'Utility Vault Mentality' Puts the Water Supply & Bottom Line at Risk

For years, municipalities believed that installing backflow preventers in utility vaults was a best practice. But the reality is that backflow preventers in vaults are defined by OSHA as a confined space safety hazard, posing risks to worker safety and leading to costly consequences.

Yet, despite these dangers, backflow preventers and other waterworks equipment are still being installed in vaults across the country. It's long past time to rethink this outdated approach before more preventable injuries and deaths take place.

The “vault mentality” also has a hidden cost: It substantially increases a backflow cover’s size. Changing this vault mentality may mean saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on an enclosure project!

For example, the same clearances considerations for vaults have to be applied to clearances needed for the backflow cover: more space means a bigger enclosure and higher cost. However, modular enclosures with access panels allow easy maintenance and testing of backflow assemblies. This means clearances needed for a vault installation aren’t necessary in a backflow cover installation.

Ways the Vault Mentality Is Being Challenged

Three recent initiatives help draw this vault mentality problem to the forefront, preventing future  enclosed space accidents or wasted expenses in oversized enclosures:

1. Gwinnett County, Georgia's Water Tower Project

   The Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources partnered with dozens of research groups, trade associations and other organizations, including Safe-T-Cover, to test alternative filtering and other systems.
   
   The Water Tower Project provides design and learning opportunities to test backflow device implementation for civil engineers, training for contractors on the latest backflow installation methods and training opportunities for sales representatives to learn about the latest backflow equipment and technology available for customers. Safe-T-Cover donated several enclosures to the project’s three main test sites.

2. Backflow Protection Regulations in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 
   

   $50 billion was allocated to water infrastructure, as well as $55 billion for clean drinking water. This includes replacing lead pipes and service lines nationwide.

   Respective parts of this legislation aim to upgrade water systems, clean up our water supply and make it safer, all as the result of the lead pipe crisis in Flint, Michigan. Safe-T-Cover has met with elected officials to lobby for the importance of maintaining backflow protection as part of implementing this legislation.

3. Safe-T-Cover’s Think Outside The Vault Initiative 
   

   We launched an educational effort to inform municipalities and other water authorities and related organizations that there’s a safer, more cost-effective way to address backflow preventer installation: installing them outside and above grade in a backflow enclosure.
   
   Also, Safe-T-Cover engineers have written numerous standardized details and specifications designed to increase both the cost-effectiveness and overall value of future water industry projects.

A Paradigm Shift: Burying the Utility Vault Mentality

The fact is that installing backflow preventers and meters in utility vaults is an unnecessary liability for both water jurisdictions and civil engineers. That liability is the risk of worker injury and, in the worst case, death. We’re seeing authorities around the country recognize this fact and make changes to codes and laws to mandate above grade, external to structure installation.

The utility vault mentality is shifting. If you haven’t yet made the switch, now is the time.

Make the Switch to Above-Ground Enclosures

The benefits of using an above-ground enclosure instead of a utility vault are many. Safe-T-Cover enclosures provide durable, secure, easily accessible protection for critical waterworks equipment, eliminating confined space hazards and simplifying maintenance. Built with marine-grade aluminum and modular, tamper-resistant designs, they offer long-term reliability, customization options and compatibility with various mounting surfaces to work at nearly any site.

Benefits of Safe-T-Cover Enclosures

• Above-ground enclosures provide easy access to equipment, eliminate the need for confined space entry, and offer enhanced security compared to underground utility vaults.

• Our marine-grade aluminum enclosures are built to last for up to 30 years or longer with proper maintenance.

• Our enclosures have a modular, panel-based design so if damage occurs, you can replace a few panels rather than the entire enclosure. They're braced with California redwood ensuring durability, performance and long-term protection for critical equipment.

• Safe-T-Cover offers a range of enclosure sizes to meet different height, base and width requirements, ensuring the right fit for your specific equipment and site requirements.

• They have tamper-resistant features to safeguard waterworks equipment from unauthorized access, vandalism and environmental damage.

• Our enclosures have accessories for penetration and removable panels to provide quick and secure access to the equipment when maintenance is needed. Custom options include hinged doors for glycol pumps, quench tanks and fire storage tanks.

• We offer enclosures for concrete pads and concrete bases, ensuring long-term performance in various environmental conditions. Our enclosures can also be mounted on skids.
  
  

How Can I Find the Right Safe-T-Cover Enclosure for My Specific Needs?

Our team can help you determine the best enclosure based on your equipment size, height, weight, security needs, and environmental conditions. You can choose from standard size enclosures or order a custom enclosures made to spec for your project.

Contact us today to discuss your project requirements.