§ 30-244. Installation guidelines and requirements for backflow prevention assemblies.

(a)

General. To ensure proper operation and accessibility of all backflow prevention assemblies, the following guideline shall apply to the installation of these assemblies. No backflows are allowed to be installed below grade or in a vault.

(1)

Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in accordance with the current TCEQ rule and these regulations. The assembly installer must obtain the required plumbing permits and have the installation inspected by the city.

(2)

At facilities which require a backflow prevention assembly to be installed at the point of delivery of the water supply, such installation of the assembly must be before any branch in the line and on private property located just inside the boundary between the public right of way and the landowner's property. The city may specify other areas for installation of the assembly. The assembly must be protected from freezing and other severe weather conditions.

(3)

The assembly must be protected from freezing and other severe weather conditions.

(4)

All backflow prevention assemblies shall be of a type and model approved by the city.

(5)

Assemblies that are larger than four (4) inches and installed more than five (5) feet above floor level must have a suitable platform for use by testing or maintenance personnel.

(6)

Bypass lines are prohibited. Pipe fittings, which could be used for connecting a bypass line, shall not be installed.

(7)

Premises where an uninterrupted water supply is critical should be provided with two assemblies installed in parallel. They should be sized in such a manner that either assembly will provide the maximum flow required.

(8)

Lines should be thoroughly flushed prior to installation. A strainer with blowout tapping may be required ahead of the assembly.

(9)

The property owner assumes all responsibility for any damages resulting from installation, operation, and/or maintenance of a backflow assembly. The owner shall be responsible for keeping all backflow prevention assembly vaults reasonably free of silt and debris.

(10)

The city shall be notified upon completion of installation within 30 days. All assemblies must be registered with the city and shall provide the date of installation, manufacturer, model, type, size, and serial number of the backflow assembly, and initial test report.

(b)

Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assemblies (RPs) shall be utilized at premises where a substance is handled that would be hazardous to health if introduced into the potable water system. The RP is normally used in locations where an air gap is impractical. The RP shall be effective against both-siphonage and backpressure.

(1)

The assembly must be readily accessible for testing and maintenance and must be located in an area where water damage to building or furnishing would not occur from relief valve discharge. The property owner assumes all responsibility for any damage caused by water discharge from an RP assembly. An approved air gap shall be located at the relief valve orifice of RP assemblies.

(2)

RPs are to be installed above ground only.

(3)

Enclosures shall be designed for ready access and sized to allow for testing and maintenance. Daylight drain ports must be provided to accommodate full pressure discharge from the assembly. Enclosures must not exceed 3 inches in depth.

(4)

All RP assemblies must be tested in accordance with this ordinance. Tests are the responsibility of the assembly owner. The owner must notify the city upon installation of any backflow prevention assembly.

(c)

Reduced pressure principle detector prevention assemblies (RPDA) shall be utilized in all installations requiring a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly and detector metering and having a meter and transmitter approved by the plumbing inspector's office.

(1)

RPDAs shall comply with the installation requirements applicable for reduced pressure principle backflow assemblies (RP).

(2)

The line-size RP assembly and the bypass RP assembly must each be tested. A separate test report for each assembly must be completed by the certified tester.

(d)

Double check valve backflow prevention assemblies (DC) shall be utilized at premises where a substance is handled that would be objectionable but not hazardous to health if introduced into the potable water system.

(1)

Premises where an uninterrupted water supply is critical should be provided with two (2) assemblies installed in parallel. Assemblies should be sized in such a manner that either assembly will provide the minimum water requirements while the two together will provide the maximum flow required.

(2)

The assembly shall be readily accessible with adequate room for testing and maintenance.

(3)

Vertical installations of DCs are allowed only on sizes up to and including 4 inches that meet the following requirement:

a.

Internally spring-loaded check valves.

b.

Flow is upward though assembly.

c.

Manufacturer states their assembly has been certified and tested that it can be used in a vertical position.

(4)

ALL DCs must be tested in accordance with this ordinance. Tests are the responsibility of the assembly owner. The owner must notify the city upon installation of any backflow prevention assembly.

(e)

Double check defector backflow prevention assemblies (DCDA) shall be utilized in all installations requiring a double check valve assembly and detector metering, having a meter and transmitter approved by the plumbing inspector's office.

(1)

DCDAs shall comply with the installation requirements applicable for double check valve assemblies.

(2)

The line-size DC assembly and the bypass DC assembly must each be tested by tested. A separate test report for each assembly must be completed by the certified tester.

(f)

Pressure vacuum breaker backflow prevention assemblies (PVB) shall be utilized at point-of-use protection only and where a substance is handled that would be objectionable but not hazardous to health if introduced into the potable water system. PVBs protect against backsiphonage only and shall not be installed where there is potential for back-pressure.

(1)

Assembly shall be installed a minimum of 12 inches above the highest downstream piping.

(2)

PVBs shall not be installed in an area where damage would occur from water discharge.

(3)

The assembly shall be readily accessible for testing and maintenance, with a minimum clearance of 12 inches all around the assembly.

(4)

All PVBs must be tested in compliance with this ordinance. Tests are the responsibility of the assembly owner. The owner must notify the regulatory authority installation of any backflow prevention assembly.

(g)

Spill resistant pressure vacuum break backflow prevention assemblies (SVB) may be utilized in all installations requiring a pressure vacuum breaker.

SVBs shall comply with the installations requirements applicable for pressure vacuum breaker backflow prevention assemblies.

(Ord. No. 01-021, § 2, 3-22-01; Ord. No. 15-045, § 2, 6-11-15 )