backflow preventer inspection requirements


All available services, hours of operations, pricing structure, and guarantees may vary by location. Sometimes the signs of a broken backflow prevention device are not as obvious as a backflow preventer leaking, but can still cause prolonged bouts of chronic illness, which is why regular backflow inspections and testing by a certified backflow testerare critical to the health of your customers, staff, and restaurant. Charlotte Water needs to inspect all work involved with installing the backflow preventer. How to Identify Broken Backflow Devices in Restaurant Water Systems. This exception has carried through in all subsequent editions, which today is the cause of some confusion. Also, less water pressure and/or an illness outbreak can be an indication there is a backflow prevention problem. Checking to ensure backflow preventer is installed according to code and adequate for your structures water supply needs. This BSA becomes a Charlotte Water backflow permit request to install the backflow preventer. And to ensure they continue to operate not only properly but also optimally, you need inspection services that are comprehensive and administered by certified experts. The unfortunate reality is that installing contractors rarely include a realistic means to perform the forward-flow test. This potential problem is whybackflow testing is crucial for your restaurants or business. Fire Protection Websites & SEO by Blue Corona. This means their components are subject to possible failure or weakening over time, which in turn could expose your water supply to harmful chemicals and contaminants. Backflow Preventer Inspection Requirements. Charlotte Water will be assessing fees on projects which trigger compliance enforcement of Article IV of Chapter 23, Charlotte City Code.

The internal components such as the clapper and clapper seat were to be cleaned, repaired or replaced when necessary to meet the manufacturers instructions. **In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and to ensure the health and welfare of Charlotte Water IDS Staff as well as to our customers, we are shifting to remote meetings when feasible and in-person meeting requests will be reviewed by necessity. See details and services for this location. The testing procedure shall be performed in accordance with one of the following standards: ASSE 5013, ASSE 5015, ASSE 5020, ASSE 5047, ASSE 5048, ASSE 5052, ASSE 5056, CSA B64.10 or CSA B64.10.1. Unifour Fire & Safety has been bringing superior service and quality to our consumers for over 30 years. Please be patient as review times and response times may be longer than anticipated. Backflow devices have a relatively long history with water-based fire protection systems.

704.432.5800. In other words, if the means to flow the system demand through the backflow preventer isnt provided, the forward-flow test should be conducted by flowing as much water as possible through the device. To protect against chemical and biological contamination of your water supply, backflow preventer testing and inspection are required by the National Fire Protection Associationand usually your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

Once the work has passed inspection, the meter will be activated by the Charlotte Water backflow inspector. 704.336.3829. schedule the Charlotte Water backflow inspection, contact Backflow Prevention at 704-391-5188. 500 0 obj <> endobj

It is also important to understand the potential signs of a broken backflow preventer to avoid contaminated water in your restaurant. Why You Need a Backflow Prevention Device? First, each one had to be tested annually for backflow capabilities. Installation requirements and standard details are available online. Our team is made up of knowledgeable, highly skilled specialists, so when you need backflow inspection and testing services you can rest assured that your business in South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, or Virginia is in capable hands! The intent was to measure the flow and pressures and then calculate the friction loss across the device to ensure it wasnt impeding the water supply to the fire protection system. 704.391.5188 to verify the status of a Backflow Hold or to schedule a backflow inspection. Code Calculators automatically generates a detailed list of requirements. A backflow prevention device prevents hazardous substances from inadvertently being drawn into the drinking water system, contaminating it. Fire Door Inspection Guide: How Often Do Fire Doors Need to Be Inspected? The quarterly main drain test will lift the check valves but dont prove they will open fully should the system demand rate flow through the backflow preventer in a fire event. Contact us for complete details. Checking the rubber, plastic, and metal components for signs of wear, disrepair, or aging. Unifour places immense value on bringing our patrons the best service in the industry. What to Expect During a Backflow Preventer Inspection, What To Expect During A Backflow Preventer Inspection. Projects provide a dedicated space to collaborate on code research. The 1994 edition of NFPA 13 recognized that when a new sprinkler system was installed, it must include a means downstream of a backflow preventer to perform the forward-flow test required annually by NFPA 25. Questions are constantly being raised on how to perform this test on a sprinkler system that doesnt include a test header, as a fire pump does, or hose connections, as a standpipe system. The purpose of this test is to ensure that water can flow freely from the public water supply through the backflow preventer to the fire protection system. You can check your backflow preventer visually, but we recommend calling a backflow testing company as soon as you notice the issue. 40 PVC pipe, Sch. This creates an impairment of the fire protection system. If below ground, device must be installed in vault with a concrete or stone bottom and provide for drainage to free atmosphere. backflow fire protection preventer preventers facility services sprinkler pumps Why Your Restaurant Needs a Commercial Backflow Preventer. To request a backflow inspection, call Unpack the code through illustrations and descriptions. Its up to the ingenuity of the person performing the annual flow test to determine the means available to actually measure the flow. List of Approved Testers - (updated periodically). Section 13.7.2.3 states, Where connections do not permit verification of the [forward-flow] test at the minimum flow rate of system demand, tests shall be conducted at the maximum flow rate possible.. 2. Now that you know how vital restaurant water backflow preventers and cross-connection devices are to the safety of your customers, staff, and business, you can see why AIE recommends backflow prevention inspectionsoccur more often than backflow inspection requirements. Contamination of Public Drinking Water. If you have any questions about your restaurants backflow preventers, contact us today. There wasnt a forward flow or any other test required for check valves. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. The 1992 edition of NFPA 25, which is the first edition of that standard, required that check valves be internally inspected once every five years. Whether it comes in the form of backpressure backflow or backflow siphonage, the unfortunate occurrence of non-potable water streaming back into the usable water supply is a serious potential health crisis situation.

