I love this videos, (20 years plus doing fire sprinkler work and repairs, ) In North Carolina you need to be certified to test any backflow,: fire - Domestic Irrigation, As a Certified fire contractor in NC :you can test any type of backflow (but only repair Fire backflow ) unless your company has a Plumbing license then you can test and repair all The majority of RPZ backflows are to be installed in the horizontal position as per manufacturer Very few manufacturers make Rpz approved to be installed in the vertical position, usually expensive some guys around here call those check valves on the silver bullet (California check valves) supposed to be some sort of restricted flow. Usually if you call the manufacturer, they quickly identify this typical issue and they send non California check valves, which solve the problems, (of course the customer needs to pay for those checks valves) In NC: like every where else, there are a lot of backflows installed in the wrong position, but like you said those are grandfathered" Keep on going with those videos brother, I am adding some tricks to my book of knowledge on this trade Whenever you get a chance make a video about your tools - van set up etc 🎉
I have found that the location and quality of installation has a direct bearing on getting false alarms during main drain test. We have some that due set off false alarms and most that do not. You must refer all fire to NFPA of course and all backflow to either USC or ASSE with the bottom line being with the local authority as to what is allowed and how it is installed but I will say that during a main drain the check valves should not be opening and closing...Just my .02 from the Backflow Whisperer :)
I appreciate the comment. I wish I would have shown that during the main drain test, the checks stay open. It is only during the alarm test (1/2” orifice) that the checks open and close. Thanks again for your input.
That's because of the higher flow rate during the main drain test. Fluctuation on the city water supply as it drops back during the higher flow rate it will not allow the checks in the backflow prevention assembly have to a chance to close however during the inspectors test through the 1/2" orifice (low flow rate) air in the fire protection system acts as a buffer, then when the city water supply drops temporarily the checks close on the backflow preventer. I hope this helps. All the best, Joe from Cleveland Ohio (backflowjoe) @@FireSprinklerTech
Hi guys, A lot of times there is trapped air in the system and that will buffer the pressure in the system piping, meanwhile city inlet pressure pressure maybe fluctuating and when it drops the check valves on the RP close briefly stopping the flow across the vane on the flow switch. This is very frustrating. I would look at the fire system to see where air could be trapped. If there are spots that always pockets air I would install FM UL approved air vent(s). Happy holidays, Joe from Cleveland Ohio.
You guys aren’t allowed to work on dc and rpz Backflows on our sprinkler systems? 542 in Pittsburgh we get our ASSE Backflow cert for tester and repairer in our 4th year of school and have to recert every 3 years. I work on Backflows all the time. Backflows in fire, domestic, boilers, irrigation, etc. Basically any and all hazards that have a dc or an rpz.
Illinois sucks, don’t know what else to say. Lol When I first stated in the trade, they actually arrested our BA for installing a backflow after the law had changed preventing us from installing, testing, or working on them.
The testing basically shows that there’s a pressure drop across each check which on average is about 2 pounds per check total 4 to 5. If you’re getting that higher outlet reading then I believe that showing that the checks aren’t holding.
I love this videos,
(20 years plus doing fire sprinkler work and repairs, )
In North Carolina you need to be certified to test any backflow,: fire - Domestic Irrigation,
As a Certified fire contractor in NC :you can test any type of backflow (but only repair Fire backflow ) unless your company has a Plumbing license then you can test and repair all
The majority of RPZ backflows are to be installed in the horizontal position as per manufacturer
Very few manufacturers make Rpz approved to be installed in the vertical position, usually expensive
some guys around here call those check valves on the silver bullet (California check valves) supposed to be some sort of restricted flow.
Usually if you call the manufacturer, they quickly identify this typical issue and they send non California check valves, which solve the problems, (of course the customer needs to pay for those checks valves)
In NC: like every where else, there are a lot of backflows installed in the wrong position, but like you said those are grandfathered"
Keep on going with those videos brother, I am adding some tricks to my book of knowledge on this trade
Whenever you get a chance make a video about your tools - van set up etc 🎉
Good ole illinois! Love the content and also in fire protection in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
I have found that the location and quality of installation has a direct bearing on getting false alarms during main drain test. We have some that due set off false alarms and most that do not. You must refer all fire to NFPA of course and all backflow to either USC or ASSE with the bottom line being with the local authority as to what is allowed and how it is installed but I will say that during a main drain the check valves should not be opening and closing...Just my .02 from the Backflow Whisperer :)
I appreciate the comment. I wish I would have shown that during the main drain test, the checks stay open. It is only during the alarm test (1/2” orifice) that the checks open and close. Thanks again for your input.
That's because of the higher flow rate during the main drain test. Fluctuation on the city water supply as it drops back during the higher flow rate it will not allow the checks in the backflow prevention assembly have to a chance to close however during the inspectors test through the 1/2" orifice (low flow rate) air in the fire protection system acts as a buffer, then when the city water supply drops temporarily the checks close on the backflow preventer. I hope this helps. All the best, Joe from Cleveland Ohio (backflowjoe) @@FireSprinklerTech
Hi guys, A lot of times there is trapped air in the system and that will buffer the
pressure in the system piping, meanwhile city inlet pressure pressure maybe fluctuating
and when it drops the check valves on the RP close briefly stopping the flow across the vane on the flow switch.
This is very frustrating.
I would look at the fire system to see where air could be trapped.
If there are spots that always pockets air I would install FM UL approved air vent(s).
Happy holidays, Joe from Cleveland Ohio.
You guys aren’t allowed to work on dc and rpz Backflows on our sprinkler systems? 542 in Pittsburgh we get our ASSE Backflow cert for tester and repairer in our 4th year of school and have to recert every 3 years. I work on Backflows all the time. Backflows in fire, domestic, boilers, irrigation, etc. Basically any and all hazards that have a dc or an rpz.
Illinois sucks, don’t know what else to say. Lol When I first stated in the trade, they actually arrested our BA for installing a backflow after the law had changed preventing us from installing, testing, or working on them.
That’s wild and pretty ridiculous. Even if you got your ASSE cert which is the gold standard damn near across the country. Makes no sense.
The testing basically shows that there’s a pressure drop across each check which on average is about 2 pounds per check total 4 to 5. If you’re getting that higher outlet reading then I believe that showing that the checks aren’t holding.
Please comment If you can help me understand why these "silver bullets" seem to be prone to this. Thanks for watching!