Question 1

Why Backflow Prevention?

Accepted Answer

Backflow  testing and repair is an important aspect of maintaining a safe and  functional plumbing system. Backflow occurs when water flows in the  opposite direction that it should, potentially contaminating the clean  water supply. This can happen due to a malfunctioning backflow preventer  or other issues in the plumbing system.
 
To  prevent backflow, a backflow preventer is installed. This device is  designed to stop contaminated water from flowing back into the clean  water supply. However, these preventers need to be tested and maintained  regularly to ensure they are working properly. TCEQ, Texas Commission  on Environmental Quality, requires city and MUD water providers to  adhere to environmental regulations.  In order to comply, city and MUD  districts have annual testing regulations in place.  This is where  backflow testing comes in.
 
During a  backflow test, a Licensed and Insured Backflow Technician from Backflow  Domestic Fire and Irrigation will check the performance of the backflow  preventer to ensure it is functioning as intended. If the preventer is  found to be malfunctioning, the Technician will perform backflow repair  or replacement. This may involve replacing damaged parts, adjusting the  device, or installing a new backflow preventer altogether.
 
It is  important to have your backflow preventer tested (and repaired or  replaced as needed) to ensure that your plumbing system is safe and  functioning properly. This can help prevent contamination of your clean  water supply, protect your health, and keep your plumbing system running  smoothly.
 
If you  suspect that your backflow preventer is not working properly, it is best  to contact Backflow Domestic Fire and Irrigation for backflow testing  and repair or replacement. We will test and diagnose the problem (if  any) and take the necessary steps to fix it, ensuring that your plumbing  system is safe and functional.

Question 2

Backflow Assemblies

Accepted Answer

The Hose Bib Vacuum Breaker (HBVB) . The device has been modified  for a water hose to be attached and the addition of a self  closing trigger.  Plumbing codes require that all hose bibs have a  HBVB attached.

The Pressure Vacuum Breaker - is effective in health  and non-health hazards under backsiphonage conditions and should be  installed a minimum of twelve inches (12”) above all downstream piping  and the highest downstream opening. The pressure vacuum breaker can be  used under constant pressure and should be installed where spillage of  water would not be a problem. One of the most common use of these  assemblies are on irrigation systems.

The Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly - an assembly  containing two internally loaded check valves. Two shut off valves four  test cocks and a differential pressure relief valve. The RP is second to  the air gap for overall backflow protection. The load is usually in the  form of a spring. Backpressure can cause the relief valve to discharge  so these devices must be installed in a location where flooding will not  occur.

The Double Check Assembly (DCV) - is two check valves  with an internal load applied. The load is usually in the form of a  spring. The spring provides a force of pressure to the check valve to  help ensure that the check valves close tight. This DVC is on a water  based fire suppression system.

Question 3

Does a lawn irrigation system require a backflow prevention assembly?

Accepted Answer

According to sections 608.16.5 of the International Plumbing Code and  P2902.5.3 of the International Residential Code, the potable water  supply for lawn irrigation systems must be protected from backflow using  a pressure-type vacuum breaker, double-check valve assembly, or reduced  pressure principle backflow preventer, depending on the level of risk  at the site.

Question 4

How often does the backflow prevention assembly need to be tested?

Accepted Answer

In order to insure the proper operation of a backflow prevention  assembly, it must be tested and certified upon installation and at least  once a year thereafter by a licensed backflow tester such as Backflow Domestic Fire and Irrigation.

To schedule an appointment:

Call: 832-407-8562 
 Email: backflowdomesticfireirrigation@gmail.com

Question 5

What is a backflow prevention assembly?

Accepted Answer

A backflow prevention assembly is a device that prevents backflow. The  most common method for preventing backflow is an air gap, which either  eliminates a cross-connection or creates a barrier against backflow.  Another method is a mechanical backflow preventer, which physically  blocks backflow. The main types of backflow preventers are the  reduced-pressure principle assembly, the pressure vacuum breaker  assembly, the spill resistant vacuum breaker assembly, and the double  check valve assembly.

