Backflow Testing for Austin by HHCC
Servicing the entire Metro Area including Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Round Rock
Testing Procedures for Backflow Preventers
Prior to initiating a test of
any backflow device, it is
recommended that the following
procedures be followed:
1. Permission be obtained from
the owner, or his representative,
to shut down the water supply.
This is necessary to insure that
since all testing is accomplished
under no-flow conditions, the
owner is aware that his water
supply will be temporarily shut
off while the testing is being
performed. Some commercial
and industrial operations
require constant and uninterrupted
water supplies for
cooling, boiler feed, seal pump
water, etc. and water service
interruption cannot be tolerated.
The water supply to
hospitals and continuous
process industries cannot be
shut off without planned and
coordinated shut downs. The
request to shut down the water
supply is therefore a necessary
prerequisite to protect the
customer as well as limit the
liability of the tester.
Concurrent with the
request for permission to shut
off the water, it is advisable to
point out to the owner, or his
representative, that while the
water is shut off during the test
period, any inadvertent use of
water within the building will
reduce the water pressure to
zero. Backsiphonage could
result if unprotected crossconnections
existed which
would contaminate the building
water supply system. In order
to address this situation, it is
recommended that the owner
caution the inhabitants of the
building not to use the water
until the backflow test is
completed and the water
pressure restored. Additional
options available to the building
owner would be the installation
of two backflow devices in
parallel that would enable a
protected bypass flow around
the device to be tested. Also, if
all water outlets are protected
within the building with
“fixture outlet protection”
backflow devices, crossconnections
would not create a
problem in the event of
potential backsiphonage
conditions occurring while
devices are tested, or for any
other reason.
2. Determine the type of device
to be tested i.e., double check
valve or reduced pressure
principle device.
3. Determine the flow direction.
(Reference directional flow
arrows or wording provided by
the manufacturer on the
device.)
4. Number the test cocks, bleed
them of potential debris, and
assemble appropriate test cock
adapters and bushings that may
be required.
5. Shut off the downstream
(number 2) shut-off valve. (Ref.
Item (1) above.)
6. Wait several moments prior
to hooking up the test kit hoses
when testing a reduced pressure
principle device. If water exits
the relief valve, in all likelihood,
the first check valve is fouled
and it is impractical to proceed
with the testing until the valve
is serviced. This waiting period
is not necessary when testing
double check valves.
7. Hook up the test kit hoses in
the manner appropriate to the
device being tested and the
specific test being performed.
Test personnel are cautioned
to be aware and follow
local municipal, county, and
state testing requirements and
guidelines as may be dictated
by local authority. The following
test procedures are guidelines
for standard, generally
acceptable test procedures
but may be amended, superceded,
or modified by local
jurisdiction.