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Typical Backflow Assemblies
Backflow prevention assemblies can reduce or eliminate backflows by segregating drinking and non-potable water piping. This is done either by providing an air gap or by installing a backflow prevention assembly (BPA) between the two plumbing systems.
Installation
It is important that the backflow prevention assembly match the location’s particular hydraulic conditions and is suitable to protect against the degree of hazard present. Any BPA installed must be a design approved and listed by University of Southern California Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research. Also, the BPA must be installed according to the most recent plumbing code adopted by the City of Garland.
Testing & Maintenance
Once installed, these BPA are subject to initial and periodic testing and maintenance requirements to confirm their continued operational effectiveness. Such testing must be performed by a state licensed Backflow Tester (PDF) registered with the City of Garland.
Assembly Examples
- Air Gap
- Double Check Detector
- Double Check Valve
- Hose Bibb Vacuum Breaker
- Pressure Vacuum Breaker
- Reduced Pressure Detector
- Reduced Pressure Zone
There is a vertical, physical separation between the end of a water supply outlet and the flood-level rim of a receiving vessel.
Separation must be at least twice the diameter of the water supply outlet and never less than one inch.
It is effective against back pressure backflow and back-siphonage and may be used to isolate health or non-health hazards.
This is a specially designed assembly composed of a line-size approved double check valve assembly with a bypass containing a specific water meter and an approved double check.
The meter shall register accurately for rates of flow up to 2 gallons per minute and shall show a registration for all rates of flow.
This assembly shall only be used to protect against a non-health hazard. The double check detector is primarily used on fire sprinkler systems.
This assembly composed of two independently acting, approved check valves, including tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves attached at each end of the assembly and fitted with properly located resilient seated test cocks.
This assembly shall only be used to protect against a non-health hazard.
This assembly permits the attachment of portable hoses to hose thread faucets and prevent the reverse flow of polluted water from entering into the potable water supply due to back siphonage.
It consists of a brass body construction, stainless steel working parts, a rubber diaphragm and disc, a draining stem, and a break away set screw for tamper-resistant installations.
The Hose Bibb Vacuum is primarily used on outside water faucets.
Contains an independently operating, internally loaded, check valve and an independently operating loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check valve. The assembly is to be equipped with properly located resilient seated test cocks and tightly closing resilient seated shutoff valves attached at each end of the assembly.
This assembly is designed to protect against a non-health hazard or a health hazard under a backsiphonage condition only.
This is a specially designed assembly composed of a line-sized approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly with a specific bypass containing a specific water meter and as approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly.
The meter shall register accurately for rates of flow up to 2 gallons per minute and shall show a registration for all rates of flow.
This assembly may be used to isolate health or non-health hazards.
This includes two independently acting, spring-loaded check valves with a hydraulically operating, mechanically independent, spring-loaded pressure differential relief valve in between.
It is effective against backpressure backflow and back-siphonage and may be used to isolate health or non-health hazards.