AS 2845.

2—2010
AS 2845.2—2010

Australian Standard®
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Water supply—Backflow preventions

devices

Part 2: Registered air gaps and

registered break tanks
 This Australian Standard® was prepared by Committee WS-023, Backflow Prevention
Devices for Water Supply. It was approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia on
11 May 2010.
This Standard was published on 30 June 2010.

The following are represented on Committee WS-023:

• ACT Planning and Land Authority

• Australian Industry Group
• Master Plumbers Association of NSW
• Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers New Zealand
• Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia
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• Plumbing Products Industry Group

• Queensland Brassware Association
• South Australian Water Corporation
• Sydney Water Corporation
• Water New Zealand
• Water Services Association of Australia

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 09060.

Standards Australia wishes to acknowledge the participation of the expert individuals that
contributed to the development of this Standard through their representation on the
Committee and through the public comment period.

Keeping Standards up-to-date

Australian Standards® are living documents that reflect progress in science, technology and
systems. To maintain their currency, all Standards are periodically reviewed, and new editions
are published. Between editions, amendments may be issued.

Standards may also be withdrawn. It is important that readers assure themselves they are
using a current Standard, which should include any amendments that may have been
published since the Standard was published.

Detailed information about Australian Standards, drafts, amendments and new projects can
be found by visiting www.standards.org.au

Standards Australia welcomes suggestions for improvements, and encourages readers to

notify us immediately of any apparent inaccuracies or ambiguities. Contact us via email at
mail@standards.org.au, or write to Standards Australia, GPO Box 476, Sydney, NSW 2001.
 AS 2845.2—2010

Australian Standard®
This is a free 9 page sample. Access the full version at http://infostore.saiglobal.com.

Water supply—Backflow preventions

devices

Part 2: Registered air gaps and

registered break tanks

First published as AS 2845.2—1994.

Third edition 2010.

COPYRIGHT
© Standards Australia
All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without the written
permission of the publisher.
Published by Standards Australia GPO Box 476, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia
ISBN 978 0 7337 9598 5
 AS 2845.2—2010 2

PREFACE
This Standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand
Committee WS-023, Backflow Prevention Devices for Water Supply, to supersede
AS 2845.2—1996, Water supply—Backflow prevention devices, Part 2: Air gaps and break
tanks.
After consultation with stakeholders in both countries, Standards Australia and Standards
New Zealand decided to develop this Standard as an Australian Standard rather than an
Australian/New Zealand Standard.
The objective of this Standard is to specify design and marking requirements for registered
break tanks and air gaps used as backflow prevention devices for the protection of water
distribution systems.
This Standard has been revised to meet requirements in AS/NZS 3500.1, Plumbing and
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Drainage, Part 1: Water services. Air gaps and break tanks should be recorded on a register
of backflow protection devices by the local authority.
The term ‘informative’ has been used in this Standard to define the application of the
appendix to which it applies. An ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and
guidance.
 3 AS 2845.2—2010

CONTENTS

Page

FOREWORD.............................................................................................................................. 4
1 SCOPE........................................................................................................................ 5
2 NORMATIVE REFERENCES ................................................................................... 5
3 DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................ 5
4 DESIGN...................................................................................................................... 6
5 MARKING ............................................................................................................... 10

APPENDIX A STORAGE TANKS—INFLOW AND OVERFLOW METHOD OF

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CALCULATION........................................................................................... 11
 AS 2845.2—2010 4

FOREWORD
This Standard is designed to provide protection of water distribution systems from
contamination. It should be read in conjunction with AS/NZS 2845.1, Water supply—
Backflow prevention devices, Part 1: Materials, design and performance requirements and
AS/NZS 3500.1, Plumbing and drainage, Part 1: Water services.
Local variations may apply and therefore the relevant regulatory authority’s requirements
must be complied with where requested. In particular, testable backflow prevention devices
may be registered with the local authority and their testing and maintenance requirements
observed.
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 5 AS 2845.2—2010

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard
Water supply—Backflow preventions devices

Part 2: Registered air gaps and registered break tanks

1 SCOPE
This Standard specifies requirements for registered air gaps, including those incorporated in
break tanks, used as backflow prevention devices for the protection of water supplies.

