GAPS Guidelines GAP.14.5.0.

A Publication of Global Asset Protection Services LLC

BACKFLOW PREVENTION
FOR FIRE SERVICE MAINS

INTRODUCTION
The public expects the water supplied by public utilities to be safe to drink. Yet, there are many ways
water distribution systems can become contaminated. To prevent contamination, most states and
municipalities regulate the connection of private water systems to public systems.
Fire protection systems can contaminate public water supplies under some conditions. This GAPS
Guideline discusses some of the potential sources of contamination presented by fire protection
systems, the means available to prevent contamination of potable water systems, and the appropriate
levels of backflow prevention for the hazards involved. The need to periodically inspect, test and
maintain the fire protection system to ensure it is adequate and reliable is also discussed.

POSITION
Fire protection equipment should be installed and operated in a manner that will minimize the
potential to contaminate potable water systems. Not all private fire protection systems require
backflow prevention. Global Asset Protection Services (GAPS) recommends the level of backflow
prevention installed be appropriate for the hazard presented. The following practices should be
followed:
• Separate fire protection water supplies and distribution systems from potable and service water
systems. Separation allows greater isolation and control of the fire protection system and
eliminates most of the potential for contamination produced by hazardous cross-connections.
• Take extreme care that drains do not become potentially hazardous cross-connections. Drains
should discharge directly to atmosphere (above grade) whenever possible. When drains discharge
to sewers, sumps, or sanitary drainage systems, arrange the drains to prevent contamination
through backsiphonage or backpressure.
• Do not introduce antifreeze or other chemicals into fire protection piping or equipment fed by
potable water systems unless a suitable level of backflow prevention is provided. This includes
hydrant additives used to lubricate parts or prevent freezing. Repair hydrants that do not drain or
operate properly.
• Use listed backflow prevention assemblies. Since neither Underwriters Laboratories nor FM Global
Research tests the ability of these devices to prevent backflow, water authorities may also require
that the assemblies be approved by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic
Research of the University of Southern California or the American Society of Sanitary Engineering
(ASSE).
• Follow all applicable state and local regulations. In addition, provide the level of protection
prescribed in AWWA M14 for both new and existing systems as modified herein.

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Installation Considerations
State or local regulations may dictate when and where backflow prevention devices are installed in
the fire protection system. Normally they are located at the service connection.
When installing a backflow preventer:
• Analyze all existing water based extinguishing systems to determine if the additional friction loss
created by the backflow preventer installation reduces the water flow and pressure available below
that required to properly operate the fire protection system. In some systems, a minimal reduction
in the available water pressure may be enough to render sprinklers ineffective. If hydrants are fed
from the same system, be sure to include an adequate flow for hose streams.
• Place the backflow preventer on the discharge side of a booster pump and size the pump to make
up for the friction loss of the device. NFPA 20 does not recommend installing restricting devices in
the suction line of a fire pump. However, placing the device on the discharge side of the pump may
require an additional backflow preventer for the jockey pump if it takes suction from the same
source and discharges downstream of the fire pump backflow preventer.
• Do not locate reduced pressure zone (RPZ) devices in pits or other areas below grade. RPZ
devices routinely discharge water. Providing reliable drainage below grade is difficult and if the
drain from the device is submerged, a cross-connection will be created.
• Provide sufficient heat to prevent freezing and adequate drainage for semi-submerged pits or
aboveground enclosures containing RPZ devices.
• Install backflow preventers only in the horizontal position unless the preventers are specifically
approved for use in the vertical position. Most backflow preventers may only be installed in the
horizontal position.
• Install backflow preventers so that they are accessible. Provide sufficient clearance around them
for maintenance and testing.
• Do not modify backflow preventers. Substituting shutoff valves, test cocks or other components of
backflow preventers may void their approval, even if the replacement components are listed.
• Consider other ways to prevent backflow. When installing a backflow preventer on systems using
antifreeze, it may be possible to install dry pendent sprinklers or convert the antifreeze system to a
dry system and eliminate the backflow preventer. If this is not feasible, place the backflow
preventer at the point where an antifreeze (or foam) system connects to the remainder of the
sprinkler or fire protection system. These methods minimize the effects a backflow preventer would
have on the fire protection system.
Maintenance and Testing
Backflow preventers require routine testing and maintenance if they are to perform properly. Test
personnel are required to be certified in most jurisdictions, therefore, detailed testing procedures will
not be discussed here, but can be found in AWWA M14. Testing normally involves the following:
• An operational test of the pressure differential relief valve (RPZ only).
• A test of the second check valve for tightness under conditions of reverse flow.
• A test of the first check valve for tightness under conditions of reverse flow.
The above tests do not evaluate the performance of the backflow preventer under actual fire
conditions. A backflow preventer could pass the above tests with the check valves stuck in the closed
position. Therefore, GAPS recommends performing the following additional tests and maintenance
procedures:
• Conduct a flow test representative of the anticipated fire demands, annually. Record the friction
loss across the backflow preventer. Increases in the normal friction loss should be investigated
and the cause corrected.

