Protecting Town Buildings from Water Damage Using Water Cop Water Alarms

Question about WaterCop water leak alarms.

Q: " I have a request to supply the town of ____ police, town hall and library a water leak alarm in three separate buildings within a 1000 ft. area. Is your radio-link capable of sending a relay output to an alarm monitor?" Thanks. Gilbert.

Answer: Yes, the WaterCop system has that capability. There are many questions that need to be answered before I can make recommendations. In our discussion by phone, you mentioned that the buildings are essentially closed each week-end and that the water leaked all week-end in the basement of one of the buildings.

Questions about the buildings and what the town wants:

1. Dimensions, number of stories, type of construction
2. Number and location of all water using appliances like toilets, sinks, water heaters, etc.
   
3. Diameter of incoming water pipes to all three buildings.
4. Does the town want to isolate certain areas of the building or buildings? For example, does the town want to shut off water to all but parts of the police station during night and week-end hours. Is there a humidifier that must run 24/7 in the winter? Note: Watercops and sensor codes can be set at the factory so that a water leak in one part of the building will not shut a water valve on a WaterCop in a different part of the building.
   

The largest non-commercial sized WaterCop available is one with a 1.25 inch pipe capacity. There are also 1 inch, 3/4 inch and 1/2 inch sizes available. Each WaterCop has a built-in I/O port with an RJ45 connection for a security system or other similar notification device like a Sensaphone unit. Water leak sensors can be used with batteries or with AC adapters. For optimal protection, a waterhound moisture sensor needs to be next to each water using appliance. For back-up drain protection, you can install units next to drains as well.

There is a signal repeater available that can increase range of the signal up to 200 feet farther. I checked with the manufacturer who suggests that you first install the WaterCop before adding repeaters as you may not need them.

Also remote water shut offs can be installed so that water could be shut off as part of the shut down and security system setting each time the building is closed down for the day.

If you need help with installation, there is technical assistance available. Please let me know the answers to the questions above so I can make more specific recommendations to your town.

Thanks for your questions.
Sincerely, Barbara