Backflow Preventer Installation

When do you need a backflow preventer installation?
There are a number of circumstances that demand it, and your local city plumbing code can give you all the specifics.

Here are some of the times you must have a backflow preventer installed:

When activities, materials used in connection with these activities, or materials stored at your location could contaminate or pollute the potable water supply.
When your premises has one or more cross connections,or when internal cross connections are not correctable.
When intricate plumbing arrangements make it impossible to know to if cross connections exist.
When your premises has a history of cross connections being established or re-established.
When an Inspector notifies you that an approved backflow prevention assembly is necessary to at your location.
When a fire sprinkler system using non-potable piping material is connected to the City's water system.
Any premises with multiple service connections needs to have a backflow assembly on each service connection.

What are Installation Specifics?

Every City's Plumbing Code lists very specific instances when backflow preventers must be installed and maintained.

Some basic installation codes require that no part of a reduced pressure principle backflow assembly be submerged, or installed where flooding is possible. The assemblies are installed at the point of water supply delivery, and on the private property located immediately inside the boundary of the city's right of way. The assembly must be protected from freezing, and readily accessible for testing.

Do All Businesses Need Backflow Prevention Systems?

Absolutely.

First there is the obvious: All businesses have bathrooms and the water that is flushed, or results from handwashing, must be kept away from potable water.

Hospitals, for example, deal in bodily fluids and wastes, sterilizing equipment, lab and other equipment. This would pose an immense health hazard if allowed to enter the public drinking water supply.

Many other industries have clearly toxic materials in use daily: mortuaries, planting companies, companies that use dyes, swimming pools, companies that do degreasing, commercial laundries, food and beverage processing plants...and the list goes on.

Simply put, there is no business that can get by without backflow prevention.

And once installed, backflow prevention assemblies need an annual test, to be sure they are not heading towards any sort of problem that could blow up into a crisis.

Clean water is everyone's concern, and everyone's responsibility. Our Certified Tester, Eric Troudt, installs backflow preventers all across Northern Colorado (excluding Denver), Eastern Colorado and Southern Wyoming.