Air Gap Water Distribution System

An air gap is the most simple and effective means of preventing contamination of a potable water supply.

Air gap water distribution system. Air gaps may be fabricated from commercially available plumbing components. The simplest most reliable way to provide backflow prevention is to provide an air gap. An acceptable air gap must be twice the supply pipe diameter but never less than one inch measured vertically above the receiving vessel. An air gap is simply an open vertical space between any device that connects to a plumbing system like a valve or faucet and any place where contaminated water can collect or pool.

In a plumbing system potable water and wastewater are intended to flow through different pipes to avoid contamination. A simple air gap has no moving parts other than flowing water. An air gap in your plumbing system prevents health hazards. If allowed by the code the fixture indirect waste pipe may terminate below the flood level rim of the receptor creating a low inlet into the receptor.

Air gap break tank systems provide several safeguards to ensure that the two water types can never cross contaminate. Utilizing the concept of a physical air gap these systems prevent the direct contact between potable water and non potable water within a building or facility. An air break simply requires that there be no direct physical connection between the fixture indirect waste pipe and the receptor see figure 801 2a. An air gap as it relates to the plumbing trade is the unobstructed vertical space between the water outlet and the flood level of a fixture.

Water cannot flow from the sink to the tap in normal circumstances even if the water supply loses pressure. Air gap water distribution system the unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank plumbing fixture or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle. The conventional system and the completely looped circulat ing system. There are two types of piped systems.

The circulating system is common in the arctic. In simple terms an air gap is the simplest backflow prevention method. In the event of a drain back up or flood the contents of the drain line should never be able to make contact with the water supply the two plumbing systems for potable water and for waste should always remain separate. An air break provides a physical separation between the fixture indirect waste pipe and the receptor.

List the three primary functions of a water. Air gaps are very effective whether backsiphonage or backpressure is the backflow condition being isolated. Water distribution air gap. Once potable water leaves the outlet of a fixture it s either used or sent down the drain.