§ 38-150. Installation of backflow prevention assemblies or methods.

(a)

Installation according to manufacturer recommendation. The required backflow prevention assemblies or methods for containment shall be installed in the manner recommended by the manufacturer and in accord with the requirements of section 606 of the LSPC, 2013 edition, immediately following the meter or as close to that location as deemed practical by the administrative authority. In any case, it shall be located upstream from any branch piping. Installation at this point does not eliminate the responsibility of the customer to protect the water supply system from contamination or pollution between the backflow prevention assembly or methods and the water main.

(b)

Protect from flooding. Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed so as to be protected from flooding. The port or discharge point shall be installed such that it is located at least 24 inches above the highest flood level which may have occurred in the previous ten-year period.

(c)

No underground vaults or pits. Reduced-pressure-principle backflow prevention assemblies or methods shall not be installed in underground vaults or pits unless a gravity drainage system, designed by a state registered engineer, for the particular site has been approved by the state health officer. The intent of the exception to this section is to possibly allow below-grade installations on particular sites or lots having sufficiently hilly ground at the proposed location of the device such that when the vault or pit is constructed it may be equipped with positive gravity drainage openings as to prevent any part of the device from being submerged. A recommended design standard for such an installation may be found in sections 606.4.1 and 606.4.2 of the 1994 standard plumbing code.

(d)

Protect from freezing. All backflow prevention assemblies or methods shall be protected from freezing. Those devices used for seasonal services may be removed in lieu of being protected from freezing; however, the devices must be reinstalled and tested by a registered backflow prevention assembly technician prior to service being reactivated.

(e)

Thermal expansion. If hot water is used within the water supply system, thermal expansion shall be provided for when installing a backflow prevention assembly or method for containment in accordance with section 613.2 of the LSPC, 2013 edition.

(f)

Air gap drain. Provisions shall be made to convey the discharge of water from reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assemblies or methods to a suitable drain through an air gap.

(g)

No safety hazards. No backflow prevention assemblies or methods shall be installed in a place where they would create a safety hazard, such as, but not limited to, over an electrical panel or above ceiling level.

(h)

Temporary alternate installation. If interruption of water service during testing and repair of backflow prevention assemblies or methods for containment is unacceptable to the customer, another backflow prevention assembly or method of equivalent or higher protection, sized to handle the temporary water flow needed during the time of testing or repair, shall be installed in parallel piping.

(i)

Testing accessible. All backflow prevention assemblies or methods shall be installed so that they are accessible for testing.

(j)

Conformity to current standard. All shutoff valves shall conform with the current edition of the state plumbing code, 2013 edition, requirements for either ball or resilient seat gate valves. Full port ball valves shall be used on assemblies installed in piping two inches or smaller, and full port resilient wedge-type shutoff valves on assemblies installed in piping larger than two inches.

(Code 1968, § 20-63.9; Ord. No. 2007-05, § 10, 6-12-2007)