Citation
Backflow prevention requirements for Florida irrigation systems

Material Information

Title:
Backflow prevention requirements for Florida irrigation systems
Series Title:
Bulletin Florida Cooperative Extension Service
Creator:
Smajstrla, A. G ( Allen George )
Place of Publication:
Gainesville
Publisher:
Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida
Publication Date:
Language:
English
Physical Description:
13 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Irrigation laws -- Florida ( lcsh )
Irrigation water -- Pollution -- Florida ( lcsh )
Irrigation systems ( jstor )
Chemicals ( jstor )
Backflow prevention ( jstor )

Notes

General Note:
Cover title.
Funding:
Bulletin (Florida Cooperative Extension Service) ;
Statement of Responsibility:
A.G. Smajstrla ... [et al.].

Record Information

Source Institution:
University of Florida
Holding Location:
University of Florida
Rights Management:
All applicable rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.
Resource Identifier:
026324340 ( ALEPH )
14715313 ( OCLC )
AEG9861 ( NOTIS )

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Bulletin 217


Backflow Prevention Requirements
For Florida Irrigation Systems


A. G. Smajstrla
D. S. Harrison
W. J. Becker
F. S. Zazueta
D. Z. Haman


HUME LIBRARY

SAUG 08 1985

I.F.A.S.. Univ. of Florida


IFASU


Florida Cooperative Extension Service/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences/
University of Florida, Gainesville/John T. Woeste, Dean for Extension










BACKFLOW PREVENTION REQUIREMENTS FOR FLORIDA
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

A.G. Smajstrla, D.S. Harrison, W.J. Becker,
1/
F.S. Zazueta, and D.Z. Haman

The 1984 session of the Florida State Legisla-
ture amended Chapter 84-338 of the Florida Statutes
to require that all irrigation systems into which
chemicals are injected for agricultural purposes be
equipped with safety devices (antisyphon devices)
which will automatically prevent the backflow of
water and chemicals to the water supply. The text of
that amendment is provided as Appendix A of this
bulletin.

If an irrigator is not injecting chemicals
through the irrigation system, then this law is not
applicable. Backflow prevention devices are required
by this law only when chemicals are being applied
through the system. This does not, however, alle-
viate the need for system owners or managers to
comply with other municipal or county ordinances
which may be applicable.

Equipment Requirements

The text of Rule 5E-2.30 which describes the
specific backflow prevention equipment required for
an irrigator to comply with the backflow prevention
law is given in Appendix B. This law and rule apply
to any irrigator in Florida who is injecting chemi-
cals through an irrigation system. Chemicals are
defined as any substances other than water, with the
exception of cleaning agents used exclusively to
maintain or clean an irrigation system (See Appendix
B, Section (6)). Each irrigation system into which
chemicals are being injected must be equipped with
the backflow prevention equipment described in Rule
5E-2.30.

Diagrams 1-3 illustrate the equipment require-
ments for an individual system to comply with the
law. Diagram 1 shows the equipment requirements for
the injection of non-toxic chemicals. Diagram 2
shows the double set of backflow prevention equipment

1/
Associate Professor, Professor, Assistant Pro-
fessor, Visiting Assistant Professor, and Assistant
Professor, respectively, Agricultural Engineering
Department, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville,
FL 32611.









required for the injection of toxic chemicals. Toxic
chemicals are defined as those whose labels bear the
signal words "Danger" or "Poison".

Diagram 3 illustrates the correct method of
installation of the low pressure drain. It must be
installed so that it does not protrude into the
irrigation pipe, and it must be located on the bottom
of the irrigation pipe. This arrangement allows the
drainage of any small amounts of water which leak
backwards past the check valve in the irrigation
pipe.

Variances

Because of the variety of irrigation systems in
Florida, Diagrams 1-3 are not directly applicable to
all systems. Rather, variances (or exceptions) to
Rule 5E-2.30 have been granted where the intent of
the law could be achieved with alternative safety
devices.

Variance No. 1 is included in Rule 5E-2.30 as
section 5(b). This variance applies very specifi-
cally only to those irrigation systems where surface
water is the only water source and fertilizer is the
only chemical injected. Variance No. 1 allows one
check valve on the outflow side of the irrigation
pump and a foot valve on the pump intake pipe to be
used rather than the irrigation pipe backflow pre-
vention assembly shown in Diagram 1.

Variance No. 2 was granted to permit the use of
the safety equipment shown in Diagram 4 for the
injection of fertilizer into irrigation systems at
golf courses where (1) only surface water supplies
are used, (2) constant water pressure is maintained
in the irrigation system, and (3) a short-shaft tur-
bine pump is used. These irrigation pumping systems
usually consist of one or two large pumps and a small
"jockey" pump to maintain pressure during low flows.
Each pump must have a check valve and vacuum breaker
at the pump discharge head.

