Today, South Jersey Backflow was in Freehold, NJ, conducting an annual backflow preventer test at a popular restaurant and bar located on the main street. This establishment serves a wide range of customers, offering dining and bar services, and is committed to maintaining safe and clean water for its patrons. The backflow preventer installed here is a Febco 765 Reduced Pressure Zone Assembly (RPZ), which is crucial for protecting the building’s potable water system from contamination, especially considering the heavy use of cleaning chemicals in the kitchen area.

Initial Inspection and Testing

The Febco 765 RPZ is installed in a mechanical room behind the kitchen. Our visual inspection revealed:

• No visible corrosion or leaks around the assembly.
• Minor buildup near the relief valve, possibly from cleaning products.
• Shutoff valves operating smoothly with no stiffness.

We performed a full backflow preventer test:

1. Check Valve #1 – Passed, holding at 3.0 PSI.
2. Check Valve #2 – Passed, maintaining 2.8 PSI.
3. Relief Valve – Passed, opening at 2.1 PSI.

Preventive Maintenance

To ensure everything continued running smoothly, we carried out standard maintenance:

• Flushed the relief valve to clear away any residue from cleaning products.
• Cleaned the check valve seats to ensure a proper seal and prevent backflow.
• Lubricated the shutoff valve stems to ensure smooth operation during future use.

Final Steps and Certification

Once the system was tested and confirmed to be in working order, we:

• Filed the official test report with the Freehold Water Department.
• Provided a copy of the results to the restaurant’s management team.
• Scheduled the next annual test to maintain compliance.

Final Recommendations

Before leaving, we provided a few recommendations for the restaurant’s team:

1. Inspect the backflow preventer’s relief valve quarterly, especially since the kitchen environment can lead to the accumulation of cleaning residues.
2. Check for any signs of leaks around the backflow assembly after deep cleaning procedures, as the system is regularly exposed to high-pressure water and chemicals.
3. Ensure the mechanical room remains dry and clean, which will prevent the buildup of mold or other contaminants that could affect the backflow preventer’s operation.

Another successful service call from South Jersey Backflow, helping Freehold’s restaurant stay safe and compliant with all backflow prevention standards!