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PLUMBING & DRAIN SERVICES IN BARRIE
Commercial plumbing requires backflow prevention. Businesses typically have more equipment hooked up to the plumbing system, more water connections and more potential cross-connections than a standard residence. Restaurants, warehouses, commercial buildings, condominiums and industrial properties can all have complex plumbing systems that could allow non-potable water to flow backward toward the drinking-water system.
Sureflow Plumbing & Drain offers commercial backflow services in Barrie. We can install backflow preventers, test them, repair or replace them if necessary. We can inspect what you currently have, determine what kind of commercial backflow service you might need and work with you to ensure your backflow-prevention systems function properly over time.
Commercial backflow prevention is not a “one size fits all” solution. The type of device you need and the level of protection required varies based on your building, the equipment connected to your water system and any cross-connections on the property.
Commercial buildings can have several different backflow-prevention assemblies installed. One device could be protecting the building’s main water service while another is connected to a boiler, irrigation system, piece of equipment or another section of the plumbing system.
Sureflow offers many commercial backflow services including:
The right service depends on your current equipment and your property’s plumbing system.
When water enters your commercial property from the city or municipal supply, what comes out may serve a variety of purposes.
Commercial backflow devices are necessary because water may feed kitchen areas, boilers, irrigation systems, mechanical systems, production processes, cleaning processes or equipment that require water connectivity. Each of these connections creates an opportunity for water from that system to cross-connect to the potable water system.
As you can see, commercial backflow can become complicated.
Learn more about commercial plumbing and backflow protection from Sureflow below.
Commercial buildings frequently use water for more purposes than you would find in a home.
Consider how many ways water is used in your building. It may feed into kitchens, boilers, irrigation systems, mechanical systems, production or processing, janitorial use or specialized equipment. Each fixture that connects to a water source creates an opportunity for water from that fixture to feed into the potable, drinkable, water supply. We don’t want that to happen, which is why backflow-prevention assemblies are required on commercial properties.
Backflow prevention simply keeps water moving in the right direction. If water reverses direction because of pressure differences within the plumbing system, the backflow-prevention assembly should prevent water from feeding backward into the potable supply.
Backflow refers to water moving backward, or the opposite direction it should flow under normal pressures.
Normally, water flows from your meter into your property. However, if pressure in your plumbing changes, water can come from another part of the system and flow backward into your potable drinking-water supply.
Problem is, water feeding from appliances, equipment, machinery or a process could contain contaminants that shouldn’t mix with your potable supply.
Put simply, a cross-connection is any point where your potable water system connects to equipment or another system that contains water you can’t drink.
Your commercial building may have dozens or hundreds of cross-connections. Restaurants have kitchen appliances, offices may have boilers and irrigation systems, while industrial buildings can have manufacturing equipment or processes that utilize water.
What type of backflow preventer you need will depend on what you have connected to your water system and the potential risk.
If your backflow preventer is “testable,” it should work under reversed pressure conditions.
Testing a backflow preventer is designed to put it through its paces to see if the internal components are operating like they should. The device may look fine from the outside, but a critical component, like a check valve, may no longer operate.
That’s why Sureflow offers backflow-preventer testing as part of our commercial plumbing services. If you own a commercial building, backflow prevention testing is one of the ways you can stay on top of mandatory backflow-prevention assembly maintenance.
Barrie’s existing Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control bylaw states that testable backflow preventers must be tested upon installation and annually. Testing must also occur anytime the device is cleaned, repaired, overhauled or relocated.
This means that if you own or manage commercial property, backflow prevention testing should be planned for every year and not treated as a necessity only when the device begins to leak or malfunction.
By keeping track of when your annual testing is scheduled, you can avoid missed deadlines and can have City inspectors find a bad assembly before you actually need it to work.
Applicable properties required to follow the bylaw in Barrie include industrial, commercial, institutional, agricultural and multi-residential. According to the bylaw, these properties must have some sort of testable backflow preventer installed for premise isolation. Property owners must also have cross-connection surveys done by a qualified individual(s).
Keep in mind that the type of backflow preventer required can change depending on the property and what plumbing hazards are present.
Rather than “going by what Building XYZ has”, each property should be assessed based on their individual plumbing systems and potential for cross-connections.
The city of Barrie requires commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural and multi-residential properties to have a cross-connection survey completed by a qualified person. Surveys are required every 5 years, upon change of ownership or use or when the City deems it necessary.
Surveys look at the plumbing system and note any cross-connections. They also note any existing backflow prevention assemblies.
Cross-connection surveys can help property managers and owners keep track of what backflow preventers are installed where on their property.
