Backflow preventers are a key element of any industrial or commercial plumbing system. As the name suggests, they ensure that contaminated water doesn’t flow back in to the water supply system. Please be aware that backflow is also regulated by law, and that businesses who do not comply with these regulations may be subject to both fines and costs of remedial work.
The Basic Functions of Backflow Preventers
Backflow preventers work on pressure. They close automatically when pressure comes back through the system. They’re a simple, but extremely effective way of managing risk. A backflow preventer is basically a valve, opening and closing as required. This means that any contaminants in the water are prevented from re-entering the water supply system.
Your backflow preventer is thus a very reliable way of managing water movement through the system, and ensuring that water contamination is avoided. For businesses, this is a must-have, must-do scenario. Industrial waste may contain a whole spread of possible contaminants, including hazardous chemicals and manufacturing materials in suspension.
Backflow Preventers on The Job in Industry
Consider a manufacturing process which involves washing products during and after the assembly process. This water will contain a lot of microscopic materials, dirt, dust, and environmental contaminants. Even in the cleanest and most modern industrial process, these basic contaminants are the usual suspects for pollution if backflow occurs.
This is one of the reasons that backflow preventers are standard equipment for manufacturing systems. Other reasons may include:
- Chemical and electrical process residues, which may accumulate during production runs. If these residues are present in the water system, they’re the classic example of good reasons to make sure your backflow prevention system is doing its job.
- Secondary chemical additive applications, in which a certain amount of the additives will be lost in application, like spray painting, finishing, or similar processes. (These types of materials are also specifically regulated, and their presence in backflow is an instant breach of regulations.)
Backflow, The Law, And Business Realities
Modern industrial processes include a vast range of advanced materials, from polymers to enzymes, dyes, colourants, and similar chemicals. The presence of these chemicals is measured in parts per million, (ppm) which is a good indicator of possible toxicity. If the acceptable level of a material or chemical is rated at a very low ppm, you can assume that material is potentially very toxic.
Another problem also arises if you have backflow issues, and it’s arguably as bad or worse than the regulatory scenario. If your system is experiencing backflow, particularly chronic backflow, there’s something very wrong with the system. Reverse pressure which causes backflow isn’t supposed to happen at all. Most plumbing systems are designed to deliver positive pressures, from source to outlet.
Sometimes it’s not the system’s fault that there are backflow issues. Flooding, for example, naturally causes a risk of backflow, because the system isn’t working and the extra water comes back in to the system. Otherwise, you may have a range of technical issues causing backflow, and some unwanted costs for remedial work. The best practice is to ensure that your backflow preventers are up to date and in good working order with regular testing.
Talk to EPG About Backflow Preventers in Brisbane
Electrical Plumbing Group is your local expert industrial and commercial plumbing service in Brisbane. We can help with problems, new system installation, and system design. Our design experts and highly experienced industrial plumbers will be happy to assist with any services you need. Call EPG in Brisbane on (07) 3823 1630 or contact us online.
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