Backflow preventers keep your water supply safe by preventing the mixing of dirty water with your clean water supply.
Therefore, all commercial buildings with backflow preventers must be inspected and tested at least once a year to ensure proper working condition and protect the potable water supply.
Frequent inspections catch problem with the backflow preventer early; also frequent inspections keeps you compliant with local regulations. Registering your backflow devices with the local health department is about more than compliance; it’s about protecting your family and your community and providing a healthy drinking water supply.
Having peace of mind knowing your water supply is protected and healthy can be achieved by having your backflow preventers inspected every year.
Brazas Fire provides fast, quality testing of backflow preventers throughout Albuquerque and New Mexico. The certified staff will conduct any necessary inspections to keep you in compliance with local requirements and eliminate your stress.
Understanding Backflow
Backflow preventers are designed to protect your water supply from back flow of contaminated or dirty water. The backflow usually occurs when there is a sudden drop in water pressure; the sudden drop of pressure could cause dirty water to flow backwards into your clean water using negative pressure.
Without backflow preventers, harmful chemicals or bacteria could get into your drinking water. Testing and maintaining backflow preventers provide you the assurance of long-term protection.
Types of Backflow Preventers
Depending on the contamination hazard and location, there are four types of backflow preventers available for commercial use. The four backflow preventers are:
- A double-check valve assembly (DCVA) backflow preventer is for non-hazardous low-risk plumbing connections.
- A reduced-pressure zone assembly (RPZ) backflow preventer is for high-hazard plumbing connections.
- A pressure-vacuum breaker backflow preventer (PVB) is for irrigation systems or sprinkler systems.
The type of backflow preventer installed in your water system, based on your local codes will dictate your common installation location. The most common installation locations of backflow preventers are:
- Outdoor irrigation systems;
- Fire sprinkler systems;
- Commercial connections to non-potable water;
- Boilers or cooling systems.
Having backflow preventers installed at each location listed above will help prevent the introduction of contaminants to the water system and should be inspected to ensure continued water quality and compliance with local code.
Inspection Frequency Requirements
The frequency of backflow preventer inspections and testing varies by state and municipality. Most communities require annual inspections, performed by a certified technician, for backflow preventers. In addition, your water regulations or your water division may require backflow inspections to occur during specific months of the year; typically between April and September. Therefore, to ensure you are compliant with your local and municipal guidelines, and to ensure your drinking water supply is safe and clean, it is best practice to have an annual inspection.
Some backflow preventers are designed to have a life span of 5-10 years depending on how many years or how frequently they have been tested and/or repaired. Annual inspections will help you determine if your backflow preventer is due for repair or replacement.
Local Regulations or Codes
Local or municipal health departments regulate all backflow preventers within their jurisdiction for public safety purposes; therefore, all backflow preventers must be inspected at least annually, by a certified technician, to comply with local health department requirements to ensure the long-term protection of public drinking water supplies.
Certain backflow preventers, such as the one used in commercial buildings or irrigation systems, may have additional, more stringent requirements; therefore fines or penalties may apply if you do not comply with local health department regulations.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your backflow preventers are inspected and tested at the required frequency; as such, you must plan ahead by scheduling a test on the backflow preventers and report the results to the appropriate governmental authority. In some locations, codes and policies may specify additional inspection and repair requirements, such as leaks and damage, between annual inspections.
Manufacturer Recommendations
Most manufacturers of backflow preventers will provide instructions for the initial installation and recommend an inspection schedule to maintain your backflow preventers. Most manufacturers agree that backflow preventers should be tested at least annually; however, they may recommend more frequent testing for older (greater than five years old) or high-usage devices.
Following these recommendations will increase the lifespan of your device and provide continued performance. Using the approved parts and services for your backflow preventer will maintain any warranties associated with your backflow preventer.
Brazas Fire is a reliable resource for backflow testing & maintenance in Albuquerque/New Mexico. Their certified technicians ensure that your back-protection devices provide sufficient protection and meet all applicable national or state standards.
Factors That Affect How Often Backflow Preventers Need to Be Inspected
Several factors will determine how frequently you will need to inspect the backflow preventer on your water system: environmental conditions around your water system, the volume of water used on your system and the age or condition of your backflow preventer.
