FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please see below for a list of questions answered regarding cross-conection and backflow prevention. If you have any additional questions or require a quote today, feel free to contact us today.

WHAT IS BACKFLOW PREVENTION?

A term used to include all parts of the Plumbing Trade that deal with protection of the Potable Water System, (The Drinking Water System) and includes Cross Connection Control, Backflow Preventers, Installations, Testing, maintenance, Regulations, Bylaws, Surveys and enforcement.

In plumbing, the term means the reversal of the normal direction of flow in a piping System. Plumbing systems are designed for the internal liquids to flow in a desired direction, either into AND around a building, (Domestic Potable Water) OR out of a building (Sewage, Wastes or Storm products) and will flow either by force or by gravity. In the Domestic Potable Water System, water is usually under pressure (force) and will flow in the direction from high pressure to low pressure.Under certain physical conditions, water may be forced, persuaded or pulled in the undesireable direction causing Backflow. These conditions are known as Back Siphonage and/or Back Pressure.

A condition caused by the loss or reduction of the supply pressure ( to atmospheric or below atmospheric pressure) pulling in the wrong direction. This may happen when the city street main breaks or the internal piping system is shut off and cut for service or repairs.

A condition caused when the system end pressure raises higher than the supply pressure. This can happen by thermal expansion thru a boiler or mechanical means by a pump or high pressure piping systems.

CROSS-CONNECTION QUESTIONS

Yes, and this is to ensure that the valve is working properly and is a requirement on many states and cross-connection control programs. Test cocks are provided on the valve for this purpose and manufacturers are required to furnish field testing information.

Because of the growing number of serious building backflow cases, many water purveyors are now requiring the installation of approved backflow preventers at water meters. They are also educating the public concerning cross-connections and the danger of backflow into the local water supply. Since water purveyors cannot possibly be responsible for or monitor the use of water within a residence, the requirements for these cross-connection control programs are increasing throughout the country.

This is a combined cooperative effort between plumbing and health officials, waterworks companies, property owners and certified testers to establish and administer guidelines for controlling cross-connections and implementing means to ensure their enforcement so that the public potable water supply will be protected both in the city main and within buildings. The elements of a program define the type of protection required and responsibility for the administration and enforcement. Other elements ensure continuing education programs.
 

The purpose of a sill cock is to permit easy attachment of a hose for outside watering purposes. However, a garden hose can be extremely hazardous because they are left submerged in swimming pools, lay in elevated locations (above the sill cock) watering shrubs, chemical sprayers are attached to hoses for weed-killing, etc.; and hoses are often left laying on the ground which may be contaminated with fertilizer, cesspools, and garden chemicals.

A hose bib vacuum breaker should be installed on every sill cock to isolate garden hose applications thus protecting the potable water supply from contamination.

Definitely, providing the device is equipped with means to permit the line to drain after the hydrant is shut-off. A “removable” type hose bib vacuum breaker could allow the hydrant to be drained, but the possibility exists that users might fail to remove it for draining purposes, thus defeating the benefit of the frost-proof hydrant feature. If the device is of the “Non-Removable” type, be sure it is equipped with means to drain the line to prevent winter freezing.

Theoretically yes, but practically no. An anti-siphon vacuum breaker must be elevated above the sill cock to operate properly. This would require elevated piping up to the vacuum breaker and down to the sill cock and is normally not a feasible installation. On the other hand, a hose bib vacuum breaker can be attached directly to the sill cock, without plumbing changes and at minor cost.

The most commonly used atmospheric anti-siphon vacuum breakers incorporate an atmospheric vent in combination with a check valve. Its operation depends on a supply of potable water to seal off the atmospheric vent, admitting the water to downstream equipment. If a negative pressure develops in the supply line, the loss of pressure permits the check valve to drop sealing the orifice  while at the same time the vent opens admitting air to the system to break the vacuum.

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For more information or a quote, please complete this form and we will be in touch as soon as possible to assist you. If this is an emergency, please contact us at 1-888-736-6391 for 24/7 emergency plumbing and backflow services.

PHONE

(613) 725-3997

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1-888-736-6391

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PHONE

(613) 725-3997

TOLL FREE

1-888-736-6391

OFFICE HOURS

8:00am – 4:00pm