Backflow Prevention Devices?

These are required now to prevent contaminated water in your building from flowing back into the water mains and possibly contaminating others in the surrounding buildings.

It isn't a particularly hard device to install and any real plumber can do it. It is put after the water meter and main shutoff valve on and is a small in-line one way valve.

In the past we had Vigilante install one for us and it was approximately 500 bucks from what I recall (this was 3 years ago)

My plumber, who is licensed and absolutely terrific, is a licensed backflow tester. He is great to work with and reasonably priced. I recommend him highly. His name is Anthony D'Ella of Four Aces Plumbing and Heating. His number is 718-366-2973.

You people are all high. Domestic water will run up to 5K. a sprinkler feed will add another 10K at least.

Double check valve backflow preventors are not off the shelf vacuum breakers or home depot check valves. You need one for every water connection coming into the building, not for individual tenants, domestic and sprinkler. Sprinkler is what will kill you. I've used Backflow Preventiom of NY for 2 jobs. The guy is so honest he talked himself out of a third job.

http://rpzny.com/

fafner said:

modsquad who mentioned anything about pricing water service or sprinker feeds? He was asking about backflow preventers, it is a simple cut of the service main and installation of a valve which is a few hundred bucks.

Sorry, wrong. All water taps to the City water supply need to be equipped with the DVBP device. OP mentions he is under the gun of DEP. He's received a letter indicating a hazard level. OP can put off an immediate fine assessment by having an engineer certify that installation is in progress. They will not fine for lack thereof. See the following for a synopsis.

http://www.habitatmag.com/Publication-Content/2010-October/Web-Exclusives/Backflow-Preventer-Crackdown

How much does it cost? According to the city, estimating based on average industry prices for parts and labor, it can run $5,000 to $13,000 for small to mid-size buildings, and between $14,000 and $34,000 for large high-rises. Failure to comply can lead to fines of up to $2,000. If you ignore the fines, the City can shut off the water supply to your building.

modsquad2.0 said:

Sorry, wrong. All water taps to the City water supply need to be equipped with the DVBP device.

Not gonna get in a pissing match but maybe you should read what you cite. Backflow preventers are not required for every building in nyc.

What types of properties are required to install a backflow prevention device?

Unless they receive a specific exemption from DEP, the following types of businesses are required to use backflow preventers:

Metal plating, cleaning, processing or fabricating facilities

Photo-processing facilities

Laundries and dry cleaners

Commercial car washes

Greenhouses

Hospitals, Clinics and Laboratories (including veterinary hospitals)

Medical and Dental Offices

Funeral Parlors

Food processing plants and meat / fish packers

Dye Plants

Paper processors

Auto Repair Shops

Breweries

Tanneries

Exterminators

Large residential dwellings with water boilers that use rust-inhibitors or other water treatment chemicals, (“treated water boilers”)

Sewage treatment plants or handling facilities

Premises with multiple water service lines;

Premises with roof tanks and elevated storage lines

Canneries

Slaughterhouse / Live Poultry Processing Facilities

Ice Manufacturing Facilities

Printing Facilities

Supermarkets

Premises with large boilers or chemically treated boilers

Warehouses (with toxic chemical storage)

Premises with Commercial or Public Kitchens

Premises with water cooled equipment or chillers

Premises with Groundwater Wells

Premises that Reuse or Recycle Water

Shipyards and Marinas

Schools and Colleges

Food Preparation Facilities

Nursing Homes

Barber Shops & Beauty Salons

Properties with in-ground irrigation sprinklers

Ok, clearly you have a preset notion in your head that you are right. Not all houses are have boilers treated with chemicals, not all houses have 350k btu boilers. Just correcting your statement that EVERY house in the entire 5 boroughs needs to have a BFPD installed.

I will let you know when I get a notice to comply on any of my properties. I wouldn't hold your breath though.

I also have a masters degree in mechanical engineering and experience with having installed one, so my lack of knowledge isn't an issue. I am sure the plumbers are capitalizing on the waves of people needing these now and increased the price, my price was from 3 years ago as I mentioned.