A small strip-center tenant might have a single assembly on the service line. A restaurant can have one on the main service, another on irrigation, and more protecting equipment like soda dispensers, dishwashers or chemical dispensers. Clinics, dental offices, salons, car washes and light industrial shops each bring their own hazards.
Because a test shuts off water downstream of the device, a test on the main service can close a business for a short time. The best plan is to know every device you have and schedule tests when they cause the least disruption.
Typical hazards by business type
| Business | Common cross-connections | Protection often seen |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant or cafe | Soda systems, dish machines, chemical dispensers, irrigation | RP on service; devices at equipment |
| Medical or dental office | Equipment connections, labs, sterilizers | RP on service |
| Salon or barber | Chemical mixing, shampoo sinks with sprayers | Varies; ask the supplier |
| Car wash | Soap and wax injection, reclaim systems | RP |
| Office or retail | Irrigation, boilers or chillers, fire line | PVB or DC on irrigation; DC or DCDA on fire line |
| Multi-tenant building | Shared service with many tenant uses | RP or DC on the main service |
A yearly plan for a business with several devices
- Start of the year
- Update the device list with locations, sizes and serial numbers.
- When notices arrive
- Match each notice to a device and note the deadlines.
- Before booking
- Agree with the tester on an early-morning or closed-hours slot if the main service will be off.
- Test day
- Tell staff water will be off and protect equipment that needs constant water.
- After testing
- Collect all reports, confirm filing and store them with the device list.
Records worth keeping for every device
- Device type, brand, model and size.
- Serial number and the supplier's device ID.
- Location and what it protects.
- Every test report with readings.
- Repair records and parts used.
- Any correspondence with the water supplier.
Questions for a commercial tester
- Can you test all of our assemblies, including any fire line, in one visit?
- Can the test be done before opening or after closing?
- If a device fails, do you carry common repair kits?
- Will you give us one report per device with the readings?
- Who will do the work, and are they employees or subcontractors?
Common questions
Is the landlord or tenant responsible for testing?
It depends on the lease and on whose name the water account is in. Sort it out in writing before the deadline.
Can we keep operating during the test?
Only if the device being tested does not cut water to what you need. Plan around the main service test.
A new piece of equipment was installed. Does it need protection?
Possibly. New equipment connected to drinking water can create a new cross-connection. Ask the supplier before or after installation.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.