PIPES, VALVES AND FITTINGS
MANUFACTURER - ALTECNIC
MARK MOGEY, HEAD OF OEM SALES FOR ALTECNICS, TAKES A DEEP DIVE INTO THE LEGISLATION GOVERNING BACKFLOW AND HOW TO AVOID FALLING FOUL OF THE LAW…
Backflow prevention in modern systems
P otable water from the mains system may suffer from hazardous pollution caused mainly by contaminated fluids from plumbing systems flowing back directly into the mains supply. A specifically designed backflow prevention device is used to protect potable water supplies from being contaminated or polluted. These include RPZ valves, double check valves, single check valves, non-return valves and are used in both domestic and commercial systems. LEGISLATION In the case of RPZ valves in the UK, there are legal requirements regulating water installations in domestic, commercial and healthcare premises. The legislation, which governs water installations within private premises, is set out in: • The Water Industry Act 1991 • The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 • The Water Byelaws 2000, Scotland • European Standard / British Standard 1717 To prevent the contamination of the wholesome water supply system, the Water Regulations require backflow protection devices to be installed at or near to all points where water is to be drawn off for use.
FLUID CATEGORIES As part of regulations, Fluid Categories identify the level of contamination risk that needs to be prevented. They include: Fluid Category 1 Wholesome water supplied by the undertaker and complying with the requirements made under section 67 of the Water Industry Act 1991/ the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990 and any amendment. Description given in Schedule 1: of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws Fluid Category 2 Water in fluid category 1 whose aesthetic quality is impaired owing to:
• ethylene glycol, copper sulphate solution or similar chemical additives, or • sodium hypochlorite (chloros and common disinfectants) Description given in Schedule 1: of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws Fluid Category 4 Fluid which represents a significant health hazard because of the concentration of toxic substances, including any fluid which contains: • chemical, carcinogenic substances or pesticides (including insecticides and herbicides), or • environmental organisms of potential health significance. Description given in Schedule 1: of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws Fluid Category 5 Fluid which represents a serious health hazard because of the concentration of pathogenic organisms, radioactive or very toxic substances, including any fluid which contains: • faecal material or other human waste • butchery or other animal waste, or pathogens from any other source
• a change in its temperature, or • the presence of substances or organisms causing a change in its taste, odour or appearance, including water in hot water distribution systems.
Description given in Schedule 1: of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws Fluid Category 3 Fluid which represents a slight health hazard because of the concentration of substances of low toxicity, including any fluid which contains:
“The device should be well suited to the system to ensure the safety of the end user.”
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