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Chapter 6 — WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

603.5 Specific Requirements.

California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) · 2022 edition · updated 2026-09-12 · California

CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

Specific requirements for backflow prevention shall comply with Section 603.5.1 through Section 603.5.21.

603.5.1 Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker. Water closet and urinal flushometer valves shall be protected against backflow by an approved backflow prevention assembly, device, or method. Where the valves are equipped with an atmospheric vacuum breaker, the vacuum breaker shall be installed on the discharge side of the flushometer valve with the critical level not less than 6 inches (152 mm), or the distance according to its listing, above the overflow rim of a water closet bowl or the highest part of a urinal. 603.5.2 Ballcock. Water closet and urinal tanks shall be equipped with a ballcock. The ballcock shall be installed with the critical level not less than 1 inch (25.4 mm) above the full opening of the overflow pipe. In cases where the ballcock has no hush tube, the bottom of the water supply inlet shall be installed 1 inch (25.4 mm) above the full opening of the overflow pipe. 603.5.3 Backflow Prevention. Water closet flushometer tanks shall be protected against backflow by an approved backflow prevention assembly, device, or method. 603.5.4 Heat Exchangers. Heat exchangers used for heat transfer, heat recovery, or solar heating shall protect the potable water system from being contaminated by the heat-transfer medium. Single-wall heat exchangers used in indirect-fired water heaters shall meet the requirements of Section 505.4.1. Double-wall heat exchangers shall separate the potable water from the heat-transfer medium by providing a space between the two walls that are vented to the atmosphere. 603.5.5 Water Supply Inlets. Water supply inlets to tanks, vats, sumps, swimming pools, and other receptors shall be protected by one of the following means: (1) An approved air gap. (2) A listed vacuum breaker installed on the discharge

side of the last valve with the critical level not less than 6 inches (152 mm) or in accordance with its listing.

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WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

(3) A backflow preventer suitable for the degree of haz ard, installed in accordance with the requirements for that type of device or assembly as set forth in this chapter. 603.5.6 Protection from Lawn Sprinklers and Irri- gation Systems. Potable water supplies to systems having no pumps or connections for pumping equipment, and no chemical injection or provisions for chemical injection, shall be protected from backflow by one of the following devices: (1) Atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB) (2) Pressure vacuum breaker backflow prevention

assembly (PVB) (3) Spill-resistant pressure vacuum breaker (SVB) (4) Reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention

assembly (RP) 603.5.6.1 Systems with Pumps. Where sprinkler and irrigation systems have pumps, connections for pumping equipment, or auxiliary air tanks, or are otherwise capable of creating backpressure, the potable water supply shall be protected by the following type of device where the backflow device is located upstream from the source of backpressure: (1) Reduced-pressure principle backflow preven tion assembly (RP) 603.5.6.2 Systems with Backflow Devices. Where systems have a backflow device installed downstream from a potable water supply pump or a potable water supply pump connection, the device shall be one of the following: (1) Atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB) (2) Pressure vacuum breaker backflow prevention

assembly (PVB) (3) Spill-resistant pressure vacuum breaker (SVB) (4) Reduced-pressure principle backflow preven tion assembly (RP)

603.5.6.3 Systems with Chemical Injectors. Where systems include a chemical injector or provisions for chemical injection, the potable water supply shall be protected by a reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RP). 603.5.7 Outlets with Hose Attachments. Potable water outlets with hose attachments, other than water heater drains, boiler drains, and clothes washer connections, shall be protected by a nonremovable hose bibbtype backflow preventer, a nonremovable hose bibb-type vacuum breaker, or by an atmospheric vacuum breaker installed not less than 6 inches (152 mm) above the highest point of usage located on the discharge side of the last valve. In climates where freezing temperatures occur, a listed self-draining frost-proof hose bibb with an integral backflow preventer or vacuum breaker shall be used. 603.5.8 Water-Cooled Equipment. Water-cooled compressors, degreasers, or other water-cooled equipment shall be protected by a backflow preventer installed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

Water-cooled equipment that produces backpressure shall be equipped with the appropriate protection. 603.5.9 Aspirators. Water inlets to water-supplied aspirators shall be equipped with a vacuum breaker installed in accordance with its listing requirements and this chapter. The discharge shall drain through an air gap. Where the tailpiece of a fixture to receive the discharge of an aspirator is used, the air gap shall be located above the flood-level rim of the fixture. 603.5.10 Steam or Hot Water Boilers. Potable water connections to steam or hot water boilers shall be protected from backflow by a double check valve backflow prevention assembly, backflow preventer with intermediate atmospheric vent and pressure reducing valve, or reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly in accordance with Table 603.2. Where chemicals are introduced into the system a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly shall be provided in accordance with Table 603.2. 603.5.11 Nonpotable Water Piping. In cases where it is impractical to correct individual cross-connections on the domestic waterline, the line supplying such outlets shall be considered a nonpotable water line. No drinking or domestic water outlets shall be connected to the nonpotable waterline. Where possible, portions of the nonpotable waterline shall be exposed, and exposed portions shall be properly identified in a manner satisfactory to the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Each outlet on the nonpotable waterline that is permitted to be used for drinking or domestic purposes shall be posted: “CAUTION: NONPOTABLE WATER, DO NOT DRINK.”

