The Chicago Plumbing Code

§ 18-29-608

Protection of Potable Water Supply.

§ 18-29-608.1 General.

A potable water supply system shall be designed, installed and maintained in such a manner so as to prevent contamination from nonpotable liquids, solids or gases being introduced into the potable water supply through cross-connections or any other piping connections to the system. Backflow preventer applications shall conform to Table § 18-29-608.1

§ 18-29-608.2 Plumbing fixtures.

The supply lines or fittings for every plumbing fixture shall be installed so as to prevent backflow.

§ 18-29-608.3 Water supply pipes.

Water supply pipe to plumbing fixtures, water using appliances and equipment, wall hydrants (except fire hydrants used for fire fighting) and hose bibbs shall meet the following requirements:

  1. No plumbing fixture shall be installed unless the water supply enters said fixture with an air gap of twice the internal diameter of the water supply pipe but not less than 1 inch (25 mm) above the flood level rim of the fixture, except for fixtures listed in Section 11-8-500* of this article. * Note Coun. J. 3-28-01, p. 55444, 1, repealed former chapter 11-8 and inserted new chapter § 18-29; correct internal reference appears to be to either Section § 18-29-401 or Section § 18-29-423.
  2. Dishwashing machine and clothes washing machine water supply pipes shall have an air gap as required for plumbing fixtures, except that dishwashing machine water supply pipes may enter through an approved atmospheric vacuum breaker located on the discharge side of the last control valve. The bottom of the vacuum breaker shall not be less than 6 inches (150 mm) above the flood level rim of the machine or related equipment.

§ 18-29-608.3.1 Special equipment, water supply protection.

The water supply for hospital fixtures shall be protected against backflow with a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer, an atmospheric vacuum breaker, or an air gap. Vacuum breakers for bedpan washer hoses shall not be located less than 5 feet (1525 mm) above the floor.

§ 18-29-608.4 Deliberately omitted.

§ 18-29-608.5 Secondary water.

See Article 2 for definition. For materials for secondary water refer to Table § 18-29-605.5, Water Distribution Pipe.

§ 18-29-608.6 Prohibited use of secondary water.

No secondary water shall overflow or be discharged into any surge tank, storage tank, or reservoir, or shall in any way be piped or conveyed into the water supply system or into any building, structure, or premises, such that the overflow or discharge contaminates the fresh water supply from the mains of the Chicago Waterworks System either inside of the premises or in the water service pipe. Secondary water shall not be piped to or used in any plumbing fixture, or for cooling crushers, rollers, or mixers where foods, candies, liquids or materials are manufactured for human or animal consumption.

In accordance with Section 11-8-390 of this Code, the installation of any potable water supply well after May 14, 1997 is prohibited except as otherwise permitted in that section.

(Amend Coun. J. 3-27-02, p. 82090, 3)

§ 18-29-608.6.1 Private water supplies.

Cross-connections between a private water supply and a potable public supply shall be prohibited.

§ 18-29-608.7 Stop-and-waste valves prohibited.

Combination stop-and-waste valves or cocks shall not be installed underground.

§ 18-29-608.8 Identification of potable and nonpotable water.

In all buildings where two or more water distribution systems (one potable water and the other nonpotable water) or secondary water distribution systems are installed, each system shall be identified either by color marking or metal tags as required by ASME A13.1.

§ 18-29-608.9 Re-utilization prohibited.

Water utilized for the cooling of equipment of other processes shall not be returned to the potable water system. Such water shall be discharged into a drainage system through an air gap or shall be utilized for nonpotable purposes.

§ 18-29-608.10 Reuse of piping.

Piping that has been utilized for any purpose other than conveying potable water shall not be utilized for conveying potable water.

§ 18-29-608.11 Painting of water tanks.

The interior surface of a potable water tank shall not be lined, painted or repaired with any material that changes the taste, odor, color or potability of the water supply when the tank is placed in, or returned to, service.

§ 18-29-608.12 Pumps and other appliances.

Water pumps, filters, softeners, tanks and all other devices that handle or treat potable water shall be protected against contamination.

§ 18-29-608.13 Backflow protection.

Means of protection against backflow shall be provided in accordance with Sections § 18-29-608.13.1 through § 18-29-608.13.6.

§ 18-29-608.13.1 Air gap.

The minimum required air gap shall be measured vertically from the lowest end of a potable water outlet to the flood level rim of the fixture or receptacle into which such potable water outlet discharges.

§ 18-29-608.13.2 Reduced pressure principle backflow preventers.

Reduced pressure principle backflow preventers shall conform to ASSE 1013, AWWA C511 or CSA CAN/CSA-B64.4. These devices shall be permitted to be installed in areas subject to continuous pressure conditions. The relief opening shall discharge by air gap and shall be prevented from being submerged.

