Backflow Cover Information & FAQs

There is no longer any denying the importance of using a backflow preventer cover. Between extreme heat and cold and erratic severe weather, let alone the risk of theft or vandalism, leaving a backflow preventer exposed is asking for trouble, threatening loss, injury, property damage and the environment.

In response, water authorities around the country are beginning to adopt policies requiring the outdoor installation of preventers as well as the use of insulated backflow preventer covers, instead of traditional installations indoors or underground in a vault.

They’re thinking outside the vault. You should, too.

Backflow Preventers’ Role In Water Supply

• As the name suggests, a backflow preventer is a device that keeps potentially contaminated water from flowing back into source lines. There are two predominant forms of backflow preventers: the double-check (DC) valve and the reduced pressure zone (RPZ) valve. The RPZ is preferred in almost every instance.
• Backflow prevention is crucial in protecting the water supply by ensuring contaminated water cannot re-enter the water supply, or in the case of an RPZ, by releasing the contaminated water from the system altogether.

The Need for Backflow Preventer Covers

• Not protecting a backflow preventer with a lockable cover leaves vital waterworks equipment open and susceptible to the elements as well as vandalism or theft, compromising the public water supply and endangering the community. For this reason, many jurisdictions no longer recommend, but require by law the use of some form of cover for backflow preventers.
• You wouldn’t run your car without performing basic maintenance and keep it in the driveway, unlocked with the keys in the ignition. You wouldn’t operate your HVAC without regularly changing the filters. In a similar mindset, the need to keep backflow preventers protected and maintained is crucial. A cover provides a degree of that protection and is a good starting point, but maintenance on the device itself is that much more important.

Features and Benefits of Backflow Preventer Covers

• A good backflow preventer cover should have insulation to protect against extreme temperatures (regardless of where you live). It should also provide for adequate drainage, which is required by law in many municipalities where backflow covers are mandated. 
• The cover itself should be manufactured with high quality materials, built to withstand nature for years. It should be lockable and secured to a concrete pad, while able to provide easy access to the equipment inside or easily disassembled with the proper equipment.

Safe-T-Cover's Backflow Preventer Covers

• Safe-T-Cover is the industry leader in backflow preventer enclosures. Manufactured with marine-grade aluminum with applied insulation, California redwood bracing and rated to the ASSE 1060 standard, our modular enclosures are built to last, and designed to most major OEM designs, such as Watts, Zurn and FEBCO. We also offer custom enclosure designs, many of which can be turned around and on your site in four weeks.
• For decades, Safe-T-Cover has demonstrated a commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability. Our enclosures are used by municipalities and in the private sector, in agricultural, commercial, industrial and residential use cases. The redwood bracing we use for our enclosures is sustainably sourced and harvested, while our marine grade aluminum can last up to and in some cases over 30 years and is recyclable. Our enclosures can even be used toward LEED certification in construction projects.