Risks include:

• poisonous gas
• restricted means of entry and exit
• entrapment
• oxygen deficiency
• combustible dust
• electrocution
• radiation

Additional challenges:

• More expensive workspace compared to other installation methods
• Poor accessibility – location and limited internal space
• Safety concerns – air quality, slips and falls, wild animals, and other hazards
• Flooding – damages equipment and create cross contaminates
• BPA deterioration – costly and time-consuming repairs
• Vault OSHA compliance standards – Vaults must comply for confined workspaces (protective measures for falls, ventilation, and gas detection)
• Regulatory limitations – prohibit the use of RPZ assemblies below grade
  • ICC – The assembly cannot be installed below grade where it may be subject to submersion.

Drainage systems are rarely sized with the capacity to prevent catastrophic flooding. A 2 ½” RPZ assembly malfunction can dump over 312 GALLONS OF WATER PER MINUTE. A 93 GPM drain results in 219 GPM unrestricted water flow.*

*David E. DeBord CPD, LEED®APB D+C, ARCSA® AP – RPZ DANGERS. Relief valve flow rate. View >

Great Liability

There have been numerous cases of building damage, especially with new construction from RPZ’s installed indoors. Water jurisdictions in Charlotte, Chicago, Nashville, and Las Vegas are amending design specs to locate meters and backflow preventers at the right of way on the inbound water sources.

Greater liability coverage is needed due to elevated risk. Adjacent transformers, electrical panels, etc., will also be exposed to potential damage and ultimate failure.

Often, there is no easy access to the water supply – even in emergencies – access is controlled by the building owner, requiring municipalities and testers to coordinate with tenants.

“Water hides under the radar. It’s not in the news as much as a fire, but it can cause the same amount – or even more -damage to commercial buildings.”
Hartford report – types of water damage >

According to insurance industry statistics, the frequency and cost of water damage losses are continuing to increase. No business is truly immune.
Commercial real estate trends, risks and mitigation >

An all-risk commercial property insurance policy does not cover all risks. Every property insurance policy has exclusions, and one of the most common – and most disputed – is the water damage exclusion.
Case Studies >

Non-weather water damage claims and losses can determine whether a carrier will write coverage or renew your property insurance.
Non-weather Water Damage Data & Technology >
Types of Water Damage >

Water damage restoration costs depend on multiple factors including repairing or replacing appliances, flooring, walls, etc. You may pay anywhere from $35 to $45 per square foot to clean up and perform repairs.
Repair Estimates >

Protecting Your Business from Water Damage
View Video >

Collapse experts recommend a collapse zone distance equal to l½ times the full height of the building. The additional one-half is to protect from falling debris that may be projected out during the collapse and radiant heat often released after a collapse.

With an outdoor enclosure, Firefighters can follow the collapse zone recommendations and have easier access to designated FDC water supplies for quicker response times and mitigated risk.

Establishing Collapse Zones at Structure Fires >

Backflow assemblies require a lot of indoor space resulting in a loss of square footage. For example, a 3” RPZ valve and connections easily take up to 33 square feet which is no longer available for business applications. The potential value lost with a discount rate of 12% on a rent value of $37 per square foot for 25 years is $12,894. The space required to install a 6” RPZ backflow preventer quadruples these numbers and value loss.

Avg Discount Rate US Commercial Property
Avg US Commercial Sguare Foot 2024