The realm of plumbing demands the highest degrees of meticulousness and finesse. Any vagaries of shortcomings must be averted at all costs. Among a myriad of shortcomings that might ensue in this realm is the backflow of water into the source of supply. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention and so is the advent of Reduced Pressure Zone devices (or RPZDs) vital in curbing the scourge of water backflow.
These devices are essential in the following sense:
• They come in handy whenever the consequences posed by the backflow of water into the source of supply are overwhelmingly grave. For instance, where backflow would result in the contamination of the water supply.
• They not only prevent the backflow of water but also prevent back-siphoning which is detrimental in most plumbing endeavors.
• Plumbers avoid impetuosity while carrying out their trade since these devices can be tested in order to ensure that they function properly.
A snippet of how RPZDs work
A reduced pressure zone device encompasses a double-valve system that is plumbed in such a way that establishes a pressure chamber between the two valves. The chamber is made to possess a lower pressure than the water supply pressure and one of the valves alleviates surplus pressure from the chamber by discharging it into a drain to ensure optimum functioning of the device. The implication of this is that when the water supply pressure reduces, the pressure in the chamber also reduces spontaneously to prevent backflow.
It is noteworthy that a RPZD needs to be placed in a position in which the drain would not be flooded. This is because certain valve failures my cause the valve that alleviates pressure not to discharge hence a disaster may be imminent.
The device also contains four test cocks to enable an inspector to ascertain that the device operates properly. This process is propagated by a device known as a differential gauge. It uses hoses attached to the aforementioned test cocks and determines whether the device works properly.
Bottom Line
The Reduced Pressure Zone Devices (RPZDs) are the coups de grace that extinguish the scourge of backflow. As elucidated above, the RPZDs are crafted with an immaculate sense of technology that covers all dynamics that may arise in respect of the flow of water from the source of supply to the designated points. If you reside in an area where you suspect contamination of water supply, a RPZD is the best device you should consider installing—it will provide you with the protection that you need.