Smart building water supply management system with leak detection and flood prevention

Abstract

A logic-based building water supply management system having a minimal number of components to supply water on a qualifying-demand basis, thereby preventing major building flooding due to water plumbing leaks. The components are an electrically actuated valve downstream of the main building water supply valve, an accumulator tank immediately downstream of the valve, a tank pressure sensor, an electronic control module (ECM) and a manually operated bypass valve. The valve remains in a failsafe closed position unless a determination of qualifying demand is made. With the valve closed, all water flowing in the building may only come from the tank. As water flow stank, the measured tank supply pressure decays. The ECM compares the pressure decay rate to preprogrammed values so as to distinguish normal demand from a leak and takes appropriate action by opening the valve or disabling it from opening, and alarming, until a system reset is initiated.