Pipe between backflow and PRV

Al Gregory

A black nipple beween the two will rot. Its not system water untill it goes by the PRV

Unknown

A job failed

inspection because the short nipple between the boiler feeder and backflow preventer was black steel . Anyone ever hear of this before ? With the Taco feeder being cast iron , I don't undestand why the nipple right before it has to be brass ??????

Ray M

The connection to the backflow should be brass or copper. The connection after the backflow should not matter.

Thanks
Ray M

Unknown

That's what I think too

It goes ..... street water - backflow preventer ( no vent ) - pressure reducer - boiler .

Robert O'Connor_12

Ron Jr.

Which code is the inspector citing this from? Did he leave a sticker, if so, what did it say?

Robert O'Connor/NJ

Unknown

I'll see if I can find out

Did you ever hear of this before , Robert ?

Thanks .

Ray Landry_2

Ron, I had an inspector one time tell me that it was because you have street water pressure which still has oxygen in it up the the PRV. Therefore, according to him the nipple could rot out due to the oxygen. I almost always use a watts 911S combo fastfill backflow which has a built in brass connector so I dont really deal with having to put a nipple as a spool piece. But, I've seen it lots of times with steel nipples. the job in question I'm thinking of did pass inspection though, because I said the same thing you did, that the PRV is iron and is just a susesptible to oxygen in the water as the nipple would be...

Dave Belisle

IBC

In the International Plumbing Code the table 605.5 for water distibution pipe allows Brass, CPVC , Copper , PEX , PEX-AL-PRX , Galvanized Steel , and PB Plastic pipe and tubing.

Your inspector must be calling everything before the PRV part of the water Distribution system.....

Dave in NH