Why Choose ARX Advanced Water Protection

The following is a list of criteria to look for when choosing a company for the backflow testing and repair/replacement/installation of backflow assemblies.

State Certification and Licensing

• Backflow certifications are good for 3 years before they must be renewed.
• All technicians must have, in addition to the backflow testing license/certification, a backflow repair certification/license or a master plumber’s license.

Overview of License Types and Restrictions Table

 RECOMMENDATION:  Contract with a backflow testing company that offers licensed backflow testers as well as Class II unrestricted Master plumbers to handle any testing or potential problems that can occur during repair/replacement of backflow assemblies.

City and County Backflow Program Registration and Compliance

• The Backflow Testing/repair Company must be on the appropriate approved lists in your city/county backflow programs because if the company/tester is not on the list of approved venders they cannot receive or submit testing forms.
• Note: Some counties/cities list the certified/approved testers by name and not by the company they work for.
• Example:  John Doe – but not ARX Advanced Water Protection, LLC.

Insurance and Liability

• Insurance and liability limits the testing/repair company has to have in place to protect your facilities and your organization are:

1. General Liability – Limits should be a minimum of 3 million (should have A-A+ rating) per occurrence.
2. Vehicle Liability – Limit should be minimum (should have A-A+ rating) 1 million/1 million/ 1 million.
3. Workman’s Comp.
4. Testing Company should provide a “Notice of Cancellation” if any of the above mentioned coverage’s lapse are cancelled.

 Flexible Scheduling

• The water must be turned off during backflow testing.  This may cause disruption in your facilities so the testing should be conducted after hours or on weekends.
• Your backflow testing/repair company should be flexible within reason to work around the facilities schedule to avoid the facilities workday disruption or inconvenience.

Safety

• Fulton County and United Water/City of Atlanta strongly recommend that the backflow testing company technician have a 4-gas check meter for vault and configured space entry.  Furthermore, this is an OSHA requirement.
• RECOMMENDATION:  Do not contract with a company or individual backflow tester that does not have an updated/certified 4-gas detection unit (it could cause your organization unnecessary liability).

 Digital Video Documentation Program

• A digital video documentation program is a procedure that your backflow testing company implements to verify/certify backflow testing
• Assemblies on this date, at this time and these are the real time test results.  These should then be documented on a digital video tape/DVD.  This ensures that the backflow testing company/technician tested this facility and that the backflow company you have contracted with is working within the guidelines of the contract.
• Note: Remember, if a backflow/cross-connection incident occurs you are held liable not the testing company.
• DVT, or digital video tapping is also an excellent method of storing visual evidence.  In the case of a backflow incident or cross-connection contamination the tape/DVD can prove your organization was in compliance with current regulations.
• The Backflow Testing/repair Company should be able to provide your organization with a DVD format of the video information with the menu indexing:
  • Facility Location- Address, city, state,  & zip code
  • Date/Time Tested
  • Test Results
  • Location of each assembly within the facility
  • Assembly- Type, Serial #, Model # and Manufacturer name.

 Database Reporting

• The Backflow Testing/repair Company should be able to supply a ‘Lotus’ or similar database spreadsheet report.

Flexible Billing Options

• The backflow Testing/repair Company should be able to provide your organization with flexible billing options:
  • PO. Net 30 terms
  • Visa / Mastercard Billing
  • Acceptance of Government credit cards
  • Detailed invoicing for accurate record.

Cautions for Hiring a Backflow Company

Some of the dangers to look for when hiring a backflow testing/repair company:

• Drive-by Testing – not conducting proper tests and billing for them.
• Inability to deliver on:
  • Filling test form with appropriate government agencies.
  • Video Documentation program
  • Loading video data to a DVD format for ease of the client.
  • Providing adequate knowledge to fully comprehend and meet with backflow/cross-connection compliance needs of your organization.

 Knowledge, Technology and Innovation

The Backflow Company must have experienced people who have experience and detailed knowledge of how to test and repair backflow valves along with the status of the laws affecting backflow.  In addition, they must have detailed knowledge of the latest technology that is constantly being developed.  Finally, the Backflow Company should be working hand-in-hand with the manufacturers to develop the most efficient and cost effective means to protect the facilities.