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Approved. Accepted by the department as meeting an applicable specification stated or cited in this regulation, or as suitable for the proposed purpose.
Auxiliary water supply. Any water supply, on or available, to the premises other than the purveyor's approved public water supply.
Backflow. The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances, under positive or reduced pressure in the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any source other than its intended source.
Backflow preventer. A device or means designed to prevent backflow or backsiphonage. Most commonly categorized as air gap, reduced pressure principle device, double check valve assembly, pressure vacuum breaker, atmospheric vacuum breaker, hose bib vacuum breaker, residential dual check, double check with intermediate atmospheric vent, and barometric loop. (1)
Air gap. A physical separation sufficient to prevent backflow between the free flowing discharge end of the potable water system and any other system. Physically defined as a distance equal to twice the diameter of the supply side pipe diameter but never less than one inch.
(2)
Atmospheric vacuum breaker. A device which prevents backsiphonage by creating an atmospheric vent when there is either a negative pressure or sub-atmospheric pressure in a water system.
(3)
Barometric loop. A fabricated piping arrangement rising at least 35 feet at its upmost point above the highest fixture it supplies. It is utilized in water supply systems to protect against backsiphonage.
(4)
Double check valve assembly. An assembly of two independently operating spring loaded check valves with tightly closing shut off valves on each side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve.
(5)
Double check valve with intermediate atmospheric vent. A device having two spring loaded check valves separated by an atmospheric vent chamber.
(6)
Hose bibb vacuum breaker. A device which is permanently attached to a hose bibb and which acts as an atmospheric vacuum breaker.
(7)
Pressure vacuum breaker. A device containing one or two independently operated spring loaded check valves and an independently operated spring loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check(s). Device includes tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valves and properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valve(s).
(8)
Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer. An assembly consisting of two independently operating approved check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two check valves, tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valves plus properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valves and the relief valve.
(9)
Residential dual check. An assembly of two spring loaded, independently operating check valves without tightly closing shut-off valves and test cocks. Generally employed immediately downstream of the water meter to act as a containment device.
Backpressure. A condition in which the owners' system pressure is greater than the suppliers' system pressure.
Backsiphonage. The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply system from any source other than its intended source caused by the sudden reduction of pressure in the potable water supply system.
Containment. A method of backflow prevention which requires a backflow preventer at the water service entrance.
Contaminant. A substance that will impair the quality of the water to a degree that it creates a serious health hazard to the public.
Cross-connection. Any actual or potential connection between the public water supply and a source of contamination or pollution.
Department. The City of East Providence department of public works, water utilities division.
Fixture isolation. A method of backflow prevention in which a backflow preventer is located to correct a cross connection at an in-plant location rather than at a water service entrance.
Owner. Any person who has legal title to, or license to operate or habitat in, a property upon which a cross-connection inspection is to be made or upon which a cross-connection is present.
Person. Any individual, partnership, company, public, or private corporation, political subdivision or agency, or any other legal entity.
Permit. A document issued by the department which allows the use of a backflow preventer.
Pollutant. A foreign substance, that if permitted to get into the public water system, will degrade its quality so as to constitute a moderate hazard, or impair the usefulness or quality of the water to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public health but which does adversely and unreasonably effect such water for domestic use.
Water service entrance. That point in the owners' water system beyond the sanitary control of the department, generally considered to be the outlet end of the water meter and always before any unprotected branch.
(Ch. 356, § I, 9-20-05)