Premise isolation prevents contamination inside of a building from affecting the municipal drinking-water system.
Installed near the main service line entering the building, a backflow preventer can help keep water from inside of flowing backward into municipal supply lines.
Barrie’s bylaw specifies premise-isolation requirements for certain commercial properties and other buildings that are not used as residences.
The specific assembly you need will depend on your plumbing and the level of protection it requires.
Backflow prevention devices can be installed anywhere in a plumbing system, not just at the main water service.
When closer to individual pieces of equipment or sections of plumbing, the device can provide source or zone isolation.
A boiler, irrigation system or piece of commercial equipment may require its own backflow preventer even if the rest of the building has premise isolation.
You may find more than one backflow assembly protecting different zones of the same commercial building.
Installing a commercial backflow assembly is more involved than simply picking a device and hooking it up to your water service.
You need to consider the type of assembly you need, where to install it, available space, drainage requirements and how it will connect to your plumbing.
Sureflow offers backflow installation as part of our commercial plumbing services. Keep in mind that the assembly should be accessible for annual testing and any needed repairs. Do not allow it to become inaccessible behind equipment or finished construction.
Take this into account when installing the device to make future maintenance easier.
Backflow assemblies have internal parts that wear out, become damaged or lose their ability to seal. A failed test can pinpoint a problem before the device starts leaking or showing obvious plumbing symptoms. Repair may be an option depending on the assembly and situation. The issue should be identified before going straight to replacing the entire device. Additional testing may be required after repair to ensure the assembly is working correctly.
Repair is not always the most viable option. If an assembly is badly deteriorated, fails tests repeatedly or is no longer suitable for the application, it may require replacement. Replacement assemblies should be based on the plumbing requirements of the building, not just installing what was already there. Changing the use of a property after the original device was installed may mean the level of backflow protection required should be changed as well.
If a backflow preventer fails testing, that simply means that it did not perform to the required standard when tested. That does not always mean the device needs to be replaced. Failure can occur at some of the internal components that may be repairable. The reason for failure should be determined to see if repair is practical. Once repaired, the assembly will need to be retested as necessary.
There can be many reasons why a commercial backflow preventer is leaking or discharging water. Depending on the assembly, water may be coming from an internal part of the device, a relief valve or another area of the plumbing system. Pressure conditions can play a role in how the assembly operates. Never cap or plug a discharge simply because water is coming from your backflow preventer. Have the assembly checked to determine the cause of the release.
If there is a drastic change in pressure after backflow equipment is installed or serviced, this issue should be looked into.
This could be caused by the assembly itself, another valve or the building’s pressure reducing equipment among other issues in the water-supply system.
Just because there is low pressure, it is not necessarily a sign that the backflow preventer was installed improperly.
Take into account the entire system before deciding to replace any parts.
Reduced pressure principle assemblies are also known as RP assemblies or RPZ devices. These types of backflow prevention assemblies are used frequently in commercial applications that require a higher level of backflow protection.
This assembly has many internal parts and has a relief zone that will open based on certain pressure situations.
Some commercial buildings can have RP assemblies installed protecting specific pieces of equipment, or larger sections of the building’s plumbing.
Since these assemblies are testable, there needs to be access to allow for testing and servicing when installed.
Double check valve assemblies utilize two check valves to help eliminate reverse flow from happening.
They can be used in some commercial applications. The level of hazard and plumbing specs will decide if a DCVA is the correct assembly to use.
Just because a building is larger, does not necessarily mean a RPZ must be used.
A restaurant, office building and industrial building can all have different levels of backflow protection needed even though they may have the same size water service coming into the building.
Pressure vacuum breakers can be used on certain systems to protect against back-siphonage.
These are normally used on irrigation systems and other outdoor water sources.
When installing a PVB you need to ensure that they are in the correct position based on the plumbing around it.
If a currently installed pressure vacuum breaker is leaking or failing testing, check the system before determining whether the whole assembly needs to be replaced or not.
Restaurant buildings can have numerous water connections spread throughout the property.
From commercial kitchen equipment and dishwashing systems to sinks, cleaning fixtures and other equipment on the property, there can be many cross-connections to consider. Restaurants may also use irrigation, mechanical equipment or other water systems outside of the kitchen.
Taking a look at backflow protection needs should include the entire building plumbing system, not just the most visible kitchen fixtures.
One reason restaurant backflow-prevention devices are often forgotten is because they can be tucked away in mechanical rooms or other service areas of the property. Property owners can keep track of annual testing to prevent learning about an overdue device only when other plumbing work is being done.
