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Above-Ground Backflow Enclosures
Built To Outlast the Equipment Inside Them

Safe-T-Cover manufactures ASSE 1060-certified aluminum enclosures for backflows, pumps, water meters, and other assemblies of every size — standard models, large-diameter configurations and full custom builds.

Our engineers help you size and spec the right above-ground enclosure for your equipment at no charge.

Why Choose Safe-T-Cover Aluminum Enclosures

Safe-T-Cover is the nation's leading manufacturer of insulated metal enclosure products for plumbing systems.
We're a privately owned company operating in Nashville since 1988 and our product line covers 50+ standard models compatible with assemblies from Watts/Wilkins, Ames, Febco, Apollo, Cla-Val, Tigerflow, Patterson and PremierFlow. When a standard enclosure doesn't fit, our in-house engineers design a custom enclosure, most shipping in four to five weeks.

Enclosure Features

Marine-Grade Aluminum

Every Safe-T-Cover enclosure is built from marine-grade aluminum panels finished with PAC-CLAD® Kynar coating: fade-resistant, scratch-resistant and corrosion-resistant across all climates and seasons.

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Modular Design

The modular panel design means a damaged section can be replaced without removing the entire enclosure, lowering your lifetime cost of ownership.

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30+ Year Service Life

Typical service life exceeds 30 years, far more than what fiberglass and powder-coated steel alternatives deliver. The materials in our enclosures are also fully recyclable.

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Insulated Panels

Standard with all our enclosures. We use R-9 polyisocyanurate insulation for frost protection.

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Redwood Structural Bracing

Panels are internally braced with sustainably harvested California redwood covered by aluminum, which resists moisture and dimensional change over decades of outdoor exposure.

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Simple Maintenance

Water systems professionals and routine testing crews appreciate the speed and easy access of backflow equipment via lockable doors.

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Size Your Enclosure

Undersized enclosures fail inspection, while oversized ones are harder to heat and cost more than necessary. Enter your assembly's valve type, pipe size and clearance and we'll match you to right-sized, compatible models.
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Free Specs & CAD Files

If you're building a spec set or verifying clearances before a project goes to bid, start with our free guide on drawing standard details. It includes five editable CAD files for your next project.

What Makes Our Covers Different

Backflow Enclosure Material Comparison
Material
Durable
Easy Assembly
Freeze Protection
Corrosion Resistant
Meets Code
Tamper-Resistant
Lightweight
Sound Dampening
Safe-T-Cover
Aluminum, Marine-Grade
Stainless Steel
Carbon Steel
High-Density
Polyethylene (HDPE)
Fiberglass
Plastic Covers/
Fake Rocks
Bags or Blankets
Safe-T-Cover aluminum enclosures are fully enclosed, tamper-resistant and built to last decades.

Every enclosure ships ASSE 1060-certified with insulation standard — not as an add-on — and drainage engineered to handle valve discharge.

Marine-grade aluminum with a PAC-CLAD® Kynar coating holds up for 30-plus years, whereas fiberglass cracks, plastic warps and steel cages corrode. Modular panel construction means individual sections can be replaced without removing the entire unit. Vinyl wraps and custom color options help the enclosure blend into its surroundings.

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Why Choose Safe-T-Cover Aluminum Enclosures

Safe-T-Cover builds enclosures for every common device and application. Choose what you're protecting:

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RPZ Enclosures
Prevent freezing of reduced pressure zone assemblies
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DCV Enclosures
Prevent freezing of reduced pressure zone assemblies
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Pumps & Water Meters
Prevent freezing of reduced pressure zone assemblies
Protect-investment
Standard Enclosures
Off-the-shelf sizes for common assemblies, ready to ship
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Large Enclosures
For big-diameter assemblies and multi-device installations
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Custom Enclosures
Engineered to your exact dimensions when standard won't fit

Customer Stories

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Fire Protection / Industrial HVAC

Designing a Heated Industrial Enclosure for a Fire Water Tank

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1 day
Quote & drawings delivered
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3 weeks
Inquiry to on-site delivery
HVAC / Air Conditioning

Custom Air Conditioning Enclosure for Large HVAC Outdoor Units

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20–50 HP
Duplex/triplex packages protected
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2–10 HP
Standard unit repeat customer
Municipal Water / Commercial Plumbing

Large-Scale RPZ Installation With a 390-Square-Foot Enclosure

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390 sq. ft.
Interior enclosure footprint
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12"
Dual backflow preventers + meter
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Thank you for the support on this job. It shows the character of the company and the commitment to both wholesalers and our customers.”
Chris
Wilkinson Supply
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You guys are the best! Between your quick responses, knowledge, lead times, and pricing there really isn’t another enclosure manufacturer as good as Safe-T-Cover."
Jennifer
Ferguson Waterworks
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You all have some of the best customer service that I have come across, whether it be over the phone or email. Thank you for having such a high standard of excellence at your company, it makes us excited to quote and sell your products."
Nathan
Safe-T-Cover customer
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Excellent, I must say, I have been doing this for almost 20 years and you guys are a pleasure to deal with."
Casey F.
New York
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We had an RPZ failure at the school I work at due to recent weather conditions here on Long Island. The floor-mounted heat sheet Safe-T-Cover offers would do a much better job."
Joe M.
New York
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The piping layout and enclosure sizing is awesome. It will make my life a little easier putting the finished product together."
Fire Protection Engineer
Rhode Island
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Safe-T-Cover provides the best answers and the fastest responses."
Distributor
Washington State
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You have really helped and I will be forwarding your information along to our facilities manager to move forward with a little more detective work. I appreciate your time and effort, and we will be in touch."
Procurement Specialist
California
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Thanks for getting back to me so quickly."
Civil Engineer
Ohio
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WOW!! Thank you. You guys are so great. Seriously, you always ship within the quoted time. We appreciate the hard work."
Waterworks Distributor
Midwest
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I've dealt with some of your competitors in the past and they do not pack enclosures like you do! Safe-T-Cover does a great job. I got one in the past that was damaged because of the packing, and the panels bounced around allowing the handles on the doors to dent the panels packed on top. It was an absolute nightmare to try and get it fixed. I don't have that problem with you!"
Distributor
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Thank you again for all your help. Safe-T-Cover has some good quality customer service and that goes a long way with me."
Contractor
Las Vegas, NV
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What Is a Backflow Enclosure?