§ 18-29-608.13.3 Backflow preventer with intermediate atmospheric vent.

Backflow preventers with intermediate atmospheric vents shall conform to ASSE 1012 or CSA CAN/CSA- B64.3. These devices shall be permitted to be installed in areas subject to continuous pressure conditions. The relief opening shall discharge by air gap and shall be prevented from being submerged.

§ 18-29-608.13.4 Barometric loop.

Barometric loops shall precede the point of connection and shall extend vertically to a height of 35 feet (10.67 m). A barometric loop shall only be utilized as an atmospheric-type or pressure-type vacuum breaker.

§ 18-29-608.13.5 Atmospheric-type vacuum breakers.

Pipe-applied atmospheric-type vacuum breakers shall conform to ASSE 1001 or CSA CAN/CSA- B64.1.1. Hose-connection vacuum breakers shall conform to ASSE 1011, CSA CAN/CSA-B64.2, ASSE 1019, CSA CAN/CSA-B64.2.2, ASSE 1035, CSA B64.7 or ASSE 1052. These devices shall operate wider normal atmospheric pressure when the critical level is installed at the required height.

§ 18-29-608.13.6 Double check-valve assemblies.

Double check-valve assemblies shall conform to ASSE 1015 or AWWA C510. Double-detector check-valve assemblies shall conform to ASSE 1048. These devices shall be capable of operating under continuous pressure conditions.

§ 18-29-608.14 Location of backflow preventers.

Access shall be provided to backflow preventers as specified by the installation instructions of the approved manufacturer.

§ 18-29-608.15 Protection of potable water outlets.

All potable water openings and outlets shall be protected against backflow in accordance with the following:

  1. Openings and outlets shall be protected by an air gap between the opening and the fixture flood level rim as specified in Table § 18-29-608.15.1. Openings and outlets equipped for hose connection shall be protected by means other than an air gap.
  2. Openings and outlets shall be protected by a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer.
  3. Openings and outlets shall be protected by a backflow preventer with an intermediate atmospheric vent.
  4. Openings and outlets shall be protected by atmospheric-type vacuum breakers. The critical level of the vacuum breaker shall be set a minimum of 6 inches (150 mm) above the flood level rim of the fixture or device. Ball cocks shall be set in accordance with Section 425.3.1. Vacuum breakers shall not be installed under exhaust hoods or similar locations that will contain toxic fumes or vapors. Pipe-applied vacuum breakers shall be installed not less than 6 inches (150 mm) above the flood level rim of the fixture, receptor or device served.
  5. All pull-out spout-type faucets shall be in compliance with CSA CAN/CSA-B 125 and have an integral vacuum breaker or vent to atmosphere in their design or shall require a dedicated deck- or wall-mounted vacuum breaker. Approved deck-mounted or equipment-mounted vacuum breakers and faucets with integral atmospheric or spill-proof vacuum breakers shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and the requirements for labeling with the critical level not less than, 1 inch (25 mm) above the flood level rim.
  6. Sillcocks, hose bibbs, wall hydrants and other openings with a hose connection shall be protected by an atomospheric-type or pressure type vacuum breaker or a permanently attached hose connection vacuum breaker.

Exceptions:

  1. This section shall not apply to water heater and boiler drain valves that are provided with hose connection threads and that are intended for only tank or vessel draining.
  2. This section shall not apply to water supply valves intended for connection of clothes washing machines where backflow prevention is otherwise provided or is integral with the machine.

§ 18-29-608.16 Connections to the potable water system.

Connections to the potable water system shall conform to Sections § 18-29-608.16.1 through § 18-29-608.16.6.

§ 18-29-608.16.1 Beverage carbonator.

Every water supply pipe servicing a beverage carbonator shall receive its supply through a receiving tank constructed in accordance with Section § 18-29-606.5.4 of this Article or shall have installed in the pipe an approved stainless steel in-line-pressure-type backflow preventer consisting of two check valves separated by an open air port conforming to ASSE 1012 or ASSE 1022. The air port shall not be directly connected to the drainage system.

§ 18-29-608.16.1.1 Backflow preventer.

The backflow preventer shall be installed in an accessible location on the discharge side of the carbonator water supply valve. No copper tube or pipe or copper lined components shall be used for the receiving tank or its piping to the carbonator or the outlet of the stainless backflow preventer.

§ 18-29-608.16.2 High-pressure steam boilers.

