Steel ventilation caps play a pivotal role in today’s water network infrastructure, ensuring the integrity and safety of the water supply.
These caps are essential for preventing contamination by blocking debris, insects, and other pollutants, thereby maintaining clean and safe water.
Proper ventilation is crucial as it prevents pressure build-up and allows air to escape or enter the system as needed. Additionally, many caps are designed to be tamper-proof, adding an extra layer of security to the water network.
The durability of steel caps enables them to withstand harsh environmental conditions, providing long-term protection. These features collectively make steel ventilation caps invaluable for preserving the integrity and safety of water networks.
Maintaining security on critical networks
Uisce Éireann’s specification document TEC 600-01, aims to ensure physical site security for water and wastewater infrastructure and places significant onus on engineers to adhere to these specifications.
It outlines the standards and requirements for various site components, including vent caps and cowls, to maintain safety and security. Due to the close proximity of vent caps to access covers on water tanks these caps have been identified as vulnerable points because they are not very secure, with a direct connection to the drinking water tank.
The specification document categorises assets into four security levels, each with varying requirements. Vent caps, being critical components, are required to meet the highest security standards, in line with access covers, typically Security Rating 4 with Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) accreditation. This rating ensures that the vent caps provide adequate protection against unauthorised access.
In addition, vent caps must be watertight, vermin-proof, and of a locking or tamper-proof design.
The value of LPCB certification
Protecting potable water infrastructure from contamination or malicious tampering is paramount for utility providers and in today's competitive industry, third-party certification for access solutions is increasingly crucial for product specifiers, especially for critical infrastructure.
LPCB certification: The LPCB, part of BRE in the UK, is a globally recognised third-party certification body. Its Loss Prevention Standards (LPS) are widely applied in fire and security sectors worldwide.
It evaluates how well access covers and other physical security products can resist forced entry and attacks. Products like access covers are subjected to various attack scenarios using different tools and techniques.
The product are rated on how long and how effectively they can withstand these attacks. Higher security ratings involve longer attack durations and more severe tools. For example, an SR4 rating means the product can withstand attacks using more advanced tools for a longer period of time.
Full details of the LPS, intruder resistance tests, and certified product manufacturers are available on www.redbooklive.com
Talk to the experts
One such company who manufacture high quality, certified access solutions in multi material for all networks, EJ, can offer a range of ventilation caps certified to LPS 1175: Issue 8 and fully compliant with Uisce Eireann specifications.
When specifying products for critical networks where asset security is a high priority, selecting products with LPCB certification is key to ensuring high-quality products and safeguarding infrastructure. Compliance to the required specifications ensure that vent caps contribute to the overall security and safety of water networks
To learn more about these LPCB-certified products, or would like to organise an CPD accredited Lunch& Learn please contact our Business Development team at 057 912 3100.