608.16 Connections to the potable water system.

Connections to the potable water system shall conform to Sections 608.16.1 through 608.16.10.

608.16.1 Beverage dispensers.

The water supply connection to beverage dispensers shall be protected against backflow by a backflow preventer conforming to ASSE 1022 or by an air gap. The portion of the backflow preventer device downstream from the second check valve and the piping downstream therefrom shall not be affected by carbon dioxide gas.

608.16.2 Connections to boilers.

The potable supply to the boiler shall be protected by an air gap or a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer, complying with ASSE 1013, CSA B64.4 or AWWA C511.

   Exception: An atmospheric vent complying with ASSE 1012 or CSA B64.3 may be installed in buildings classified as Occupancy Group R-3 and which do not utilize conditioning chemicals.

Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2010/056.

608.16.3 Heat exchangers.

Heat exchangers utilizing an essentially toxic transfer fluid shall be separated from the potable water by double-wall construction. An air gap open to the atmosphere shall be provided between the two walls. Heat exchangers utilizing an essentially nontoxic transfer fluid shall be permitted to be of single-wall construction.

   Exceptions: Double-wall construction shall not be required for the following:

      1.   Heat exchangers supplied directly from the Consolidated Edison steam system; and

      2.   Low-pressure steam-heating boilers.

608.16.4 Connections to automatic fire sprinkler systems and standpipe systems.

The potable water supply to automatic fire sprinkler and standpipe systems shall be protected against backflow by a double check backflow prevention assembly, a double check detector fire protection backflow prevention assembly, reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, or a reduced pressure detector fire protection backflow prevention assembly.

   Exceptions:

      1.   Where systems are installed as a portion of the water distribution system in accordance with the requirements of this code and are not provided with a fire department connection, isolation of the water supply system shall not be required.

      2.   Isolation of the water distribution system is not required for deluge, preaction or dry pipe systems.

608.16.4.1 Additives or nonpotable source.

Where systems under continuous pressure contain chemical additives or antifreeze, or where systems are connected to a nonpotable secondary water supply, the potable water supply shall be protected against backflow by a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly or a reduced pressure detector fire protection backflow prevention assembly. Where chemical additives or antifreeze are added to only a portion of an automatic fire sprinkler or standpipe system, the reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly or the reduced pressure detector fire protection backflow prevention assembly shall be permitted to be located so as to isolate that portion of the system. Where systems are not under continuous pressure, the potable water supply shall be protected against backflow by an air gap or an atmospheric vacuum breaker conforming to ASSE 1001 or CSA B64.1.1.

608.16.5 Connections to lawn irrigation systems.

The potable water supply to lawn irrigation systems shall be protected against backflow by an atmospheric vacuum breaker, a pressure vacuum breaker assembly or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly. Valves shall not be installed downstream from an atmospheric vacuum breaker. Where chemicals are introduced into the system, the potable water supply shall be protected against backflow by a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly.

608.16.6 Connections subject to backpressure.

Where a potable water connection is made to a nonpotable line, fixture, tank, vat, pump, cooling tower or other equipment subject to high-hazard backpressure, the potable water connection shall be protected by a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly.