Definitions. For the purposes of this section the following terms shall be deemed to have the meaning indicated below:
AIR GAP SEPARATIONThe unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle, and shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the flood level rim of the vessel. In no case shall the gap be less than one inch.
APPROVEDAs herein used in reference to a water supply system or backflow prevention device (or method) shall mean one that has been approved by the state regulatory agency.
AUXILIARY SUPPLYAny water source or system, other than the public water supply, that may be available in the building or premises.
BACK PRESSUREBackflow caused by a pump, elevated tank, boiler, or other means that could create pressure within the system greater than the supply pressure.
BACK SIPHONAGEA form of backflow due to a negative or subatmospheric pressure within a water system.
BACKFLOWThe flow other than the intended direction of flow of any foreign liquids, gases, or substances into the distribution system of a public water supply.
CONSUMERThe owner or operator of a private potable-water system served by a public potable-water system.
CROSS-CONNECTIONAny physical arrangement whereby a public water supply is connected, directly or indirectly, with any other water supply system, sewer, drain, conduit, pool, storage reservoir, plumbing fixture, or other device which contains, or may contain, contaminated water, sewage, or other waste or liquid of unknown or unsafe quality which may be capable of imparting contamination to the public water supply as a result of backflow. Bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or change-over devices, and other temporary or permanent devices through which, or because of which, backflow could occur are considered to be cross-connections.
CROSS-CONNECTION, POINT OFThe specific point or location in a public or a consumer's potable-water system where a cross-connection exists.
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLYAn assembly composed of two single, independently acting check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for in-line testing the water-tightness of each check valve.
HAZARD, DEGREE OFExpresses the results of an evaluation of a health, system, or plumbing hazard.
HAZARD, HEALTHAny condition, device, or practice in a water supply system and its operation that creates, or may create, a danger to the health and well-being of a consumer.
HAZARD, PLUMBINGA cross-connection in a consumer's potable water system that may permit back siphonage in the event of a negative pressure in the supply line. (Unprotected plumbing-type cross-connections are considered to be health hazards. They include, but are not limited to, faulty connections to fixtures such as toilets, sinks, tubs, lavatories, wash trays, and domestic washing machines.)
INDUSTRIAL FLUIDSAny fluid or solution that may chemically, biologically, or physically degrade the approved water supply.
INDUSTRIAL LINEA separate water piping system serving waterusing devices, with a backflow preventer or air gap separation on this line at the point of takeoff from the potable-water line.
INDUSTRIAL PIPING SYSTEM, CONSUMERSA system used by a consumer for transmission or storage of anything (fluid, solid, or gas) other than the water supply intended or used for human consumption or food processing. (Such a system would include all pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment, and appurtenances used to produce, convey, or store substances that are or may be polluted.)
LABORATORY, APPROVE TESTINGOne that is approved by the appropriate health agency and water laboratory and is properly staffed and equipped with pumps, meters, measuring devices, and other equipment to test and evaluate fully a backflow prevention device for design, materials, construction, and operation.
POLLUTIONThe presence in water of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic, radiologic, or biologic) that tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute a hazard or to impair its potability or usefulness.
POTABLE WATERWater that is safe for drinking, personal, or culinary use.
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLYAny system of water supply intended or used for human consumption or other domestic uses, including source, treatment, storage, transmission and distribution facilities where water is furnished to any community, collection or number of individuals, or is made available to the public for human consumption or domestic use, but excluding water supplies serving one single-family residence.
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPAL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICEA device incorporating two or more check valves and an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two checks, two shutoff valves, and equipped with necessary appurtenances for in-line testing. The device shall operate to maintain the pressure in the zone between the two check valves, less than the pressure on the public water supply side of the device. At cessation of normal flow, the pressure between the check valves shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve shall operate to maintain this reduced pressure by discharging to the atmosphere. When the inlet pressure is two pounds per square inch or less, the relief valve shall open to the atmosphere thereby providing an air-gap in the device.
SERVICE CONNECTIONThe terminal end of a service from the public potable-water system; that is, where the water purveyor loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water at its point of delivery to the consumer's water system. If a meter is installed at the end of the service connection, then "service connection" means the downstream end of the meter.
WATER SUPERVISORThe consumer or his deputy charged with the responsibility of maintaining a consumer's water system free from cross-connections and other sanitary defects. (A certified backflow prevention device tester should not act as a water supervisor unless he is a full-time employee of the consumer, having the day-to-day responsibility for the installation and use of pipelines and equipment on the premises and for the avoidance of cross-connections.)
WATER SUPPLY, APPROVEDAny public or consumer's potable water supply that has been investigated and approved by the state agency having jurisdiction.
WATER SYSTEM, PUBLIC POTABLEAny publicly owned domestic water system operated under public-health supervision. Such a system includes all sources, facilities, and appurtenances between the source and the point of delivery, such as valves, pumps, pipes, conduits, tanks, receptacles, fixtures, equipment, and appurtenances used to produce, convey, treat, or store a potable water for public consumption or use.
WATER, DELIVEREDAny water supplied from a public potable water system to a consumer's water system after it has passed the point of delivery and is no longer under the sanitary control of the water system operator.