Effective Dates

The effective date of the state law requiring
backflow prevention devices was July 1, 1984. All
new irrigation systems into which chemicals are to be
injected must be equipped with the required backflow
prevention devices before chemical injections can
begin. New irrigation systems are those newly con-
structed and those equipped for chemical injections
after July 1, 1984. Existing irrigation systems in
which chemical injections were being made before the










backflow prevention law was passed (chemical injec-
tion and irrigation system in use before July 1,
1984) were given 18 months from the time that the law
was passed to comply. The deadline for that compli-
ance is December 31, 1985.

In summary, if an irrigator was injecting chemi-
cals into an irrigation system before July 1, 1984,
he/she has until December 31, 1985 to comply with the
backflow prevention requirements. If a new irriga-
tion system was constructed or if an existing system
was modified for chemical injection after July 1,
1984, the backflow prevention devices must be in
place before chemical injection can begin.

Inspection and Enforcement

The backflow prevention law is enforced by the
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Ser-
vices. The department has the authority to inspect
irrigation systems for compliance. Inspections may
require that the system owner or manager run the
irrigation system to demonstrate that the safety com-
ponents function properly.

Questions concerning interpretations of the
Florida backflow prevention law or Rule 5E-2.30, and
requests for variances should be directed to:

Florida Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services
Feed, Seed, Fertilizer and Pesticide Bureau
Division of Inspection
Mayo Building
Tallahassee, FL 32301

Additional Information

For additional information on the safe injection
of chemicals into irrigation systems, consult the
following applicable references:

1. Smajstrla, A.G., D.S. Harrison, J.C. Good,
and W.J. Becker. 1982. Chemigation Safety. Florida
Cooperative Extension Service. Agricultural Engi-
neering Fact Sheet AE-28.

2. American Society of Agricultural Engineers
(ASAE) Irrigation Management Committee. 1982. Safety
Devices for Applying Liquid Chemicals through Irri-
gation Systems. ASAE Engineering Practice: ASAE
EP409.

The first reference is available at Florida
Cooperative Extension Service county offices. The










second reference is a national standard developed by
the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. It
is available from:

American Society of Agricultural Engineers
2950 Niles Road
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(616) 429-0300










APPENDIX A


BACKFLOW PREVENTION REQUIREMENTS

FOR FLORIDA IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

1984 FLORIDA STATUTES

487.021 Definitions.--For the purpose of this
chapter:

(7) "Antisyphon device" means a safety device used to
prevent backflow of a mixture of water and chemicals
into the water supply.

(10) "Chemical" means any substance which is inten-
tionally added to water for agricultural purposes.

(19) "Emergency exemption" means an exemption as
authorized in Section 18 of the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

(32) "Irrigation system" means any device or combi-
nation of devices having a hose, pipe, or other
conduit which connects directly to any source of
ground or surface water, through which water or a
mixture of water and chemicals is drawn and applied
for agricultural purposes. The term does not include
any handheld hose sprayer or other similar device
which is constructed so that an interruption in water
flow automatically prevents any backflow to the water
source.

Section 17. Section 487.055, Florida Statutes, is
created to read:

487.055 Antisyphon requirements for irrigation
systems.

(1) Any irrigation system used for the application
of chemicals shall be equipped with an antisyphon
device adequate to protect against contamination of
the water supply, provided that an irrigation system
installed prior to the effective date of this act
shall be equipped with such a device within 18 months
from the effective date of this act.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to apply
chemicals through an irrigation system which is not
equipped with an antisyphon device as required by
this section.

(3) The department shall establish specific require-
ments for antisyphon devices by rule. The department
shall adopt such rules on or before November 1, 1984.










(4) Any governmental agency requiring antisyphon
devices on irrigation systems used for the applica-
tion of chemicals shall use the specific antisyphon
device requirements adopted by the department.










APPENDIX B


DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC BACKFLOW
PREVENTION EQUIPMENT
REQUIRED FOR FLORIDA IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

5E-2.30 Antisyphon Requirements for Irrigation
Systems

(1) Definitions

(a) The term "antisyphon device" means a safety
device used to prevent backflow of a mixture of water
and chemicals into the water supply.

(b) "Toxic Chemical" means any pesticide whose label
bears the signal word "Danger" or "Poison".

(2) Antisyphon Device Systems, General. Any irriga-
tion system designed or used for the application of
chemicals shall be equipped with the following compo-
nents:

(a) Functional check valve on the irrigation pipe.
This valve shall be located in the irrigation supply
line between the irrigation pump and the point of
injection of chemicals. This valve, when installed,
shall be on a horizontal plane and level. A devia-
tion of not more than 10 degrees from the horizontal
shall be set.

(b) Low pressure drain. Such drain shall have an
orifice size of at least 3/4 inch diameter. It shall
be located on the bottom of the horizontal pipe
between the functional check valve and the irrigation
pump. It must be level and must not extend beyond the
inside surface of the bottom of the pipe as shown.
(Example, Diagram 3). The outside opening of the
drain shall be at least two (2) inches above grade.

