Today, South Jersey Backflow was in Montclair, NJ, servicing the backflow preventer for a large office building that features an irrigation system for its landscaped grounds and a cooling system that uses treated water. Given the complexity of the building’s water systems, the backflow preventer is crucial to ensure no contaminants make their way into the public water supply. The office building uses an Ames 3000 RPZ, a model recognized for its high-quality protection and efficiency in larger commercial settings.

Initial Inspection and Testing

The Ames 3000 RPZ was located in a basement mechanical room near the building’s main water shutoff and cooling system pipes. During our visual inspection, we noticed:

• No significant cracks or leaks in the assembly.
• Slight rust on the valve handles, common for systems exposed to moisture in commercial settings.
• Minor buildup on the relief valve, likely due to the use of treated water for the cooling system and irrigation.

We proceeded with the full backflow preventer test:

1. Check Valve #1 – Passed, holding at 5.0 PSI.
2. Check Valve #2 – Passed, maintaining 4.9 PSI.
3. Relief Valve – Passed, opening at 2.9 PSI.

Preventive Maintenance

Since the system passed all tests, we continued with routine maintenance:

• Flushed the relief valve to clear out any minor mineral buildup from the cooling system and irrigation.
• Cleaned the check valve seats to ensure proper sealing and prevent any future leaks.
• Lubricated the valve stems to minimize the risk of rust and ensure smooth operation year-round.

Final Steps and Certification

After completing the inspection and maintenance, we:

• Filed the compliance report with the Montclair Water Department.
• Provided the office building manager with the completed test results and a summary of services performed.
• Scheduled the next annual inspection to ensure that the backflow preventer continues to protect the building’s water system and remains compliant with local regulations.

Final Recommendations

Before leaving, we advised the building manager to:

1. Inspect the backflow preventer regularly, especially before the irrigation and cooling systems are used more frequently during the summer.
2. Monitor the quality of water in the irrigation and cooling systems to prevent mineral buildup that could affect the system’s performance.
3. Ensure the mechanical room remains organized and free of any debris that could obstruct the backflow preventer’s components.

Another successful service by South Jersey Backflow, keeping Montclair’s office building compliant and protecting the public water supply!