I've a customer that travels often. They have had 3 plumbing malfunctions over the last 6 years, all while they are out of town, that has caused their basement to get flooded.

I installed an Elan G automation system several years ago.

Is there any type of in line water flow meter that can trigger a response for the security system (GE) or send a signal to the Elan G system.

Thoughts?

I never used one but did some research before.
http://www.watercop.com/

flo logic. use them all of the time. they are great

Just did a house where they installed Watercop, the sensors were going off all the time shutting off the water. Just dampness will set it off.

+1 Expensive but worth every penny!

ELK
auto water shut off valve. Installing one this week.

the only thing posted that is a flow meter with automatic closing valve and relay activated upon erroneous flow is the flo logic. it is a solid piece. it has a back up battery to which is cool. good people at company.

I use RTI and I have a sprinkler valve on my incoming water line. When we leave and set the alarm it triggers the RTI to close the valve, when we arrive and disarm, water is turned back on.....easy and cheap.

Most of our projects cannot be just shutoff. There are humidifiers, constant drip ice machines, etc.

Exactly. Landscape irrigation systems. Pools need to topped off.

However, most could wait until they get back from vacation, except the landscape irrigation system. Otherwise you'd come back to a dead lawn and planting beds (unless you have a well)

Both the Flow Logic and Watercop products are excellent. We've installed both. The watercop will detect a physical leak and shut off water. I've never seen it work on just "dampness" as a previous poster mentioned. The Flo-Logic unit detects water running over a period of time and at a certain level of drip or leak. After that programmed time period, it then shuts off the water.
This can programmed to accommodate longer running or filling products, like ice makers, humidifiers, etc. But keep in mind, even a long shower could trigger it to shut off if not programmed properly.
It can be tied to alarm system.

Just use a flow sensor that you would use on a fire sprinkler system and a shut off valve. Security system is triggered by flow sensor, security system calls monitoring company or clients cell phone, security system relay shuts off/closes valve. Pretty simple.

You would want to put this on a partition by itself though so that you can dictate when it gets armed separately from the rest of the house. Don't want it to go off if you are doing laundry while you run out to run some errands. You also have to think about placement if they have an irrigation system so that it does not get set off by that. Other things that may set it off erroneously could be a water softener or if they have a circulation system or a humidifier in the house.

I tie it to HAI that has vacation mode and program it accordingly.
I also only put the main shutoff valve on the house line, not on support ones like landscaping, pool, etc., unless client wants it and then it's usually two separate valves.

i think he is talking about the little water bug wireless sensors that can be placed under sinks, behind fridges, etc.

way to much liability! there is a manufactured part for this exact application. let the plumber supply it and install it. you just monitor it and trigger the stay and away modes. it still works completely independently of the alarm or automation system. I would never supply a flo valve and shutoff valve to make a couple hundred bucks and assume the liability and service.

check out flo logic it really is nice, and i think it is better product than watercop personally. we have seen allot of watercop systems and never heard anything bad.