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Why You Shouldn’t Overlook RPZ Testing as Part of Your Spring Maintenance

Did you know that New York City has some of the strictest backflow prevention regulations in the country? Ignoring regulatory testing puts your property at risk contamination and you are at risk of fines and penalties. Avoiding annual requirements may also jeopardize tenants’ health.

Reduced pressure zone valves are backflow prevention devices and require annual testing by a certified tester. The valves are integral to multi-unit residential properties and mixed-use buildings. Annual RPZ testing is a legal requirement in NYC, and failure to comply with testing guidelines may result in a violation notice and a $500 fine for each untested device.

What’s RPZ Testing and Why NYC Building Owners Must Care?

Understanding the Importance of RPZ Tests

A backflow preventer, such as an RPZ, is a complex valve designed to prevent contaminated water from flowing backward into your building’s clean water supply. The device creates a reduced pressure zone between two check valves. When the pressure drops inside the building’s plumbing system, wastewater can push back toward the system. The valve opens and dumps the wastewater out of the system entirely, eliminating the risk of contamination.

While RPZ tests are a legal requirement, they are also important to the health of your property’s plumbing system and the municipal water supply. NYC enforces backflow prevention regulations because of the city’s infrastructure’s interconnectedness and the potential risks to people’s health, including those who are not your current tenants.

The city and state are not the only municipalities in the country that require RPZ testing. Many states, including California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, and Washington State, require annual testing and verification by certified professionals.

Acknowledging Cross-Contamination Risks

Being concerned about your building and its plumbing infrastructure is natural, but you must acknowledge that your system doesn’t exist in isolation. NYC’s underlying water supply network is complex and interconnected, with each part influencing the next. Your building connects to and uses that infrastructure.

The municipal system means that you, your neighbor, and your entire street and beyond share sewers and supplies. A pressure drop, leak, or even repair in a neighboring structure or city line can create pressure shifts that affect your property, placing it under threat of backflow challenges. RPZ valves act as safeguards, preventing wastewater from traveling through the interconnected network and into your property’s system.

Therefore, because of the expansive cross-contamination risks, NYC requires annual RPZ testing in buildings, including multi-unit residential properties required by law to have backflow valves. The tests and requirements enforce citywide responsibility and ensure that each building owner is responsible for their piece in the interconnected system.

Learning About Backflow Prevention Regulations

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for setting and enforcing backflow prevention regulations, which are necessary to protect the health and safety of the city’s residents. The DEP’s Cross-Connection Control Program Handbook is a good resource for property owners interested in more information about the city’s cross-connection control programs.

Building owners must understand the key regulations, which include mandatory installation and annual testing requirements. Large residential and commercial properties typically require RPZs. Annual testing is necessary to ensure the backflow preventers work correctly, protecting your building and its tenants.

If you do not comply with citywide regulations, you risk financial and legal penalties. Beyond the standard $500 fine per untested device, neglecting your legal duties as a landlord can result in legal consequences and further financial trouble. Landlords have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide a safe living environment.

Why Spring Testing?

Boiler Shutdown and Pressure Irregularities

Spring is an excellent time for RPZ testing because you are likely getting ready to shut down your boiler and start up various other systems, including irrigation systems. Shutting down plumbing systems and starting others can create pressure irregularities, which may risk backflows. Backflow is also a potential issue when damage occurs to specific summer systems during the cold winter months.

By testing your valves in March or April, you kill two birds with one stone. You meet the annual testing requirement and eliminate the potential risks of cross-contamination when powering systems on or off. Also, early system testing can ensure that all your systems are ready for the late spring and summer months, when they are more likely to be used.

What Can You Expect During an RPZ Test?

Testing Process

An RPZ test involves visual inspection, repairs, and functional testing. During the visual inspection, the licensed and certified tester looks for signs of damage, leaks, or improper installation. If the inspector notices any damage, they will likely make any necessary repairs before moving on to functional testing.

Functional testing involves using specialized gauges to measure the pressure on both sides of the RPZ device and around internal components. The readings help the inspector determine whether the check and relief valves are working correctly.

RPZ testing can cause brief water service disruptions, so informing tenants and staff before the test is necessary to reduce inconvenience. Typically, the entire process takes 30-60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the system, the assembly’s condition, and any required repairs. It is best to give tenants a broad window to ensure they can prepare.

In general, you must briefly turn off the water supply to the backflow preventer, but it will cause little to no interference to the overall water supply. Still, it is best to prepare tenants and staff for a worst-case scenario rather than deal with a flood of complaints if you disrupt the supply because of repairs or other issues.

How Can Sanitary Plumbing Help With RPZ Testing?

Annual Inspections and Service Contracts

RPZ testing is a legal requirement in NYC and a qualified professional must perform it. Sanitary Plumbing has certification for such tests and inspections. We also offer annual service contracts to ensure you never forget about regulatory compliance testing for your entire plumbing system. If you want to schedule an RPZ test or discuss our annual service contracts, contact our team at 212-734-5000.