(a) Any backflow prevention device required by these rules and regulations shall be of a model or construction approved by the Superintendent of Water and the Director and shall comply with all of the following:
(1) An air gap separation, to be approved, shall be at least twice the diameter of the supply pipe, measured vertically above the top rim of the vessel, but in no case less than one inch.
(2) A double check valve-assembly or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be approved by the Superintendent of Water, and shall appear on the current list of approved backflow prevention devices of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
(3) An interchangeable connection, to be approved, shall be either a swing type connector or a four-way valve of the lubricated plug type that operates through a mechanism which unseats the plug, turns it ninety degrees and reseats the plug.
Four-way valves shall not be used as stop valves but must have separate stop valves on each pipe connected to the valve. The telltale port on the four-way valve shall have no piping connected and the threads or flange on this post shall be destroyed so that a connection cannot be made.
(b) Existing backflow prevention devices approved by the Superintendent of Water or the Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency at the time of installation and properly maintained shall, except for inspection, testing and maintenance requirements, be excluded from the requirement of subsection (a) hereof providing the Superintendent of Water is assured that they will satisfactorily protect the public potable water system. Whenever the existing device is moved from the present location or requires more than minimum maintenance or when the Superintendent of Water finds that the maintenance of the device constitutes a hazard to health, the device shall be replaced by a backflow prevention device meeting the requirements of these regulations.
(Ord. 97-17. Passed 4-21-97.)