1 OBOA AMTS 2014 Plumbing Disasters And How to avoid them Why we do what we do!!!

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5 Agenda Hot water scaldingProtection from contaminating our Potable Water Systems Sewer gas Hot water tanks Backflow contamination

6 HOT WATER SCALDING

7 CASES LYNN, Mass. —Two young brothers left alone in a bathtub suffered severe burns when they were scalded by hot water in a bathtub  In Jersey City a 2-year-old girl who authorities say was scalded, was in extreme pain and will undergo skin-grafting surgery to treat second- and third-degree burns.

8 Hot Water Scalding Gaston County, NC (WBTV) -A Gastonia woman is facing charges after a 15-month- old girl she was babysitting was burned by scalding water in a bathtub for nearly 30 minutes. New York City, Two children have been rushed to hospital in as many days following separate scalding incidents.

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10 Time and Temperature Relationship to Severe Burns First degrees burns are the most common burns, and only affect the outer layer of skin. Second-degree cause damage to the first two layers of skin. Third-degree burns damage the deepest layer of skin and tissue. Time and Temperature Relationship to Severe Burns Water Temperature & Time for a third degree burn to occur 155 F 68 C 1 second 148 F 64 C 2 seconds 140 F 60 C 5 seconds 133 F 56 C 15 seconds 127 F 52 C 1 minute 124 F 51 C 3 minute 120 F 48 C 5 minutes 100 F 37 C Safe temperature for bathing

11 WHO IS AT RISK?? children under 5, people over 60 and people with a physical or mental deficiency. So what can we do??? OBC Dwelling units with a water distribution system shall be provided with hot water that complies with Hot water tanks to have a temperature range from 45 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius. Electric hot water tanks to be set at a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius

12 7.6.5 Water Temperature ControlMaximum Temperature supplied to fixtures in residential units is 49 degrees Celsius except for dishwashers and washing machines Showers Fixed location shower heads shall be individually pressure balanced or individually thermostatic mixing valve unless it is controlled by a master thermostatic mixing valve. The valves shall be designed so the outlet temperature does not exceed 49 degrees Celsius. Deck mounted, hand held, flexible spray attachments are exempt from thermal shock requirements

13 7.6.5.3. Temperature Control DevicesHot water being supplied to any bathtub, shower or hand basin that is accessible to a patient or resident in a a) Group B, Division 2 or 3 b) Group home c) Home for special care, or d) residence for adults with developmental disabilities SHALL have one or more temperature gauges and control devices that are, a) accessible to supervisory staff only, and b) capable of being adjusted to ensure that the temperature of the water supplied to the fixtures does not exceed 49 degrees Celsius.

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15 Commercial Temperature Control DeviceCommercial/Institutional application

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17 PROTECTION FROM CONTAMINATING OUR POTABLE WATER SYSTEM

18 On March 7, 2005 a Stratford, ON resident contacted the Municipal Works Department when she discovered pink-colored water coming from the taps in her home. A Drinking Water Advisory was issued, and drinking water depots were set up to make clean drinking water available to local residents. The facility had been using a pressure washer to clean out pipes as part of a maintenance schedule. While back-flushing the system, a backflow device failed allowing carwash chemicals into the Town’s water system. The owners were fined a total of $75,000 and were convicted of violating a section of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Town water supply was 65 PSI Booster pump was 80 PSI

19 June 3, 2011, Dorval, Quebec 1933 Chicago World’s FairContamination of Dorval's water supply Residents were told not to use tap water for drinking, brushing teeth, or washing food or dishes. A private contractor mistakenly flushed out a massive underground tank from a hangar at Trudeau Airport that brought about 200,000 gallons contaminated water into the water distribution system. 1933 Chicago World’s Fair 1409 people became seriously ill. 98 people died. The cause?? Defective plumbing and cross-contamination permitting back-siphonage from bathtubs and water closets into the public water system

20 California - A man spraying his lawn with a commercial weed killer containing arsenic compound. His sprayer was an aspirator device connected to his garden hose, to which the bottle of spray was fastened to. when done spraying, the man disconnected the applicator and put it away. Due to it being a warm day, as he rolled up the hose he turned on the water and took a drink. A short time later he dies of arsenic poison. At sometime while spraying the weeds, a back-siphonage had occurred and the arsenic was carried back into the hose. West Virginia - A Funeral home was using an aspirator to drain body fluids from the deceased. The aspirator was connected to the potable water supply. There was a reversal of flow in the municipal water system due to a water main break. Body fluids flowing to the sanitary drain stopped and went opposite direction into the water supply. Fortunately this reversal was caught in time and was contained to the Funeral Home only. The water supply was cut off at the property line immediately. All of these cases are very interesting, but does it REALLY happen?? The answer is YES!