Environmental Conditions
Having your backflow preventer in an area that has harsh environmental conditions may require more frequent inspections.
For example, extreme temperatures, heavy rainfall and windy environments can cause the backflow preventer to wear out at an accelerated rate and if exposed to freezing temperatures, the backflow preventer may be cracked and malfunctioning.
If your backflow preventer is located near contaminants, such as industrial chemicals or fertilizers; the contaminants can corrode and affect the operation of the backflow preventers. Keeping the backflow preventer free of debris and limiting the potential for damage will help to extend the life of your backflow preventer.
Conducting inspections of your backflow preventer, based on the environmental conditions, will assist you in identifying any potential problems prior to the occurrence of costly repairs. Brazas Fire can help you to develop the appropriate inspection schedule for your location.
Water Usage
The volume of water usage on your water system will affect how frequently the backflow preventer will need to be inspected. The more water you use in your operation, the more wear and tear will occur on your backflow preventer.
If you have a commercial water system, your backflow preventer(s) may need to be tested more frequently than once a year, depending upon your local regulations. In most residential applications, conducting an annual inspection will suffice; however,
if you are experiencing any unusual taste, smell or reduction in the flow of your drinking water, you should have your backflow preventer inspected.
If you operate a business or are using a complicated water system; it will be more convenient to stay up to date on the maintenance of your backflow preventer(s).
Age/Condition of the Backflow Preventer
Your backflow preventer’s age will determine how often it should be inspected and tested. Backflow preventers that are five or older may require more thorough inspections because the parts may have ceased to function properly. Some backflow preventers are designed to be replaced every 5-10 years in order to ensure continued quality and compliance with applicable legal and safety standards.
If your backflow preventer has previously failed an inspection or required a repair, you will need to have more frequent inspections.
It’s necessary to use specialized equipment checked by qualified inspectors and test according to local regulations. Let’s take a closer look at what inspectors do, who can do this work, and what types of tools they will use.
Procedure for Inspection
The inspector will visually inspect the backflow device for visible signs of aging or damage. They will attach a test device to the backflow device, measure the pressure, and determine whether there is backflow. The purpose of this step is to verify that the valves in the backflow device close properly and to verify that there is no opportunity for contaminants to enter the water supply.
If anything is not functioning appropriately, the inspector will write up what needs to be repaired or replaced based on the inspection findings. The process will not take that long, but the inspector will cover every base of the testing process. After the testing is complete, the inspector will submit the results of your test to your water provider so they can maintain compliance.
Certified Inspectors
Only certified inspectors can perform backflow devices’ inspections. These inspectors possess specialized licenses which certify to the state that they have the expertise and knowledge to perform backflow testing, as well as to comply with safety standards. You may not perform a test on your backflow device; therefore, it is essential that you employ a qualified inspector to obtain valid test results.
Before you hire an inspector, verify that he or she has the proper certification and requisite experience to perform the inspection. A good inspector will answer your questions about the testing process and provide you with expert explanations of the results of the inspection. At Brazas Fire, all of our technicians are certified and trained to provide reliable, fast service for Albuquerque and New Mexico.
Tools and Equipment Required
Backflow testing requires specific testing tools including pressure gauges, testing kits, and other tools, such as replacement parts, which attach to the backflow device and measure any variance in pressure in order to determine the risk of backflow into clean water. All gauges used must be precise in order to detect backflow failure.
Inspectors will use devices to check for the wear of the seals, springs, and moving parts on the backflow device. The use of the proper tools will aid in the early detection of defects prior to contamination occurring. You should employ the proper equipment for the testing process so that you can ensure the safety of your clean water supply and that your backflow device is operating appropriately.
The Consequences of Skipping Inspections
By skipping backflow inspections on your water supply, you will put the safety of your water supply at risk. In addition to potentially endangering your health, the neglect of backflow inspections could result in the violation of the law. You could be levied with civil penalties for the failure to comply with state water laws or you could face civil liability for health damages to persons resulting from your failure to maintain backflow device compliance with water laws.
Health Risks
Your backflow device is designed to prevent the entrance of stagnant or dirty water from entering into clean drinking water or into the water distribution system. If you do not routinely inspect your backflow device to ensure continued operational functionality, it is possible for contaminated water to re-enter your water distribution system.
