[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
As used in this article, the following words, phrases and terms
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, unless clearly
indicated to the contrary:
AIR GAP
The unobstructed vertical distance through a free atmosphere
between the lowest perimeter of a water outlet and the flood-level
rim of any receptacle. This distance will be a minimum of two times
the diameter of the outlet. In case of near-walls, this distance will
be three times the diameter of the outlet.
AUXILIARY SUPPLY
Any water source or system other than the public water supply
that may be available in the building or premises.
BACKFLOW
The reversal of flow from its intended direction as a result
of backsiphonage or back-pressure.
BUREAU
The Bureau of Sanitary Engineering of the Department of Health
of the Commonwealth.
CONTAMINATION
Any introduction into pure water of microorganisms, wastes,
wastewater, undesirable chemicals or gases.
CROSS-CONNECTION
Any physical connection between a potable water supply and
any waste pipe, soil pipe, sewer, drain or any unapproved source or
system; also, any potable water supply outlet which is submerged or
can be submerged in waste or any other source of contamination.
DOUBLE CHECK VALUE ASSEMBLY
An assembly of two internally loaded, specially designed
and independently operating check valves, together with a tightly
closing shutoff valve on the upstream and the downstream side of the
check valves, equipped with properly placed female threaded test cocks.
FLOOD-LEVEL RIM
The top edge of the receptacle over which water could overflow.
HAZARD
Any condition, device or practice in the water usage system
and its operation which creates, or reasonably tends to create, a
danger to the health and well-being of the water consumer.
OWNER
The person having legal title to the property or who is in
charge, care and control of the property where the facilities in question
are located; also, the tenant of such property; also, the customer
who signed the water service agreement for such property.
POLLUTION
The presence of any foreign substance (chemical, physical,
radiological or biological) in water that tends to degrade its quality
so as to constitute an unnecessary risk or impair the usefulness of
the water.
SERVICE CONNECTION
The terminal end of a service line from the waterworks. If
a meter is installed at the end of the service, then the service connection
means the downstream end of the meter.
SERVICE LINE
That portion of the waterline from the consumer's side of
the water meter to the first water outlet.
TOXIN
Any substance of solids or liquids harmful for human consumption.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
The Building Official or his designated agent shall inspect
the plumbing in every building or premises in the City as frequently
as may be necessary to ensure that such plumbing has been installed
and is maintained in such a manner as to prevent the possibility of
pollution or contamination of the public water supply. The Building
Official shall notify or cause to be notified, in writing, the owner,
occupant or authorized agent of the owner of any such building or
premises to correct, within a reasonable time set by the Building
Official, any plumbing installed or existing contrary to or in violation
of this article and which may create the risk of pollution of the
City water supply or otherwise adversely affect the public health.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) The Building Official or his designated agent shall inspect all premises
or buildings during reasonable hours and under such circumstances
as to minimize the inconvenience to the owner or occupants of the
premises or their agents. Should any owner, occupant or agent refuse
to allow the Building Official access to the premises for the purpose
of conducting an inspection, or should the Building Official not be
able to contact the owner, occupant or agent for purposes of obtaining
permission to inspect, the Building Official shall have the right
to apply immediately to a magistrate or other judicial officer for
a proper warrant to carry out the necessary inspection. The provisions
of this section shall apply to all initial inspections and to such
follow-up inspections as may be necessary.
(b) In addition to the warrant procedure set forth in Subsection
(a), the Building Official may commence administrative proceedings to discontinue water service to uninspected premises. Except in emergency cases involving the imminent risk of pollution of the City water supply, the Building Official shall give 10 days' written notice to the owner or occupant of the affected premises or to a responsible agent of his intention to terminate the water service. The Building Official shall afford to the owner, occupant or agent a hearing on the question of whether water service shall be terminated. This hearing shall be scheduled and conducted in a manner so that, to the maximum extent feasible, the inconvenience and burden on the owner, occupant or agent shall be minimized. The hearing shall take place before the Building Official himself or a designated principal assistant. The Building Official shall not terminate the water service to the premises in question, if he finds as a fact that:
(1)
The owner, occupant or agent has presented clear, convincing
and credible evidence that there are no cross-connection hazards within
the subject premises; and
(2)
No purpose of this article would be served by conducting an
on-site inspection of the premises.