21 What Is Backflow? Backflow means the undesirable reversal of flow of a liquid, gas or solid into the potable water supply — A backflow preventer keeps this from happening When Does Backflow Occur? There are two factors that contribute to reversal of flow in pipelines. One is back-pressure and the other is back-siphonage. Back-pressure - Pressure, higher than the supply pressure, caused by a pump, elevated tank, boiler, or other means that can cause backflow

22 Back-siphonage - Backflow caused by a negative or reduced pressure in the supply piping such as fire hydrant put into use. A.1 Back siphonage A.1.1 For back siphonage to occur, at least four conditions must occur simultaneously: (a) pressure in the potable water system below atmospheric; (b) an open supply valve; (c) the outlet of a supply valve immersed in a fluid other than potable water; and (d) absence of protection from back siphonage (this includes the malfunctioning of an existing device or method). If any one of the four conditions described in Items (a) to (d) does not exist, the potable water system will not be contaminated.

23 Typical Back-Siphonage

24 7.6.2 PROTECTION FROM CONTAMINATION(1) Connections to potable water systems shall be designed and installed so that non-potable water or substances that may render the water non-potable cannot enter the system Back-Siphonage Sentences 1 thru 3 explains when and where a device is required ie. Boiler, lawn sprinklers, hose bibbs, etc Protection from Backflow Backflow preventer shall be selected, installed and tested in conformance with CSA B64.10 Backflow from Fire Protection Systems Backflow from Buildings with a Solar Domestic Hot Water System

25 Double Check Valve Fire Sprinkler System

26 Premise Isolation Building or facilities where a moderate or severe hazard may be caused by backflow shall be provide with Premise Isolation of the potable water systems. Part 9 Residential are exempt unless they have access to an auxiliary water supply Air Gaps, Vacuum Breakers and Flood Levels may also provide protection from contamination

27 Double Check Valve Reduced Pressure Valve Hose connection vacuum breaker Pressure vacuum breaker

28 7.2 Materials and EquipmentRestrictions on Re-Use Identification and Certification Proper piping material - Table A , Table A , & Table A Lead free solder

29 Galvanized distribution pipeLead water service

30 Sec. 7.7. Non-Potable Water Systems Non-Potable water shall not be connected to Potable water UNLESS, The make up water supply is protected with a reduced pressure backflow preventer or an air gap A clothes washer supplied by rain water and potable water is protected with a Dual Check Valve conforming to CAN/CSA B64.6 Markings required All non-potable water piping to be identified as non-potable water pipe. Signage posted above fixture that receive non-potable water. “NON-POTABLE WATER, DO NOT DRINK”

31 Air gap or reduced pressure backflow preventerPotable water

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33 Safe Water Act Prohibition20.  (1)  No person shall cause or permit any thing to enter a drinking water system if it could result in, (a) a drinking water health hazard; (b) a contravention of a prescribed standard; or (c) interference with the normal operation of the system. 2002, c. 32, s. 20 (1).

34 Choosing the right DeviceB /B The proper selection of backflow preventer is crucial to insure that the devices works properly and is providing adequate protection for the specific application. It must be stressed that these devices are not all equally acceptable as protection against all types of hazards and other factors must be taken into account with each application. In general, there are four elements to consider when designing your backflow prevention program: 1) System Characteristics, 2) Degree of Hazard, 3) Type of Application, and 4) Type of Installation Each backflow device is designed to handle a specific group of system characteristics.

35 Be Proactive!! The Solution Is ClearIt is evident that we cannot eliminate either the occurrence of backflow nor can we prevent cross-connections from being created. We must therefore provide a means of protecting drinking water systems from the hazards of backflow occurrences through cross-connections. Be Proactive!!

36 SEWER GAS

37 Father died trying to save son - Two killed in sewer gas incidentSeptember 05, 2012 Kirk Hansen, 50, died after being pulled from a sewer lift station. His son Erik, 20, died as well when he was pulled from the manhole. The two Gettysburg men were putting in new sewer lines for cabins and trailer houses. Authorities said it appears the two died from sewer gas. It appeared neither man was wearing proper safety equipment, he said.

38 Maine’s Chief Medical Examiner has determined that two men whose bodies were pulled from a sewage pump tank Tuesday died from inhaling sewer gases. Autopsies done Wednesday on the bodies showed they died from “hydrogen sulfide toxicity in a confined space with terminal inhalation of sewage,” said police. Although these cases involved workplace accidents, it is important to understand what happens when people come into contact with sewer gas. And why there are requirements in the OBC for controlling sewer gas. Even in low exposure, sewer gases can have a profound effect on our health.

