CSA B64

Backflow Prevention Update

In January, 2001, The new CSA B64 manual was printed and is now available. As both the National and provincial building codes make direct reference to this document, it is an important guide for anyone involved in the selection, installation and testing of backflow preventors.

It is important to note that this standard has been split into two components. B64 Series-01 deals primarily with how devices are tested to garner CSA approval. Of more interest is B64.10-01/B64.10.1-01. This latter document is a "Manual for the Selection and Installation of Backflow Prevention Devices/Manual for the Maintenance and Field Testing of Backflow Prevention Devices".

CSA B214

Canada has a new installation code for hydronic heating- CSA B214. It covers definitions, heat loss and design conditions, different types of hydronic heating, piping and components and more. It was prepared by various hydronic councils and CIPH.

This will be up for public review in the fall of 2002 and has been submitted to the National Building Code Commitee for review and reference in the 2003 code.

ASSE is the American Society of Sanitary Engineers. To days topic deals primarily with domestic hot water and the fact that water heaters are normally set Ato temperatures above 125EF to prevent development of harmful bacteria, such as legionella. Therefore mixing valves are required to prevent scalding. *The two applicable codes are ASSE 1016 and ASSE 1017.

1ASSE 1017 is a standard developed to provide minimum requirements for the performance of a thermostatic master mixing valve. It concerns itself with valves used at the source of hot water for distribution to the supply system. However, these devices should never be used to deliver water to the user. It does not address final temperature control at fixtures and appliances.

ASSE 1016 covers the delivery of water at the individual fixtures that are adjusted andcontrolled by the user. ¹It addresses very precise and immediate temperature regulation requirements and covers pressure balanced, thermostatic and combination valves. Although it was written as a shower standard, it is relevant to all fixtures where domestic hot water comes in contact with people.

It is important to note that although many ASSE 1016 valves will allow flow rates in excess of 10 gpm, the rule is one valve per fixture.\

* Although these valves were developed to prevent scalding, primarily ASSE 1016 valves, to call them "anti-scale" valves is a misnomer, as the standard does not refer to them as anti-scale devices.