Equipment changes or major renovations can also change the cross connections within the building. If any changes are made to equipment, it can be a good idea to review if current backflow devices are still appropriate to protect the plumbing system.
Condominium buildings can house extensive plumbing systems that serve numerous residents.
There can be premise-isolation devices in addition to other backflow devices that serve irrigation systems, mechanical equipment or other equipment throughout the property. Property managers should be aware of where these devices are located and what each device is protecting.
Since multiple dwelling units often share building systems, backflow maintenance for condos is often handled by property-management companies rather than individual residents.
Barrie’s current backflow bylaw applies to multi-residential buildings.
Don’t assume that your apartment or condominium building is exempt from backflow requirements.
Apartment buildings can have many cross-connections on each floor as well as in mechanical/common areas.
Buildings can also change over the years as irrigation systems, boilers or other equipment are installed or replaced.
Installing a detailed label in your building can help you keep track of your backflow equipment and simplify future testing/service.
Office buildings can contain irrigation systems, employee kitchens, mechanical systems, commercial washrooms and much more.
Even if the plumbing within individual suites is straightforward, the entire building can have many cross-connections.
Backflow protection should be considered at the whole property level instead of assessing each tenant space separately.
If the use of the building changes or renovations are done, have the entire plumbing system evaluated.
Retail buildings can have washrooms for customers and employees, irrigation, mechanical equipment and much more.
If the store is large enough, there could even be a restaurant or food-service area.
Any time the use of a building changes, it’s a good idea to re-evaluate existing backflow assemblies.
Property managers should not assume that what was installed for the previous tenant is adequate for the new business.
Warehouses can be as simple as a storage building with no plumbing or have washdown equipment, production areas and even mechanical systems.
That means the backflow risk can vary dramatically from one warehouse to another.
A facility used only for storage will likely have fewer cross-connections compared to a warehouse with machinery plumbed directly to the water meter.
Commercial cross connections can get pretty complicated when you reach the industrial level.
Water can be utilized in manufacturing, equipment cooling or heat, processing stations, washdown stations, boilers, or other uses.
The products that run through those systems can pose varying degrees of contamination risk as well.
Sureflow offers commercial and industrial plumbing services such as backflow prevention installation, repair, and testing.
Schools, health care facilities, public buildings and other institutional buildings may use larger or specialized plumbing fixtures.
These can include boilers, irrigation systems, commercial kitchens, mechanical connections and more.
Each building should be assessed based on their specific plumbing systems and how those systems are utilized.
Testing and proper record keeping is even more crucial when you have multiple devices installed on a larger property.
Irrigation systems can cause a cross-connection from your potable drinking water to water that has come into contact with soil, fertilizer, and other outdoor contaminants.
Backflow devices prevent that contaminated water from being pulled back into your drinking-water system.
The type of device you need will vary depending on how your irrigation system is set up.
A large commercial lawn may have different needs than a residential sprinkler system.
Boilers are typically plumbed into the potable water system of a building to allow easy filling of the heating system with water when necessary.
After that point, you don’t want any water from inside of that boiler system backing up into your drinking-water supply.
Installing backflow prevention equipment around a boiler’s connection can help isolate that cross-connection.
Boilers are just one part of your commercial building’s mechanical room plumbing setup.
Pumps, water heaters and other equipment can often be found in close proximity to boilers and each may require different kinds of backflow prevention.
Since multiple backflow assemblies may be found in mechanical rooms, it’s a good idea to understand how each one functions and what it’s protecting.
Keeping those devices accessible will also simplify annual testing and any needed repairs.
Business buildings can also have fire sprinkler systems or other fire-protection attachments plumbed into the building’s water supply.
Different kinds of backflow preventers may be needed for fire protection systems, since wastewater from burning fires can sometimes be pulled back into the water supply.
Fire-protection equipment can sometimes require different types of backflow preventers and may even require different trades to install or service those devices.
Size and setup of the building’s fire-protection and plumbing system will determine the exact backflow prevention needed.
Adding new equipment to a commercial building creates the potential for new cross-connections.
Restaurant buildings can have kitchens plumbed, industrial buildings can have manufacturing equipment hooked up to water, and commercial buildings can have landscapes or new mechanical systems installed.
Whenever new equipment needs to be connected to potable water in your commercial building, backflow should be considered as part of the overall plumbing job.
Always plan for backflow prevention needs before the project is completed. Retrofitting after the fact can often mean tearing into walls or equipment.
A change of use can dramatically alter the plumbing needs of a commercial building.
An office turned restaurant will utilize water in a completely different manner. A warehouse converted to a manufacturing facility may have new equipment and cross-connections never previously installed.
