- Author
- Hart, F. L. | Till, R. | Nardini, C. | Bisson, D.
- Title
- Backflow Protection for Residential Sprinkler Systems.
- Coporate
- Worcester Polytechnic Inst., MA
- Sponsor
- Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC
- Report
- File No. 12.054, June 1993, 59 p.
- Contract
- EMW-93-G-4191
- Keywords
- sprinkler systems | residential buildings | risk assessment | regulations | water | residential sprinklers
- Identifiers
- backflow; typical household potable piping system; typical household sprinkler system; possible water quality changes; Double Check Valve Assemblies (DCVA); Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Devices (RPDB); Single Check Valve (SCV)
- Abstract
- This report addresses risk vs benefit issues associated with the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems. A primary objective of this assessment is to rate the risk of potble water contamination from a residential sprinkler system, and consequently to evaluate the need for installing backflow prevention devices. Statistics and assumptions outlined in this report show that the present risk from fire (death and/or injury) is 11.1 times higher than the present risk of waterborne disease (illness). This finding alone demonstrates a significant benefit from installing residential sprinkler systems.