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🔧 Backflow Device Selector
Select your application and hazard level to find the correct FL-approved backflow prevention device.
Water Supply Type
🏙️ Municipal / City Water
🌊 Private Well
Application Type
🌿 Residential Irrigation
🏊 Pool / Spa Fill
🪣 Hose Bib / Faucet
🔥 Fire Suppression
⚗️ Chemical Injection
♨️ Boiler / Chiller
Hazard Level
🟢 Low — No chemicals
🟡 Medium — Grass, no fert
🔴 High — Fertilizer / chemicals
Pressure Zone
📈 Pressure above device
📉 Pressure below device (elevation)
Device Quick Reference
Device
Abbrev
Hazard Level
Annual Test?
Typical Cost
Air Gap
AG
Any
No
$50-$200
Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker
AVB
Low
No
$20-$80
Pressure Vacuum Breaker
PVB
Low-Medium
Yes (annual)
$200-$600
Spill-Resistant Vacuum Breaker
SVB
Low-Medium
Yes (annual)
$250-$700
Double Check Valve Assembly
DC/DCVA
Low-Medium
Yes (annual)
$400-$1,200
Reduced Pressure Zone
RP/RPBA
High
Yes (annual)
$600-$2,000
Double Check Detector Assembly
DCDA
Low-Medium
Yes (annual)
$800-$2,500
Reduced Pressure Detector Assembly
RPDA
High
Yes (annual)
$1,200-$3,500
FL Rule 62-555.360 FAC requires annual testing of all RP, DC, PVB, and SVB assemblies by a certified tester. Test reports must be submitted to the utility within 30 days.
Device Selection by Application
Application
FL Required Device
Reason
Residential irrigation (no chemicals)
PVB or DC
Medium hazard, soil contact
Irrigation with fertilizer inject
RP
High hazard — chemical risk
Pool/spa autofill
RP or AG
High hazard — chemical contamination
Hose bib / outside faucet
AVB or hose-bibb VP
Low hazard, non-testable ok
Commercial irrigation
DC or RP
Depends on hazard assessment
Fire suppression (no additives)
DC or DCDA
Low hazard — clean water
Fire suppression (antifreeze)
RP or RPDA
High hazard — chemical
Boiler/closed loop HVAC
RP
High hazard — treatment chemicals
Reclaimed water irrigation
AG or RP
Cross-connection prevention
Annual Backflow Test Requirements
FL Rule 62-555.360 FAC: All testable backflow prevention assemblies connected to potable water must be tested annually by a State-certified tester. Failure to test can result in water service disconnection.
Test frequencyAnnual (every 12 months)
Who can testFL DEP-certified backflow tester
Report deadline30 days after test to utility
Test cost (residential)$50-$150 per device
Test cost (commercial)$75-$250 per device
Failure penaltyWater service shutoff
FAQs
⚖️ FL Backflow & Irrigation Laws
FS 553.998
Backflow statute
62-555.360
FAC testing rule
Annual
Test required
30 days
Report deadline
📜 FS 553.998 — Backflow Prevention ▼
Florida Statute 553.998 (Backflow Prevention) requires all buildings connected to a potable water supply to have approved backflow prevention devices where cross-connection hazards exist. Key provisions:
• Requires DOH or utility cross-connection control program
• Mandates annual testing of all testable assemblies
• Establishes certification requirements for backflow testers
• Grants utilities authority to shut off service for non-compliance
• Requires property owners to maintain devices in working condition
• Applies to residential, commercial, and industrial properties
• All new construction must include backflow prevention per FL Building Code
📜 FAC 62-555.360 — Backflow Testing ▼
Florida Administrative Code Rule 62-555.360 establishes the technical requirements for backflow prevention and cross-connection control:
• Annual testing of RP, DC, PVB, and SVB assemblies required
• Testing must be performed by FL DEP-certified testers (Certification No. required on report)
• Test reports submitted to water utility within 30 days of test
• Repair or replacement required immediately upon failure
• Re-testing required after repair before returning to service
• Water utilities must maintain records of all test reports for 3 years
• High-hazard assemblies (RP) have priority for enforcement
• AVB devices do not require annual testing (non-testable type)
🌊 FS 373.621 — Reclaimed Water Rules ▼
Florida Statute 373.621 governs reclaimed water use in irrigation systems. Critical cross-connection prevention requirements:
• Reclaimed water systems must be physically separated from potable water
• No direct connection between potable and reclaimed water systems ever permitted
• Air gap or RP assembly required on any potable water backup supply to reclaimed system
• Color-coded piping required: Purple/Pantone 522C for reclaimed water distribution
• Warning labels on all reclaimed water outlets ("DO NOT DRINK")
• Permitted uses: irrigation of lawns, golf courses, agricultural crops, toilet flushing
• 10-foot setback from potable water wells for reclaimed water irrigation
• FL DEP oversees reuse permitting and cross-connection inspections
🏗️ FL Building Code — Irrigation Requirements ▼
Florida Building Code (FBC) plumbing provisions for irrigation and backflow:
• Section 608: Cross-connection control requirements for all plumbing systems
• All irrigation systems connected to potable supply require approved backflow assembly
• Permit required for all new irrigation system installations over 5 zones
• Irrigation permit includes backflow prevention device inspection
• FBC Table 608.1 lists approved backflow devices by hazard degree
• Installation must be by licensed contractor (CFC or CPC license)
• Final inspection required before system is put into service
• Low-volume irrigation (drip) may have reduced backflow requirements per local amendment
🔧 FL Irrigation License Requirements ▼
Florida irrigation contractor licensing under FS 489.1052 and DBPR regulations:
• Irrigation Specialty Contractor (License type: SCC or limited energy/roofing/HVAC does not cover irrigation)
• Licensed Plumbing Contractor (CPC) — can perform all irrigation including connections to potable supply
• Licensed Contractor (CFC) — underground connections to potable water
• Irrigation-only contractor: registered or certified through FDACS (Florida Dept. of Agriculture)
• Backflow tester certification: FL DEP Cross-Connection Control Tester Certification (separate from contractor license)
• Unlicensed irrigation work is a second-degree misdemeanor in FL
• HOA and property managers cannot perform irrigation connections without licensed contractor
• License verification: myfloridalicense.com or DBPR online lookup
📋 FL Irrigation Permit Process ▼
Typical FL county permit process for new irrigation system installation:
Step 1: Hire FL-licensed irrigation contractor
Step 2: Contractor files permit application with county building department
Step 3: Plans submitted (zone layout, water meter sizing, backflow device spec)
Step 4: Permit issued (typically 5-10 business days for residential)
Step 5: Installation by licensed contractor
Step 6: Rough inspection (before burying pipes) — required in most counties
Step 7: Final inspection including backflow device and rain sensor verification
Step 8: Certificate of completion issued
Permit fees: Typically $75-$300 residential, $200-$800 commercial.
