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State of Texas License TCEQ BP0019871

Backflow Domestic Fire and Irrigation is licensed and insured to Test, Repair and Replace Backflow Assemblies all across the Southeast Texas area including Atascocita, Baytown, Beaumont, Clear Lake, Cleveland, Conroe, Dayton, Deer Park, Galveston, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, League City, Liberty, Magnolia, Nederland, Pasadena, Pearland, Port Arthur, Porter, Spring, Sugarland, Tomball, The Woodlands 

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Call: 832-407-8562
Email: backflowdomesticfireirrigation@gmail.com
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  • Why Backflow Prevention?
    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.
  • Backflow Assemblies
    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.
  • Does a lawn irrigation system require a backflow prevention assembly?
    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.
  • How often does the backflow prevention assembly need to be tested?
    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
  • What is a backflow prevention assembly?
    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.
  • What is a cross-connection?
    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.
  • What is an Air Gap?
    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.
  • What is backflow?
    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.
  • What is backpressure backflow?
    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.
  • What is backsiphonage?
    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.
  • What is a "potential hazard"?
    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.
  • What is the purpose of Customer Service Inspections?
    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
  • Who can test backflow assemblies?
    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.
  • Why do backflow prevention assemblies need to be tested?
    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.
  • 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?
    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.
  • Why do localities need Cross-Connection and Backflow Testing Programs?
    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.

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