This is most likely just for re-certifying the device. There is no ASSE requirement to forward flow test backflow devices for re-certification. Re-cert. is typically a dept of health, or environmental issue.
Remember that the full forward flow requirement is an NFPA thing, and many have rightly argued that this means "at system demand" So if you have a LH system, with reduction for QR and only demand 99 Gpm, cause there is no inside hose, most likely you can flow that through the main drain. Here in the mountains with static and residual pressure of over 100, we can flow over 800 gpm out the main drain. Good for 2 standpipes. Remember what you're looking for when you forward flow the device. Any pressure loss greater than was used in the calc's that could undermine the system operation at its original design. The bigger question is how do you know what that loss is that was used in the original calc.? The best you can do is see if it is in the MFG's literature range. Thom McMahon, SET Firetech, Inc. 2560 Copper Ridge Dr P.O. Box 882136 Steamboat Springs, CO 80488 Tel: 970-879-7952 Fax: 970-879-7926 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Will Bromley Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 1:34 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Backflow Testing On systems that do not have a test header for full flow testing of backflow preventers how are people still charging $75- $150 to inspect them. You have to drain down the system and flip the check valve on the FDC. Then rig a male to male adapter to run a hose from the FDC to either a hose monster or play pipe. After getting your flow reading you would have to shut the control valve, flip the check back around and fill the system back up. You cannot find a place that will let you do a backflow inspection for more than $150. I have asked many AHJ's about this and they are not even aware that full flow is required by NFPA 25. All these contractors are just testing the device, this is not sufficient on a fire sprinkler system. These are all statements so I guess here is my question. What are we going to do as contractors to get this right? I don't want to hang a tag on a BFP only to have a building burn down after the BFP only partially opens. When this happens I am sure that the lawyers will find that contractor and ask where his paperwork is showing the flow test of the BFP. In NFPA 13 2007 it requires a system to be installed with a BFP test header, but not many jurisdictions have adopted this edition yet. This is an added cost and contractors are not being required to do this yet. If a contractor does this based on high ethics he might just price himself out of a job in this market. What are your thoughts? Will Bromley Vice President 214-801-4904 ServiceFire small _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