Question 6

What is a cross-connection?

Accepted Answer

A cross-connection is any connection, either temporary or permanent, between a public water system and a site's potable water system and any source or system that contains non-potable water or other substances. Examples of common cross-connections include:

Private wells, where an untreated well water is connected to a service line that receives water from a public water supply, potentially contaminating the household's and public water supply
Lawn sprinkler systems, where stagnant or contaminated water from the sprinkler system can be drawn into the household's water supply
Common garden hoses, where the hose is used to spray pesticides or placed in a bucket of soapy water, which can allow those substances to enter the water distribution system.

Question 7

What is an Air Gap?

Accepted Answer

An Air Gap is a complete physical separation between the discharge end  of a potable water supply and the flood rim of a non-pressurized or  receiving vessel. It means that there is nothing but free space between  the discharge and flood level, providing a complete physical separation.  To be properly installed, the air gap must be at least two times the  pipe diameter, but no less than one inch. The air gap provides the most  effective form of backflow prevention, protecting against health  hazards, back siphonage, backpressure, sewage and non-health hazards. A  common example of an air gap can be found in the kitchen sink and  bathtub.

Question 8

What is backflow?

Accepted Answer

Backflow is the reverse flow of non-potable water, or other  substances, through a cross-connection and into the piping of a public  water system or site’s potable water system.  Two types of backflow  are backpressure backflow and backsiphonage.

Question 9

What is backpressure backflow?

Accepted Answer

Backpressure backflow takes place when the downstream side of the piping  system is greater than the supply pressure in a public system or  customer’s potable water system.  Backpressure can result from an  increase in downstream pressure, a reduction in the potable water supply  pressure or a combination of both.  Pumps can create increases in  downstream pressure; temperature increases in boilers, etc.  Reductions  in potable water supply pressure occur when the amount of water  being used exceeds the amount of water being supplied, such as during  waterline flushing, firefighting or breaks in the water mains.

Question 10

What is backsiphonage?

Accepted Answer

Backsiphonage is backflow caused by negative pressure (i.e. vacuum or  partial vacuum) in a public water system or customer’s potable water  system.  The effect is similar to drinking water through a straw.   Backsiphonage can occur when there is a stoppage of water supply due to  nearby firefighting, a break in a water main, etc.

Question 11

What is a "potential hazard"?

Accepted Answer

A potential hazard is any possibility of pollutants,  contaminants, and system or plumbing hazards.  For example, fire  protection system, irrigation systems, gasoline refineries and stations,  restaurants, hospitals and manufacturers.

Question 12

What is the purpose of Customer Service Inspections?

Accepted Answer

To identify if one of two potential sources of contamination exists. One  is a cross- connection, an actual or potential connection between a  drinking water supply and a possible source of contamination or  pollution. The other potential source of contamination is lead  plumbing.

Customer Service Inspection Certificate

Question 13

Who can test backflow assemblies?

Accepted Answer

A Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) approved and licensed  Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester who has registered with the locality, such as the city.  Backflow Domestic Fire and Irrigation is TCEQ approved and licensed and registered with localities throughout the Houston and surrounding areas.

Question 14

Why do backflow prevention assemblies need to be tested?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical backflow prevention assemblies have internal seals, springs,  and moving parts that are subject to fouling, wear or fatigue.  Also,  mechanical backflow preventers and air gaps can be bypassed.  Therefore,  all backflow prevention assemblies have to be tested periodically to  ensure that they are functioning correctly.  Mechanical backflow  prevention assemblies have to be tested with properly calibrated gauge  equipment.

Question 15

Why do residential locations with on-site sewage facility (septic system) and an irrigation system require to have a back flow device and be tested annually?