(c) Vacuum breaker. A vacuum breaker shall be
installed on the top of the horizontal pipe between
the functional check valve and the irrigation pump
and opposite to the low pressure drain. The vacuum
breaker shall have an orifice size of at least 3/4
inch diameter.

(d) Functional check valves on the chemical injec-
tion line. A check valve shall be installed on the
chemical injection line. If injector pumps are used,
they shall be installed so that when water flow
ceases, the injector pumps will not operate. A method
shall be provided for positive shut off of the
chemical supply when the injection system is not in
use.



















DIAGRAM I:
SINGLE ANTISYPHON DEVICE ASSEMBLY


C POWER






TO PUMP AND
WATER SUPPLY


DRAIN


Diagram 1. The single antisyphon device assembly required for backflow
prevention when toxic chemicals are injected.


-10-









(3) Antisyphon Systems, Specific:


(a) A single antisyphon device assembly (Example,
Diagram 1) shall be used for those systems where
nontoxic chemicals such as fertilizers will be
injected.

(b) A double antisyphon device assembly as shown
(Example, Diagram 2) shall be used for those systems
where toxic chemicals will be injected. The func-
tioning of each device in the double assembly system
must be capable of being checked independently of
each other to insure effectiveness of the system.

(4) Chemical Storage Tanks. Tanks shall be con-
structed and maintained in a manner to insure
containment of the chemical and to prevent contamina-
tion.

(5) Variances.

(a) None of the antisyphon device components shall
be altered in any manner which would render the
antisyphon system inoperative or ineffective.

(b) An irrigation system where only fertilizer is
injected into the irrigation pipes and where surface
water is the only water source, and where both a
check valve on the output side of the pump and a foot
valve at water intake is present, will be approved as
a variance to the rule.

(c) Specific variances of equipment not covered by
this rule but which may be in compliance with this
rule shall be considered on a case by case basis by
the department.

(6) Maintenance. All check valves, low pressure
drains and vacuum breaker shall be maintained free of
corrosion or other buildup and operative at all times
during operation of the system. Cleaning agents used
exclusively to maintain or clean an irrigation system
shall not be subject to the regulations provided for
herein.

(7) Diagrams shown are for illustrative purposes
only. Other individual systems that meet the criteria
established may be approved.

(8) Penalty. Any person who shall use any irriga-
tion system for the application of chemicals, without
the required antisyphon device installed or without
the antisyphon device in operating condition, shall
be subject to an administrative fine not to exceed
$1,000 for each violation.
-8-








Specific Authority: 570.07(23) FS.; Laws of
Florida, Ch. 84-338, Sec. 17(Sec. 487.055(3) FS.)

Law Implemented: Laws of Florida, Ch. 84-338, Sec.
17(Sec. 487.055 FS.)

History New




















DIAGRAM 2:
DOUBLE ANTISYPHON DEVICE ASSEMBLY


VALVE


INJECTION PORT
WITH CHECK VAL


Diagram 2. The double antisyphon device assembly required for backflow
prevention when toxic chemicals are injected.


-11-


ELECTRIC POWER


DRAIN
















DIAGRAM 3=
INSTALLATION OF LOW PRESSURE DRAIN


INCORRECT


CORRECT


GRADE I

LEVEL MINIMUM 2 INCHES ABOVE GRADE


Diagram 3. The correct method of installation of the low pressure drain
in the antisyphon device assembly.








DIAGRAM 4

SHORT SHAFT TURBINE PUMP, FOR SURFACE WATER USE ONLY

VARIANCE 2- ANTISYPHON REQUIREMENTS FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEMS


PRESSURE
TANK


PRESSURE REGULATING
CHECK VALVE
TO IRRIGATION SYSTEM




INJECTION
PORT WITH
-r" a CHECK VALVE


ELECTRIC POWER -
HOOKED INTO WATER
PUMP FOR SHUTDOWN
WITH WATER PUMP


Diagram 4. Antisyphon devices permitted for golf course irrigation and fertigation as given by variance #2 to Rule 5E-2.30.




























































This publication was promulgated at a cost of $1201.00, or .15
cents per copy, to provide information on backflow prevention
requirements for Florida irrigation systems. 05-8.1M-85

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, UNIVERSITY OF FLORI-
DA, INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, K. R.
Tefertller, director, In cooperation with the United States Department IFAS
of Agriculture, publishes this Information to further the purpose of the
May 8 and June 30, 1914 Acts of Congress; and Is authorized to pro-
vide research, educational Information and other services only to indl-
viduals and Institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex or national ori-
gin. Single copies of Extension publications (excluding 4-H and Youth publications) are
available free to Florida residents from County Extension Offices. Information on bulk
rates or copies for out-of-state purchasers Is available from C. M. Hinton, Publications
Distribution Center, IFAS Building 664, University of Florida, Gainesvllle, Florida
32611. Before publicizing this publication, editors should contact this address to deter-
mine availability.


ctCi I