV) upstream to shut off the water supply of potable water.
These sensor connection kits can communicate directly with a third-party building management systems (BMS) and cellular gateway communication devices. For those of you who aren’t familiar with a BMS, it’s basically a computer-based system that uses a standard MODBUS RTU communication protocol that allows most of the building systems to talk to the BMS. This gives users the capability of monitoring and managing everything from one central system. A BMS receives data from system sensors in real time and can introduce automation to control those systems and send notifications to turn on alarms when system thresholds are exceeded or sensors are tripped. The first flood detection kit that is available is the BMS sensor kit. It is designed to directly connect to an existing BMS using standard MODBUS protocols.
It’s important to note that there also are retro sensor kits available for existing customer RPZs that have an interest in taking advantage of this technology. This type of flood sensor kit has been around a little while and has proven results.
Cellular gateway flood sensor kits are fairly new to the market. Able to connect to any available cellular signal, they are the perfect solution when no BMS connection is available. This is an app-driven technology, where you build a user profile and designate a facilitator to receive multi-channel notifications of a discharge event via email, text or phone. The app allows you to add multiple backflows to a dashboard for monitoring, which can be extremely advantageous if a facilitator has multiple buildings with backflow preventers to monitor. There are also retro kits available for existing RPZs.
We are going to switch gears a little and talk about performance monitoring. Recently introduced to the market, performance monitoring of backflow preventors allows users to monitor their performance 24/7 rather than once a year when they are tested. It utilizes advance pressure sensors located at three test cocks, as that allows constant monitoring at three different zones. Pressure-monitoring sensors can be activated on these valves with the purchase of add-on activation kits. Once you have activated the pressure monitoring system, users can access live pressure data with their existing BMS.
With constant pressure measurements, users gain valuable advanced warning of potential issues without the need for visual monitoring, adding a layer of protection to the potable water supply from potential backflow events or unauthorized water usage.
Information sent from three sensors gives users the ability to monitor pressure performance in real time using that same MODBUS RTU protocol. The data received then populates a customized dashboard in building management systems where one can see the pressure changes taking place within the valve and start to collect a differential history that will tell a story of water pressure changes within a backflow preventor 24/7 like never before.
To summarize and provide a high-level visual of how pressure monitoring works, pressure sensors detect a change in pressure within one of the valves zones, and an analog-to-digital protocol is used to convert the data to MODBUS format and transmit to the BMS. From there a system integrator programs the information into the customer’s BMS to be displayed in various ways, allowing the user to set up alerts for normal or abnormal working ranges. This gives the building facilitators the ability to be proactive instead of reactive to a backflow event.
As you all know, backflow preventors are required on fire sprinkler systems, and as we learned earlier those systems must always be on. Whether it happens intentionally or accidentally, closing the control valve effectively turns off the sprinkler system. Tamper switches help ensure that fire sprinklers are always operational in an emergency. Tamper switches comply with NFPA 13, indicating fire sprinkler system valves must be electronically supervised with the use of a tamper switch connected directly to a BMS or a fire alarm panel (FAP). If the valve handle makes two rotations or the stem moves more than 20% from the open position, an alarm signal will be sent to the monitoring panel.
I am sure you have all seen fire sprinkler valves with chains locking the OS&Y handles so they can’t be turned. This method is widely used, especially in markets where the backflow preventor is installed outside with a new monitoring panel to connect to. However, chains can be cut and removed, and valves shut off; you wouldn’t know until the monthly inspection is completed. Electronic tamper switches connected to a monitoring panel are the only way to know for sure if a fire sprinkler valve is operational.
Integrated butterfly tamper switches are now common on many valves and function very well. The valve check is directly connected to the stem and OS&Y and the integrated tamper switch is attached to the stem with an indicator flag showing inspectors if the valve is open or closed. Butterfly tamper switches connect directly to the FAP and will signal valve movement if the yoke is turned more than two times from open. This is a solid and reliable design for these types of backflow preventors.
Bracket-mounted tamper switches became available for OS&Y gates and have been in use for some time. However, bracket-mounted options have some challenges, as they require a few people to install and several steps to become properly mounted, including filing a grove into the stem so the activation plunger has good contact with the tamper switch.
Calibration can be difficult so it doesn’t send a false positive signal. Since it is bracket mounted, there is a chance of the bracket becoming loose during valve mait, causing a false alarm notification and needing to be recalibrated. If a tamper alarm is sent, fire inspectors may come out to check it, but they won’t touch it. Consequently, there will be lost time and money getting an electrician familiar with tamper switches to come out and get it working properly again.
The best solution on the market for OS&Y gates is the new integrated tamper switch. The integrated supervisory tamper switch on the OS&Y model is preinstalled, calibrated and tested at the factory. It shall have continuity with the valve fully open and activate within two (2) turns from open. The device consists of two SPDT (single pole and double throw) switches and is designed to send a tamper signal when the valve is closed or if the switch is removed from the valve.
How does it work? In the neutral position, the switch indicates the valve is fully open. Closing the valve causes the switch plunger to come out of the valve stem groove, activating the switch.
This design is solid; the gates are grooved at the factory and the tamper switch bolts directly onto the gate. It will not become loose during maintenance cycles and simply requires the pigtail to be wired to the monitoring panel. A wiring diagram is right on the switch for easy wiring instructions. This design saves time and money, and is the most reliable tamper switch option on the market for OS&Y gates.
It’s a very exciting time to be involved in our backflow prevention industry. As we see these new technologies emerge and embrace training to feel comfortable with how to install and properly advise customers on their many benefits, we will be able to do even more to protect our safe drinking water.