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In all cases, the hearing provided by this subsection shall
be scheduled within the ten-day period immediately following the giving
of written notice to the owner, occupant or agent. Upon a showing
of good cause, the Building Official may grant a reasonable continuance
of the hearing so scheduled, but the Building Official nevertheless
shall retain the right to terminate the water service at the expiration
of the ten-day notice period if, in his discretion, public health
considerations require such action. The Building Official shall, in
all cases, render his decision immediately after the taking of all
evidence at the hearing or as soon thereafter as may be practicable,
but in no case later than 24 hours following the termination of the
taking of evidence. The Building Official shall cause his findings
of fact and disposition of the case to be reduced to writing and shall
preserve the same in his files for a period of one year. The hearing
itself before the Building Official shall be tape recorded or preserved
by other appropriate means. Should the owner, occupant or agent desire
a copy of the tape, the Building Official shall cooperate with him
in undertaking to reproduce the same at the expense of the owner,
occupant or agent. In all cases, the Building Official shall exercise
the utmost care to preserve the integrity of the original tape.
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(c) In emergency circumstances, where the Building Official has reasonable cause to believe that a cross-connection hazard exists in the subject premises and such hazard jeopardizes the integrity or the purity of the City water supply, he shall forthwith terminate the water service to the subject premises. The Building Official shall thereafter immediately afford the owner, occupant or agent the notice and opportunity to be heard pursuant to the procedures set forth in Subsection
(b). In all cases where the Building Official shall summarily terminate water service as provided under this subsection, he shall act with dispatch in notifying the owner, occupant or agent and shall exercise the utmost diligence in scheduling a prompt hearing on the matter.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections
(a) and
(b), the Building Official shall not terminate any water service in cases where he has reliable information from any source indicating that cross-connection hazards do not exist in the premises to which access for inspection cannot be gained.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
A potable water supply system shall be designed, installed and
maintained in such manner as to prevent contamination from nonpotable
liquids, solids or gases, either harmful or benign, being introduced
into the potable water supply through cross-connections or any other
piping connections to the system. This shall be accomplished by protecting
every water outlet from the potable water system which poses a possible
cross-connection. Wherever such outlets cannot be protected in accordance
with the minimum air gap, a mechanical device shall be utilized to
prevent backflow from backsiphonage or back-pressure, as appropriate,
according to the degree of hazard. In cases where water usage is sufficiently
complex or the severity of the hazard warrants, the Building Official
may require an air gap or backflow prevention device immediately downstream
from the service connection or at a point approved by the Building
Official and the Bureau.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) The cross-connection hazard and backflow prevention devices required
shall be as set forth in the following chart:
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Type of Device to be Used
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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Type of Connection
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Air Gap
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Nonpressure Vacuum Breaker
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Pressure Vacuum Breaker
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Double Check Value Assembly
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Reduced Pressure Backflow Prevention
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I.
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Direct water connections, subject to back-pressure
from:
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A.
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Pumps, tanks and lines containing:
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1.
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Sewage substances
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x
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2.
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Toxic substances
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x
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x
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3.
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Nontoxic substance
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x
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x
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x
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B.
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Steam lines and steam boilers:
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1.
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Boiler or steam connection to toxic substances
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x
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x
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2.
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Boiler or steam connection to nontoxic substances (boiler
blow-off or drains not connected directly to sewer)
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x
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x
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x
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II.
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Inlet type water connections not subject to back-pressure:
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A.
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Waste line (not subject to back-pressure due to waste
line stoppages)
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x
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x
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x
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x
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B.
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Low inlet to receptacles containing toxic substances
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x
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x
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x
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x
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C.
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Low inlet to receptacles containing nontoxic substances
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x
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x
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x
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x
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x
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D.
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Low inlet into domestic water tanks
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No protection required
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E.
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Lawn sprinkler systems
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x
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x
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x
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x
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F.
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Coils or jackets used as heat exchanges in compressors,
degreasers or other equipment:
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1.
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In toxic substances
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x
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x
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x
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x
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2.
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In nontoxic substances
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No protection required
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G.
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Flush valve toilets
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x
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H.
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Toilet and urinal tanks
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x
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x
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I.
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Trough urinals
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x
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J.
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Valved outlets or fixtures with hose attachments which
may constitute a cross-connection:
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1.
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Toxic substances
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x
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x
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x
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x
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2.
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Nontoxic substances
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x
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x
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x
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x
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x
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(b) Where investigation discloses that unusual or extraordinary hazards
require more stringent means of protection, the Building Official
shall have the authority to require the installation of the same.
The Building Official shall in all cases specify the facts constituting
the greater hazard found to require more stringent protective measures.
