In 1996, the American Society of Sanitary Engineering produced a new standard: ASSE 1060. It focuses on devices that provide protection for fluid conveying pipes that are mounted outside and above ground. The ASSE recommends that backflow preventer enclosures be installed in a way consistent with local codes, most of which require the cover to be ASSE-certified.
Products can only be ASSE-approved if the manufacturer has complied with the ASSE and had the product tested in a lab. Once the product had passed the test, like Safe-T-Cover's products have, they gained a seal of approval.
In 2017, the ASSE Seal Control Board determined that certain products industry-wide needed retesting in order to comply with the new ASSE 1060-2017 revision. Retesting needed to be completed within three years of the ASSE International Board of Director's approval date of the Standard, or February 28, 2020.
In the case of Safe-T-Cover, we were required to retest the following sections of the new Seal 642 of the ASSE 1060-2017 revision using the process described under each section below.
1.2.3 Heat Sources (Class I and I-V)
The purpose of this section of testing was to re-certify that our slab-mounted heaters comply with the damp or wet locations revision. Heaters are mounted to a concrete slab directly under a backflow valve that may spray water on them during a backflow situation when a relief valve on an RP releases water. Since these heaters are relied on to keep the inside of the enclosure warm and the backflow valves from freezing, the heater must be able to continue to function properly under these wet or damp conditions.
The testing required an inspector physically examining Safe-T-Cover’s slab-mounted heaters. According to ASSE, in order for our heaters to be certified as “wet/damp,” they must accomplish the following: must be constructed and installed so that water or other liquids will not enter or accumulate in or on the live-wired sections, electrical components or wiring and instructions for the heater mounting and location are included with them. The inspector found the STC slab-mounted heater to be in compliance, and it met the ASSE 1060-2017 wet/damp certification requirements.
3.2 Structural Test (All Classes)
The purpose of this test is to determine if the enclosure is capable of supporting a minimum vertical load of 100.0 lb/ft² (488.2 kg/m²) such as to simulate a snow load.
Enclosures are installed all over the country and in different climates. Some of these areas receive a significant amount of snowfall. In order to test the capabilities of how our enclosures handle this amount of weight on their roof, weight that replicates snow loads in certain areas of the country needed to be added to the roof of the enclosure for a 24-hour period without incurring structural damage or collapse.
In order to mimic a real-life scenario on a project site, we followed our installation instructions and assembled and mounted one of our 1000TDS-AL standard enclosures to a concrete floor using the mounting hardware included with our enclosures. Sandbags totaling more than 11,000 pounds or a load of 100.0 lb/ft² were then stacked on top of the enclosure and left in place for 24 hours.
Next, we removed one access panel then put back in place while the sandbags were still on the roof. This simulates a person, entering the enclosure to perform routine tests or maintenance and then closing the enclosure behind them. This test ensures the enclosure remains safe and is strong enough to handle large snow loads without suffering damage or collapsing while an access panel is removed.
After the 24-hour waiting period expired, an inspector checked the unit for any damage and found none. This testing proves the enclosure can stand up to 100.0 lb/ft² loading.
3.7 Security/Locking Mechanism Test (All Classes)
The purpose of this test is to ensure that the locking mechanism on the access panel is capable of withstanding minor acts of vandalism or accidents and still provide security for the components contained therein.
All STC enclosures are lockable and most utilize a foldable T-handle locking mechanism that can be secured by using a padlock provided by the owner of the enclosure. The obvious importance of having locking mechanisms on enclosures is to help deter theft of expensive equipment located inside. The locking mechanism also keeps out unwanted visitors.
The security/locking mechanism test portion of the retest simulated someone trying to gain access into the enclosure by hitting the handle with a blunt object like a rock or hammer. In order to simulate this scenario, the setup provided to us by ASSE shown here was used. A 20-pound weight was attached to the locking mechanism on the enclosure with a cable that went over a pulley; the weight would be dropped 36 inches and then left to hang freely. This is an important test because it demonstrates the capabilities of the locking mechanism to handle minor vandalism or accidents and continue to keep the contents of the enclosure safe and secure. The inspector witnessed the test and then provided us a report again confirming it to meet the ASSE 1060-2017 certification.
ASSE 1060-2017 REVISION, RETEST RESULTS:
Per the inspector, the results of all of the above tests were deemed to be compliant with the new ASSE 1060-2017 revision under Seal 642. The ASSE Seal Control Board will continue to review and revise the ASSE 1060 for all products that fall under its jurisdiction. Safe-T-Cover will continue to comply with retesting as the ASSE Seal Control Board sees fit in order to maintain the ASSE 1060 Seal of Approval.
If you have any questions regarding the ASSE 1060 standard or retesting process, please feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help.