Rain sensor requirement: FL Law requires rain/weather sensors on all new irrigation systems (FS 373.62).
FL Rain Sensor Law
FS 373.62: All automatic irrigation systems installed or repaired in FL must have a properly functioning rain sensor or other weather-based shutoff device. Fine: Up to $500 for violation.
Backflow Test Permit Fees by County
County
Residential Test
Commercial Test
Install Permit
Miami-Dade
$75-$150
$150-$300
$150-$400
Broward
$60-$120
$120-$250
$100-$300
Palm Beach
$65-$130
$130-$260
$125-$350
Hillsborough
$50-$100
$100-$200
$90-$250
Orange
$55-$110
$110-$220
$100-$275
Duval
$50-$100
$100-$200
$85-$225
Pinellas
$55-$110
$100-$220
$95-$250
Lee
$60-$120
$120-$240
$100-$275
All other FL counties
$50-$125
$100-$250
$85-$300
🌱 Irrigation Zone Calculator
Size your irrigation zones for FL conditions including ET rates, soil types, and head coverage.
Zone Configuration
Lot Size (sq ft)5,000 sq ft
1,00025,00050,000
Water Pressure (PSI)60 PSI
30 PSI65 PSI100 PSI
Meter Size3/4 inch
1/2 inch3/4 inch1 inch
Head Type
↻ Rotor (large area)
💦 Spray (small area)
💧 Drip (beds/shrubs)
🔵 MP Rotator
Available flow rate-
Heads per zone-
Coverage per zone-
Recommended zones-
FL ET rate (summer)0.25 in/day avg
Watering time per zone-
Weekly schedule-
Est. monthly water use-
FL Irrigation Restrictions
Most FL water utilities restrict irrigation to 2-3 days/week. Many restrict hours to before 10 AM and after 4 PM to reduce evaporation. Check your county utility for exact schedule.
Utility / District
Days Allowed
Hours
SFWMD (South FL)
2 days/week (year-round)
Before 10 AM or after 4 PM
SWFWMD (SW FL)
2 days/week (dry season)
Before 8 AM or after 6 PM
SJRWMD (NE/Central FL)
2 days/week
Before 10 AM or after 4 PM
NWFWMD (Panhandle)
3 days/week
Before 10 AM or after 4 PM
Hillsborough County
Odd/Even (address-based)
Before 8 AM or after 6 PM
Miami-Dade
2 days/week by address
Before 8 AM or after 6 PM
New sod/seed
Daily for 30 days (new install)
Any hour during establishment
FL Turf Evapotranspiration (ET) Rates
Season
Avg Daily ET
Weekly Need
Zone Run Time
Summer (Jun-Sep)
0.20-0.30 in/day
1.4-2.1 in/wk
30-45 min
Fall (Oct-Nov)
0.10-0.15 in/day
0.7-1.1 in/wk
15-25 min
Winter (Dec-Feb)
0.05-0.10 in/day
0.4-0.7 in/wk
10-15 min
Spring (Mar-May)
0.15-0.25 in/day
1.1-1.8 in/wk
20-35 min
Head Spacing & Coverage
Head Type
Typical Radius
GPM Range
Operating PSI
Pop-up spray (fixed)
8-15 ft
0.5-3.0 GPM
20-35 PSI
Rotor (gear-drive)
20-45 ft
1.0-5.0 GPM
30-55 PSI
MP Rotator
10-30 ft
0.2-1.0 GPM
30-45 PSI
Drip (per emitter)
12-18 in
0.1-2.0 GPH
15-30 PSI
Micro-spray
2-8 ft
0.1-0.5 GPM
15-25 PSI
FL law requires head-to-head spacing (each head reaches the next head) for efficient coverage. Matched precipitation rates (MPR) required for heads in the same zone. Never mix rotors and spray heads in the same zone.
Smart Controller Savings
FL-approved ET-based smart controllers reduce irrigation by 20-40% compared to timer controllers by automatically adjusting run times based on local weather data. Many FL utilities offer $50-$200 rebates for smart controller installation.
📞 Schedule Service
FL-licensed for backflow testing, irrigation installation, and annual maintenance programs.
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Backflow Tester
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Irrigation + Plumbing
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To utility within 30 days
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Our Annual Maintenance Program
●
Annual backflow test by FL DEP-certified tester
●
Test report filed to your utility within 30 days
●
Full irrigation system inspection (heads, valves, controller)