The more stringent protective measures shall be related to such unusual
or extraordinary hazards and shall be no more burdensome than is reasonably
necessary to alleviate or guard against such hazards. The Building
Official shall specify in writing to the owner the manner in which
the more stringent protective measures alleviate or guard against
the unusual or extraordinary hazards.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Cross-connection between the potable water system with wells
and other systems or equipment containing water or other substances
of unknown or questionable safety are prohibited, except when and
where, as approved by the Building Inspector, protective devices such
as the reduced pressure zone backflow preventer or its equivalent
are installed, maintained and tested to ensure proper operation on
a continuing basis.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Potable water connections to boilers shall be made through an
air gap or provided with an approved backflow preventer.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Potable water inlet connections to refrigerating unit condensers,
cooling jackets and air conditioning cooling systems will be air gapped
or provided with an approved backflow preventer.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) Fire service systems having direct connections from waterworks with
no pumps or storage facilities, no connections to other water supplies,
no antifreeze or other chemicals added to the fire system, and all
sprinkler heads discharging to the atmosphere are not required to
have positive protective devices.
(b) In systems the same as referred to in Subsection
(a), which have booster pumps installed in the connection from the waterworks, provisions shall be made to avoid lowering the pressure at the connection to the waterworks below 10 psi.
(c) Systems with direct connections to the waterworks, which are comparable to the system described under Subsections
(a) and
(b) and which have an auxiliary supply within 1,700 feet of the pumper connection, must provide an air gap, a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer, or a double gate-double check valve assembly, depending on the quality of the auxiliary supply.
(d) Fire service systems having direct connections to the waterworks
and interconnections with auxiliary supplies, such as pumps taking
suction from raw water sources, exposed storage tanks, industrial
water supplies, connections to unapproved groundwaters, or where antifreeze
or other chemicals are added, must provide an air gap.
(e) Fire service systems having direct connections to the waterworks
from buildings having combined industrial and fire systems, either
with or without storage tanks or pump connections, must provide an
air gap.
(f) Fire service systems having direct connections to waterworks serving
lawn sprinkler or irrigation systems must provide an air gap, double
gate-double check valve assembly or a reduced pressure principle backflow
preventer. If the sprinkler or irrigation system is also connected
to an auxiliary source, an adequate design must be provided to prevent
backflow.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Where hose outlets are concerned, vacuum breakers are required.
The Building Official may waive this requirement if, upon examination
of all facts, the hose outlets are designed and constructed so as
to substantially eliminate the risk of pollution or contamination.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
A backflow preventer device between hydrant and hose shall be
installed before using hose for flushing storm drains and sewers.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
A backflow prevention device shall be installed on all irrigation
and sprinkler systems.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
A low-pressure cutoff shall be installed on all booster pumps
on water pressure booster systems in such a manner as to maintain
a minimum pressure of 10 psi on the suction side of the pump.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Whenever is determined by the Building Official that the potential
hazard within any premises requires isolation from the system, an
approved backflow preventer will be installed on the service line.
Whenever continuous service is inoperative, a pair of backflow preventers
may be installed in parallel.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) Where a potable water outlet terminates below the flood level rim
of a tank or vat and the tank or vat has an overflow of a diameter
not less than given in the table below, the overflow pipe shall be
provided with an air gap as close to the tank as practicable. Overflow
pipes for water supply tanks shall be of the sizes set forth in the
following table:
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Sizes of Overflow Pipes for Water Supply Tanks
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Maximum Capacity of Water Supply Line to Tank
(gpm)
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Diameter of Overflow Pipe
(inches)
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0 to 50
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2
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50 to 150
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2 1/2
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150 to 200
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3
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200 to 400
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4
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400 to 700
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5
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700 to 1,000
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6
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1,000
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8
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(b) The potable water outlet to the tank or vat shall terminate a distance
not less than 1 1/2 times the height to which water can rise
in the tank above the top of the overflow.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Devices to protect against back-pressure and backsiphonage shall
be installed at all fixtures and equipment where backflow may occur
and where a minimum air gap cannot be provided between the water outlet
to the fixture or equipment and its flood-level rim. For connections
not subject to back-pressure, a vacuum breaker shall be installed
on the discharge side of the last valve on the line serving the fixture
or equipment. For connections subject to back-pressure, a backflow
preventer shall be installed on the line serving the fixture or equipment.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
The Building Official may authorize the installation of approved
double check-double gate valve assemblies with test cocks as protective
devices against backflow in connections between a potable water system
and other fluids which, in the judgment of the Building Official,
present no significant health hazards.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Devices for the prevention of backflow shall be tested and certified
to meet the standards of the below listed agencies:
(1) American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE).
(2) American Water Works Association (AWWA).
(3) University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection
Control.
(4) American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
(5) Department of Health, Education and Welfare list of accepted equipment
for interstate carriers.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
Certified plans for the following types of facilities shall
be submitted in duplicate to the Building Official prior to construction,
and an approved copy shall be forwarded to the Bureau:
(1) Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics and nursing homes.