Barrie’s current bylaw even lists change of use as one of the conditions that will require a cross-connection survey to be completed.
This means that backflow review should always be on your mind when the use of a building changes occupants or operations.
When taking ownership of a commercial building it can be helpful to know what backflow-prevention assemblies are already installed on site.
You may want to know where the devices are located, what year they were last tested and if there are any records kept with the property.
Barrie’s bylaw currently states that a change of ownership for applicable properties will require a cross-connection survey to be completed.
Knowing about the plumbing up front can help alleviate surprises down the road when the property has transferred hands.
Property managers can sometimes be responsible for multiple backflow prevention assemblies within one building, or many buildings.
Having a list of the devices, their locations and their testing dates can help simplify annual service calls.
If one assembly fails, leaks or gets replaced keeping those records up to date can help the next technician who services that device understand its history.
Commercial backflow management is much easier when you are prepared instead of scrambling when a deadline is due.
Barrie currently states that a test report shall be completed and provided to the City within 14 days of testing.
This makes recording your findings part of the testing process instead of an afterthought that can be dealt with months down the road.
It also helps to keep copies of your own testing and repair records for your building files.
Keep backflow assemblies accessible year-round.
Don’t hide devices behind storage or permanent construction/equipment that would prevent testing and service.
Periodically inspect exposed assemblies for leaking, corrosion or physical damage.
Annual testing is a more formal inspection of operational components, but if you discover a leak between test dates it’s still a cause for inspection.
Occasionally a device may start leaking after being operated/tested.
Just because it happens after testing doesn’t mean that the tester caused the problem. Internal parts could have been worn/deteriorated and not become noticeable until the assembly was exercised.
If a leak appears after testing, be sure to have the cause identified.
Sometimes the assembly will need repair and retesting depending on the cause of failure.
If your device continually fails testing there may be a problem, wouldn’t you think? Repairing the same component every year is money you could be spending on something else.
The assembly could be corroding away, your water conditions may be causing problems or your current device may not be adequate for that particular application anymore.
Just because it hasn’t failed in the past doesn’t mean you shouldn’t investigate why it keeps failing now.
Consider replacement if your device seems to constantly need repairs or you’re starting to lose reliability.
When you call us about commercial backflow service we will first want to know about the property and the existing backflow system.
What kind of building is it? Do you know what type of assembly you have? Does the device require annual testing? Has it ever failed a test? Is it leaking? Are you hooking up new equipment or renovating? Are you installing a new assembly?
All of these questions and details can help us determine what type of backflow service may be needed.
If you have any previous test reports or know the model/year of your existing assembly, that information would be helpful too.
Commercial backflow prevents contaminants from flowing backward into your building’s potable (drinkable) water system. If your property is connected to the city water mains, your commercial backflow system can also protect that supply from cross-contamination.
Sureflow Plumbing & Drain offers commercial backflow services in Barrie. Our services include commercial backflow installation, repair and testing services. Services vary by location and may be subject to change.
Because Barrie’s current backflow bylaw applies to commercial properties and other certain non-residential properties, backflow maintenance should be practiced on your property. Be sure your backflow equipment is being serviced on time and that you keep the required documentation.
Call Sureflow Plumbing & Drain at 705-503-7996 today for commercial backflow service in Barrie.
Barrie’s current backflow bylaw requires that all applicable testable backflow preventers be tested upon installation and annually thereafter. Testable backflow preventers are also required to be tested after the device has been cleaned, repaired, overhauled or relocated.
Yes. Barrie’s current backflow bylaw requires industrial, commercial, institutional, agricultural and multi-residential properties to install and maintain testable backflow protection for premise isolation. Each property must have a specific type of device depending on the plumbing and potential risk involved.
According to Barrie’s current bylaw, cross-connection surveys are required every five years. A new cross-connection survey is also required upon change of ownership or change of use or as otherwise required by the City.
If your backflow fails its test, it will need to be assessed to determine why it failed. Some assemblies can be repaired while others may require replacement. According to Barrie’s bylaw, all malfunctioning backflow assemblies must be repaired or replaced. The City must then be notified of what defect occurred.
Yes. Sureflow includes backflow installation, repair, and testing as part of its commercial plumbing services.
Yes. Sureflow offers commercial backflow installation to those in Barrie with applicable plumbing systems.
Sureflow offers commercial plumbing services to businesses and multi-residential properties. Restaurants and condos may or may not require backflow prevention devices depending on the plumbing system and building.
Yes! Sureflow offers backflow preventer testing as part of our commercial and industrial plumbing services.
