# US 2024/0200313 A1 · Backflow Alert System > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0200313 A1 - Document ID: US20240200313A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/407,136 - Filed: 2024-01-08 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-08 - Assignees: Watts Regulator Co. - Applicants: Watts Regulator Co. - Inventors: Joseph Michael Burke; Ian David Baynes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240200313A1 ## CPC - E03B 7/077: {Arrangement of backflow preventing devices} - E03B 7/071: {Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off} - G08B 25/006: {Alarm destination chosen according to type of event, e.g. in case of fire phone the fire service, in case of medical emergency phone the ambulance} - E03B 7/072: {Arrangement of flowmeters} - E03C 1/102: {using an air gap device} - E03C 1/106: {using two or more check valves} - G01F 1/64: by measuring electrical currents passing through the fluid flow; measuring electrical potential generated by the fluid flow, e.g. by electrochemical, contact or friction effects (G01F1/58 takes precedence) - G01F 15/005: {Valves (valves in general F16K)} - G01F 23/268: {mounting arrangements of probes} - G01M 3/184: {for valves} - G01M 3/2876: {for valves (G01M3/30 takes precedence)} - E03B: INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER (drilling wells, obtaining fluids in general from wells E21B; pipe-line systems in general F17D) - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER (not connected to either water-supply main or to waste pipe A47K; devices of the kind used in the ground E03B, E03F); SINKS - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A sprinkler backflow alert system includes a sprinkler system, a building fire panel, a backflow preventor including at least one shut-off valve, a fluid detection system, and a tamper switch. The backflow preventor may be fluidly coupled upstream of the sprinkler system. The fluid detection system is configured to detect a discharge of water from the backflow preventor and generate a water discharge signal corresponding to the backflow discharge. The tamper switch is configured to detect a change in a position of the at least one shut-off valve and generate a tamper signal in the event the at least one shut-off valve is closed or partially closed. When a backflow discharge event occurs, a signal is sent to the fire panel triggering the building fire alarm as well as sending an alert to the local fire department and facility owner. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A backflow alert system comprising: a backflow preventor including at least one shut-off valve; a fluid detection system configured to detect a discharge of water from the backflow preventor and generate a water discharge signal corresponding to the backflow discharge; and a tamper switch configured to detect a change in a position of the at least one shut-off valve and generate a tamper signal in the event the at least one shut-off valve is closed or partially closed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The backflow alert system of claim 1, wherein the tamper signal is configured to trigger a building fire alarm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The backflow alert system of claim 2, wherein the tamper signal is configured to cause an alert to be transmitted to at least one of a fire department or a facility owner. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The backflow alert system of claim 2, wherein the tamper signal is transmitted wireless to the building fire alarm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The backflow alert system of claim 2, wherein the tamper switch is coupled via a wired connection to the building fire alarm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The backflow alert system of claim 1, wherein the water discharge signal is transmitted to a building fire panel in response to the fluid detection system detecting the discharge of water from the backflow preventor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The backflow alert system of claim 6, wherein the water discharge signal is transmitted to tamper switch and is transmitted from the tamper switch to the building fire panel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The backflow alert system of claim 1, wherein the tamper switch is coupled to the at least one shut-off valve. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The backflow alert system of claim 1, wherein the fluid detection system includes at least one sensor configured to detect the discharge of water from the backflow preventor using capacitance. ### Claim 10 A sprinkler backflow alert system comprising: a sprinkler system; a building fire panel; a backflow preventor including at least one shut-off valve, the backflow preventor fluidly coupled upstream of the sprinkler system; a fluid detection system configured to detect a discharge of water from the backflow preventor and generate a water discharge signal corresponding to the backflow discharge; and a tamper switch configured to detect a change in a position of the at least one shut-off valve and generate a tamper signal in the event the at least one shut-off valve is closed or partially closed. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The sprinkler backflow alert system of claim 10, wherein the tamper signal is configured to trigger a building fire alarm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sprinkler backflow alert system of claim 11, wherein the tamper signal is configured to cause an alert to be transmitted to at least one of a fire department or a facility owner. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The sprinkler backflow alert system of claim 11, wherein the tamper signal is transmitted wireless to the building fire alarm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The sprinkler backflow alert system of claim 11, wherein the tamper switch is coupled via a wired connection to the building fire alarm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The sprinkler backflow alert system of claim 10, wherein the water discharge signal is transmitted to the building fire panel in response to the fluid detection system detecting the discharge of water from the backflow preventor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The sprinkler backflow alert system of claim 15, wherein the building fire panel is configured to trigger a building fire alarm in response to receipt of the water discharge signal. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The sprinkler backflow alert system of claim 15, wherein the water discharge signal is transmitted to tamper switch and is transmitted from the tamper switch to the building fire panel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The sprinkler backflow alert system of claim 10, wherein the tamper switch is coupled to the at least one shut-off valve. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The sprinkler backflow alert system of claim 10, wherein the fluid detection system includes at least one sensor configured to detect the discharge of water from the backflow preventor using capacitance.