If no one is inspecting your backflow device, any leaks or malfunctions resulting from improper maintenance may go undetected.
By testing your backflow device at least one time per calendar year, you will be provided with ongoing compliance from an independent inspector to maintain the ongoing safety of your water supply. When an independent inspector is conducting an inspection of your backflow device, they will have the training and expertise necessary to prevent the contamination of your clean drinking water supply.
Legal Consequences
If you do not follow the state laws relating to annual water supply backflow inspections, you may be subject to fines which accrue worse the more that you continue to skip testing. Some municipal water authorities will deny you water service until you pass your backflow device inspection.
If you fail a backflow device test, you are subject to incurring additional expenses for the replacement of failed components, repairs to failed components, or purchase of an entirely new backflow device. In addition to the repair costs associated with failing to conduct necessary repairs, you will incur higher costs later on due to your continued neglect.
By keeping your backflow device inspected and in compliance with all applicable local laws, you will not be subject to financial penalties or damage that is avoidable. Brazas Fire provides timely backflow device inspections and completes the submission of reports directly to your municipal water authority to ensure ongoing compliance while avoiding your having to endure the inconvenience of maintaining compliance.
Best Maintenance Practices for Continued Maintenance of Your Backflow Device
A consistent maintenance plan for your backflow device will ensure the ongoing safety of your water supply and the continued operational performance of your backflow device. A clear maintenance checklist and comprehensive documentation of the date, time,. Customer name, and work done will enhance the overall productivity of your maintenance plan and may assist you in reducing the cost of ongoing repairs or possible crisis compliance violations.
Scheduled Backflow Preventor Inspections
You should ensure that you have your backflow device tested at a minimum of one time every calendar year. Annual testing allows for the early identification of ongoing maintenance on your backflow device and provides you with the opportunity to require repairs prior to a breakdown occurring. Depending on the age and condition of your backflow devices, you may need to replace these devices in a five to ten year timeframe.
Working with qualified inspectors such as Brazas Fire requires you to develop a regular inspection schedule in order to maintain the long-term use and functionality of your backflow devices. If you rely on irrigation for your landscape maintenance or have a complex plumbing operation, you may need to have a backflow testing record that is more frequent.
You should ensure that your inspector conducts regular checks of the major components of your backflow device, including the rubber seals and discs, as these components may wear out faster than some other components. By keeping your backflow device clean and monitoring the water pressure during your backflow device checks, you will minimize the potential for backflow contamination of your clean drinking water supply.
Documentation
You will want to keep documentation of all of the maintenance and testing of your backflow device. You may use a numbered notebook, a database, a spreadsheet, or software program to maintain records of testing dates, test results, and the entirety of every maintenance task performed on your backflow device. Maintaining this documentation will be useful if you need to provide verification of compliance with a state or local water law.
Your records should include the type of test, the date inspected, the name of the inspector, the test results, and any maintenance performed on the backflow device, i.e. repairs or replacements of any device parts. While inspection services such as Brazas Fire assist you with the submission of inspection reports to the municipal water authority, it will be wise for you to also maintain copies of your backflow device reports.
Maintaining historical tracking of your backflow device’s repair and testing records will assist you in identifying patterns in your service records, as this may indicate it is time to replace your backflow device or plan for future inspections and repairs, allowing you to manage your project’s budget.
When to Consider Replacing Your Backflow Device
Are you also thinking of replacing your backflow device? You should consider replacing your backflow device based on the visible condition of the device or any clear indication of operational failure.
Most backflow devices have a useful life of approximately five to ten years, depending on the frequency of usage and ensuring an effective maintenance schedule. While a routine inspection of your backflow device is unlikely to constitute an enjoyable experience, these inspections are invaluable in the early detection of repair or maintenance items.
If your backflow device fails an annual test or any of the following items are present, promptly replace your backflow device:
- Leakage.
- Corrosion or rust.
- Colors other than clear or brownish water.
- Noises made by the device.
- Excessive variations in water supply pressure.
If you do not replace your backflow device after any of these indicators are found, there may be an increased risk that the public water supply will be contaminated.