Perform a Test

This article details how to perform a test in the Backflow software. The purpose of this article is to educate the tester on what is necessary to complete and pass a test on ‘RPZ’, ‘DCVA’, ‘PVB’, and ‘SRVB’ device types.

Open a Test Form

1. Select a piece of work from the Control Panel screen, make sure that the Work Type column says ‘Test’.

   

2. Select the ‘Open’ button from the top left corner of the Control Panel grid.

   

3. This will open all the cross-connection tabs for the facility associated with the test work. The software will open to the Facility screen first but will also have the options for the following tabs:
   1. Facility screen: information such as Facility Name, Owner, and Mailing address can be found here.
   2. Hazard Listing screen: displays all the Hazard/Device information for this facility.
   3. Hazard screen: Displays device details for the device associated with the work selected from the Control Panel.
   4. Test screen: Test form for the device associated with the work selected from the Control Panel.

4. From the Facility screen, select the ‘Test Form’ tab from the top of row of options.

   

Perform a Test

The Backflow software supports testing for 4 types of devices using 3 types of test forms: RPZ, PVB/SRVB, DCVA. Each device type has different required fields and values needed to pass. Test Kit, Date Tested, Test Type, and Tester are all required for every test form. The Date Tested field defaults to today’s date but can be set to any date past or present.

Steps to perform a test

1. First verify that the prefilled facility and device information at the top of the screen matches the device physically in front of you. Prefilled fields at the top of the form are not editable on this screen. 

   

2. Select the person performing the test from the Tester drop-down menu from the far-right side of the form. The tester will autofill with the user who is currently signed in if they have a valid license for the state the facility is located in. The drop-down will list all active users who are marked as a technician and have a valid license.

   

3. Select an option from the Test Type menu, the values can be “Scheduled”, “Initial”, or “Retest”. “Initial” should be used for the first test conducted on a device. “Scheduled” should be used for a device’s regularly scheduled test. “Retest” should be used for tests that occur immediately after a failing test result. These options help categorize the test data and they are reported on the clients' annual statistical report (ASR) to DEP. 
   Note: test data can be edited once a test is submitted.

   

4. Select the Test Kit from the drop-down menu. The list of test kits is populated by the test kits added in the config screen.

   

DCVA

5. DCVA Stands for Double Check Valve Assembly; it consists of an inlet shutoff valve, two independently operating spring-loaded check valves, four test cocks, and an outlet shutoff valve.

Required fields to complete DCVA test:

• Flow Condition Evaluated
• At Time of Test Downstream Shut Off Valve Was
• TC #1 PSI
• TC #4 PSI

Required values to pass a DCVA test:

• Check Valve 1 DP: Must have an inlet pressure 1 PSI higher than the outlet pressure
• Check Valve 2 DP: Must have an inlet pressure 1 PSI higher than the outlet pressure
• Flow Condition Evaluated: No Flow

• At Time of Test Downstream Shut Off Valve Was: Closed tight

  

RPZ

5. RPZ stands for Reduced pressure zone; it consists of an inlet shutoff valve, two independently operating spring-loaded check valves separated by a pressure differential relief valve, four test cocks, and an outlet shutoff valve.

 Required fields to complete RPZ test:

•  At Time of Test Downstream Shut Off Valve Was

Required values to pass an RPZ test:

• Check Valve 1 PSID: Must be greater than or equal to 5, Closed Tight
• Check Valve No 2: Closed Tight
• Flow Condition Evaluated: No Flow
• Relief Valve DP Opening Point: Must be greater than or equal to 2
• Check Valve No 2 DP:  Must be greater than or equal to 1
• At Time of Test Downstream Shut Off Valve Was: Closed tight

PVB/SRVB

5. PVB stands for Pressure Vacuum Breaker; it consists of inlet shutoff valve at the bottom, a single valve body consisting of a pressure vacuum breaker, a check valve, two test cocks, and an outlet shutoff valve. 

Required fields to complete PVB/SRVB test:

• Flow Conditioned Evaluated
• At Time of Test Downstream Shut Off Valve Was

Required values to pass a PVB/SRVB test:

• Check Valve DP: must be greater than or equal to 1
• Flow Condition Evaluated: No Flow
• Air Inlet Valve DP Opening Point: Must be greater than or equal to 1
• At Time of Test Downstream Shut Off Valve Was: Closed tight

6. After filling out all the test fields, there is an optional note field. Any option selected from the Quick Note will be combined with what is typed into the Note field.

   

7. After you have filled out the test form, you must select the ‘Complete Test’ button from the bottom left. This button will validate the responses provided.

   

If required data is missing, the field will be highlighted in red, otherwise a passing or failing result will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.

Example of passing RPZ test

Example of failing RPZ test

Once the ‘Complete Test’ button has been clicked the form is not able to be edited. If further edits are required, you may select the ‘Edit’ button to restore the test to an editable state. The ‘Complete Test’ button must be clicked again after editing to validate any potential changes to the test form.

8. When the test is fully and accurately filled out, click the ‘Return to Service’ checkbox and the ‘Save Test’ button from the bottom right corner of the test form to proceed to the signature page.

   

9. Once you save the test, it will take you to the Signature Page where you can save the test with or without a signature. 

   

10. After the test and signature have been saved, the device’s due date, which is displayed on the Hazard and Control Panel tabs, will move in accordance with the client configuration.
11. After the signature screen closes, the Backflow software will automatically load the Hazard Listing screen. This is done to allow the user to quickly move through testing all the required devices for a facility.  The Control Panel can be accessed via the ‘Control Panel’ button in the header or the left navigation menu.

Device Cannot Be Tested

Please note that for some reason if the device cannot be tested, use the Manual Fail dropdown from the top section of the test form. No required fields need to be filled out when using the Manual Fail drop-down. After choosing the Manual Fail option, complete the test, click on the checkbox next to ‘Return to Service’, and save the test.