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Is a Watts 9D Dual Check back flow preventer necessary on a residential hot water boiler?

Double D
Double D Member Posts: 442
A local inspector insisted I have one on my new installation. None of the surrounding towns require one.

Comments

  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,418
    Here in New Hampshire & in Maine they are required.
    Some States/ Areas require a RPZ backflow preventer. (especially if you have glycol in the system.)
    Makes sense to have one.
    Lots of guys install the Watts 911s which does both the fast fill feature and the backflow all in one.
    Zman
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,160
    That local inspector sounds a lot like me when I was one, back in the time of the dinosaurs... I always required one. Depends on your local code -- and the AHJ.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,418
    edited July 2017
    Where is this install?
  • Double D
    Double D Member Posts: 442
    The install is in New York, not too far from Lake Erie. Thanks for the suggestion in using the Watts 911s. I would consider using that one on future installs.
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,803
    NYS code for at least ten years now to have a BFP on residential replacement boilers. I think it was the same year a LWCO was required.
  • Double D
    Double D Member Posts: 442
    Until now, the only component they have requested was the low water cut off.
  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,561
    I am curious what you are using now? The small double checks are very inexpensive and seem like a reasonable way to assure cross contamination does not occur.
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
    Matt_67
  • Double D
    Double D Member Posts: 442
    @Zman The inspector recommended using the Watts 9D, that's what most are using. Do the double checks you use have atmospheric vent?
  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,561
    The 911 is the most common setup in my area. Caleffi 573 is also popular. For a double check to be effective it needs the atmospheric vent in case of failure.
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
    Double D
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,160
    A double check is just that -- two check valves in series, usually in the same overall body. A dual check with atmospheric vent -- like the Watts 9D -- is a bit more secure. A true reduced pressure zone backflow preventer -- like the Watts 009 -- is even more secure (dang near bullet proof). Depending on you code and AHJ, one of the three may be required. If the inspector wanted a 9D, that's what you should use. The protection it furnishes is intermediate between a dual check and an RPZ.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    Double DZmanHenry