Professional backflow testing service for big and small companies.
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As a family-owned business, we at Hedrick Fire Protection stake our name on the integrity and quality of our work. For crucial services like backflow testing, you need a partner you can trust implicitly to help you protect your water supply and ensure compliance.
Water in your pipes is meant to flow in one direction, from the public main into your building. Backflow is when that flow reverses and pulls non-potable water back toward the clean supply. It happens two ways: backsiphonage, when a drop in main pressure (a water main break or heavy firefighting draw nearby) creates suction, and backpressure, when a downstream system pushes water back with more force than the supply. Either way, contaminants from irrigation lines, boilers, cooling systems, or process equipment can end up in the drinking water. A backflow preventer is the assembly that stops that from happening, and testing is how you prove it still works.
Backflow is a serious health hazard that occurs when contaminated water reverses flow and enters your clean water supply. Our certified technicians perform a defined sequence of tests on your backflow preventer, checking the internal seals, springs, check valves, and relief valve to confirm they hold and release correctly. We use specialized, calibrated gauges connected to the assembly's test cocks, and we verify that your system complies with the requirements of your local water purveyor and state water-safety regulations.
A reduced pressure zone (RPZ) assembly is the highest level of mechanical protection. It uses two independent check valves with a relief valve between them, so that even if both checks fail, the relief valve dumps the water to the open air before it can reach the potable supply.
Simplified RPZ schematic. A double check valve assembly (DCVA) works the same way but without the relief valve, and is used for lower-hazard connections such as many fire sprinkler lines and irrigation systems. Your water purveyor determines which device your property requires based on its hazard level.
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Most water purveyors require every testable backflow assembly to be tested once a year by a certified tester. We test the check valves and relief valve with calibrated gauges, confirm the assembly holds and relieves correctly, and file the required test and maintenance report with your local water authority so your property stays in compliance.
When an assembly fails its test, the cause is usually worn check valve seats, a fouled relief valve, or debris inside the body. We rebuild or replace the affected parts using approved repair kits, then retest and recertify the assembly so it passes and your records stay current.
We install and replace backflow assemblies that are sized and rated for your hazard level and approved by your water purveyor, with the correct device type and proper clearances. Aging or freeze-damaged assemblies are replaced with a current approved model and tested before being returned to service.
Scheduling routine commercial backflow testing ensures the safety of your building's occupants by preventing contamination of your potable water supply. Regular testing is also a legal requirement in most jurisdictions. Staying compliant helps you avoid costly fines, potential business shutdowns, and liability issues, and it keeps your water on if your purveyor enforces shutoff for missed tests.
Hedrick Fire Protection is ready to provide professional backflow testing services tailored to your property's needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
In nearly every jurisdiction, testable backflow assemblies must be tested at least once a year by a certified tester, and the results filed with your local water purveyor. Your test date generally stays the same each year. Some high-hazard sites or local programs may require more frequent testing.
An RPZ (reduced pressure zone) assembly has two check valves plus a relief valve, and is required for high-hazard connections because it discharges water to the open air if the checks fail. A double check valve assembly (DCVA) has two check valves but no relief valve, and is used for lower-hazard connections such as many fire sprinkler and irrigation lines.
That is decided by the hazard level of the connection, and your local water purveyor's cross-connection control program specifies the required device. High health-hazard situations call for an RPZ assembly or an air gap, while lower-hazard situations may allow a double check valve assembly. We can help you confirm what your site requires.
A failure usually points to worn check valve seats, a fouled relief valve, or debris in the body. We diagnose the cause, rebuild or replace the affected parts with approved kits, and then retest and recertify the assembly so it returns to compliant service.
Yes. Fire lines are commonly protected by a double check valve assembly, or an RPZ where antifreeze or other chemicals are present. Beyond the water purveyor's annual test, NFPA 25 also calls for a forward flow test and an internal inspection of the assembly on a five-year cycle. You can read more on our fire sprinkler service page.
The property owner is responsible for keeping the assembly tested and compliant, and the test must be performed by a certified tester whose report is filed with the water authority. Many utilities send a reminder notice before your annual test is due.