Reduced Pressure Zone Valve Training

RPZ Valve Testing Course Overview

A 3-day course designed to cover the installation, commissioning, and on-site compliance testing of the Type BA Device – a Verifiable Backflow Preventer with Reduced Pressure Zone Valve (RPZ)

The Water Industry offers sector membership of Approved Contractor Schemes (ACS) to RPZ Valve Testers who have completed training and assessment recognised by the individual sector schemes. The training and assessment cover the requirements of the

•     Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 (England and Wales)
•     Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
•     Water Supply (Water Fittings) (Scotland) Byelaws 2014,

and also the requirements set out in Issue 2 of the Water Industry Approved Installation Method AIM-08-01.

Upon the successful completion of the course and assessment, delegates will be deemed to have a basic understanding of the core subject.

See our specialist facilities first-hand with our interactive walkthrough!

What Will Be Covered

Legislation and Safe Drinking Water Supplies including the following:

•     UK Water Supply Companies
•     The legal structure of UK water Supply Companies and reporting obligations
•     Safe public drinking water supply system
•     DEFRA
•     DWI
•     DWQR
•     LCWG
•     DAERA-NI
•     Water Industry Act

Operational Function of the BA / RPZ Device

•     Principle working of the BA / RPZ device
•     Description of the zones within the device
•     Names given to additional items of equipment installed within the BA /   RPZ installation.
•     Normal operation of the device.
•     Backflow / backsiphonage conditions
•     Understanding the valves inbuilt buffer      

Compliance Testing Procedure. North American, Three Valve Test Gauge or European Test Method

•     Commissioning and testing of the device
•     Disc compression of check valve 2
•     Recording of information

Compliance Testing Procedure. Testing of Number Two Check Valve with a Manometer.

•     Understanding of the test procedure

Water Regulations /Byelaws. The learner will gain an understanding of the following criteria

•     14 Regulations / Byelaws
•     Notification
•     Backflow prevention
•     Fluid categories
•     Pipework identification

Fault Finding and Rectification

•     Understanding the most common faults
•     How to recognise common faults
•     How to rectify common faults

Water Undertakers Installation Method. (AIMS)    

•     Read and fully understand the national guide for the installation, testing of the RPZ/ BA device

Assessment 

The training and assessment cover the requirements of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 (England and Wales), the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and the Water Supply (Water Fittings) (Scotland) Byelaws 2014, and the requirements set out in the Water Industry Approved Installation Method AIM. 

This is part of a City & Guilds accreditation scheme that recognises the competencies that the candidate has achieved after a period of work experience or training. All candidates will be assessed via a multiple-choice question paper and direct observation.

Multiple-choice questions

•     Closed book
•     Total of 40 questions
•     Duration 60 minutes
•     The assessment paper is split into two sections.
•     To achieve a pass mark, you must answer all 10 core questions correctly i.e. achieve 100% on your first attempt. You must also achieve a pass rate of 80% for the other 30 questions. (24 out of 30 marks).
•     In the event of you failing to achieve either of these pass marks in the theory assessment, it will necessitate you to undertake a full re-assessment on a separate date.

Practical assessment

•     Correctly identify the PRZ assembly
•     Correctly attach the test kit to the RPZ valve
•     Carry out a test using the North American or European test method
•     To record the data correctly
•     To identify and rectify a fault within the RPZ
•     Complete the compliance test

There is a maximum of 58 marks available within this assessment process for correct answers and procedures. To pass, you must achieve a 100%

This course is broken into 8 modules over the 3 days where delegates will also undertake a written and practical exam, where successful completion will receive a City and Guilds Accredited Programme certificate valid for 5 years.

What is an Reduced Pressure Zone Valve

RPZ backflow preventers are designed to prevent contaminated water from mixing with clean drinking water supplies and are commonly installed within commercial and industrial premises.

These valves provide reliable protection against backpressure and siphonage, safeguarding water supplies from any form of contamination. 

It is a legal requirement to maintain RPZ Valves on a regular basis, at least yearly,  to ensure that they are providing the backflow protection needed.

Furthermore, they need to be installed, commissioned and tested following the Water Suppliers’ Approved Installation Method AIM-08-01 

Course Dates