Where protection lives
Apartment and multifamily buildings
Large plumbing networks with boilers, irrigation, pools and mechanical rooms create multiple cross-connections behind one meter.
The protection you will typically see
Containment at the service plus isolation assemblies at specific hazards inside, as the authority's program dictates.
Who decides
The water authority assigns the required protection by degree of hazard and enforces the test schedule. Requirements vary by jurisdiction; the authority's cross-connection control program is the answer to every "do I have to" question on this page.
What the owner should know
Property managers usually inherit assemblies they did not install. An inventory of what exists, where it is, and when each was last tested is the first thing a good tester builds for you.
Common questions
Why do apartment and multifamily buildings need backflow protection?
Large plumbing networks with boilers, irrigation, pools and mechanical rooms create multiple cross-connections behind one meter.
What kind of backflow preventer is used?
Containment at the service plus isolation assemblies at specific hazards inside, as the authority's program dictates. The assembly type is assigned by your water authority based on the degree of hazard, not chosen by the property owner.
How often does it get tested?
Testing is typically annual where required, on a schedule set and enforced by the water authority. A certified tester performs the test, tags the assembly, and files the report.
Other places protection lives
| Medical and dental facilities |
| Car washes |
| Pools, spas and fountains |
| Garden hoses and hose bibbs |
| Homes with wells or auxiliary water |
| Food and beverage processing |
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