39 What is sewer gas? Sewer gas is a complex mixture of toxic and non-toxic gases that can be present at varying levels depending upon the source.  It is formed during the decay of household and industrial waste. Highly toxic components of sewer gas include hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. Sewer gas also contains methane, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxides. In addition, chlorine bleaches, industrial solvents, and gasoline are frequently present in municipal and privately owned-sewage treatment systems. How are people exposed to sewer gas? Sewer gas can enter a home through a floor drain, from a leaking or blocked plumbing roof vent, or (if the gases are in soil adjacent to the house) through cracks in foundations.  Sanitary and farm workers can be exposed to sewer gas during the cleaning and maintenance of municipal sewers, manure storage tanks, and home septic tanks.

40 What are the effects of exposure to sewer gas?The principal risks and effects associated with exposure are: Hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Exposure to low levels of hydrogen sulfide causes irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. Other symptoms include nervousness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and drowsiness. This gas smells like rotten eggs, even at extremely low concentrations.  Exposure to high concentrations can interfere with the sense of smell, making this warning signal unreliable. At extremely high levels, hydrogen sulfide can cause immediate loss of consciousness and death. Asphyxiation. High concentrations of methane in enclosed areas can lead to suffocation as large amounts of methane will decrease the amount of oxygen in the air. The effects of oxygen deficiency include headache, nausea, dizziness and unconsciousness. At very low oxygen concentrations (<12%), unconsciousness and death may occur very quickly and without warning.  Sewer gas diffuses and mixes with indoor air, and will be most concentrated where it is entering the home. It can accumulate in basements.

41 OTHER EFFECTS Explosion and fire. Methane and hydrogen sulfide are flammable and highly explosive. Odor. Hydrogen sulfide is responsible for sewer gas’s characteristic rotten-egg smell, which can be overbearing even at extremely low concentrations. The gas’s odor is a safeguard, however, because it alerts building occupants to the leak long before they’re in any serious danger. It is important to note that at roughly 100 ppm, the olfactory nerve becomes paralyzed, removing the victim’s sense of smell and, subsequently, their awareness of the danger. Another "warning smell" comes from ammonia, which will sear the nostrils and progressively irritate the mucous membranes and respiratory tract. This gas, unlike hydrogen sulfide, is sufficiently irritating that building occupants are likely to vacate before its concentration rises to toxic levels.

42 How can I avoid being exposed to sewer gas?Flush floor and sink drains with water to prevent the traps in pipes to the sewer from drying out. Occasionally check the roof plumbing vent for blockage from debris such as leaves or bird nests. Never enter a municipal sewer line, manure-storage tank or any other large storage tank without proper training and equipment.

43 OBC rules 7.5 Venting Vent system is defined as an assembly of pipes and fittings that connect a drainage system with open air for the circulation of air and protection of trap seals in the drainage system. Vents maintain atmospheric pressure within the drainage system.

44 Sumps or Tanks Manholes(2) Where a sump or tank receives sanitary sewage it shall be water and air-tight and shall be vented Manholes (2) (a) where a manhole is installed inside a building, the cover must be provided with an airtight seal

45 7.4.5.1. Traps for Sanitary Drainage SystemsEvery fixture shall be protected by a trap Trap Seals Provision shall be made for maintaining the trap seal of a floor drain or hub drain. a) An indirectly connected drinking fountain OR by an equally effective means. b) Mechanical device with pipe or tubing 3/8 inch minimum.

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52 Hot Water Tanks

53 Hot Water tanks Spencer, Oklahoma - Shortly after noon hour in a busy school cafeteria, children were seated at tables, enjoying lunch when their world was torn from them. A concrete wall which separated the lunchroom from the kitchen blew in as an 80-gallon water heater exploded and launched itself skyward. The children seated nearest the wall were crushed and killed as concrete and steel were propelled from the epicenter of the blast. In all, seven were killed and 36 lay injured. An Inspector for Oklahoma dug deeply into the accident. He noted the water heater sat in disrepair for three or four years. The controls had been tampered with; the safety valve was in the wrong place; and the temperature probe had been removed.

54 EDMONTON - Two Parkland County residents are homeless after their hot water tank exploded early Sunday morning, rocketing through the roof and landing almost 50 metres away. Walnut, California- the water heater in the basement of a 2-story 3 unit side by side condominium blasted off through the rear wall and was found 60 feet away in a nearby alley.  The heater either did not have a pressure-release valve or, if it had one, the device had been tampered with, leaving no outlet for excessive pressure. As of 6 days after the explosion, the city officials had not yet been able to determine when the water heater was installed in the 23 year old condominium. They examined the surrounding condominiums in the 40 unit complex and found several water heaters installed without TPR valves. These units did not appear to be the original units and were installed without building permits… What a shocker!!!

