Backflow Prevention for Commercial and Multifamily Customers

General Compliance Information

In accordance with Article 12 of the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, all properties listed below must comply with the state regulation for the installation and annual testing of backflow prevention assemblies (BFPAs). There is no "grandfather clause" associated with this regulation, meaning that all existing and all newly constructed properties have to install and test backflow prevention assemblies as needed. For more information on installation criteria and/or which BFPAs are required (to be installed & tested annually), see the Backflow Prevention Assembly info sheet.

Commercial Properties
Unless otherwise permitted by the Backflow Prevention Program (BPP) all commercial properties must comply with the installation and annual testing of BFPAs.

Defining "Containment"
State regulation and the BPP are, in general, responsible for monitoring the installation and annual testing of "containment" assemblies. To be a true containment assembly, the assembly must be installed after the meter but prior to any plumbing branches. It is possible that two containment assemblies may be required if branches exist such that a single assembly cannot be used.

Other assemblies may be required inside a property by plumbing code. These other assemblies are called "isolation" assemblies because they isolate internal hazards. The BPP does not track these assemblies unless there is a specific need. However, it is strongly recommended that isolation assemblies are tested annually along with containment assemblies as they can keep water inside the property safe for consumption. Plumbing code may allow some points of isolation to be protected by devices (non-testable assemblies) such as dual checks.

If it is determined that a specific isolation assembly is to be tracked, the BPP will require annual testing of both the containment assembly and the specific isolation assembly. If true containment cannot be achieved, the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it will determine if isolation assemblies can be tested instead of a single containment assembly. However, whenever possible, containment will be required.

For more information on installation criteria and/or which BFPAs are required (to be installed & tested annually) see the Backflow Prevention Assembly info sheet.

Backflow Prevention Program

Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 February 2013 12:29