Accepted Answer

The  existence of a health hazard, such as an On Site Sewage Facilities  (OSSF), requires the use of a Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow  Prevention Assembly (RPZ) on the irrigation system per: 30TAC 344.51(d)  If an irrigation system is designed or installed on a property that is  served by an on-site sewage facility, as defined in Chapter 285 of this  title (relating to On-Site Sewage Facilities), then:

(1) all irrigation piping and  valves must meet the separation distances from the On-Site Sewage  Facilities system as required for a private water line in §285.91(10) of  his title (relating to Minimum Required Separation Distances for  On-Site Sewage Facilities);

(2) any connections using a private  or public potable water source must be connected to the water source  through a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly as  defined in §344.50 of this title (relating to Backflow Prevention  Methods); and

(3) any water from the irrigation  system that is applied to the surface of the area utilized by the  On-Site Sewage Facility system must be controlled on a separate  irrigation zone or zones so as to allow complete control of any  irrigation to that area so that there will not be excess water that  would prevent the On-Site Sewage Facilities system from operating  effectively.  Because an RPZ is a mechanical assembly and is subject to  fail, it must be tested to make sure it is working properly.  The  existence of a health hazard necessitates annual testing of the RPZ per:  30TAC 290.44(h) (4) All backflow prevention assemblies that are  required according to this section and associated table located in  §290.47(f) of this title shall be tested upon installation by a licensed  backflow prevention assembly tester and certified to be operating  within specifications. Backflow prevention assemblies which are  installed to provide protection against health hazards must also be  tested and certified to be operating within specifications at least  annually by a licensed backflow prevention assembly tester.

Question 16

Why do localities need Cross-Connection and Backflow Testing Programs?

Accepted Answer

The programs safeguard the public drinking water and protect the health  of  customers by ensuring that any contaminants that could backflow  into the public water supply system are isolated within the customer’s  internal distribution system.

Backflow

Domestic Fire and Irrigation

Call: 832-407-8562
Email: backflowdomesticfireirrigation@gmail.com

State of Texas License TCEQ BP0019871

CONTACT US

Call: 832-407-8562
Email: backflowdomesticfireirrigation@gmail.com
Or fill out the form to send an email message. * = required information.

Frequently asked questions

Why Backflow Prevention?

Backflow Assemblies

Does a lawn irrigation system require a backflow prevention assembly?

How often does the backflow prevention assembly need to be tested?

What is a backflow prevention assembly?

What is a cross-connection?

What is an Air Gap?

What is backflow?

What is backpressure backflow?

What is backsiphonage?

What is a "potential hazard"?

What is the purpose of Customer Service Inspections?

Who can test backflow assemblies?

Why do backflow prevention assemblies need to be tested?

Why do residential locations with on-site sewage facility (septic system) and an irrigation system require to have a back flow device and be tested annually?

Why do localities need Cross-Connection and Backflow Testing Programs?

Backflow

Domestic Fire and Irrigation

Call: 832-407-8562 Email: backflowdomesticfireirrigation@gmail.com

State of Texas License TCEQ BP0019871

CONTACT US

Call: 832-407-8562 Email: backflowdomesticfireirrigation@gmail.com Or fill out the form to send an email message. * = required information.

Frequently asked questions

Why Backflow Prevention?

Backflow Assemblies

Does a lawn irrigation system require a backflow prevention assembly?

How often does the backflow prevention assembly need to be tested?

What is a backflow prevention assembly?

What is a cross-connection?

What is an Air Gap?

What is backflow?

What is backpressure backflow?

What is backsiphonage?

What is a "potential hazard"?

What is the purpose of Customer Service Inspections?

Who can test backflow assemblies?

Why do backflow prevention assemblies need to be tested?

Why do residential locations with on-site sewage facility (septic system) and an irrigation system require to have a back flow device and be tested annually?

Why do localities need Cross-Connection and Backflow Testing Programs?

Call: 832-407-8562
Email: backflowdomesticfireirrigation@gmail.com

Call: 832-407-8562
Email: backflowdomesticfireirrigation@gmail.com
Or fill out the form to send an email message. * = required information.