FAQs: FloodMaster Water Leak Detection, Alarm & Shut-Off Systems
General questions about the FloodMaster product line:
FloodMaster LLC, the Seller, warrants its products to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of 3 years. The Seller’s obligation under this warranty is solely and exclusively limited to the repair and replacement, FOB point of manufacture, the product or part thereof which the Seller’s inspection discloses to be defective. Modification, misuse, attempted repair by others, improper installation, or operation shall render this warranty null and void. There are no other warranties expressed or implied whether of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise. The Seller shall in no event be liable for any property damage, personal injury, or any consequential damages, resulting directly or indirectly from the use or operation. Click here to download our complete Product Warranty document (PDF).
In some cases, yes! Click here for more information on FloodMaster and insurance discounts.
Certainly! That’s one of the design features of the FloodMaster unit.
We recommend users exercise (press and release) the Reset button annually to ensure proper operation and maintain clean electrical contacts. Users may also wish to periodically function test the FloodMaster unit. To do so, place the sensor on a damp paper towel. This will cause the alarm to sound and allow you to confirm valve closure. Once verified, dry off the sensor and reset the Alarm Box to open the valve and begin water flow again.
Note: Early versions of the FloodMaster system do not have a Reset button. These units can be reset by disconnecting the electrical transformer from the wall outlet for approximately 5 seconds and plugging it back in.
FloodMaster Leak Detection units are designed and manufactured in the USA. Our facility is located in Branford, CT.
Yes, common-risk dwellings such as apartments and condos are an ideal application for FloodMaster Leak Detection and Shutoff Systems. A water leak knows no boundaries, especially when they occur on the second, third or fourth floor, where one person’s problem can quickly engulf many other units.
The Total Water Main (RS-080) actuators are rated for NEMA 4X or higher. Please contact us for information on other product offering actuators.
Our leak detection sensors work for any conductive liquid. However, not all materials are compatible with the internal components of the valve bodies. Please contact us to confirm the best product for your application.
Depending on the particular unit, the voltage to the valve is either 24 or 30V AC.
The voltage of the wall transformer is 120 VAC.
Yes, 12V DC.
Sensors are not affected by water or ambient temperature, as water is still conductive at any temperature. Consult individual Product Submittal Sheets for specific water temperature ratings.
Our wired models (RS-0xx) have a resistivity of 145K Ohms. Which means it will activate if the liquid’s resistance is 145K Ohms or lower. The one exception is our RS-095 unit, which has a resistivity of 5M Ohms.
Yes, the current product offering provides plenum-rated wires.
The audible alarm is rated at 83 decibels.
All RS-0XX systems, with the exception of the RS-095 unit, provide dry output contacts (NO/C/NC) for tying into a home security panel or for use with an appropriate relay for the control of another device. The dry contacts are rated for 3 A @ 250 VAC.
Wired sensors (RSA-101-XXX) are made of brass with gold finish. Wire Ropes (RSA-175-XXX) are made of tinned copper.
Installation and system configuration options:
If a FloodMaster valve is installed simultaneously with the replacement of a water heater or other new appliance, the installation time for the FloodMaster unit may take no longer than the time it would take to replace the water heater by itself. If a FloodMaster unit is being added on to an existing, installed appliance (as would be the case in a retrofit), then the installation time would take the same amount of time if you would install any shut-off valve. Click here for more installation information.
Pans are not required by FloodMaster, but local codes vary. Check your local plumbing code to ensure compliance.
Yes, RS-080, RS-092, RS-094, and RS-096 systems can accommodate additional sensors for a wider area of leak detection. We recommend wired FloodMaster systems not exceed 6 sensors.
Each system comes with (1) wired sensor with a standard 8′ cable length. Additional sensors and wire sensing rope configurations can be added to complete your leak detection needs. Additional sensor are easily wired to pins 6 & 7 or 8 & 9 on the receiver terminal block. Multiple sensors can be wired to either set of pins. Reference accessory sensors RSA-101-XXX.
The standard sensor puck cable length is 8′. Longer cable lengths (25′, 50′ and 100′) are also available from FloodMaster. Wire sensor rope is rated at a maximum of (10) 10′ lengths, or 100′, as well. Reference accessory sensors RSA-1XX-XXX.
Yes. A commercially available power supply rated for 19 Watts / 120 Volts or higher will work.
Only one valve can be attached per alarm box.
Refer to our RS-0XX cross wiring diagram (PDF).
Yes, but only on the RS-080 models. Cable adder of up to 100′ can be ordered from the factory to facilitate the remote location of the alarm box. Reference part number RSA-400-XXX.
No, not at this time. For a complete wireless solution with battery backup, please see the RSC-900.
System operation:
Press and release the Reset button to begin the flow of water again.
Note: Some of our earlier models did not include the Reset button. If your unit does not have a Reset button, simply unplug the unit from the wall outlet for a few seconds and then plug it back in. This will signal the valve to open and water will begin to flow again.
As long as the sensor remains in water or otherwise wet, the audible alarm will continue to sound. In order to silence the alarm, remove the sensor from the water and dry off the metal contacts on the underside.
The RS-092, RS-094 and RS-080 units will remain in whatever position they were in prior to the power failure (open or closed); the RS-090 Washing Machine unit does require electricity to remain closed.
The RS-080 Total Water Main Units provide for manual operation of the valve via a press and turn knob. The RS-092 and RS-094 valves can be manually operated by removing the actuator and applying a pliers to the valve stem. The RS-090 Washing Machine unit does not provide for manual operation of the valve.
RDT offers an Auto Dialer accessory kit that easily connects to our systems and will automatically dial up to 9 previously programmed telephone numbers when the unit goes into alarm (a leak is detected). Auto Dialer sold separately, reference P/N RSA-600-003.
Yes, all of our units (with the exception of the FM-095 Battery-Operated Alarm) come with an optional dry contact wire. This dry contact can be wired to an appropriate relay to control another device, such as a sump pump, appliance, etc. Click here for electrical wiring schematics for hard-wired or plug-in relays (PDF).