Section 890.1130 Protection of Potable Water

a) Cross-Connection (Submergence). Potable water supply piping and water discharge outlets shall not be submerged in any sewage or toxic substance. Potable water supply piping or water discharge outlets that are submerged in other substances shall be provided with backflow protection as listed in subsection (f). (See Appendix I.Illustrations B and C.)

c) Backflow. The water distribution system shall be protected against backflow. Each water outlet shall be protected from backflow by having the outlet end from which the water flows spaced a sufficient distance above the flood-level rim of the receptacle into which the water flows to provide a minimum fixed air gap. When it is not possible to provide a minimum fixed air gap, the water outlet shall be equipped with an accessible backflow prevention device or assembly in accordance with subsection (f) of this Section or Section 890.1140.

d) Fire Safety Systems. The installation of any fire safety system involving the potable water supply system shall be protected against backflow as follows:

• 1) Backflow protection is not required for fire safety systems constructed as follows:

• • A) The system shall be looped, with no dead ends, to allow circulation, to prevent the stagnation of water in the line;

• • B) The system shall not have any non-potable connections or a fire department hose (Siamese) connection;

• • C) The system shall have 20 sprinkler heads or less; and

• • D) The system shall be constructed of potable water supply quality pipe in accordance with Appendix A.Table A.

• 2) When backflow protection is required, a double detector check valve or double check valve backflow preventer assembly shall be installed at the fire safety system’s point of connection to the potable water supply when a fire safety system has no chemical additives or non-potable connection and:

• • A) The fire safety system has no fire department hose connections; or

• • B) The fire safety system has one or more fire department hose connections (for boosting pressure and flow to the fire safety system) that are served only by fire fighting apparatus connected to a public water supply or a fire department that does not use chemical additives or rely upon any non-potable water supply.

• 3) A fixed air gap with a break tank or other storage vessel or a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly (RPZ) shall be installed at the fire safety system’s point of connection to the potable water supply if:

• • A) The fire safety system contains additives such as antifreeze, fire retardant or other chemicals. (The RPZ may be located at the point of connection to that section of the system containing additives when the system’s connection to the water supply is protected by a double detector check valve backflow preventer assembly.); or

• • B) Non-potable water flows into the fire safety system by gravity; or

• • C) There is a permanent or emergency connection through which water can be pumped into the fire safety system from any other non-potable source; or

• • D) Fire department connections are available that could permit water to be pumped into the fire safety system from a non-potable source capable of serving the fire safety system. A non-potable source of water shall be considered capable of serving the fire safety system under the following conditions: it must be capable of year-round use, maintained with at least 50,000 gallons of usable water not subject to freezing, accessible to fire fighting pumper equipment, and located within 1,700 feet of the facility.

e) Prohibited Connections

• 1) Sewage Lines. There shall be no direct connection between potable water lines and sewage lines or equipment and vessels containing sewage. Connections shall be made only through a minimum fixed air gap as outlined in subsection (f)(5).

• 2) Chemical or Petroleum Pressure Vessels. No direct connection shall occur between any potable water supply and any pressure vessel, i.e., storage tank, tank car, tank truck or trailer, or other miscellaneous pressurized tank or cylinder containing or having contained liquified gaseous petroleum products or other liquified gaseous chemicals. When it is necessary to discharge from a potable water line to a pressure vessel, the discharge shall be through a minimum fixed air gap as outlined in subsection (f)(5). Exception: Chemical pressure vessels containing chemicals used in the water treatment process, for uses other than private purposes, are exempt from this subsection (e)(2).

• 3) If water under pressure is required, as in subsections (e)(1) and (2), it shall be supplied by means of an auxiliary pump taking suction from a tank provided for this purpose only with an over-rim supply having the required minimum fixed air gap.

• 4) A potable water line to a single wall refrigerant condenser shall be provided with a backflow preventer complying with ASSE 1012 or 1013.

• 5) No pipe or fitting of the water supply system shall be drilled or tapped nor shall any band or saddle be used except at the water main in the street. Exception: See Section 890.320(h) for potable water use only.

f)Devices for the Protection of the Potable Water Supply. Approved backflow preventers or vacuum breakers shall be installed with all plumbing fixtures and equipment that may have a submerged potable water supply outlet and that are not protected by a minimum fixed air gap. Connection to the potable water supply system for the following fixtures or equipment shall be protected against backflow with one of the appropriate devices as indicated below:

• 1) Inlet to receptacles containing low hazard substances (steam, compressed air, food, beverages, etc.):

• • A) fixed air gap fitting;

• • B) reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly;

• • C) atmospheric vacuum breaker unit;

• • D) double check valve backflow preventer assembly;

• • E) double check backflow preventer with atmospheric vent assembly; or

• • F) dual check valve.

