American Backflow Prevention Association
Indiana Chapter
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Current News…
Many of you have asked about the 10th Edition of the USC Cross-Connection Control Manual. In a recent USC publication, "Cross Talk", the comment on the Manual was "Until the technical issues are resolved, a publication date cannot be set, however, every effort is being made to get the Tenth Edition published as soon as possible, hopefully within the next few months." ABPA - Indiana will stay in contact with this situation. It has been suggested that there will be testing procedure changes that will need to be incorporated into future tester certification classes.
By now you should have received your certification card from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). If you have not received the IDEM card, please submit your complete current address to us so that we can track and revise this information.
ABPA – Indiana
is asking that you maintain updated files with us so that we may contact you of
future regulation changes.
During the January
2004 ABPA Seminar a liability question was asked concerning tester liability and fire
sprinkler device testing. The question asked; as testers how do we know that we
have actually turned the water back on after testing? How do we know that the
valve(s) actually opened? As promised I have investigated this topic and have
been given several suggestions listed below:
Ø Testing of the
backflow prevention device(s) should be scheduled when the fire system
installer, manufacturer or fire fighting personnel are present.
Ø After the
device has been tested, flow from the device should be investigated and
verified. The tester should be careful and make sure that the flow is from the
device and not draining the fire system.
Ø It is
imperative that the device tester realizes that the use of any outside drain or
blow-off assemblies could supply false information about the flow and pressure
of the sprinkler system.
Ø If the tester
has any doubts concerning the condition of the backflow prevention device
shut-off valve(s) contact the owner of the facility, local fire department, or
the sprinkler system installer.
Hopefully, this information will assist in future testing of backflow prevention devices located on fire fighting systems. If you still have questions please contact Howard Millsaps.