(a) Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in accordance with the following requirements, to ensure their proper operation and accessibility.
(1) Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in accordance with the plumbing code and this division. The assembly installer shall obtain the required plumbing permits prior to installation and shall have the assembly inspected by a certified cross-connection inspector and as required by the plumbing code.
(2) No part of a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly shall be submerged in water or installed in a location subject to flooding. If a doublecheck valve assembly is installed in a vault, brass plugs shall be maintained in the test ports at all times and adequate drainage shall be provided.
(3) Assemblies shall be installed at the point of delivery of the water supply, before any branch in the line, and on private property located just inside the boundary of the city’s right-of-way. An inspector may specify other areas for installation of the assembly.
(4) The assembly shall be protected from freezing and other severe weather conditions.
(5) All backflow prevention assemblies shall be of a type and model approved by the director.
(6) All vertical installations shall be approved in writing by the director prior to installation.
(7) The assembly shall be readily accessible with adequate room for maintenance and testing. Assemblies two inches and smaller shall have at least a six-inch clearance on all sides of the assembly. All assemblies larger than two inches shall have a minimum clearance of 12 inches on the back side, 24 inches on the test cock side, 12 inches below the assembly and 36 inches above the assembly. “Y” pattern doublecheck valve assemblies shall be installed so that the checks are horizontal and the test cocks face upward.
(8) If the director grants written permission to install the backflow assembly inside of a building, the assembly shall be readily accessible between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
(9) If an assembly is installed pursuant to subsection (a)(8) above, and is four inches or larger and is installed five feet or higher above the floor, it shall be equipped with a rigidly and permanently installed scaffolding acceptable to the director. This installation shall also meet all applicable requirements set out by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the State of Texas occupational safety and health laws.
(10) RP assemblies may be installed in a vault only if relief valve discharge can be drained to daylight through a boresight type drain. The drain shall be of adequate capacity to carry the full rated flow of the assembly and shall be screened on both ends.
(11) An approved air gap shall be located at the relief valve orifice of RP assemblies. This air gap shall be at least twice the inside diameter of the incoming supply line as measured vertically above the top rim of the drain and in no case less than one inch.
(12) Upon completion of installation, the property owner shall notify the director to test and inspect the assemblies. The property owner shall register all backflow assemblies with the director. Registration shall consist of date of installation, manufacturer, model, serial number of the backflow prevention assembly, and initial test report.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person installs a backflow prevention assembly in violation of this section.
(c) A person commits an offense if the person fails to notify the director to inspect a backflow prevention assembly after its installation as required by this section.
(d) A person commits an offense if the person fails to register a backflow prevention assembly as required by this section.
(Ord. 12274, § 1, passed 11-28-1995)