SECTIONN-PLUMBING AND CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL - SECTION 511-6-1 - Definitions, Sanitary Facilities, and Backflow Protection

Oct 2, 2026

SECTIONN-PLUMBING AND CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL covers plumbing sizing and installation requirements under applicable state or local codes, prohibiting cross-connections between potable water and non-potable or questionable water supplies. It defines direct and indirect connections, including air gaps with minimum separation criteria and air breaks that prevent backflow without an unobstructed atmospheric opening. It also specifies backflow/back-siphonage protection for submerged inlets, lists equipment examples, and outlines acceptable protective devices in lieu of an air gap.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

AccessFree to download

SECTIONN-PLUMBING AND CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL

1. General

2. Submerged Inlet Protection

1) Direct connection and indirect connection

2) Air gap

3) Air break

4) Backflow/Back siphonage protection devices

# SECTIONN-PLUMBING AND CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL¹ REFERENCES(Chapter 511-6-1) .01 Definitions.Amended.(VVvv)"Plumbing system" .06 Sanitary Facilities and Controls.Amended.(2)Plumbing System(a)(b)(d)(e)(f(j)(k)(m)(n)(p)(q)(r).06 Sanitary Facilities and Controls.Amended.(4)Sewage,Other Liquid Waste...(b)(c)(e) This Manual-Part-II,Appendix R-Plumbing and Cross-Connection Control by FDA Division of HumanResources Development I. General:Plumbing shall be sized and installed according to State or local codeswhichever is applicable.There shall be no cross-connections between the potable watersupply and any non-potable or questionable water supply.Where non-potable watersystems are permitted for purposes such as air conditioning and fire protection,the non-potable water must not contact directly or indirectly:food,potable water or equipment thatcontacts food or utensils.The piping of any non-potable water system shall be durablyidentified (most are colored pipe or have color coded stripes on the pipe)so that it is readilydistinguishable from piping that carries potable water II. Submerged Inlet Protection: ## 1.A connection to a sewer line may be direct or indirect: A.A direct connection is a solid physical connection between a potable and non-potable plumbing system; B.An indirect connection is a potential connection between a potable and non-potableplumbing system and it comprises two types: a.An air gap means the unobstructed vertical distance through the freeatmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or outlet supplyingfixture,or other device,and the flood level rim of the receptacle.The verticalphysical separation shall be at least two times the inside diameter of the waterinlet pipe above the flood rim level,but shall not be less than one inch.SeeIllustrations N-1,N-2,N-3,and N-4 for examples of air gaps indirectconnections. b.There shall be no cross-connections between the potable water supply and anynon-potable water supply.The potable water system shall be installed topreclude the possibility of backflow and back siphonage.Devices shall beinstalled to protect against backflow and back siphonage at all fixtures andequipment unless an air gap is provided.The air gap must be at least twice thediameter of the water supply inlet,but not less than 1 inch,between the water 1 Source:Subsection entitled,"Plumbing And Cross Connection Control"starting Section 5-Water And SewageDisposal in the 2008 FDA Plan Review for Food Establishments guidance document. 01/04/2013 supply inlet and the fixture's flood level rim.See Illustration N-2. ILLUSTRATION N-1 Air Gap on Lavatory 01/04/2013 C.An air Break is a piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture,appliance,or device discharges indirectly into another fixture,receptacle or interception at apoint below the flood level rim.The connection does not provide an unobstructedvertical distance through the free atmosphere and is not solidly connected,butprecludes the possibility of backflow to a potable water source into a sink ordishwasher/or fixture being drained.See Illustration N-5. Air Gap and Effective Opening ILLUSTRATIONN-2 ILLUSTRATIONN-3 Air Gap 01/04/2013 ILLUSTRATION N-4 ## ILLUSTRATION N-5Indirect Connections 01/04/2013 A.Types of Backflow/Back Siphonage Protection:The following List N-1 providesexamples of some of the types of equipment with potentially submerged inlets andrequired backflow/back siphonage protection: LIST N-1 2.Boiler with no chemicals added 3.Carbonators for beveragedispensers 4.Lawn sprinkler system withno chemicals added 5.Flush valve toilets 6.All hose bibs inside &outside of establishments 7.Pre-flush hose with a nozzlehead that may be submerged 8.Perforated pipe to orientalWok cookers 9.Inlets which are or maybecome submerged: a.Supply inlet to garbagegrinder b.Supply inlet to dishtable trough ## Bacifloen/Back siphonage Preventer 1.Boiler with chemicals added 01/04/2

FAQs

What are the core rules for sizing and installing plumbing in this section?

Plumbing must be sized and installed according to applicable state or local codes. Cross-connections between potable water and any non-potable or questionable water supply are prohibited.

How does an indirect connection differ from a direct connection?

A direct connection is a solid physical connection between potable and non-potable plumbing systems. An indirect connection is a potential connection and includes types such as air gaps and air breaks.

What devices can be used for backflow/back-siphonage protection when an air gap is not provided?

The section provides examples of acceptable protection devices required in lieu of an air gap, including reduced pressure devices, approved backflow preventers per local plumbing codes, vacuum breakers (atmospheric or pressure), and other listed preventers for specific fixtures and equipment.

Oct 2, 2026

Uploaded by Maya Linwood