Why a Second Backflow Preventer Device Could Save your Production?

Imagine a company suffers water damage caused by a failure of their backflow prevention device (BPD), see this article for more information) in their plant and must then shut down all production and applications using water. This breakage could cost the company a fortune, even if the BPD is repaired within a reasonable time. How can we get around this unexpected problem? Indeed, by bypassing it!

But what is a bypass? It is a secondary pipe that allows water to pass around the equipment, such as a BPD, to provide access for repairs or part replacement. The bypass is also known as a workaround. Often, a bypass is necessary to maintain operation in a factory, for example, but certain regulations are not respected, either through negligence or the owner’s lack of knowledge of the risks or even the consequences. In this case, BPDs have strict regulations that must be respected.

BPDs are selected based on their risk level and the location where they are connected.

• Low risk: The substance involved results in a reduction in the aesthetic qualities of the water without creating a health hazard.
• Moderate risk: A low risk that, under certain conditions, could evolve into a high risk and could create a health hazard.
• High risk: Water containing substances or additives that are hazardous to health, regardless of their concentration [1].

According to bypass regulations, it is illegal to use this technique without installing a replacement BPD that meets the same risk level as the bypassed conduct. In other words, it must protect the network against the same hazard as the primary BPD  [2].

If a bypass is found to be non-compliant, the owner puts the public health at risk and may be liable to criminal prosecution [3]. In addition, if the illegal bypass is discovered during an inspection or as following an incident, the owner will be exposed to penalties that can be very serious. Significant fines can be imposed in varying amounts depending on several factors, such as decontamination costs or the impact on public health. These penalties can be added to repair costs, production losses and damage to the company's reputation. For example, according to the regulations of the City of Quebec, “If an offence is continuous, this continuity constitutes, day by day, a separate offence and the fine for this offence may be imposed for each day that the offence lasts” [4].

In a factory, it is recommended to have a second BPD on the lines containing a BPD to avoid production shutdown in the event of a breakdown of the main BPD. Even if the cost of asecond BPD seems high, the risk of production shutdown and the associated financial losses justify the price in the long run.

It is also pay attention to the standards put in place for BPDs bypasses so as not to endanger the public or incur severe penalties. In addition, certain other best practices, such as having your BPDs inspected and certified annually by accredited testers and having padlocked valves on the bypass, will play a huge role in preventing problems.

1. CSA, Sélection et installation des dispositifs, 2023.

2. Régie du bâtiment du Québec, Protection des réseaux d'eau potable contre les raccordements croisés, 2019.

3. «Régie du bâtiment du Québec,» [En ligne]. Available: https://www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca/vous-etes/proprietaire-ou-exploitant/les-exigences-de-qualite-et-de-securite/dispositif-antirefoulement/.

4. «Règlements Ville de Québec,» [En ligne]. Available: https://reglements.ville.quebec.qc.ca/fr/document/ra/R.A.V.Q.%201401.