Section 890.1130 Protection of Potable Water

Section 890

Section 890.1130  Protection

of Potable Water

a)         Cross-Connection (Submergence).  Potable water supply piping

and water discharge outlets shall not be submerged in any sewage or toxic

substance.  Potable water supply piping or water discharge outlets that are

submerged in other substances shall be provided with backflow protection as

listed in subsection (f).  (See Appendix I.Illustrations B and C.)

b)         Approval of Devices and Maintenance.  All devices and

assemblies for the prevention of backflow shall comply with the standards

listed in Appendix A.Table A.  All reduced pressure principle (RPZ), reduced

pressure detector (RPDA), double check (DCA) and double check detector (DCDA)

backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested and approved by a

Cross-Connection Control Device Inspector (CCCDI) before initial operation, and

at least annually after initial inspection.  Records to verify testing and

maintenance shall be available at the site of the installation.

c)         Backflow.  The water distribution system shall be protected

against backflow.  Each water outlet shall be protected from backflow by having

the outlet end from which the water flows spaced a sufficient distance above

the flood-level rim of the receptacle into which the water flows to provide a

minimum fixed air gap.  When it is not possible to provide a minimum fixed air

gap, the water outlet shall be equipped with an accessible backflow prevention

device or assembly in accordance with subsection (f) of this Section or Section

890.1140.

d)         Fire Safety Systems

ows spaced a sufficient distance above

the flood-level rim of the receptacle into which the water flows to provide a

minimum fixed air gap.  When it is not possible to provide a minimum fixed air

gap, the water outlet shall be equipped with an accessible backflow prevention

device or assembly in accordance with subsection (f) of this Section or Section

890.1140.

d)         Fire Safety Systems.  The installation of any fire safety

system involving the potable water supply system shall be protected against

backflow as follows:

1)         Backflow protection is not required for fire safety systems

constructed as follows:

A)        The system shall be looped, with no dead ends, to allow

circulation, to prevent the stagnation of water in the line;

B)        The system shall not have any non-potable connections or a fire

department hose (Siamese) connection;

C)        The system shall have 20 sprinkler heads or less; and

D)        The system shall be constructed of potable water supply quality

pipe in accordance with Appendix A.Table A.

2)         When backflow protection is required, a double detector check

valve or double check valve backflow preventer assembly shall be installed at

the fire safety system's point of connection to the potable water supply when a

fire safety system has no chemical additives or non-potable connection and:

A)        The

fire safety system has no fire department hose connections; or

B)        The fire safety system has one or more fire department hose

connections (for boosting pressure and flow to the fire safety system) that are

served only by fire fighting apparatus connected to a public water supply or a

fire department that does not use chemical additives or rely upon any

non-potable water supply

The

fire safety system has no fire department hose connections; or

B)        The fire safety system has one or more fire department hose

connections (for boosting pressure and flow to the fire safety system) that are

served only by fire fighting apparatus connected to a public water supply or a

fire department that does not use chemical additives or rely upon any

non-potable water supply.

3)         A fixed air gap with a break tank or other storage vessel or a

reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly (RPZ) shall be installed

at the fire safety system's point of connection to the potable water supply if:

A)        The fire safety system contains additives such as antifreeze,

fire retardant or other chemicals.  (The RPZ may be located at the point of

connection to that section of the system containing additives when the system's

connection to the water supply is protected by a double detector check valve

backflow preventer assembly.); or

B)        Non-potable water flows into the fire safety system by gravity;

or

C)        There is a permanent or emergency connection through which

water can be pumped into the fire safety system from any other non-potable

source; or

D)        Fire department connections are available that could permit

water to be pumped into the fire safety system from a non-potable source

capable of serving the fire safety system.  A non-potable source of water shall

be considered capable of serving the fire safety system under the following

conditions:  it must be capable of year-round use, maintained with at least

50,000 gallons of usable water not subject to freezing, accessible to fire

fighting pumper equipment, and located within 1,700 feet of the facility.

e)         Prohibited Connections

1)         Sewage Lines.  There shall be no direct connection between

potable water lines and sewage lines or equipment and vessels containing

sewage.  Connections shall be made only through a minimum fixed air gap as

outlined in subsection (f)(5)

subject to freezing, accessible to fire

fighting pumper equipment, and located within 1,700 feet of the facility.

e)         Prohibited Connections

1)         Sewage Lines.  There shall be no direct connection between

potable water lines and sewage lines or equipment and vessels containing

sewage.  Connections shall be made only through a minimum fixed air gap as

outlined in subsection (f)(5).

2)         Chemical or Petroleum Pressure Vessels.  No direct connection shall

occur between any potable water supply and any pressure vessel, i.e., storage

tank, tank car, tank truck or trailer, or other miscellaneous pressurized tank

or cylinder containing or having contained liquified gaseous petroleum products

or other liquified gaseous chemicals.  When it is necessary to discharge from a

potable water line to a pressure vessel, the discharge shall be through a

minimum fixed air gap as outlined in subsection (f)(5).  Exception:  Chemical

pressure vessels containing chemicals used in the water treatment process, for

uses other than private purposes, are exempt from this subsection (e)(2).

3)         If water under pressure is required, as in subsections (e)(1)

and (2), it shall be supplied by means of an auxiliary pump taking suction from

a tank provided for this purpose only with an over-rim supply having the

required minimum fixed air gap.

