To ensure proper operation, installation and accessibility of all backflow prevention devices, the following requirements shall apply to the installation of these device assemblies within the water system of the city.
(A) The city will have the right to approve or deny the plans for installation of the approved device prior to installation.
(B) Assemblies must be installed at the point of delivery of the water supply, before any branch in the line. Alternate locations must be approved by the city prior to installations.
(C) All backflow device prevention assemblies shall be of a type and model approved by the Division and the city.
(D) Only device assemblies specifically approved by the Division for vertical installation may be installed vertically. Written requests for a variance must be submitted to the city prior to installation.
(E) The device assembly shall be readily accessible with adequate room for maintenance and testing. Device assemblies two inches and smaller shall have at least a six-inch clearance on all sides of the device assembly. All device assemblies larger than two inches shall have a minimum clearance of 12 inches on the backside, 24 inches on the test cock side, 12 inches below the device assembly and 36 inches above the device assembly.
(F) If permission is granted to install the backflow device inside of the building, the device assembly shall be readily accessible during regular working hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
(G) Maximum height of installation shall not exceed five feet for device assemblies two inches and larger unless there is a permanently installed platform meeting occupation safety and health (OSHA) standards to facilitate servicing the device assembly.
(H) Reduced pressure principle device 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 device assembly and shall be screened on both ends.
(I) An approved air gap shall be located at the relief valve orifice of reduced pressure principle devices. 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.
(J) Immediately after installation, repair of the device assembly and/or the moving of the device assembly to another approved location, the device assembly must be tested by a state certified backflow device assembly tester. If, for any reason, a device assembly fails any test, it shall be repaired and retested immediately until satisfactorily passing the test.
(K) The city will retain registration of all device assemblies. Registration shall consist of date of installation, installer, make, model, serial number, size and location of the device assembly and initial test report. All subsequent test results shall be retained in the file.
(L) Any damage to the device assembly(ies) caused by negligence or intentional acts will be the financial responsibility of the property owner. This responsibility will include, but not be limited to, purchase of a new device assembly, together with its installation, initial testing and annual testing thereafter.
(M) Device assemblies shall be tested more frequently if the city determines that there is “an extreme health risk” or the device assembly repeatedly fails.
(N) The property owner shall be responsible for protecting the device assembly from freezing and other severe weather conditions.
(Ord. 96-02, passed 2-6-1996) Penalty, see § 10.99