14.10.100 Testing and maintenance of backflow preventers.
(a) Group R-3 (One- and Two-Family Residences) Occupancies.
(1) In Group R-3 occupancies, the customer shall have the nontestable backflow preventers replaced or rebuilt every five years.
(2) Customers shall have their testable backflow preventers tested by a Backflow Technician under these circumstances:
(i) At installation.
(ii) At least annually.
(iii) After repairs.
(iv) After relocation or replacement.
(v) Following response to a reported backflow incident.
(vi) Prior to any reactivation, seasonal or any other intermittent use of water (e.g., irrigation systems, swimming pools, pool houses, decorative fountains, summer homes, among others).
(b) All Other Occupancies. In all other occupancy-group classifications, the customer shall have nontestable backflow preventers used for internal protection replaced or rebuilt every five years. In addition, the customer shall have all their testable backflow preventers, including internal-protection backflow preventers, tested by a Backflow Technician under these circumstances:
(1) At installation.
(2) At least annually.
(3) After repairs.
(4) After relocation or replacement.
(5) Following response to a reported backflow incident.
(6) Prior to any reactivation, seasonal or any other intermittent use of water (e.g., irrigation systems, swimming pools, pool houses, decorative fountains, summer homes, among others).
(c) Permits.
(1) Rebuilding and testing of testable backflow preventers does not require a permit, but this work shall be performed as required by the WSSC Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code and only by a Backflow Technician. Requisite test reports must be submitted.
(2) Rebuilding or replacing nontestable backflow preventers does not require a permit, but this work shall be performed as required by the WSSC Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code and only by a Backflow Technician. A WSSC notification tag must be hung on or near the device by the Backflow Technician after the work is completed.
(3) A long-form WSSC plumbing permit shall be required for installation of a new, or the relocation of a residential or commercial testable backflow preventer or a nontestable backflow preventer.
(4) A short-form WSSC plumbing permit may be used for the replacement of testable backflow preventers provided the existing location and application are consistent with the provisions of the WSSC Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code and the original manufacturer’s installation instructions.
(d) Field-Test Procedures. The testing procedure for backflow-prevention assemblies shall be performed in accordance with the applicable ASSE procedures. Specific guidelines can be found in Section 508.4 of the WSSC Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code.
(e) Field-Test Equipment. To ensure the ability of the test equipment to provide accurate data, the field-test equipment shall be calibrated annually and the calibration date shall be entered on the test report. There shall be a dated calibration sticker affixed to the test equipment. Only test equipment meeting minimum standards of the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research shall be accepted.
(f) Test Reports.
(1) Testing of backflow-prevention assemblies requires the submission of a completed WSSC backflow preventer test report showing a passing test result.
(2) Replaced or rebuilt nontestable backflow preventers do not require submission of a form but a notification tag must be hung on or near the device.
(3) Test reports shall be completed by the Backflow Technician(s) and shall be submitted on WSSC’s website or by regular mail.
(4) Test reports indicating an unsatisfactory test result will be accepted, but all necessary corrective actions must be promptly completed; and water service shall only be restored to the customer following demonstrated compliance with the WSSC Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code.
(5) In the event of a failed test, the Backflow Technician shall repair, rebuild or replace the backflow assembly until a passing test result is obtained or notify a WSSC Chief Code Official if the process is halted by the customer.
(6) Backflow Technicians are required to provide their license number on test reports.
(7) Incomplete test reports will be rejected. (REG-REGS-EC-2014-004 § VI(C))