55 The picture above is a home that was destroyed by a water heater that malfunctioned and exploded. 

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57 Here's an example of how an exploding water heater can destroy a home.

58 Above is what is left of a home that was destroyed by a water heater that malfunctioned and exploded.

59 MYTHBUSTERS VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bU-I2ZiML0

60 OBC REQUIREMENTS 1) Every pressure vessel that is part of a plumbing system shall have a Pressure Relief Valve designed to open when the pressure in the tank reaches the rated working pressure of the tank. Not to exceed 1100 kPa or ½ the maximum test pressure by the tank. (whichever is lesser) 2) Every Hot water tank shall be equipped with a temperature relief valve, a) located within the top 150 mm of the tank b) designed to open and discharge sufficient water to keep the water from exceeding 99 degrees Celsius

61 4) Every indirect service water heater shall be equipped with, 3) A pressure relief valve and a temperature relief valve may be combined where 1 & 2 above are complied with. 4) Every indirect service water heater shall be equipped with, a) pressure relief valve, and b) a temperature relief valve on every storage tank 5) Piping from the relief valve must be at least equal to the size of the valve. Be rigid and slope downward. Terminate above a floor drain, sump or other safe location with an air break of 300 mm. Or, terminate between 150 mm and 300 mm above a floor. The piping shall have NO thread at its outlet.

62 5) Piping from the relief valve must be;a) At least equal to the size of the valve. b) Be rigid and slope downward. c) Terminate above a floor drain, sump or other safe location with an air break of 300 mm. or, d) terminate between 150 mm and 300 mm above a floor. e) The piping shall have NO thread at its outlet f) No valve shall be installed between the relief valve and the discharge from the relief valve.

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65 PROTECTION FROM BACKFLOW

66 Water damage caused by system backups has now surpassed home fires as the most costly insurance claim in the country, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada.  Insurable losses topped the $3 billion mark in 2013 for the first time in Canadian history. Over half that total, $1.7 billion, was related to water damage resulting from record flooding in Calgary and across southern Alberta in June In all, 28,000 claims, averaging $61,000 each, were filed.  In July 2013, Toronto's infrastructure was swamped by 126 millimetres of rain that fell in a single day, resulting in 29,000 claims adding up to about $850 million.

67 What cases Sewer Backups?Water backups can be caused by any number of circumstances - overgrown tree roots . 

68 Defective piping

69 Home owners and business owners pouring grease down the line and plugging it up

70 But it's the rain that really sets the trouble offBut it's the rain that really sets the trouble off. Extreme rainfalls can easily overwhelm infrastructure, sending waste and water back up into homes and onto roadways

71 OBC Requirements Protection from Backflow A back water valve that would prevent the free flow of air circulation shall not be used in a building sewer or building drain A backwater valve may be installed in a building sewer or building drain where it is a “normally open” design

72 When to install a Backwater Valve?(3) Where a building drain or a branch may be subject to backflow a backwater valve shall be installed to protect the fixtures. A backwater valve shall be installed on every fixture drain connected to it when the fixture is located below the level of the adjoining street, or A backwater valve shall be installed to protect fixture which are below the upstream sanitary manhole cover when a residential building is served by a public sewer.

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80 Flooded basement hazardsBacteria and Viruses Water contaminated with sewage may contain a number of bacteria and viruses, which can affect health. The major health concern is related to organisms that affect the gastrointestinal tract causing vomiting and diarrhea (gastroenteritis), and those that affect the liver (Hepatitis A, yellow jaundice). These bacteria and viruses are not transmitted through the air. Skin irritation or infection can also occur from contact with contaminated water, particularly if open cuts or sores are present. Mold – Mold growths, or colonies, can start to grow on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours. Molds digest organic material, eventually destroying the material they grow on. In addition to the damage molds can cause in your home they can also cause mild to severe health problems. Hydro - electrocution

81 Grease Interceptors

82 Grease Interceptors

83 Miscellaneous

84 Water Softeners

85 The wrong way to connect the back-wash line from a water softener to the drainage system!!

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87 Working in Trenches A 24-year-old Knowlton Township man died after he became entrapped in a trench collapse at his home. The man was trapped for probably 20 or 25 minutes in the 6-to-8-foot-deep trench.  Witnesses said the trench was being dug for residential sewer work. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, police said.

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89 Building Officials are Super Heroes tooOur power is the OBC!!

90 END ?????