BACK-FLOW PREVENTION
Do you need a Backflow Test or a Backflow Preventer?
If you have received a letter from your municipality requesting you to install a backflow preventer Or you may have received a letter to to have your current backflow preventer tested; Pro-Tek Mechanical Inc. has qualified employees who install and test backflow preventers.
What is a backflow Preventer?
A backflow prevention device is used to protect potable water supplies from contamination or pollution due to backflow in water supply systems, water is normally maintained at a significant pressure to enable water to flow from the tap, shower, or other fixture. Water pressure may fail or be reduced when a water main bursts, pipes freeze, or there is unexpectedly high demand on the water system. Reduced pressure in the pipe may allow contaminated water from the soil, from storage, or from other sources to be drawn up into the system.
Why you must get your backflow preventer tested?
Mechanical backflow preventers have internal seats, springs and moving parts that are subject to fouling, wear or fatigue. These mechanical devices and air gaps can also be by-passed. Therefore, some backflow preventers have to be tested periodically to ensure that they are functioning properly and others such as an air gap require a visual check to ensure that they are still in place. The testable backflow preventers must be tested by someone that has had proper training and is qualified to do so.
Who can install/test a backflow preventer?
Personnel engaged in the installation and testing of back-flow preventer's are required to be adequately trained. For the purposes of installing and repairing backflow preventer's a person is required by the Trades Qualification Act of Ontario to be a journeyman plumber or a registered apprentice working under the direction of a journeyman plumber. No other trade or person is permitted to install plumbing (including back-flow preventer's).
For testing the Back-flow preventer a Journeyman plumber must go through adequate training in back-flow testing and must acquire a OWWA License as a Cross connection control specialist. Each tester will be given a certification number that will be needed to send any documentation to the intended municipality. Every tester will also have a Back-flow Prevention Assembly Test Kit which the Citified Tester will use to determine if the device Passes or Fails. This Test kit has to be calibrated once a year, the tester will receive a certificate of calibration which also needs to be sent to the intended municipality along with the test form.