Backflow Preventers: Why Are They Important to Fire Sprinkler Systems?

When fire hydrants are opened, they often cause a severe drop in water pressure in the surrounding pipes and mains used in nearby commercial or residential buildings. This pressure loss creates a vacuum effect that sucks stagnant water backward from the building’s fire sprinkler system into the clean/potable water supply, creating harmful back siphonage.

Back siphonage is a type of backflow where non-potable water is drawn into the supply lines due to negative pressure. It’s common in fire hydrant use, water main breaks, or high demand at another location exploiting the normal supply. For commercial property owners, installing proper backflow preventers is essential to automatically block back siphonage, avoid contamination of drinking water, and maintain your fire protection system’s integrity.

What Is a Backflow Preventer?

A backflow preventer is a device installed in fire sprinkler systems to ensure water flows in only one direction: toward the sprinkler heads. Its main role for commercial buildings is preventing contaminated water from being drawn back into the municipal drinking water supply lines. By blocking that reverse flow, it maintains the safety and purity of the public water system while allowing fire protection to operate as intended.

How Does a Backflow Preventer Work?

Commercial backflow preventers typically use a check valve, relief valve, and other mechanisms to prevent unwanted reversal of water flow within a plumbing system. The check valve allows water to flow in one direction, while the relief valve opens to release excessive pressure.

During normal operation, water flows through the check valve and moves in the desired direction. However, if a sudden pressure drop occurs or if there’s a backflow situation, the check valve automatically closes to prevent the contaminated water from flowing back into the clean water supply.

The system’s relief valve is a safety mechanism that opens to release excessive pressure in the event of a sudden increase, protecting the plumbing system from damage.

Why You Need a Backflow Preventer

When it comes to properly installing backflow preventers, commercial property owners should pay attention to factors including:

• Protecting the public’s water supply: Backflow preventers safeguard the public drinking water supply from contamination by blocking any tainted water from the fire sprinkler system lines from flowing back into the clean municipal supply. This ensures hazardous bacteria, chemicals, or other pollutants are kept away from the public water system.
• Meeting regulations: Nearly all fire safety codes require backflow preventers to be installed in commercial fire sprinkler systems. Having the proper backflow preventer ensures your building meets these regulations.
• Keeping your fire sprinkler systems running effectively: Backflow can allow cross-connections that impede water flow and hinder the fire sprinkler’s ability to operate as intended. You maintain system integrity and reliable fire protection with a working backflow preventer.

Backflow Preventer Maintenance and Testing

Most commercial buildings are required by law to have backflow preventers installed on fire sprinkler systems, with annual testing and maintenance heavily regulated. In Vermont, any testable backflow preventers must be tested upon installation, after repairs/relocation, and once per year at minimum with results reported to the water supplier. New York has more comprehensive statewide laws requiring preventers across numerous property types. Proper backflow device installation, testing, and maintenance ensure your system is up to code, prevent contamination, and maintain reliable fire protection for your commercial property.

Keep Your Business and Your Neighbors Safe From Water Contamination With Firetech

Fire protection laws and regulations are daunting, and that’s why Firetech Sprinkler Corp. is here to help. We can design, install, inspect, test, and maintain your commercial property’s fire suppression systems, including backflow preventers. Every backflow technician on our locally owned and operated team is American Water Works Association (AWWA) certified, and we’re ready to help with full-service, high-quality fire protection solutions. When you want to secure the integrity of your commercial property’s fire protection system and ensure it complies with the proper regulations, choose Firetech Sprinkler Corp. to take care of your fire protection needs.  

Contact our team now to learn more about our comprehensive fire protection services for commercial properties.