§ 2-31-306. Backflow prevention assembly system design.

(a)

All facilities.

(1)

The design shall be consistent with the standards and specifications contained in the current edition of the Florida Plumbing Code or the utility standards, whichever is more stringent.

(2)

The design shall utilize the current edition of the AWWA standards and guidelines and FCCC approved backflow prevention assemblies, unless otherwise specified in this article or approved by the department.

(3)

The facility owner shall be responsible for determining if the facility's system requires an uninterrupted supply of water that would be adversely affected by routine maintenance or other activities involving the approved backflow prevention assembly. The facility owner shall be responsible for installing or requesting a parallel approved backflow prevention assembly. An unprotected bypass around a backflow prevention assembly for use when such assembly needs testing, repair, or replacement shall be prohibited.

(4)

Backflow prevention assemblies must be accessible to county employees at all times. A minimum distance from landscaping shall be maintained as specified in the utility standards. Dangerous and/or dense underbrush will be trimmed to a margin of safety by county employees and the actual cost of such trimming will be billed to the facility owner.

(b)

Existing facilities only.

(1)

Single-family residential facilities. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of section 2-31-302, an approved backflow prevention assembly shall be installed if a hazard poses a threat to the county's public water system.

(2)

Other facilities. These facilities include, but are not limited to, commercial, industrial, multistory, and multifamily residential facilities. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of section 2-31-302, an approved backflow prevention assembly shall be installed where a hazard is identified. In some instances, it may be difficult or impossible to accurately determine such facility's cross-connection status because plumbing plans of the facility's potable water system are nonexistent, unreliable, or unobtainable. In instances where a cross-connection survey is not feasible, an approved air-gap separation or an approved reduced pressure assembly shall be installed based upon the degree of hazard.

(c)

Installation requirements.

(1)

All installations shall comply with the requirements specified in the current edition of the Florida Plumbing Code or the utility standards, whichever is more stringent.

(2)

All approved backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed above final finished grade, unless otherwise approved by the department.

(3)

Approved backflow prevention assemblies shall not be installed above final finished grade in any type of vault, unless such vault is constructed to allow at least thirty (30) per cent of its sidewalls to be open or ventilated at grade level. These openings or vents shall be unobstructed and of sufficient size to permit any vented water to freely pass through the openings to the outside.

(4)

Approved backflow prevention assemblies shall not be installed in any position other than horizontal, unless the assembly has received approval for such installation by the assembly's manufacturer and the FCCC.

(5)

Approved backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in outside locations and shall be protected from possible damage caused by normal traffic.

(6)

All approved backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed at a height consistent with the utility standards.

(7)

Following installation, approved backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested, then tagged and certified. All such installations, tests, and certification reports shall be completed only by an approved backflow prevention assembly technician with the appropriate certification from the approved list.

(8)

After a facility's approved backflow prevention assembly has been installed and initially tested, certified, and approved, the facility owner shall notify the department that the new assembly is ready for final inspection. The department shall make a site inspection of the new assembly. Until the facility's approved backflow prevention assembly passes the final inspection, the service connection shall not be activated.

(9)

Any time a replacement is required for a backflow prevention assembly, such new approved backflow prevention assembly shall comply with all provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 13-35, § 7, 10-22-13)