Doug, your Item #3 misses the point of the forward flow test. The test is specifically to exercise the backflow preventer, so disassembling it invalidates the test.
As to the other means of testing, it seems the standard is telling us that we need to create a means of testing without having to disassemble the check valve or remove it. Their reasoning is that most owners won't take the time (or spend the money) to have someone go to such lengths to test. Given that your client seems willing to do so, I suspect your options #1 and #2 are o.k. I would just suggest they invest in a test bypass loop or test outlet to make future testing easier (and less expensive). Mark A. Sornsin, P.E. | Karges-Faulconbridge, Inc. | Fire Protection Engineer | Fargo, ND | direct: 701.552.9905 | mobile: 701.371.5759 | http://www.kfiengineers.com -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Douglas Hicks Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 10:03 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Removal of FDC check valve Automatic Sprinkler Handbook, 2013 edition Page 454 tells us we cannot reverse the check valve in the FDC as a means to perform a forward flow, except for those systems that did not have backflow devices at the time of sprinkler installation. Question # 1. Can we replace the check valve with a pipe, and then do the forward flow? Question # 2 Can we tie the clapper in the open position, and then do the forward flow? Question # 3 Can we have a licensed plumber remove the checks in the backflow device, and then do the forward flow? (In Oregon, sprinkler people are not smart enough to work on backflow devices, even if we are licensed to test back-flows) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud service. For more information please visit http://www.symanteccloud.com ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud service. For more information please visit http://www.symanteccloud.com ______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
