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(a) A person licensed by the commission must then register with the water department to operate as a test backflow prevention assembly tester within the city; and must pay a backflow prevention assembly tester registration fee and other applicable fees, as approved by the city council, which may be amended from time to time.
(b) A registration shall remain in effect for a period of one year, provided:
(1) The tester maintains eligibility for registration as provided for in this chapter and license by the commission;
(2) The tester pays the registration fee as approved by city council; and
(3) Registration is not revoked pursuant to § 12.5-550(c) by the director.
(c) Upon application for registration, a person must:
(1) Provide evidence to the director to establish that the applicant has available the necessary tools and equipment to properly test backflow prevention assemblies and identify all test gauges the applicant will use in testing backflow prevention assemblies;
(2) Provide evidence to the director that the applicant has successfully completed “Permit Confined Space Entry Training” as specified by federal occupational safety and health agency’s 29 C.F.R. 1910.146;
(3) Provide a copy of the person’s valid driver’s license;
(4) Provide a copy of the person’s valid license from the commission;
(5) Provide documentation showing that the tester has maintained liability insurance described in § 12.5-550(c);
(6) Provide a copy of the annual gauge calibration sheet;
(7) Provide copies of a valid sprinkler certificate of registration and responsible managing employee licenses;
(8) Provide proof of general commercial liability insurance and automobile liability insurance with the following minimum limits: $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident for bodily injury and $100,000 per accident for property damage, or $500,000 if combined; and
(9) Any other documentation as requested by the director.
(Ord. 12274, § 1, passed 11-28-1995; Ord. 20403-09-2012, § 1, passed 9-18-2012)
(a) To be eligible to register as backflow prevention assembly tester, a person must meet the following requirements:
(1) Have a high school diploma, or equivalent;
(2) Meet all requirements as required by the commission, including attending commission approved backflow prevention assembly tester certification classes;
(3) Successfully pass a written examination conducted by the city or its designee; and
(4) Successfully pass a hands-on proficiency examination conducted by the city or its designee.
(b) To maintain registration as a backflow prevention assembly tester, a person must:
(1) Maintain insurance as required in § 12.5-549(c)(8);
(2) Annually have each registered test gauge tested for accuracy and calibrated to maintain a 2% accuracy factor and submit this information to the director within three working days of the calibration;
(3) Perform competent and accurate certifications of each backflow prevention assembly tested. A test report and administrative fee for each tested assembly shall be submitted as requested by the director. Test reports that are incomplete, inaccurate or illegible shall not be accepted and will be returned for resubmission; and
(4) List registered serial numbers of test gauges on tests and maintenance reports prior to submitting them to the director.
(c) After notice and hearing pursuant to § 12.5-119 of this chapter, the director may revoke a registration if the director determines that the tester:
(1) Has made false, incomplete or inaccurate assembly testing reports;
(2) Has used inaccurate gauges;
(3) Has used improper testing procedures;
(4) Has expired insurance;
(5) Is not in compliance with safety regulations;
(6) Has failed to register the serial numbers of his or her test kits or failed to calibrate gauges annually; or
(7) Has failed to maintain a license from the commission, has failed to pay fees as required by this article, or has violated any other provision of this section.
(d) A person commits an offense if the person operates as a backflow prevention assembly tester within the city without a valid registration issued by the director.
(Ord. 20403-09-2012, § 1, passed 9-18-2012)
(a) RPs may be utilized at premises where a substance is handled that would be hazardous to the public health if introduced into the potable water system. An RP is normally used in locations where an air gap is impractical. An RP is effective against both backsiphonage and backpressure.
(b) RPs shall be sized to provide an adequate supply of water and pressure for the premises being served. Flow characteristics are not standard. Consult manufacturer’s specifications for specific performance data.
(c) Premises where interruption of water supply is critical shall be provided with two assemblies installed in parallel. They shall be sized in such a manner that either assembly will provide the minimum water requirements while the two together will provide the maximum flow required.
(d) Bypass lines are prohibited. Pipe fittings which could be used for connecting a bypass line shall not be installed.
(e) (1) The assembly shall be readily accessible for testing and maintenance and shall be located in an area where water damage to buildings or furnishings will not occur from relief valve discharge. An approved air gap funnel assembly may be used to direct minor discharges away from the assembly; this assembly will not control flow in a continuous relief situation. Drain lines to accommodate full relief valve discharge flow should be considered.
(2) RPs are typically installed above grade in well drained areas, but may be installed below grade if an adequate drain to daylight is provided.
(3) Enclosures shall be designed for ready access and sized to allow for the minimum clearances established below. Removable protective enclosures are typically installed on the smaller assemblies. Daylight drain ports shall be provided to accommodate full pressure discharge from the assembly.
(4) All assemblies larger than two inches shall have a minimum of 12 inches on the back side, 24 inches on the test cock side, and the relief valve opening shall be at least 12 inches plus nominal size of assembly above the floor or highest possible water level. Headroom of six feet is required in vaults without a fully removable top. A minimum access opening of 24 inches square is required on all vault lids.
(5) Assemblies installed more than five feet above floor level must have a suitable platform for use by testing or maintenance personnel.
(f) The assembly must be protected from freezing and other severe weather conditions.
(g) Vertical installation is prohibited.
(h) Lines shall be thoroughly flushed prior to installation. A strainer with blowout tapping may be required ahead of the assembly.
(i) The property owner assumes all responsibility for leaks and damage. The owner shall also see that the vault is kept reasonably free of silt and debris.
