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lincoln.ne.gov | |
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City of Lincoln Building & Safety Department Underground Irrigation or Sprinkler Systems | |
Backflow Prevention
How can this backflow, or back syphonage, from the lawn sprinkler
system into the drinking water system be prevented?
There are two devices approved for lawn sprinkler systems. The first
is a reduced pressure (RP) principle backflow preventer The second,
and most popular, is a pressurized vacuum breaker (PVB). The PVB must
be installed a minimum of 12" above the highest sprinkler head or outlet
on the system.
Material & Installation Requirements The piping material from the house to the vacuum breaker needs to be copper tubing or approved cross-linked polyethylene tubing. The piping from the vacuum breaker to the sprinkler system may be PVC plastic rated for 160 psi or greater. On February 12, 2007, the Lincoln City Council amended Chapter 24.12 of the Lincoln Municipal Code by adding a new section 24.12.062 to define rain sensor. Rain sensor shall be defined as an automatic device that can be set to turn off an underground irrigation system under predetermined rain or moisture conditions. As of May 1, 2007, any new underground irrigation system permitted will require an automatic rain sensor installed. Are Permits Required? Yes. Health and safety are the primary reasons for requiring permits. City inspectors check to make sure proper materials are used and that the work is done according to the Lincoln Plumbing Code. When is a Permit Required? A lawn sprinkler permit and inspection is required any time a new underground sprinkling system is installed, or there is an addition to an existing system. A plumbing permit for the vacuum breaker is also required. A permit is not required when repairing or replacing a section of pipe, sprinkler head or the timer. Note: If the homeowner or a plumbing contractor is going to install both the vacuum breaker and the lawn sprinkler system, only one permit is required. Who is Responsible for Obtaining Permits.? Regardless - if the property is commercial, industrial, apartments or a single family residence, it is the responsibility of the property owner to see that the proper plumbing or lawn sprinkler permits are obtained. Who May Take out Permits? A lawn sprinkler or plumbing permit can only be issued to a lawn sprinkler or master plumbing contractor who is properly registered by the City of Lincoln, or to the owner/occupant of a single family dwelling. Where Do I Obtain Permits? Permits may be obtained from the Building & Safety Department of the County-City Building, 555 So. 10th Street between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Background There are over 120 city water main breaks a year in Lincoln. Each could, and almost certainly do, produce back syphonage, or backflow, into the portable (drinking) water system. What this means is that anything laying around a sprinkler head, or is connected to the sprinkler system, can be sucked back into the home's drinking water. Over 3,000 water heaters are installed in Lincoln annually. When the plumber replaces the water heater, he almost always drains the water out of the water pipes before soldering the pipes to the new water heater. This can also produce back flow or back syphonage. How to get a lawn sprinkler inspection: Office hours for Plumbing Inspectors are 8 to 9am., Monday through Friday. Requests for same-day inspections must be received by 7:30 am. Requests for inspections received after 7:30am are scheduled for the following day. Because of the number of request for inspection, specific appointment time are not possible except for emergencies. Numbers to Call for Plumbing Inspections: Plumbing Section 441-7525 24 hour Request line 441-8213 Reminder: City ordinance prohibits intentionally spraying water onto or over a public sidewalk to water your yard or area between the sidewalk and street. |
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