(A) Discharge pipe.
(1) The discharge pipe of an air gap shall terminate:
(a) A minimum of two pipe diameters of the discharge pipe or six inches, whichever is the lesser, above the maximum recorded flood level or above the flood level rim of the receiving vessel, whichever is higher; or
(b) A minimum of three pipe diameters of the discharge pipe or six inches, whichever is lesser, above the maximum recorded flood level or above the flood level rim of the receiving vessel, whichever is higher where:
1. A side wall, rib, or similar obstruction is spaced closer than three diameters from the piping affecting the air gap; or
2. Two intersecting walls are located closer than four pipe diameters from the piping affecting the air gap.
(2) Only those models of double check valve assemblies, reduced pressure principle backflow preventers, and pressure vacuum breakers that have been listed by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California, August 27, 1997, or those acceptable under the state’s Plumbing Code pursuant to the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission rules at 675 I.A.C. 16-1.4, shall be installed.
(3) (a) Reduced pressure principle backflow preventers shall be installed horizontally with:
1. No plug or additional piping affixed to the pressure differential relief valve port; and
2. The pressure differential relief valve port a minimum of 12 inches above floor level.
(b) Additionally, the device must be installed at a location where any leakage from the pressure differential relief valve port will be noticed and that allows access to the valve for maintenance and testing from floor level, without use of a ladder or other similar temporary apparatus, and that will not subject the device to flooding, excessive heat, or freezing.
(4) All double check valve assemblies shall be installed at a location that allows access to the device for maintenance and testing from the floor level, without use of a ladder or other similar temporary apparatus, and that will not subject the device to flooding, excessive heat, or freezing.
(5) Pressure vacuum breakers shall be installed as near as possible to the irrigation facility at a location that allows access to the device for maintenance and testing from the floor or ground level, without use of a ladder or other similar temporary apparatus, and that will not subject the device to flooding, excessive heat, or freezing. Additionally, the device must be installed between two tightly closing shut-off valves with its center line or datum point a minimum of 12 inches above:
(a) Floor level;
(b) The highest downstream piping or shut-off valve; and
(c) The highest downstream overflow rim or discharge point.
(B) Control devices.
(1) The customer shall install and maintain in working order at all times any cross-connection control device or booster pump control device required by this subchapter.
(2) To ensure that each cross-connection control device required by this subchapter is in working order, the customer shall have each device inspected or tested by a cross-connection control device inspector at the time of construction or installation, and at the following intervals, in the following manners.
(a) Air gaps shall be inspected at intervals not exceeding one year to ensure that they continue to meet the requirements of division (A) above.
(b) Reduced pressure principle backflow preventers shall be tested at intervals not exceeding six months to ensure that:
1. Both check valves are drip-tight under all pressure differentials; and
2. The pressure differential relief valve will maintain pressure in the center chamber at least two pounds per square inch below that of the inlet chamber.
(c) Double check valve assemblies shall be tested at intervals not exceeding one year to ensure that both check valves are drip-tight under all pressure differentials.
(d) Pressure vacuum breakers shall be tested at intervals not exceeding one year to ensure that the air inlet opens fully when water pressure is at or below atmospheric pressure.
(3) The customer shall permit access to the customer’s premises by the inspector, the customer’s public water system, or the Commissioner, at reasonable times and upon presentation of identification, for inspection of the customer water system or testing of cross-connection control devices installed in accordance with this subchapter.
(4) Those customers granted an exemption, in accordance with § 51.62(E), shall report to the Commissioner and to the supplier of water any proposed change in process, plumbing, or materials used or stored at the exempted facility at least 14 days prior to making the change. Failure to do so shall void the exemption.
(C) Inspectors.
(1) All cross-connection control device inspectors shall:
(a) Be registered with the Commissioner in accordance with state regulations; and
(b) Submit reports of all inspections as required by division (C)(2) below.
(2) The inspector shall report to the public water system, the customer and, if requested, the Commissioner, on a form provided by the Commissioner, the results of inspections or tests conducted pursuant to § 51.64(A)(2) on air gaps, reduced pressure principle back-flow preventers, double check valve assemblies, and pressure vacuum breakers. Reports shall be submitted to the public water system and to the customer within 30 days of the inspection or test.
(D) Tests and violations.
(1) Because cross-connections may cause disease through transmission of contaminants via the public water system, the Commissioner shall order the public water system to remove the customer service meter or otherwise sever the public water system connection to any customer that the Commissioner finds, or has reason to believe is, in violation of any provision of this subchapter.
(2) The supplier of water shall retain the three most recent reports of tests conducted on air gaps, reduced pressure principle backflow preventers, double check valve assemblies, and pressure vacuum breakers installed in accordance with this subchapter. The supplier of water shall permit access to these files at reasonable times and upon presentation of identification by the Commissioner.
(3) If so requested, the public water system shall submit to the Commissioner copies of any report required to be retained by division (D)(2) above.
(Ord. 2006-10, passed 9-19-2006)