Can Wooden Storage Sheds Work as Waterworks Equipment Enclosures?

At Safe-T-Cover, we have received an occasional inquiry about Tuff Sheds. Some common questions range from the simple “can I buy a Tuff Shed from you?” to the more complex “if I use spray-in insulation to an R8 factor inside a Tuff Shed, can I get an ASSE 1060 approval?” We can understand why someone looking to save money on the upfront costs of protecting their equipment may think this is a good idea. Since we get these questions, it made sense to discuss the differences between Tuff Shed products and Safe-T-Cover products. What we are really comparing here, is the difference between a wooden storage shed solution and an aluminum enclosure solution. The bottom line is that wooden enclosures such as Tuff Sheds are designed for the storage of equipment which doesn't need any sort of frost or freeze protection.

0619170607_resizedWooden Sheds

First of all, Tuff Shed manufactures excellent products. They have a wide range of storage buildings from simple garden tool sheds to, well,  ginormous multi-story cabins. The products are built on-site by a licensed contractor and the construction is built into the overall cost of the Tuff Shed. Their products are available all over the country and can be purchased from company owned factories and certain retail outlets. You can order virtually any size, shape and style of Tuff Shed to fit your storage needs. Their minimum prices are around $1000 for a "garden" quality 6' x 6' x 7.5' shed. Adding colors, siding, different roofing materials and other upgrades increase the price. Larger solutions cost around $3500 in Nashville, TN. They have an easy to navigate website which highlights all of their options. You may be as surprised as we were to learn that they even dabble in cryogenicsThese prices and quality may sound like a sound choice for waterworks equipment protection, however, the materials used are not on the approved list provided by the ASSE. This means they are not subjected to the same rigorous testing as aluminum, fiberglass, or steel enclosures. Additionally, aluminum enclosures are designed to last for decades, but a wooden enclosure may need to be replaced relatively frequently due to interior water damage or other factors.

use_color_to_hide_equipment_enclosuresWhat's the Difference?

The primary difference between Safe-T-Cover products and Tuff Shed products is their purpose. Safe-T-Cover enclosures are designed for protection and insulation of valves, meters and pump stations in the waterworks and plumbing industry. The enclosures are insulated, and if necessary, heated for climate control. Our enclosures have to meet strict ASSE standards for insulation, temperature ratings, and protection of your most vital water system controls. Tuff Sheds are durable, well-constructed, aesthetically pleasing storage facilities. Their structures are not designed to insulate or protect their contents from extreme temperature changes. The materials used for wooden storage enclosures like Tuff Sheds are not tested for use with waterworks equipment and are likely to degrade over time compared to ASSE 1060 approved enclosures.

Choose Products for Their Intended Use

When it comes to backflow preventers, none of the Tuff Shed products should be used as a shelter because there is no accommodation for the relief valve. As you know, RPZ backflow preventers are capable of dumping huge amounts of water, and Tuff Shed products are not designed to alleviate the removal of that water. A Tuff Shed could be used to shelter a valve or pump station in temperate climates, and would certainly be better than a mesh cage because the wooden structure would conceal the contents. However, if you want to completely protect your indispensable waterworks valves, backflow preventers, meters, and pump stations from changing climates, vandalism, and theft, then install an ASSE 1060 approved enclosure instead of a shed. 

aluminum enclosure

Related Posts

What Are the Size Limits for a Custom Enclosure?

From the Field: The Benefits of Genuine California Redwood Bracing in Safe-T-Cover Enclosures

Winterize Your Backflow In Eight Steps (or One)

Aluminum Enclosures and Concrete Pads: Total Security and Confidence

Choosing a Pump Cover: Clamshell Fiberglass vs. Aluminum Pump Covers

LEEDing the Way: Enclosures and How LEED Can Benefit You

Built to Prevent Enclosure Color Fading: The Science of Safe-T-Cover

Low Price, High Cost: Fiberglass Enclosures Are Built to Fail

Everything But the Bow: Custom Wrapped Graphic Solutions for Enclosures

Lighting and Your Aluminum Enclosure

Beyond Aluminum Enclosures: Our Commitment to Corporate Responsibility

Protection from Sound and Fury: Safe-T-Cover Enclosures and Noise Dampening

From the Field: Tips for Safe-T-Cover Enclosures and Protective PVC Coating

Aluminum Pump Enclosures vs. Pump Packages

Standing Out By Blending In: Safe-T-Cover Enclosures Made to Order

Introducing the MUNI-LOK from Safe-T-Cover

Air Cooler Enclosure Solves End-User Problem

Installing Fire Dept Connection & Backflow Prevention Valve for Safety

Follow This Custom Enclosure Design Checklist To Protect Your Equipment

Selecting the Right Heater for a Backflow Cover

Finding The Right Style Enclosure For A Small Pump Package

How To Keep Your Pump Cover Cool In Warm Weather

5 Ways Panel Design Equipment Covers Offer Superior Flexibility

CASE STUDY - TRIPLEX WATER BOOSTER PUMP COVER

Project Engineer vs. Maintenance - A Valve Cover & Pump Cover Tug-of-War

Infographic: Backflow Preventer Design Done Right

How To Size A Custom Backflow Enclosure

How Do You Hide A Backflow Enclosure?

Why You Need An Irrigation Pump Cover

What Features Should Every Pump Cover Have?

How To Ensure Your Insulated Backflow Enclosure Stays Warm

The Best Way to Cover Your Booster Pump is With a Pump Enclosure

The Last Backflow Enclosure Aesthetics Guide You'll Ever Need

Introducing the Digital Binder: Submittals, Top Blogs, Drawings and More

When You Should Use Backflow Theft Prevention Cages

Aluminum Pump Enclosures vs Pump Buildings

Why You Should Install Multiple Backflows in One Aluminum Enclosure

CREATIVE WAYS TO HIDE YOUR UTILITY BOXES AND EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURES WITH ART

What Made Fiberglass Backflow Enclosures So Popular?

Enclosures: Wear, Tear, and Fiberglass Repair

Backflows Need Thermally Insulated Enclosures (& They Don't have to Be Ugly)

Fiberglass Shelters vs Aluminum Shelters - What's the Life Cycle Cost?

Can you have a Fire Department Connection on an Enclosure? Yes! It's a Safe FDC Location

How to Make Aesthetically Pleasing Aluminum Shelters? Just Add Color

Which Do You Need - A Cage or Enclosure For A Backflow Preventer?

Enclosures Help With Loud Equipment and Pump Insulation - Keep Your Sanity

The Enclosure Heater Guide For Industrial Equipment

When Is A Backflow Enclosure Cage No Longer Enough?

How Much Do Custom Aluminum Enclosures Cost?

Case Study: Large Pump Covers and Air Conditioning Pump Enclosures

How to design & Buy a Pump Enclosure

Get the free, editable checklist.

download-cta
DOWNLOAD NOW

CONTACT US

Have a question about a backflow preventer enclosure?
Click the contact us button below and one of our experts will be able to help with your specific enclosure needs.