[HCD 1 & HCD 2] An international symbol of a glass in a circle with a slash through it shall be provided sim- ilar to that shown in Figure 601. 603.5.12 Beverage Dispensers. Potable water supply to beverage dispensers, carbonated beverage dispensers, or coffee machines shall be protected by an air gap or a vented backflow preventer that complies with ASSE 1022. For carbonated beverage dispensers, piping material installed downstream of the backflow preventer shall not be affected by carbon dioxide gas. 603.5.13 Deck-Mounted and Equipment- Mounted Vacuum Breakers. Deck-mounted or equipment-mounted vacuum breakers shall be installed in accordance with their listing and the manufacturer’s installation instructions, with the critical level not less than 1 inch (25.4 mm) above the flood-level rim. 603.5.14 Protection from Fire Systems. Note: Fire Protection Systems has not been adopted by the State Fire Marshal. This section cannot be adopted or enforced pursuant to California Health and Safety Code 13114.7(a), which is being cited for reference. California Health and Safety Code 13114.7. (a) For the purposes of this section the following are

definitions of class I and class II systems: (1) American Water Works Association [A.W.W.A]

Manual No. M-14 class 1 – Automatic fire sprinkler systems with direct connection from

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public water mains only; no pumps, tanks, or reservoirs; no physical connection from other water supplies; no antifreeze or additives of any kind; and all sprinkler drains discharging to the atmosphere or other safe outlets. (2) American Water Works Association [A.W.W.A]

Manual No. M-14 class 2 – Automatic fire sprinkler systems which are the same as class 1, except that booster pumps may be installed in the connections from the street mains. (b) Automatic fire sprinkler systems described in subdi-

vision (a) shall not require any backflow protection equipment at the service connection other than required by standards for those systems contained in the publication of the National Fire Protection Association entitled “Installation of Sprinkler Sys- tems” [NFPA Pamphlet No. 13, 1980 edition].

603.5.14.1 Fire Department Connection. Where fire protection systems supplied from a potable water system include a fire department (siamese) connection that is located less than 1700 feet (518.2 m) from a nonpotable water source that is capable of being used by the fire department as a secondary water supply, the potable water supply shall be protected by one of the following: (1) Reduced pressure principle backflow preven tion assembly (RP) (2) Reduced pressure detector fire protection back flow prevention assembly Nonpotable water sources include fire department vehicles carrying water of questionable quality or water that is treated with antifreeze, corrosion inhibitors, or extinguishing agents. 603.5.14.2 Chemicals. Where antifreeze, corrosion inhibitors, or other chemicals are added to a fire protection system supplied from a potable water supply, the potable water system shall be protected by one of the following: (1) Reduced pressure principle backflow preven tion assembly (RP) (2) Reduced pressure detector fire protection back flow prevention assembly 603.5.14.3 Hydraulic Design. Where a backflow device is installed in the potable water supply to a fire protection system, the hydraulic design of the system shall account for the pressure drop through the backflow device. Where such devices are retrofitted for an existing fire protection system, the hydraulics of the sprinkler system design shall be checked to verify that there will be sufficient water pressure available for satisfactory operation of the fire sprinklers. 603.5.15 Health Care or Laboratory Areas. Vacuum breakers for washer-hose bedpans shall be located not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) above the floor. Hose connections in health care or laboratory areas shall be not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) above the floor.

WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

603.5.16 Special Equipment. Portable cleaning equipment and dental vacuum pumps shall be protected from backflow by an air gap, an atmospheric vacuum breaker, a spill-resistant vacuum breaker, or a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer. 603.5.17 Potable Water Outlets and Valves. Potable water outlets, freeze-proof yard hydrants, combination stop-and-waste valves, or other fixtures that incorporate a stop and waste feature that drains into the ground shall not be installed underground. 603.5.18 Pure Water Process Systems. The water supply to a pure water process system, such as dialysis water systems, semiconductor washing systems, and similar process piping systems, shall be protected from backpressure and backsiphonage by a reduced-pressure principle backflow preventer.

603.5.18.1 Dialysis Water Systems. The individual connections of the dialysis related equipment to the dialysis pure water system shall not require additional backflow protection. 603.5.19 Plumbing Fixture Fittings. Plumbing fixture fittings with integral backflow protection shall comply with ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1. 603.5.20 Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs. Potable water supply to swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs shall be protected by an air gap or a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer in accordance with the following: (1) The unit is equipped with a submerged fill line. (2) The potable water supply is directly connected to the

unit circulation system. 603.5.21 Chemical Dispensers. The water supply to chemical dispensers shall be protected against backflow. The chemical dispenser shall comply with ASSE 1055 or the water supply shall be protected by one of the following methods: (1) Air gap (2) Atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB) (3) Pressure vacuum breaker backflow prevention

assembly (PVB) (4) Spill-resistant pressure vacuum breaker (SVB) (5) Reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention

assembly (RP)

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