• 2) Inlet to receptacles containing high hazard substances (vats, storage containers, plumbing fixtures, etc.):

• • A) fixed air gap fitting;

• • B) reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly; or

• • C) atmospheric vacuum breaker unit.

• 3) Coils or jackets used as heat exchangers in compressors, degreasers and other equipment involving high hazard substances:

• • A) fixed air gap fitting; or

• • B) reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly.

• 4) Direct connections that are subject to back pressure:

• • A) Receptacles containing low hazard substances (vats, storage containers, plumbing fixtures, etc.):

• • • i) fixed air gap fitting;

• • • ii) reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly;

• • • iii) double check valve backflow preventer assembly;

• • • iv) double check backflow preventer with atmospheric vent assembly; or

• • • v) dual check valve.

B) Receptacles containing high hazard substances (vats, storage containers, etc.):

• • • i) fixed air gap fitting; or

ii) a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly.

5) Inlet to or direct connection with sewage or lethal substances: fixed air gap fitting.

6) Hose and spray units or stations shall be protected by one of the appropriate devices as indicated below:

A) Fixed air gap;

B) Reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly;

C) Double check valve backflow preventer assembly;

D) Double check valve backflow preventer with atmospheric vent assembly;

E) Dual check valve backflow preventer assembly;

F) Atmospheric vacuum breaker unit.

G)Installation of Devices or Assemblies

1) Devices of All Types. Backflow preventer assemblies and devices shall be installed to be accessible for observation, maintenance and replacement services. Backflow preventer devices or assemblies shall not be installed where they would be subject to freezing conditions, except as allowed in Section 890.1140(d).

2) All in-line backflow/back siphonage preventer assemblies shall have a full port type valve with a resilient seated shut-off valve on each side of the preventer. Relocation of the valves is not permitted.

3) A protective strainer shall be located upstream of the first check valve on all backflow/back siphonage preventers unless the device contains a built- in strainer. Fire safety systems are exempt from the strainer requirement.

4) Atmospheric vacuum breakers shall be installed with the critical level above the flood level rim of the fixture they serve, and on the discharge side of the last control valve of the fixture. No shut-off valve or faucet shall be installed beyond the vacuum breaker.

5) No in-line double check valve backflow preventer assembly (DCV) or reduced pressure principle backflow preventer assembly (RPZ) shall be located more than 5 feet above a floor, or be installed where it is subject to freezing or flooding conditions. After installation, each DCV and RPZ shall be field tested in-line in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions by a cross-connection control device inspector before initial operation. (See subsection (b).)

6) A dual check backflow preventer with atmospheric vent assembly shall not be installed where it is subject to freezing or flooding conditions.

7) Closed water systems with hot water storage shall have a properly sized thermal expansion tank located in the cold water supply as near to the water heater as possible and with no shut-off valve or other device between the heater and the expansion tank. Exception: In existing buildings with a closed water system, a properly sized pressure relief valve may be substituted in place of a thermal expansion tank. For closed water systems created by backflow protection in manufactured housing, as required in Section 890.1140(i), a ballcock with a relief valve may be substituted for the thermal expansion tank.

(Source: Amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 9940, effective April 24, 2014)

Section 890.1140 Special Applications and Installations

a)  Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker. An atmospheric vacuum breaker shall be installed between the control valve and the fixture in a manner that it will not be subject to water pressure, except the pressure incidental to water flowing to the fixture. An atmospheric vacuum breaker shall be installed on the outlet side of the control valve.

b)  Flushometer Valve. Flush valves shall be equipped with vacuum breakers installed on the discharge side of the flushing valve with the critical level at least 4 inches above the overflow rim of the bowl or 4 inches above the top of the urinal. (See Appendix I.Illustration D.)

c)  Flushing Tanks. Flushing tanks shall be equipped with anti-siphon ballcocks. The ballcocks shall be installed with the critical level of the vacuum breaker at least 1 inch above the full opening of the overflow pipe. If the ballcock has no hush tube, the bottom of the water supply inlet shall be installed 1 inch above the top of the overflow pipe. (See Section 890.650(d).)

d)  Lawn Sprinklers. Any lawn sprinkler system connected to a potable water supply shall be equipped with an RPZ. The RPZ may be located outside provided that it is protected from freezing or is removed at the end of the season, and it complies with Section 890.1130(g)(1).

e)  Valve Outlets for Hose Attachments

1) All threaded valve outlets shall have backflow protection in accordance with Section 890.1130. All outside threaded valve outlets shall not be subject to freezing.

