| Quick facts | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cost range | About $40 to $85 per device in the Charleston area |
| Time | Varies by system - confirm timing in your quote |
| Who's qualified | A tester certified by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services |
Johns Island, SC: what's different here
Johns Island sits in Charleston County, about 12 miles and roughly 19 minutes by car from Charleston via the main highway. The island has a humid-subtropical climate with long, hot, humid summers and mild winters, and the area receives about 49 inches of rain per year, much of it as summer afternoon thunderstorms. Johns Island soils are often poorly drained, sandy to loamy, and low in organic matter, conditions that can affect buried plumbing and valve pits.
How often is a fire sprinkler backflow test required in Johns Island?
South Carolina requires fire line sprinkler backflow assemblies to be tested upon installation and once annually after that. Newly installed reduced pressure and double check valve assemblies must also be tested before they are approved for general use.
What type of backflow device does a fire sprinkler system need?
South Carolina requires an approved double check valve assembly for fire line sprinkler systems unless the system falls in the high-hazard category. If antifreeze, foaming agents, or an auxiliary water supply is tied into the sprinkler system, a reduced pressure assembly may be required.
Who can perform a fire sprinkler backflow test in Johns Island?
The test must be done by an individual or entity holding a current backflow prevention assembly tester certification from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. Certified testers must pass a hands-on lab test and a written exam to earn that certification.
Who repairs a fire sprinkler backflow assembly if it fails?
If repairs are needed after a backflow test, South Carolina law requires the repairs to be made by a DES-certified backflow prevention assembly tester. Testing must also follow applicable NFPA standards.
What to do next
- Check whether your fire line uses a double check valve assembly or a reduced pressure assembly before requesting a quote.
- Verify the tester holds a current backflow prevention assembly tester certification card issued by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services.
- Ask the pro to confirm the test will follow applicable NFPA standards and include the annual report your water utility expects.
- Get the per-device price in writing - typical certification in the Charleston area runs about $40 to $85 per device.
- Call (843) 286-4721 or email [email protected] for a free quote from a licensed, insured local backflow tester.
CHS Backflow is a free referral service: an independent contractor does the work and may pay us a referral fee. You never pay us anything.
