1 Years

2 Years

3 Years

4 Years

Ex-Officio

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AMERICAN

SOCIETY OF

SANITARY

ENGINEERING

A publication of the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Sanitary Engineering. The Society or Chapter assumes no responsibility for any statement of any officer or member which may be construed as an approval or disapproval, or official position of the Society, of the material contained herein.

Editorial Staff: Randy Olson Suzy Olson

Advertising Staff: Raymond Ehrlich

Joe Sowa

Vince England

V OLUME 34, ISSUE 12

DECEMBER 2015A.S.S.E. News A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

A.S .S .E . ILLINOIS CHAPTER

N I T D N I P RG L I E

A L

,I H I LC G A OC

U N I O NL A B E LT R A D E S C O U N C I L

TAMPICO PRESS

457®

5 Year

Patrick Flader

President Michael McGaughan

Vice President Gary Howard

2nd Vice President Vince England

Secretary Cristina Barillas

Treasurer Michael Scherer

Recording Secretary Randy Olson

Sergeant-At -Arms John Khym

Illinois Chapter of theAmerican Society of Sanitary Engineering Officers:

Robert Farrell Mike Ponx

Joseph Sowa Ciro Gaimari

Brian Mazzocchi

Kevin SherlockDenis Riordan

John Flader

Jones RichmondDon Yurkovich

Ray Ehrlich

Ron HackiewiczJim Coyne

Griff Gehrke

Hello Friends,

First and foremost, I would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I hope

the new year will bring you happiness and prosperity. It was nice to see you at our Christmas

party, it was fun to talk to everyone and get ready for the holidays. Our gifts given to the toys

for tots made many happy faces and a state of well-being and pleasure for our little friends. Earl

Jackson gave the invocation and the food was great. Fun was had by all. Furthermore, United

Association Instructor James Majerowicz was awarded the A.S.S.E. Prestigious Patrick J. Higgins

Award for his non-stop contributions to our association. Michael Scherer, our treasurer, was

awarded the Prestigious A.S.S.E. Fellowship Award for his hard work for us over the years.

Thanks guys for all that you have done for us! Recognition was given to several 25-35-50 year

recipients. That night we had our election and inauguration of officers. Our member Ex-

International, A.S.S.E. President Richard Morin, swore in our new President Randy Olson and

our new officers. Randy, best of luck to you and your staff! Everybody, please help out our new

president and officers any way you can. Nobody can do this by their self we all need to pitch in

and help.

It's true what they say, time flies, and my term as President is over. I hope I did a good job and

promoted our motto PREVENTION RATHER THAN CURE. We had some great meetings and I

thank all of our vendors for their support. I thank our general membership for their support.

We were able to do volunteer work for a couple of organizations and made some new friends.

Don't forget to tell all your friends and associates about us and ask them to join us. Teach

someone something good about plumbing every day. Plumbing is the foundation of civilization,

for without it, mankind would cease. Plumbing has done the same for humanity as any

medicine or doctor. Plumbing is humanity, no plumbing, no humanity. I would like to thank

Business Manager James F. Coyne of Local 130, A.S.S.E. International President Douglas A.

Marian, A.S.S.E. International Director Scott Hamilton, A.S.P.E. Illinois Chapter President Mark

G. Mannarelli, and their staff for helping our local chapter. I have a special feeling of expressing

gratitude to our local officers and Board of Directors. By you serving in an outstanding manner

we will facilitate forward into the future! In closing, it was beyond an honor to serve my friends

as your President. I THANK YOU.

Sincerely,

Ex-Officio

F.A.S.S.E.

Michael McGaughan

ASSE Slate of Future Officers

President - Randy Olson

Vice President - Cristina Barrillas

2nd VP - Joe Sowa

Secretary - I<evin Phipps

Treasurer - Michael Scherer

Recording Secretary - Denis Riordan

Sergeant-At-Arms - John I<yhm ,

Board of Directors:

Robert Farrell J ones Richmond

Mike Ponx Don Yurkovich

Joseph Sowa Ray Ehrlich

Ciro Gaimari Ron Hackiewicz

Brian Mazzocchi Jim Coyne

I<evin Sherlock Griff Gehrke

Vince England John Flader

Patrick Flader Gary Howard

Ex-Officio - Michael McGaughan

Come join us for dinner and a presentation on backflow prevention

test kits and the importance of the ASSE standards involved. Back-

flow code updates and changes in permit and test report data entry

will also be discussed.

Many changes have occurred in the cross connection control industry. Municipal

and government entities enforce backflow prevention and ordinances in regards

to cross connection differently. Backflow prevention test kits are a vital part of

the backflow testing process and their importance should be well understood.