(j) All RP assemblies shall be tested in accordance with this division. Any premises that have RP assemblies that are point-of-use protection without high hazard premises isolation protection shall be tested every six months. Any premises that have an RP assembly as premises isolation without high hazard point-of-use protection assembly shall be tested every six months. Tests are the responsibility of the assembly owner. The owner shall notify the director upon installation of any backflow prevention assembly.
(k) Variances from these specifications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Any deviations shall be prohibited without prior written approval of the director.
Reduced Pressures Principle Large Assembly
Notes:
(1) Large assemblies are those that are 2-1/2 inches and larger.
(2) Assembly shall not be subject to flooding.
(3) Drain lines shall be sized to accommodate full relief valve discharge flow. See flow chart 12.5-555.2.
(4) Reduced pressure backflow assemblies are typically installed above grade in well draining areas, but may be installed below grade if an adequate drain to daylight is provided.
(5) The installation on the supply line (ahead of assembly) of a strainer with tapping blowout may be required. See standard detail 12.5-555.3.
Relief Valve Discharge for Reduced Pressure Backflow Assemblies
Strainers
One of the most common causes of backflow prevention assembly failure is the accumulation of sand, scale or debris trapped in the assembly. This debris can cause the assembly to fail its required testing and can contribute to a shorter working life span of the assembly.
Reduced Pressure Principle Small Assembly
Notes:
(1) Assembly must be protected from freezing.
(2) Removable insulated covers can be used.
(3) Enclosures shall be in an area not subject to flooding.
(4) The installation on the supply line (ahead of assembly) of a strainer with tapping blowout may be required. See standard detail no. 12.5-555.3.
(Ord. 12274, § 1, passed 11-28-1995)
(a) Double check valve assemblies may be utilized at premises where a substance is handled that would be objectionable but not hazardous to health if introduced into the potable water system.
(b) DCs shall be sized to provide an adequate supply of water and pressure for the premises being served. Flow characteristics are not standard. Consult manufacturer’s specifications for specific performance data.
(c) Premises where interruption of water supply is critical shall be provided with two assemblies installed in parallel. They shall be sized in such a manner that either assembly will provide the minimum water requirements while the two together will provide the maximum flow required.
(d) Bypass lines are prohibited. Pipe fittings which could be used for connecting a bypass line shall not be installed.
(e) (1) The assembly shall be readily accessible with adequate room for testing and maintenance. DCs may be installed below grade, providing all test cocks are fitted with brass pipe plugs. All vaults shall be well drained, constructed of suitable materials, and sized to allow for the minimum clearances established below.
(2) Assemblies two inches and smaller shall have at least a three-inch clearance below and on both sides of the assembly, and if located in a vault, the bottom of the assembly shall be not more than 24 inches below grade. 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 and 12 inches below the assembly. Headroom of six feet is required in vaults without a fully removable top. A minimum access opening of 24 inches square is required on all vault lids.
(3) Assemblies installed more than five feet above floor level shall have a suitable platform for use by testing or maintenance personnel.
(f) Vertical installations are allowed on sizes up to and including four inches that meet the following requirements:
(1) Internally spring-loaded check valves;
(2) Flow is upward through assembly;
(3) Manufacturer states their assembly can be used in a vertical position; and
(4) Approved by director.
(g) The assembly shall be protected from freezing and other severe weather conditions.
(h) Lines shall be thoroughly flushed prior to installation. A strainer with blowout tapping may be required ahead of the assembly.
(i) The property owner assumes all responsibility for foundation or basement wall penetration, leaks and damage. The owner shall also see that the vault is kept reasonably free of silt and debris.
(j) All DCs shall be tested in accordance with this division. Tests are the responsibility of the assembly owner. The owner shall notify the director upon installation of any backflow prevention assembly.
(k) Variances from these specifications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. No deviations shall be permitted without prior written approval of the director.
Double Check Valve Large Assembly
Notes:
(1) Large assemblies are those that are 2-1/2 inches and larger.
(2) Installations require the use of brass plugs in all test ports.
(3) The installation on the supply line (ahead of assembly) of a strainer with tapping blowout may be required. See standard detail no. 12.5-556.3.
Double Check Valve Small Assembly
Notes:
(1) Adequate space must be allowed for testing and maintenance.
(2) Area around assembly must drain well.
(3) Test cocks must be equipped with brass pipe plugs.
(4) “Y” pattern assemblies must be installed so that the test cocks are pointed up. (See drawing above).
(5) Thoroughly flush the lines prior to installation of the assembly.
(6) Strainers may be required. See standard detail no. 12.5-556.3.
Strainers
One of the most common causes of backflow prevention assembly failure is the accumulation of sand, scale or debris trapped in the assembly. This debris can cause the assembly to fail its required testing and can contribute to a shorter working life span of the assembly.
(Ord. 12274, § 1, passed 11-28-1995)
Double detector check valve assemblies may be utilized in all installations requiring a double check valve assembly and detector metering. DDCs shall comply with the installation requirements applicable for double check valve assemblies (DCs).
Double Detector Check
Notes:
(1) Brass plugs to be installed in all test cocks.
(2) If domestic service is installed off the fire service, a second gate valve must be installed outside the vault. Joint restraint must be provided between this valve and the main.
(3) Strainer may be required. See standard detail no. 12.5-557.2.
Strainers
One of the most common causes of backflow prevention assembly failure is the accumulation of sand, scale or debris trapped in the assembly. This debris can cause the assembly to fail its required testing and can contribute to a shorter working life span of the assembly.
(Ord. 12274, § 1, passed 11-28-1995)
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