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• Maintain backflow preventers according to the manufacturers’ instructions. Many devices have
screens or strainers that must be cleaned regularly.
• Perform an internal examination of all backflow preventers at least every five years. One of the
most common causes of excessive friction loss is foreign material buildup above the check valves
and around the springs. This buildup can prevent the devices from opening fully.
AWWA M14
AWWA M14 classifies industrial fire protection systems into six groups (Figure 1) based on the water
sources available and the arrangement of the supplies. The following classifications and protection
recommendations have been reprinted from Chapter 6 of Recommended Practice for Backflow
Prevention and Cross-Connection Control, AWWA M14, by permission. Copyright 1990, American
Waterworks Association.
Class 1 Direct connections from public water mains only; no pumps, tanks, or reservoirs; no
antifreeze or additives of any kind; all sprinkler drains discharge to atmosphere, dry wells, or other
safe outlets.
Class 2 Same as Class 1 except that booster pumps are installed in the connections from the street
mains (booster pumps do not affect the potability of the system). To avoid drawing too much water
from the main, it is necessary that pressure in the water main is not reduced below 10 psi (0.7 bar).
Class 3 Direct connections from public water supply mains, plus one or more of the following:
elevated storage tanks; fire pumps taking suction from aboveground covered reservoirs, or tanks; and
pressure tanks. (All storage facilities are filled or connected to public water only, the water in the
tanks are to be maintained in a potable condition. Otherwise, Class 3 systems are the same as
Class 1.)
Class 4 Directly supplied from public mains, similar to Class 1 and Class 2, with an auxiliary water
supply dedicated to fire department use and available to the premises, such as an auxiliary supply
located within 1700 ft (518 m) of the pumper connection.
Class 5 Directly supplied from public mains and interconnected with auxiliary supplies, such as
pumps taking suction from reservoirs exposed to contamination, or rivers and ponds; driven wells;
mills or other industrial water systems; or where antifreeze or other additives are used.
Class 6 Combined industrial and fire protection systems supplied from the public mains only, with or
without gravity storage or pumps suction tanks.”

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Figure 1. AWWA Classification Of Fire Protection Systems.

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Figure 1. (Cont’d.) AWWA Classification Of Fire Protection Systems.

