Mike Cessario came of age in the early 2000s in West Philadelphia’s politically charged punk rock scene. Many followers of the genre at that time rejected its stereotypical association with heavy drinking and drug use, instead choosing to adopt veganism, exercise, and prioritization of healthy living. At that time, Mike noticed the beverages of choice for his fellow concert goers were heavily marketed energy drinks. Years later, he would launch his own “radical” drink — purified water. According to Forbes, Cessario’s Liquid Death™ water brand now has a market valuation of $1.4 billion. A single can of Liquid Death™ costs around $1.89 for the 19.2 ounce size, or $12.60 per gallon! I bring this to your attention to emphasize that water is a valuable resource and one that some are willing to pay a premium for. Water is not something we should waste, or worse, risk having stolen. How might that happen?
This being Working Pressure’s annual fire protection issue, let’s take a look at fire service lines, which are typically unmetered. Why is that? I am glad you asked. First, let’s consider fire service lines’ purpose: to guarantee adequate flow at the fire sprinkler head furthest from the water source. Adding a water meter would introduce pressure loss, something fire suppression designers loathe. Fire service lines are designed for emergency situations, not regular water consumption.
Since the lines remain static most of the time, installing a full-size meter is cost inefficient and unnecessary, so utilities often opt for a flat fire service fee instead of usage-based billing. This absence of a meter creates opportunities for water theft by the unscrupulous. I recall a case in Georgia years ago where a homeowner covertly tapped into a neighboring factory’s fire line to fill his swimming pool and water his garden and yard. This unauthorized use went unnoticed for more than a decade.
This is where the detector series of backflow preventers become useful. First published in 1990, the standards for RPDAs and DCDAs are ASSE 1047, Reduced Pressure Detector Fire Protection Backflow Prevention Assemblies, and ASSE 1048, Double Check Detector Fire Protection Backflow Prevention Assemblies, respectively. As their names imply, these backflow assemblies can detect unauthorized water usage when low, continuous flow is picked up by a bypass water meter. Some assemblies also include a digital or mechanical alarm that activates when flow is detected in the bypass line to alert the building manager or utility provider to investigate potential misuse. Legitimate fire suppression events trigger high flow through the main lines of the assemblies.
Whether to specify a DCDA or RPDA on a fire service line depends on the degree of hazard. An ASSE 1047 RPDA is mandated when a fire suppression system poses a high hazard to the potable water supply. This typically occurs when the system contains antifreeze solutions, corrosion inhibitors, or other chemical additives. An ASSE 1048 DCDA is appropriate when the fire protection system does not contain any chemical additives. Water sitting idle in fire lines can develop unpleasant odors, discoloration, and taste. While not hazardous, this water is certainly unappealing and unsuitable for drinking. For residential applications, many installations today are the flow-through type that do not allow water to stagnate, so no backflow preventer is required. Dry standpipe systems also require no protection because they are not connected to potable water when not in use.
As water continues to be recognized as a premium and increasingly scarce resource, the importance of detector series backflow assemblies in fire protection systems is more critical than ever. These assemblies play a vital role in safeguarding water quality while actively deterring unauthorized usage. Their dual functionality makes them indispensable in modern infrastructure, particularly where fire service lines are traditionally unmetered and vulnerable to misuse. By integrating backflow prevention, flow detection, and alarm signaling, detector series backflow assemblies offer a comprehensive and proactive solution.
As we continue to refine standards like ASSE 1047 and ASSE 1048 and educate stakeholders across engineering, plumbing, and public health sectors, it’s essential to reinforce a guiding principle: prevention is not just a concept, it is a practice. Detector series backflow preventers embody this practice, serving as vigilant protectors of both public health and water resources. Their widespread adoption and proper installation, anchored by ASSE’s rigorous standards, are not merely recommended, they are essential. In the evolving landscape of fire protection and water conservation, detector assemblies stand as one of the most effective tools we have to ensure safety, accountability, and sustainability.
