Recently, the HydroCorp team surveyed a hospital building with 49 backflow prevention assemblies. Of those assemblies, nine separated them from the city, protecting the municipal water system. Those were regularly tested in accordance with local regulations. But what about the remaining 40 assemblies? If the city doesn’t track those, who does?
In almost every facility survey we conduct, we find inappropriate, incorrectly installed, and untested backflow preventers. The risks are real and measurable, but the solution is simple.
The Testing Mandate
Backflow prevention assemblies, according to plumbing codes, need to be tested to ensure they function properly. In addition to testing frequency, plumbing code and local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements may also dictate testing requirements, including approved test procedures, approved tester credentials and certifications, and routine equipment calibration.
Many states only require testing of, at minimum, containment assemblies: the assemblies at service connections that protect against backflow into the wider city water distribution system. Some states (like Wisconsin) take the testing mandate a step further, requiring facilities to test all assemblies, including those that protect buildings’ interior private potable water systems. Typically, testing is required annually, but some states and jurisdictions require testing as often as quarterly.
Even if your municipality only requires annual testing of assemblies at the service connection, compliance with OSHA 1910.141 may very well mean testing your interior backflow prevention assemblies. Your legal obligation to maintain safe drinking water in your building requires separation of potable and non-potable supplies and, of course, protection against backflow contamination.
Finally, your organization may have your own internal hygiene policy that requires regular testing to support health and safety standards. These policies may be part of a greater water management program that protects against contamination.
The Testing Process
What does testing look like for a large facility? Your AHJ may define key points of the process, including:
- Approved assemblies for various plumbing configurations
- Testing frequency
- Tester certification and equipment requirements
- Timeframes to repair and retest
- Reporting requirements
The first question facility managers need to ask themselves: Are you 100% sure you have every assembly in your facility catalogued in your database? You need to assess whether every assembly installed in your facility is the correct type for the configuration and use, and that they’re all installed correctly.
In nearly all the facilities HydroCorp surveys, we find significant deficiencies. The number one issue? A missing backflow prevention assembly where one is required to protect potable water from contamination. Often, we also find that assemblies go untested for far too long or are installed incorrectly, potentially preventing them from doing their job.
Just because you test a mechanical device to ensure it’s functioning doesn’t validate that it’s the right assembly or that it’s correctly installed. That means the backflow prevention assembly evaluation process requires more than just testing. A cross-connection control survey of your facility helps you identify where your assemblies are located and whether they’re compliant, as well as where you may need to install additional assemblies.
The Testing Program
Policy
The internal backflow prevention assembly testing policy for your facility should reinforce the requirements set forth by the AHJ. Remember, regardless of AHJ requirements, plumbing codes and best practices indicate that all backflow prevention assemblies should be tested—not just those used for containment.
A facility policy should include:
- Who is certified to test, repair, and install backflow preventers
- Approved test method(s)
- Tagging/identification requirements on the physical assembly
- Time limit to complete repairs and retest
- Survey requirements and frequency
Practice
Once you’ve determined what testing frequency your AHJ requires, you need to figure out:
- When you need to conduct backflow assembly testing to meet reporting deadlines
- How you’re going to test (all at once or over multiple days/weeks)
- How and how quickly you’ll respond to failed tests
Having predetermined practices for repairs and replacements builds confidence into your operations, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks and drags on to the point of non-compliance.
Database
The inventory and tracking of backflow prevention assemblies and test results forms the backbone of a compliant, successful program. You need an accurate database of every assembly in your facility that includes:
- Location of assembly
- What equipment assembly supplies
- Make, model, serial number, size
- Installation date
- Historical test records
Establish a system that allows you to effectively locate all your facility’s assemblies. What is the tracking mechanism, the methodology, you use to locate and store that information? CAD, GIS, and photo documentation can all be used to manage your backflow assembly inventory.
The database you use matters. While a spreadsheet might be able to do the job, it makes updates tedious, limits accessibility, and creates ample opportunity for mistakes or missed tests. A database specifically catered to managing backflow testing can streamline the process by automating notifications around upcoming tests, tracking deficiency resolution, and simplifying report generation.
Reporting
Finally, you need to make sure you have consistent reporting mechanisms in place—both for internal records and to report externally to the AHJ. At any time, you should be able to run a report with a detailed inventory of every assembly, its compliance status, and any required next steps. If you can’t quickly get a picture of your water systems and backflow preventers, you leave your facility open to risk.
Large facilities have dozens—sometimes, even hundreds—of backflow prevention assemblies. Keeping track of them and making sure they’re all properly installed and tested is a big task, and one that makes sure your facility stays safe and compliant. Don’t wait for a contamination event or for enforcement from your AHJ to get a clear picture of how you’re protecting potable water in your facility.
Ready to learn more about how HydroCorp can support your facility’s backflow prevention efforts?