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According to M14, Class 1 and Class 2 systems generally do not require a backflow prevention
assembly. The existence of a fire department connection is not cause for concern unless there is a
readily available source of nonpotable water that could be introduced into the system through the
connection. AWWA M14 does recognize that there are special circumstances that may require
protection for Class 1 or 2 systems. These include:
• “underground fire sprinkler pipelines parallel to and within 10 ft (3 m) horizontally of sewer
pipelines or other pipelines carrying significantly toxic materials;
• “when water is supplied to a site or an area from two or more services of a water utility or two
different water utilities, flow problems should be evaluated;
• “occupancies (or changes in occupancies) that involve the use, storage or handling of types and
quantities of materials in a manner that could present a significant health hazard to the domestic
supply;
• “premises with unusually complex piping systems (usually these premises will have an approved
backflow-prevention assembly on their domestic service piping); and
• “systems with pumper connections in which corrosion inhibitors or other chemicals are added to
tanks of fire trucks, or where the water purveyor cannot be assured of the potability of the input to
the pumper connection.
“Class 3 systems will generally require minimum protection (approved double check valve assembly)
to prevent stagnant waters from backflowing into the public potable water system.
“Class 4 systems will normally require backflow prevention at the service connection. The type (air
gap, reduced-pressure backflow-prevention assembly, or double check valve assembly) will generally
depend on the quality of the auxiliary supply.
“Class 4 and 5 systems normally would need maximum protection (air gap or reduced-pressure
backflow-prevention assembly) to protect the public potable water system.
“Class 6 system protection would depend on the requirements of both industry and fire protection and
can only be determined by a survey of the premises.
“A meter (compound or detector check) should not normally be permitted as part of a backflow-
prevention assembly. However, an exception can be made if the meter and backflow prevention
assembly are specifically designed for that purpose.
“At any time where the fire sprinkler system piping is not an acceptable potable water system
material, there shall be a backflow-prevention assembly isolating the fire sprinkler system from the
potable water system. There are also chemicals, such as liquid foam concentrates used for fighting
certain types of fires, that are toxic and, therefore, require maximum protection.
“Note: Where backflow protection is required on an industrial-domestic service that is located on the
same premises, backflow protection should be provided on the fire service connection. The industrial-
domestic system and fire system in Classes 3, 4, 5, and 6 should have adequate protection for the
highest degree of hazard affecting either system.”
Application of the AWWA M14 Guidelines
GAPS recommends that reason and logic be used when applying the above guidelines. For example,
a pond, open reservoir, or other “auxiliary source” located within 1700 ft (518 m) of a fire department
connection may not need backflow prevention if the source is not accessible to the fire department, is
not large enough to be of value, or would not be used even under emergency conditions.
Some jurisdictions no longer consider the black steel pipe used in many sprinkler systems as suitable
for potable water service. Therefore, the water in a sprinkler system may be classified as nonpotable.
The water may have increased turbidity (suspended matter), and a high concentration of dissolved
metals, but these conditions are not usually considered a major health hazard. GAPS disagrees with
the AWWA M14 recommendation to install a backflow preventer simply because of the hazard posed
by black steel pipe, unless the preventer is required by the local jurisdiction.

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When a booster pump is installed (Class 2 system) AWWA M14 cautions against reducing the suction
pressure below 10 psi (0.7 bar). GAPS agrees with the caution, but recommends that the water
supply be capable of providing 200% of the pump rated capacity at 20 psi (1.4 bar), not 10 psi
(0.7 bar).
Finally, when the fire protection system is separated from all potable and industrial water systems as
recommended by GAPS, the level of backflow prevention should be consistent with the hazards
posed by the fire protection system as classified by AWWA M14. GAPS does not believe the level of
protection for the fire protection system must be the same as that required by the industrial service
water system, unless state or local authorities so stipulate.

DISCUSSION
Potential Sources Of Contamination
Under normal circumstances, the water in a sprinkler system does not pose a significant health
threat. The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) in its publication, “Backflow Prevention for Fire
Sprinkler Systems” discloses eight independent studies of fire systems. None of these reported a
health threat. Contamination of the water in a fire protection system normally occurs by connecting to
nonpotable auxiliary sources or introducing toxic chemicals to the system.
Antifreeze systems installed in accordance with NFPA 13 use antifreeze solutions that do not pose a
health threat. However, most authorities will require backflow prevention for these systems, because
toxic antifreeze solutions are available and may be used to maintain the systems.
Foam or other chemical additives are sometimes used for fire fighting. Foam is commonly used to
protect areas handling flammable or combustible liquids. Since fire fighting foams represent a health
hazard, they require backflow prevention when the fire protection system is connected to a potable
water source.
Chemicals can also be added to fire protection systems when maintenance is performed. Corrosion
inhibitors may be added to tanks or fire department pumpers. Maintenance and fire department
personnel must be aware of the potential effects these practices have on system potability.
Lubricants and antifreeze solutions have been added to hydrant barrels to make them easier to
operate or to prevent hydrants that do not drain properly from freezing. Such practices should not be
condoned. Hydrants without drains should be marked and pumped out after each use. Hydrants with
plugged drains should be repaired, or marked as having no drains and pumped out after each use.
Hydrants that do not operate properly should be repaired.
Fire Department Connections
As previously noted, AWWA M14 does not recommend backflow prevention solely because there is a
fire department connection. There has been considerable debate regarding need for backflow
prevention when a fire department connection exists.
Some jurisdictions may require backflow protection if a pond or other nonpotable source exists, even
though the source is not “dedicated for fire department use.” Jurisdictions assume the fire department
will use the water if they need it.
Protection may also be required if the fire department routinely or occasionally uses chemicals in its
pumper trucks. Contamination is not likely during a fire, because the water will flow away from the
connection toward the fire.
Backpressure and Backsiphonage
There are two ways water systems typically become contaminated other than direct contamination
from chemical introduction. Backpressure and backsiphonage can reverse the flow in a water system
(backflow).