4)         A potable water line to a single wall refrigerant condenser

shall be provided with a backflow preventer complying with ASSE 1012 or 1013.

5)         No pipe or fitting of the water supply system shall be drilled

or tapped nor shall any band or saddle be used except at the water main in the

street.  Exception:  See Section 890.320(h) for potable water use only.

f)         Devices for the Protection of the Potable Water Supply.

Approved backflow preventers or vacuum breakers shall be installed with all

plumbing fixtures and equipment that may have a submerged potable water supply

outlet and that are not protected by a minimum fixed air gap

e be used except at the water main in the

street.  Exception:  See Section 890.320(h) for potable water use only.

f)         Devices for the Protection of the Potable Water Supply.

Approved backflow preventers or vacuum breakers shall be installed with all

plumbing fixtures and equipment that may have a submerged potable water supply

outlet and that are not protected by a minimum fixed air gap.  Connection to

the potable water supply system for the following fixtures or equipment shall

be protected against backflow with one of the appropriate devices as indicated

below:

1)         Inlet to receptacles containing low hazard substances (steam,

compressed air, food, beverages, etc.):

A)        fixed air gap fitting;

B)        reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly;

C)        atmospheric vacuum breaker unit;

D)        double check valve backflow preventer assembly;

E)        double check backflow preventer with atmospheric vent assembly;

or

F)         dual check valve.

2)         Inlet to receptacles containing high hazard substances (vats,

storage containers, plumbing fixtures, etc.):

A)        fixed air gap fitting;

B)        reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly; or

C)        atmospheric vacuum breaker unit.

3)         Coils or jackets used as heat exchangers in compressors,

degreasers and other equipment involving high hazard substances:

A)        fixed air gap fitting; or

B)        reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly.

4)         Direct connections that are subject to back pressure:

A)        Receptacles containing low hazard substances (vats, storage

containers, plumbing fixtures, etc.):

i)          fixed air gap fitting;

ii)         reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly;

iii)        double check valve backflow preventer assembly;

iv)        double check backflow preventer with atmospheric vent assembly;

or

v)         dual check valve

ect to back pressure:

A)        Receptacles containing low hazard substances (vats, storage

containers, plumbing fixtures, etc.):

i)          fixed air gap fitting;

ii)         reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly;

iii)        double check valve backflow preventer assembly;

iv)        double check backflow preventer with atmospheric vent assembly;

or

v)         dual check valve.

B)        Receptacles containing high hazard substances (vats, storage

containers, etc.):

i)          fixed air gap fitting; or

ii)         a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly.

5)         Inlet to or direct connection with sewage or lethal

substances: fixed air gap fitting.

6)         Hose and spray units or stations shall be protected by one of

the appropriate devices as indicated below:

A)        Fixed

air gap;

B)        Reduced

pressure principle backflow preventer assembly;

C)        Double

check valve backflow preventer assembly;

D)        Double check valve backflow preventer with atmospheric vent

assembly;

E)        Dual check valve backflow preventer assembly;

F)         Atmospheric vacuum breaker unit.

g)         Installation of Devices or Assemblies

1)         Devices of All Types. Backflow preventer assemblies and

devices shall be installed to be accessible for observation, maintenance and

replacement services. Backflow preventer devices or assemblies shall not be

installed where they would be subject to freezing conditions, except as allowed

in Section 890.1140(d).

2)         All in-line backflow/back siphonage preventer assemblies shall

have a full port type valve with a resilient seated shut-off valve on each side

of the preventer.  Relocation of the valves is not permitted.

3)         A protective strainer shall be located upstream of the first

check valve on all backflow/back siphonage preventers unless the device contains

a built-in strainer.  Fire safety systems are exempt from the strainer

requirement

assemblies shall

have a full port type valve with a resilient seated shut-off valve on each side

of the preventer.  Relocation of the valves is not permitted.

3)         A protective strainer shall be located upstream of the first

check valve on all backflow/back siphonage preventers unless the device contains

a built-in strainer.  Fire safety systems are exempt from the strainer

requirement.

4)         Atmospheric vacuum breakers shall be installed with the

critical level above the flood level rim of the fixture they serve, and on the

discharge side of the last control valve of the fixture.  No shut-off valve or

faucet shall be installed beyond the vacuum breaker.

5)         No in-line double check valve backflow preventer assembly

(DCV) or reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly (RPZ) shall be

located more than 5 feet above a floor, or be installed where it is subject to

freezing or flooding conditions.  After installation, each DCV and RPZ shall be

field tested in-line in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions by a

cross-connection control device inspector before initial operation.  (See

subsection (b).)

6)         A dual check backflow preventer with atmospheric vent assembly

shall not be installed where it is subject to freezing or flooding conditions.

7)         Closed water systems with hot water storage shall have a

properly sized thermal expansion tank located in the cold water supply as near

to the water heater as possible and with no shut-off valve or other device

between the heater and the expansion tank.  Exception:  In existing buildings

with a closed water system, a properly sized pressure relief valve may be

substituted in place of a thermal expansion tank.  For closed water systems

created by backflow protection in manufactured housing, as required in Section

890.1140(i), a ballcock with a relief valve may be substituted for the thermal

expansion tank.