(3) Piers, docks and waterfront facilities.
(4) Sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations and stormwater pumping
stations.
(5) Food and beverage processing plants.
(6) Chemical plants and dyeing plants.
(7) Metal plating industries.
(8) Petroleum processing or storage plants.
(9) Radioactive materials processing plants or nuclear reactors.
(11) Lawn sprinkler systems and irrigation systems.
(13) Farms where the water is used for other than household purposes.
(14) Others specified by the Building Inspector or the Bureau, when reasonable
cause can be shown for a potential backflow or cross-connection hazard.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) Backflow preventing devices shall be accessibly located, preferably
in the same room with the fixture they serve. In all cases, the installation
will be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
(b) Atmospheric vacuum breakers shall be installed with the critical
level at least six inches above the flood level rim of the fixture
they serve and on the discharge side of the last control valve to
the fixture.
(c) Pressure vacuum breakers shall be installed with the critical level
at least 12 inches above the flood level rim of the fixture they serve.
(d) Reduced pressure principle backflow preventers and double check valve
assemblies shall be installed a minimum of 12 inches above the existing
ground level in an easily accessible location for testing and maintenance.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) The owner of any premises where backflow protective devices are installed
shall have such devices inspected at least once yearly, beginning
one year after installation. Inspection shall be accomplished by backflow
prevention device testers certified by the Building Official. The
date of annual testing shall be within 30 days before or 30 days after
the anniversary date of installation. If the Building Official concludes
that more frequent inspections are required, be shall notify the owner
of the premises in writing of such finding and shall further specify
the basis for such conclusions. The Building Official shall also promulgate
a schedule for more frequent inspections.
(b) Backflow prevention devices shall be tested, repaired, overhauled
or replaced as necessary at the expense of the water user. Records
of such test, repairs and overhaul shall be kept by the certified
tester and made available to the Building Official.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) Plumbers, maintenance personnel, employees of owners, and owners
of backflow prevention devices may become certified by the Building
Official to test and repair such devices by completing a written and
performance examination to the satisfaction of the Building Official.
The classes of such certification shall be as follows:
(1)
Single device tester: A person who has been qualified to test,
inspect and repair a specific device at a singular location.
(2)
Limited tester: A person who has been trained and is qualified
to perform the periodic testing, inspection and repairs on the devices
contained within a specific plant or institution.
(3)
General tester: A registered plumber who has been trained and
is qualified to perform the periodic testing, inspection and repairs
on all approved devices.
(b) Examination of backflow prevention device testers shall be given
at such times as may be fixed by the Building Official, notice of
which shall be given at least three days in advance to those who have
filed applications for certification. In case of the failure of an
applicant to pass such examination, he shall be eligible for reexamination
at the next scheduled examination.
(c) The holder of a certificate as a backflow prevention device tester
shall annually renew his certificate. Such renewal certificate shall
be granted upon written application unless it is made to appear, by
affidavit filed with the Building Official, that the applicant is
no longer competent or entitled to such renewal certificate, in which
event the renewal certificate shall not be granted until the applicant
shall have undergone the examination required by this section.
(d) All certificates issued under this section shall be valid for one
year from the date of issuance, provided that any certificate may
be revoked by the Building Inspector at any time upon sufficient written
sworn charges filed with the Building Official showing the holder
of the certificate to be then incompetent or guilty of a willful breach
of the rules, regulations or requirements of the Building Official
or the provisions of this article, or other causes sufficient for
the revocation of his certificate, of which charges and hearing the
holder of such certificate shall have written notice and shall have
the right to be heard.
(e) If any certificate issued under this article is not renewed for a
period of six months after the expiration date, the holder to whom
the same was issued shall not be permitted to again engage in such
occupation, nor shall a certificate be issued to him, unless and until
he shall have made application and been examined in accordance with
the procedure prescribed in this section.
[Ord. No. 113, 10-24-1977]
(a) The Building Official shall notify the owner or authorized agent
of the owner of the building or premises in which there is found a
violation of this article, apprising him of the facts of such violation.
The Building Official shall set a reasonable time for the owner to
have the violation removed or corrected. Upon failure of the owner
to have the violation corrected by the end of the specified time interval,
the Building Official may, if in his judgment a health hazard exists,
cause the water service to the building or premises to be terminated.
Such action will be effected by written notification to the Director
of the Department of Utilities.
(b) Any owner or authorized agent of the owner responsible for the maintenance
of the plumbing system in a building who knowingly permits a violation
of this article to remain uncorrected after the expiration of the
time set by the Building Official shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.