Steam boilers exceeding a pressure of 15 psi (103.4 kPa) and hydronic heating systems designed to exceed a pressure of 15 psi (103.4 kPa) or a temperature of 250F (121C) shall not be directly connected to the water supply system. Steam boilers not exceeding a pressure of 15 psi (103.4 kPa) and hydronic heating systems designed not to exceed pressure of 30 psi (306.9 kPa) or a temperature of 250F (121C) shall be provided with an in-line pressure-type backflow preventer consisting of two check valves separated by an open air port. The air port shall not be directly connected to the drainage system. The backflow preventer shall be installed in an accessible location on the discharge side of the boiler water supply valve and on the inlet side of the boiler feed valve.

§ 18-29-608.16.3 Connections to automatic fire sprinkler systems and standpipe systems.

The potable water supply to automatic fire sprinkler and standpipe systems shall be protected against backflow by a testable double detector check-valve assembly.

§ 18-29-608.16.4 Fire protection equipment, risers, standpipes, tanks to be drained and flushed.

All fire protection equipment, tanks, risers, standpipes, domestic house tanks, compression tanks and all other tanks that have a weight check valve for backflow prevention and are supplied with water from the Chicago Waterworks System shall be drained and flushed at least every 12 months in the presence of a plumbing inspector. Further, fire protection systems and equipment shall be kept free from accumulations of sand, silt, and stagnant water which would nullify the action of the chlorine content of city water.

§ 18-29-608.16.5 Fire-extinguishing equipment cross-connection.

Any building, premises, material or storage yard which receives service from the Chicago Waterworks System shall not have a siamese or other connection for fire extinguishing purposes installed near any river, lake, or waterway where a city fire boat or city fire engine or pump may pump river, lake or shore water into the city water pipes through a cross-connection of any kind.

§ 18-29-608.16.5.1 Prohibitions.

No stationary pump or privately owned fire equipment shall be maintained for emergency use which draws water from rivers, lakes, and waterways nor shall they use cisterns or wells adjacent to the rivers, lakes and waterways unless protected from cross-connections to city water systems.

§ 18-29-608.16.6 Chemical or petroleum pressure vessels.

Chemical, contaminated water, or sewage lines or vessels shall comply with Sections § 18-29-608.16.6.1 through Section § 18-29-608.16.6.3.

§ 18-29-608.16.6.1 Chemical or petroleum pressure vessels.

No person, corporation or firm shall connect any pressure vessel to the city water supply. This includes a storage tank, tank car, tank truck or trailer or other miscellaneous pressurized tank or cylinder containing or having contained liquefied gaseous petroleum products or other liquefied gaseous chemicals.

§ 18-29-608.16.6.2 Water flushing or cooling.

Water for flushing or cooling (or to be otherwise instilled into such a vessel) shall be obtained by gravity through an indirect connection. If water under pressure is required, it may be supplied only by means of an auxiliary pump taking suction from a suction tank provided for this purpose only, with an over-rim supply having an indirect connection.

§ 18-29-608.16.6.3 Chemical, contaminated water, or sewage lines or vessels.

There shall be no direct connection between the city water lines and lines, equipment or vessels containing raw or contaminated water, contaminating chemicals or sewage. Such connections shall be made only through and* indirect connection.

§ 18-29-608.16.7 Deliberately omitted.

§ 18-29-608.16.8 Portable cleaning equipment.

Where the portable cleaning equipment (including power washers) connects to the water distribution system, the water supply system shall be protected against backflow in accordance with Section § 18-29-608.13.1, Section § 18-29-608.13.2, Section § 18-29-608.13.3, Section § 18-29-608.14 or Section § 18-29-608.15.

§ 18-29-608.16.9 Dental pump equipment.

Where dental pumping equipment connects to the water distribution system, the water supply system shall be protected against backflow in accordance with Section § 18-29-608.13.1, Section § 18-29-608.13.5, Section § 18-29-608.13.6 or Section § 18-29-608.15.

§ 18-29-608.17 Private water supplies.

Private water supplies shall be in accordance with Sections § 18-29-608.17.1 through

§ 18-29-608.17.1 Well locations.

A potable ground water source or pump suction line shall not be located closer to potential sources of contamination than the distances shown in Table § 18-29-608.17.1. In the event the underlying rock structure is limestone or fragmented shale, the local or state health department shall be consulted on well site location.

§ 18-29-608.17.1.1 Distances.

The distances outlined in Table § 18-29-608.17.1 constitute minimum separation and shall be increased in areas of creviced rock or limestone, or when the direction of movement of ground water through sources of contamination is toward the well.

§ 18-29-608.17.1.2 Direct connections.

No pipe or system of piping in any building, structure, or premises, which receives its supply from the Chicago Waterworks System shall be directly connected to any device, appliance, or apparatus in which such water supply is used to provide power through a water jet or other device to create vacuum or partial vacuum with which to operate any aspirator, syphon, cellar drainer, ejector, cleaner, sweeper, conveyor, or washer of any kind or description.