What Is a DCDA Backflow Preventer and Why Do You Need One

Water is supposed to flow in just one direction—in through supply pipes and out through drains and sewer pipes. That’s why you should know what a DCDA backflow preventer is and why you need one.

If the water coming into a home, fire sprinkler system, or lawn irrigation system flows backward, away from the faucets or sprinkler heads it is supposed to supply, it can carry contaminants with it, polluting the water supply. That’s why backflow prevention is a critical aspect of plumbing systems, and one of the most efficient ways to ensure proper backflow prevention is through the use of a DCDA (Double Check Detector Assembly) Backflow Preventer (DCDA BP). A DCDA BP is a type of device that works by diverting any water running in reverse from entering back into the main water supply.

These assemblies are usually used in fire sprinkler systems, as they provide an extra layer of protection against backflow contamination and ensure the system has enough pressure to do its job in the event of a fire.

There are several different types of backflow preventers:

Pressure-Vacuum Breakers (PVB) – PVBs are a type of backflow preventer that creates an air gap between the water supply and the system it is protecting. This air gap prevents any contaminants from flowing backward, ensuring your drinking water remains safe.
Double Check Valve Assemblies (DCVAs) – DCVAs are a type of backflow preventer that uses two independently operating check valves in series to create a barrier against contaminants entering the drinking water supply. DCVA backflow preventers (DCVA BP) are designed to prevent hazardous pollutants from flowing backward into the drinking water supply system.
Reduced Pressure Zone Assemblies (RPZs) – RPZs are a type of backflow preventer that is made up of two independently operating check valves, a pressure-reducing valve, and an atmospheric vent. This type of backflow preventer is more sophisticated than the other types, as it has an extra level of protection.
DCDA Backflow Preventers (DCDA BPs) – DCDA BPs, such as the Deringer 30, are the most advanced form of backflow prevention and are designed to protect against a variety of potential causes. They use an automated system that contains two independently operating check valves, a pressure-reducing valve, and a flow-control device. The check valves close when water attempts to flow in the wrong direction, stopping cross-connections from occurring when backflow conditions present themselves. This type of backflow preventer is extremely reliable and provides the highest level of protection against contamination entering your drinking water supply and any sudden changes in water pressure.

What Causes Backflow?

Backflow can happen in water systems due to leaking pipes, broken seals, power outages, flooding, or opening in a fire hydrant, which causes a sudden change in water pressure in building water supply lines. A DCDA BP is essential for any home or business with a sprinkler system to protect the public or drinking water supply from contamination.

Fire Protection Systems

DCDA backflow prevention devices are designed to provide the highest level of protection from contaminants in fire sprinkler systems flowing back into the water supply. Fire sprinkler systems can contain or suffer contamination from non-potable, stagnant water that shouldn’t return to the drinking water supply or from booster pumps and exterior firefighting connections.

Fire sprinkler systems also may fail if there is a leak or an unexpected drop in pressure. Double check detector assemblies can alert authorities to leaks or the deliberate diversion of water from sprinkler systems that render those systems ineffective and dangerous.

DCDA backflow preventers use check valves and air gaps to divert any reverse-flowing water from entering the main supply, thus protecting against potential contamination or damage. They also ensure fire sprinkler systems have sufficient water pressure in case of backflow.

Lawn Sprinkler Systems

Additionally, DCDA backflow preventers are necessary for lawn sprinkler systems. Homeowners and commercial properties may use fertilizers and weed killers to treat lawns in an attempt to achieve a perfect green carpet of grass. With these treatments comes the possibility of backflow contamination should water or runoff enter sprinkler heads and flow backward toward the water supply. DCDA BP devices are typically required with any lawn irrigation system.

Unauthorized Water Use

A DCDA BP detects water theft. The system works by reading the pressure or flow rate at which water is passing through a pipe, allowing for any suspicious anomalies to be caught before they become an issue.

In addition to detecting water theft, a DCDA BP also helps protect public health by stopping the spread of contaminants from one water source to another in cases where two systems are incorrectly connected. This protection is especially important for areas where there are multiple sources of water in close proximity or where backflow could occur due to pressure changes in the system.

Leak Detection

A DCDA BP can detect leaks in the system that supplies water to fire or lawn sprinkler systems by monitoring the water pressure passing through a pipe. It will give a pressure reading that reveals any sudden drops or spikes in pressure, facilitating quick repairs to be made before any major damage is done.

In short, a DCDA BP serves as an extra layer of protection for municipal water supplies that flow toward homes and businesses, including industrial complexes or public buildings. Now that you know what DCDA backflow preventers are, you’ll see that water supply systems need DCDA backflow preventers to pre-empt contamination and protect human health and property. These devices don’t take up a lot of space, but they perform a big job. They keep fire protection sprinkler systems supplied with sufficient water at the correct pressure, and identify problems when pressure drops, pipes leak, or water is illegally siphoned off. They protect drinking water supplies by preventing contamination by non-potable water.

The experts at Backflow Direct can help you ensure your municipal, residential, or commercial sprinkler systems and water supply pipes are equipped with the proper backflow prevention device. Get peace of mind that your fire prevention, lawn irrigation, or other systems that use municipal water supplies are properly configured with backflow prevention. Contact Backflow Direct today.