See For yourself - Utility Vaults Flood (All the Time)

None of us like change. I get it. Especially when there’s no need to change. After all, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, right? But what if you learned it just may be broken? Long-time respected voice in the backflow industry USC's FCCCHR has written about vault flooding three times in their publication, Cross Talk. First in 2005, then in 2014 when they wrote,

"When a backflow preventer is installed below grade, the vault or pit in which an assembly is installed may fill up with water—possibly contaminated water. The water in the pit could create a cross-connection between the water in the pit and the backflow preventer through the test cocks. This may occur whether the test cocks are opened or closed."

Most recently they published on the topic in late 2016. The language says utility vaults may fill up with water. Well, you may be surprised at just how often vaults do fill up with water. Here is a video showing a compilation of some of the recent footage and photos sent to Safe-T-Cover by testers in the field.

As you can see from the video, this is a common problem. A Texas backflow tester has sent us many pictures and videos of flooded utility vaults over the years. We also interviewed a tester and instructor who works in Virginia on the subject, Chris Mayhew, to hear what he had to say about it. To save you the click, here was the most staggering thing he told us, "Except for brand new installations, 100% of vaults I've worked on have flooded at least once. " A cross connection control investigator in a large mid-western city told us from the thousands of vaults he opened over a 30 year career that about 1 vault out of 100 is dry. He also said that most of the time the backflow device was completely under water. If you watched the video, you'll have seen that in one instance a vault has been installed within a few feet of a roof drain. If it's only required to be tested once per year, imagine how often it's actually free of water.

We see this as a clear problem but know utility vaults have been the standard for backflow design for several decades. Yes, we know change in any industry can be hard. But we believe the protection of clean water, safety, and the owner’s best interest should be enough evidence that the best practice of using an above ground enclosure should replace the vault. It seems we aren't the only ones. See page five of this catalog from Zurn, a backflow preventer manufacturer, for examples of where they expect backflow devices to be installed. The civil engineering community has implemented many other changes through the years when a better design presented itself. Your next project is the time to make this change. Please call us if we can provide support or help you on your next project.

backflow enclosure

Related Posts

From the Field: June 2022

What’s in Your Meter Vault?

Is “Vault Mentality” Putting Your Water Supply in Danger and Costing You Money?

Learning to Think Outside the Backflow Enclosure Vault - The Hard Way

The Safest Place for a Backflow Preventer Installation

Installing Fire Dept Connection & Backflow Prevention Valve for Safety

The Dangers of Backflow – Corpus Christi, TX

29 Weeks and Counting

What Are The Three Types of OSHA Confined Spaces?

Watch This Video To See What Was Found In A Utility Vault

What Does It Mean To Think Outside The Vault?

How Does a Backflow Preventer Work?

This Is Why OSHA Confined Spaces Are So Dangerous

Above-Ground-Backflow Assemblies Are a Big Winner in Las Vegas

A Backflow Preventer in a Utility Vault Can Be Deadly

What is a Cross Connection Control and Backflow Preventer?

Water Quality Drops When Backflow Preventers Fail

Backflow Prevention Plays Small but Mighty Role in Water Quality

Cross Connection Control Spotlight: How LVVWD Avoids Backflow

Backflow Protection and Fire Protection Pit Safety Against Safety

Backflow Testers Provide Critical Link in Water Quality

What we Learned About Underground Backflow Preventers During the Panel

Webinar: The End-All Discussion on Underground Utility Vaults

Something to Consider with Outdoor Pump Covers on the Roof

What Monitoring Systems are Available for My Valve and Pump Heaters?

AMI Water Meters Allow Utilities to Provide Higher Level of Service

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

Enclosure VS PreCast Concrete Vault - First Cost Comparison

Let's Get Back to the Basics of Backflow Preventers in Utility Vaults

Are Water Utilities Inheriting Risk Regarding Backflow Installation?

This is The One Place You Should Never Install A Backflow Preventer

Cross Connection Alert - Poll Reveals Concerning Info on Vault Design

Backflow FAQ - Flooded Vaults, Standard Details, and RPZ Flooding

Think Backflow Doesn't Happen? Just Look at Corpus Christi.

A Video on Why Vaults Are A Bad Idea For Backflow Installation

Arlington Rolls Out New Engineering Backflow Preventer Details

New Slideshare Series on Cross Connection Control and Waterworks

Backflow Preventers in Utility Vaults From A Tester's Point of View

RPZ Backflows a Catastrophic Flood Risk? What you need to know.

Why Your High Pressure Sprinkler System Needs An RPZ VALVE

Case Study: RPZ Valve Inside Gets Moved - Who Pays for This Change?

UTILITY VAULT VS INDUSTRIAL ENCLOSURE: WHAT'S THE COST?

7 Voices; 1 Solution - Backflow Preventer Installation Trends

Waterworks Best Practices for Backflow Installation

7 Backflow Installation Considerations for Property owners

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.