2)  Yard hydrants shall be installed as follows:

A)  Potable Water. All hydrants with threaded spigots shall have backflow protection attached to the hydrant spigot (if threaded) and either:

i)  Hydrants with buried drain down (weep) holes shall have the weep holes protected from ground water backup by proper open site drainage. A backflow preventer shall not be used on the buried weep hole to protect the hydrant from ground water backup; or

ii)  A yard hydrant that automatically drains back to a sealed container when flow is shut off, such as a canister type hydrant.

B)  Non-potable Water. One or more hydrants may be installed for non-potable use if they are isolated from the potable water supply by a backflow preventer device installed in accordance with Section 890.1130(f). The hydrants shall be clearly identified as non-potable by color (see Section 890.1120) and bear a sign that reads as follows: “This water unsafe for drinking.”

3)  In a campground licensed in accordance with the Department’s rules titled Youth Camp Code or Recreational Area Code, backflow protection is not required if the water supply line is directly connected to a recreational vehicle and is under constant pressure.

F) Commercial Laundry Machines. The potable water supply to commercial laundry machines shall be protected against back siphonage by an air gap or backflow protection device. If a vacuum breaker is used, it shall be a minimum of 26 inches above the top of the machine.

G) Commercial Dishwashers. Commercial dishwashers shall be equipped with an approved vacuum breaker located in the rinse water supply line on the discharge side of the final control valve, a minimum distance of 6 inches above the uppermost spray outlets. The cold water or make-up water supply line shall be provided with an air gap or a vacuum breaker located on the discharge side of the final control valve, a minimum distance of 6 inches above the overflow level or flood rim.

Aspirators. Water-operated aspirators shall meet the following specifications:

1)  The water supply line shall be equipped with a shut-off valve.

A)  If aspirators are used in operating rooms, emergency rooms, recovery rooms, delivery rooms, autopsy rooms, dental offices and laboratories for removing blood, pus or other fluids, a vacuum breaker shall be installed on the discharge side of the control valve, at ceiling height (a minimum of 7 feet, 6 inches) and the water supply shall be protected against backflow and back siphonage by an air gap; or an RPZ shall be used.

B)  Chemical dispensing units shall have a dedicated water supply and shut-off valves to each unit. Each unit shall have a backflow device installed to protect against backflow and back siphonage.

2)  The aspirator water discharge shall be provided with a 2-inch air gap to the receiving fixture.

i) Manufactured Housing and Mobile Home Units Manufactured Prior to June 15, 1976. At the time of water service connection, backflow protection shall be installed between the water service line and any manufactured housing or mobile home unit that was manufactured prior to June 15, 1976. Backflow protection shall be provided by at least a dual check valve backflow preventer assembly (DuC) conforming to ASSE 1024. This backflow protection shall be installed in all instances where a unit manufactured prior to June 15, 1976 is connected or re- connected to a water service line, e.g., for connection of a relocated unit, or re- connection of a unit that was disconnected to allow repairs to the water line; however, backflow protection is not required for existing units unless a new connection or re-connection to the water service line occurs.

J) Carbonated Beverage Dispensers Water Supply. The water supply to carbonated beverage dispensers shall be protected by one of the following methods:

1)  Air gap;

2)  ASSE 1022 backflow preventer; or(I-9)

3) ASSE 1022 backflow preventer with vent port added.

K) Water-Powered Sump Pump. Sump pumps powered by potable or reclaimed water pressure shall be used only as an emergency backup pump. The water- powered pump shall be equipped with a battery powered alarm having a minimum rating of 85 dBa at 10 feet. Water-powered pumps shall have a water efficiency factor of pumping at least 1.4 gallons of water to a height of 10 feet for every gallon of water used to operate the pump, measured at a water pressure of 60 psi. Pumps shall be clearly labeled as to the gallons of water pumped per gallon of potable water consumed. Water-powered stormwater sump pumps shall be equipped with a dual check valve with atmospheric vent conforming to ASSE 1012 or CSA B64.

(Source: Amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 9940, effective April 24, 2014)