Annual calibration and upkeep of this equipment as well as the understanding of

how the tester utilizes the pressure differential gauge is crucial in a proper diag-

nosis when testing a backflow preventer.

January 13th at 5:30

Test Gauge & Backflow Supply Inc. 2587 Millennium Dr. Unit K2

Elgin, IL 60124

RSVP to Randy Olson: (630) 625-3419

Understanding Backflow Test Kits Richard Marvel, National Sales Manager

Test Gauge & Backflow Supply, Inc.

Within the backflow industry, a backflow test kit is the most important piece of equipment for any backflow

tester. While all backflow testers have this equipment, not all understand how a backflow test kit works,

the standards the backflow test kit manufacturers must follow and how important accuracy checks truly

are.

First and foremost, if a backflow tester does not understand the equipment they are using, it can lead to

complications out in the field. When using a backflow test kit, imagine it as a check valve on a backflow

assembly. A check valve on a backflow assembly consists of a piston (also known as a poppet), a rubber

disc and a spring. A backflow test kit has these same components on the inside. The diaphragm assembly

is the same as the poppet within the check valve; and the rubber diaphragm and spring does the same as

the rubber disc and spring with in a backflow assembly check valve. As water flows through the backflow

test kit, the spring and diaphragm assembly push against the water acting as that of a check valve. The only

difference is the backflow test kit is then taking that pressure and converting it into a reading on your test

kit.

Now being that the backflow assembly test kit is acting as that of a check valve assembly, you have to

remember that it is also subjected to the same conditions as the backflow assembly. Rusty water, debris

and poor water conditions can lead to the possibility of periodically repairing your backflow test kit just like

the check valve on a backflow assembly.

A backflow assembly must follow certain standards before going to market, as well as a backflow test kit.

Manufacturers of backflow test kits have two different standards that they must follow before bringing a

product to market. The first standard is the ASSE 1064 “Backflow Prevention Assembly Field Test Kits” and

second, the University of Southern California’s “Manual of Cross-Connection Control” 10th Edition.

Both standards are very similar; however, there are some minor differences between the two. For

example, while USC 10th Edition requires a pressure holding of 175 PSI, the ASSE 1064 standard has a

pressure holding requirement of 200 PSI. There are also similarities between the two as well. For example,

both standards require an accuracy check on your backflow test kit at least once every 12 months. They

also require the test kit accuracy to be compared to equipment that is traceable to N.I.S.T. standards.

While both standards require an accuracy check of at least once every 12 months, this does not mean that

the backflow test kit is required to be taken apart or repaired every 12 months. Some general knowledge

that you may need to know about Test Kit Accuracy and Test Kit Calibration are designated pressure points

that the backflow test kit is checked at. ASSE 1064 Standard requires the pressure points to be at 14.0, 7.0,

5.0, 2.0 and 1.0, to be performed in descending order while USC 10th Edition requires designated pressure

points to be at 12.0, 8.0, 5.0, 2.0 and 1.0, also to be performed in descending order. You will need to know

which test kit standard is required based on your individual state requirements.

Some helpful hints for keeping your backflow test kit in optimal performance are blowing out all test cocks

prior to connecting your test kit to the backflow assembly, slowly open the test cocks while your test kit is

connected so as to not shock your equipment and throw it out of calibration, drain your test kit after each

use and the most important tip is protect your equipment from freezing. The best way to protect your

equipment from freezing is to store it with all the valves open and bring it out of the truck at night. I have

seen too many instances of equipment cracking, just because the backflow tester left the valves closed and

out in a cold truck.

In closing, while it’s not necessary to know about each standard, it is necessary to know that the calibration

company that you are using is following these standards that are set forth. Using a company that does not

have equipment that is at least .25% accurate and is not traceable to N.I.S.T. is the same as a company not

using a licensed backflow tester to complete their backflow test. To find a list of calibration companies that

follow these standards, contact the backflow test kit manufacturer for a list of authorized calibration labs.

For any questions about test kit calibrations please feel free to contact Richard Marvel at (866) 836-8692.

2015 A.S.S.E. Product Show

This year’s product show was held on November 17th. It was a huge hit with over two hundred

attendees!

Michael PonxCommercial Sales Manager

mponx@metropolitanind.com

S.K. Culver Co.

Sales Manager/Customer Service

Fax: 224-567-8702

In Business Since 1944

2481 S. Wolf RoadDes Plaines, IL 60018

Telephone: 224-567-8425

Dawn Vitrano

email:dawn@skculver.comweb:www.skculver.com

JASON HERBER

Advertise Here

Let’s get it done right the first time!!

Headquarters Illinois Chapter A.S.S.E.1400 W. Washingington Blvd. Chicago, IL 60607 First Class Mail DECEMBER 2015