Unifours professional inspection and testing can be accompanied by replacements or repairs as needed. hb```9.B eas;~10 Additionally, we will shift to a staggered/remote working combination. 80 PVC fittings are required. Fees will be collected along with other fees in the building permit fees collection process. For more information about our backflow preventer inspection services and to learn why backflow prevention devices are critical for public health, contact your local plumbing experts at Roto-Rooter today. backflow irrigation preventers knoji Your water backflow preventer must be in proper working order. At Unifour,yourneeds are always our top priority, and we will stay on the job until your expectations are exceeded! Fees will be assessed for each backflow assembly needing inspection. The friction loss was then compared to the manufacturers specifications. Contact Unifour Fire & Safetyto get the expert, dependable service you deserve! To prevent this undesirable circumstance, abackflow prevention device is required, in addition to regular checkups. Restaurants potential cross-connections that require a backflow prevention device: All these potential water hazards are the reason water backflow preventer inspections are vital to your business. We proudly serve the following cities and their surrounding areas: North Carolina (NC) Asheville, Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, Greenville, Hickory, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, South Carolina (SC) Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Georgia (GA) Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Savannah, Virginia (VA) Blacksburg, Richmond, Roanoke, I have used Unifour Fire and Safety for the last three years for my annual fire extinguisher inspections, emergency lighting inspections and our fire sprinkler equipment/riser inspections. This is a more direct threat to your customers and staff, especially when backflow impurities go undetected and people become sick. Galv. All backflow prevention devices must be tested once a year. Inspection and testing shall comply withSections. Call Unifour Fire & Safety today at 866-511-5540! When a standard check valve was used to prevent backflow, the inspection and maintenance requirements in NFPA 25 were virtually the same as they are today. 0 704.432.5800 or 311. If your commercial backflow preventer stops working and there is a pressure change, backflow of water could lead to serious problems. When it comes to backflow device inspections, it is important for you to know that a licensed fire protection sprinkler inspector can legally inspect your backflow preventors, but a backflow inspector cannot, by code, inspect your sprinkler system. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Because the backflow preventers are in a static position almost 100 percent of the time, bonding may occur between the check valve disc and the seat, resulting in a delayed or partial opening of the check valve during a fire event.