A backflow enclosure is a protective housing for an above-ground backflow prevention assembly. It keeps the device operational year-round by guarding against freezing, theft, vandalism and weather, while maintaining the clearance that technicians need for annual testing and service.

Historically, backflow preventers went into below-grade vaults or inside buildings. Vaults flood and create confined-space hazards. Indoor installations consume mechanical room square footage. Above-ground enclosures on a concrete pad solve both problems, and a growing number of jurisdictions now require them.

Why You Need an Above-Ground Backflow Enclosure

Prevent contamination
Prevent contamination
Eliminate a confined space hazard
Jurisdictions across the country mandate it
Protect your investment
Protect your investment
Improve aesthetics
Prevent-contamination
Prevent contamination
Keep the preventer operational to protect the potable water systems year-round. Above-ground enclosures eliminate cross-connection risk.
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Eliminate a confined space hazard
OSHA classifies underground utility vaults as confined spaces, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded more than 1,000 worker deaths from confined space injuries between 2011 and 2018. Every vault entry requires multiple personnel, fall protection, ventilation checks and specialized equipment. Moving your backflow device above grade removes that liability.
Jurisdictions
Jurisdictions across the country mandate it
The cities of Portland, Ore., Arlington, Texas, Fayetteville, N.C., and Lynchburg, Va., along with the state of New Jersey, have all updated their standard details to require above-ground installations.
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Protect your investment
Avoid freeze ruptures, theft and impact damage that leads to expensive emergency replacements and water shutdowns. Las Vegas Valley Water District saved $60,000 per installation by eliminating vault rehabs. 

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Reclaim usable space
Move the device out of a mechanical room to return that area to productive use and eliminate indoor flood risk, insurance liability and costly repairs.


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Improve aesthetics
Conceal equipment in a finished, color-matched housing instead of an exposed cage. Standard and custom colors as well as vinyl wraps can help hide the enclosure.



ASSE 1060-Compliant With Freeze Protection

ASSE Standard 1060 defines performance requirements for enclosures protecting backflow preventers and water supply equipment from environmental conditions. It's divided into classes based on insulation and heating. Specifying an ASSE 1060-certified enclosure is how you meet jurisdictional requirements and document that the assembly is protected to a recognized standard.

In the mildest climates, insulation alone is not enough. Freeze events have caused recent equipment failures in Texas and Florida. Safe-T-Cover's patented slab-mounted heater mounts directly to the concrete pad and holds the backflow preventer at a stable temperature through hard freezes. A Class I heated enclosure is the best specification anywhere a freeze event can happen, including southern states where freezes are rare but damaging.

Protect Your Backflow Device the Right Way

Our engineers will size, spec and quote the right backflow enclosure, fast.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Are backflow enclosures required by code?

Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Many now mandate above-ground protection for backflow assemblies and specify an ASSE 1060-certified enclosure with a particular class rating. Check your local plumbing code and confirm requirements with the water authority before specifying.

What's the best material for a backflow enclosure?

Marine-grade aluminum. It's corrosion-resistant, great in coastal and marine environments, holds insulation well and supports heater mounting. Backflow cages invite theft and offer no freeze protection. Stainless steel offers durability at higher cost and weight. Fiberglass and "fake rock" covers don't offer vandal protection and often run undersized due to tapered interiors.

How much does a backflow preventer enclosure cost?

It depends on the backflow device size, model and add-ons. For an accurate number, request a free quote which we typically send within half a day, and drawings within 48 hours for custom jobs.

Heated or insulated enclosure: Which do I need?

In most freeze-prone climates, insulation alone isn't enough. Safe-T-Cover recommends our patented slab-mounted heater with any enclosure in any region where freezing conditions are possible. Florida, Texas and Arizona have all had widespread equipment failures due to freezing temperatures in recent years.

Where should an RPZ backflow preventer be installed?

Outdoors, above ground, on a concrete pad, inside an ASSE 1060-certified enclosure. Position it near the property line out of direct view with adequate clearance for drainage and annual testing access.

What is ASSE 1060?

The ASSE 1060 Standard governs enclosures that protect backflow preventers from environmental conditions. It defines performance classes for insulation and heating capacity.

What is the difference between a Class I, Class II and Class III above-ground backflow enclosure?

The three classes define freeze protection level. An ASSE Class I enclosure is heated and engineered to maintain a minimum internal temperature of 40°F when the external temperature drops to -30°F, with a minimum R-value of 8.0.

A Class II enclosure is freeze-retardant — insulated, with or without a heater — designed to hold 40°F for a 24-hour period in climates where temperatures rarely stay below 33°F.

A Class III enclosure provides no freeze protection and carries no R-value requirement; it addresses security and weather protection only. Safe-T-Cover recommends a Class I heated enclosure for any installation where a freeze event is possible, including traditionally warm regions.