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Backpressure occurs when the system operates at a higher pressure than the potable supply. This
could be caused by a pump, elevated tank or other source of pressure acting on the system. The
higher pressure forces the water in the direction of the lower pressure potable water system.
Backsiphonage is caused by a negative or reduced pressure in a potable supply line. It can occur any
time the pressure in the supply line drops below that in the fire protection system, as would occur with
a high rate of water usage in the public water system.
Types of Backflow Prevention Devices
Fire protection systems are typically separated from a potable water supply by at least a single check
valve. Often double check valves or detector check valves are used. These valves allow a higher
pressure to be maintained in the fire protection system.
A single check valve has never been considered to be a backflow prevention device. Even when
check valves with resilient faces are used, the valves can leak and allow nonpotable water to enter
and contaminate a potable water system.
Backflow prevention for fire systems is usually provided at the public water connection. Sometimes, it
is located at the source of contamination, such as the connection of an antifreeze or foam system.
Three types of devices are normally used for backflow prevention: the air gap (AG), the double check
valve assembly (DCV), and the reduced pressure zone or reduced pressure principle backflow-
prevention assembly (RPZ or RPBA).
Air Gap: An air gap (Figure 2) provides an open space between the supply pipe and the system to
physically separate the systems and prevent contamination. The vertical separation must be twice the
diameter of the supply pipe and at least 1 in. (25.4 mm) long.
Air gaps are not common on fire protection water supply systems. They may be provided on fill lines
for pump suction tanks or on break tanks that supply fire pumps in jurisdictions where booster pumps
are not allowed. Air gaps are also provided on 2!/2 in. (65 mm) main drain lines in some jurisdictions.

Figure 2. Air Gap.

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Figure 3. Double Check Valve Assembly.

Double Check Valve Assemblies: Double check valve assemblies (Figure 3) consist of two spring
loaded-check valves. The assembly will also have a shutoff valve on either end and petcocks for leak
testing. All of the seats will have a covering of rubber or other resilient material to ensure tightness.
Note that two single check valves installed in series do not constitute a double check valve assembly.
Double check valve assemblies are used only to protect against minimal exposures where
contamination is objectionable (odors, color) but no health hazard exists.
Double check valve assemblies are the most desirable backflow prevention devices from a fire
protection standpoint. The friction loss of a DCVA is normally 4 psi – 6 psi (0.3 bar – 0.4 bar), much
less than an RPZ device.

Figure 4. Reduced Pressure Zone Backflow Preventer.

Reduced Pressure Zone Backflow Preventer: The RPZ device (Figure 4) is similar to the double
check valve assembly, except a pressure differential relief valve maintains a lower pressure in the
chamber between the two check valves, than the pressure that exists on the supply side of the
device.

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A pressure differential of 2 psi – 5 psi (0.14 bar – 0.35 bar) is normally maintained between the
intermediate chamber and the supply. When this differential is not maintained, the relief valve opens
up and discharges as much water as necessary from the chamber to maintain the differential. If either
check valve fails open, large quantities of water can be discharged through the relief valve. There is
typically an additional 2 psi – 5 psi (0.14 bar – 0.35 bar) loss across the second check valve.
The RPZ device is the least desirable from a fire protection standpoint. Friction loss is high, typically
10 psi (0.7 bar) or greater at rated flow, and the water discharged from these devices results in
installation problems. However, an RPZ device does offer excellent backflow protection when
properly maintained.

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