Charlotte Water will be assessing approved regulatory fees for Backflow compliance as follows: Backflow Plan Review: for each project, which requires aninstallation of a new backflow preventer or the alteration of an existing one. These devices are normally used in applications where water flows through them regularly, such as irrigation systems. In circumstances where the backflow prevention device should be inspected annually, be sure to partner with a backflow trained and licensed professional who has plenty of experience in the area. Subscribe to our newsletters & stay updated, Acceptance Testing of Fire and Life Safety Systems, AGF Manufacturing to Sponsor, Present PHCPPros Webinar: "Corrosion and Freeze Protection in Fire Sprinkler Systems", ASSE International Publishes Revised Performance Requirements for Chemical Dispensing Systems with Integral Backflow Protection, SFPE Forum on Fire Protection Engineering: Challenges in Storage, Watts "Hydraulics of Backflow Detector Assemblies Type 1 & 2" Webinar, Inspecting, Testing Backflow Preventers Used in Fire Protection Systems, Indoor Ice Rinks: Design Considerations for High-Performance Ice, Do Compact Plumbing Systems Actually Work? The appendix of NFPA 25 explained that the forward-flow test could be accomplished by flowing water through a yard hydrant, a fire pump test header or standpipe hose connections, through the fire department connection after reversing the check valve, or through a small hand hose or other outlets that will discharge sufficient flow. However, due to the multitudes of additional systems, co-operative plumbing networks, and other supply lines in your business, backflow is a very serious and real threat. At Unifour, we offer comprehensive inspection and testing which includes: To schedule backflow prevention testing and inspections in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia or other areas in the Southeast, call us today at 866-511-5540 or contact Unifour online.

One method commonly used before exceptions were added to the standard was to drain the system down, reverse the check valve on the fire department connection and flow out through the FDC.

During this adjustment, please direct all plan review, inspection, and permit fees by mail to:600 East Trade Street, Suite 20,Charlotte, NC 28202. 1. For " to 1" Piping Material: Type K or Type L Copper Tubing, 1" min. Each year I have received great service from the office staff that schedules these inspections all the way to the service technicians that come out to perform these inspections. This blog is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, and should you decide to act upon the information, you do so at your own risk.

Once your Backflow Prevention Assembly has been installed, please review the following checklist of requirements before requesting an inspection from Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement or Charlotte Water: Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement will inspect all piping from the Charlotte Water installed meter up to and including the Reduced Pressure Principle (RP) backflow assembly. It does not constitute professional advice. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Therefore, you can save time and money by hiring AIEs sprinkler inspector to also inspect your backflow preventers when performing your annual certifications. Pollution of Restaurant Water Systems. However, these combined flows would typically not be equal to or greater than the system demand flow rate. Code calculators automatically generate a detailed list of requirements. Pollution of Restaurant Water Systems. Leverage the most sophisticated code compliance platform. The plumber is basically looking for areas where the pressure isn't what it should be. In terms of the equipment that will be checked, there are two possible options: a reduced pressure principle device or double check valves. This edition also includes the forward-flow testing requirement and allows it to be conducted in one of two ways: 1. When using Sch. %%EOF

In the 1998 edition, the requirement to calculate the friction loss across the device was deleted. The information on this website is for informational purposes only; it is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Currently, inspection services will continue as scheduled. 521 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<7E3CACABA5F28C4DBB23E91174308857>]/Index[500 32]/Info 499 0 R/Length 106/Prev 218131/Root 501 0 R/Size 532/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream After the inspection, an initial test of the backflow assembly is required and the original test form must be submitted to 30" Inside Building / Partially Buried Vault (special approval needed), "-2", 30" from wall or any obstruction on the side utilized for testing and 6" from other side2" -12", 30" from wall or any obstruction on the side utilized for testing and 12" from other sideAll, 4" from wall to shut off valveAll, Floor drain or air-gap drain, For Double Check Valve Assemblies: Must be Installed upright horizontal - above or below ground; outside zoning setback if above ground according to Charlotte Water standard details. A reduced pressure type had to be inspected weekly to ensure it wasnt constantly discharging water through the differential sensing-line relief port. Information posted in our blog is merely for educational and informational purposes.

Commercial backflow preventer issues can be subtle yet dangerous, so be sure to make backflow testing part of your overall life-safety plan. Highlight differences between any two building codes. Backflow preventers also require an annual function test and may have other requirements based on your location. Does this exception meet the intent of the forward-flow test, or should additional effort be made to flow and measure the system demand rate? By flowing the maximum flow rate possible when a means hasnt been provided. There were two requirements for testing all types of backflow prevention assemblies. According to the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA), the EPA holds each municipality accountable for its own water purity, therefore commercial backflow preventer inspection requirements, testing and pricing may differ slightly by region, however, typical inspection requirements include the following: When it comes to backflow device inspections, it is important for you to know that a licensed fire protection sprinkler inspector can legally inspect your backflow preventors, but a backflow inspector cannot, by code, inspect your sprinkler system.