2 NORMATIVE REFERENCES
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The following are the normative documents referenced in this Standard:

NOTE: Documents referenced for informative purposes are listed in the Bibliography.
AS
2845 Water supply—Backflow prevention devices
2845.3 Part 3: Field testing and maintenance of testable devices
AS/NZS
2845 Water supply—Backflow prevention devices
2845.1 Part 1: Materials design and performance requirements
3500 Plumbing and drainage
3500.0 Part 0: Glossary of terms
3500.1 Part 1: Water services

3 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Standard, the definitions given in AS/NZS 3500.0 and those below
apply.
3.1 Air gap—Water supply system
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening
of a water service pipe or fixed outlet supplying water to a fixture or receptacle and the
highest possible water level of such fixture or receptacle.
3.2 Accessible
Capable of being reached for the purpose of inspection, maintenance, repair or replacement,
but may first require removal of an access panel, cover, door or similar obstruction
3.3 Break tank
A storage cistern or tank incorporating an air gap, specifically designed for the purpose of
backflow prevention.
3.4 Register
A record or means by which a record of information is recorded in a list or database for the
purpose of testing.
3.5 Spill level
The maximum height to which water will rise, while overflowing the rim level or through
channels or openings having a free discharge to the atmosphere under all conditions, when
water is flowing into the fixture or receptacle at the maximum rate, under a specified water
pressure with all service outlets closed.
www.standards.org.au © Standards Australia
 AS 2845.2—2010 6

3.6 Storage tank

A container for storing water.

4 DESIGN
4.1 General
Air gaps and break tanks shall comply with the following:
(a) Air gap dimensions shall comply with Table A3, Appendix A.
(b) Where any fixture, break tank, or receptacle receives water from two or more water
services of different diameters, the air gaps shall be no less than the air gaps required
for the largest effective opening of the water service outlets.
(c) Break tanks shall comply with the storage tank requirements of AS 3500.1 and shall
be one of the types complying with Clause 4.2.
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4.2 Break tanks

4.2.1 General
Break tanks shall be one of the following types:
(a) Type A break tank—Unobstructed air gap Where the air gap is measured in
accordance with the definition given in AS 3500.0.
(b) Type B break tank—Air gap with overflow Where the air gap is measured from the
highest point of the break tank spill level to the lowest point of the water inlet pipe.
(c) Type C break tank—Air gap with diverter and overflow Where the air gap is
measured from the lowest point of the air inlet pipe or air inlet orifice to the highest
point of the break tank spill level.
(d) Type E break tank—Hygienic air gap Any one of Types B and C sealed against
external contamination.
NOTE: Type D break tanks are no longer used.

© Standards Australia www.standards.org.au

 7 AS 2845.2—2010

4.2.2 Type A break tank unobstructed air gap

Type A break tank (see Figure 4.1) shall comply with the following:
(a) The device shall be positioned higher than the point of use, or pumping shall be used.
(b) Air gap (a) shall be measured between the lowest opening of the supply pipe, which
shall be situated above the break tank and the spill level. The air gap shall be
calculated in accordance with Table A3, Appendix A.
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FIGURE 4.1 TYPICAL ‘TYPE A’ BREAK TANK

4.2.3 Type B break tank air gap with overflow

A Type B air gap with overflow (see Figure 4.2) shall comply with the following:
(a) The device shall be positioned higher than the point of use, or pumping shall be used.
(b) The air gap (a) shall be measured between the lowest opening of the supply pipe in
the device and the spill level. Height above invert of overflow to spill level shall be
determined from Figures A1 to A3, Appendix A. The air gap shall be calculated in
accordance with Table A3, Appendix A.
(c) The internal diameter (d) of the overflow pipe shall be calculated in accordance with
Figures A1 to A3, Appendix A, to provide an outflow greater than maximum inflow
rate as calculated from Table A1, Appendix A.
(d) The device shall include an anti-siphon hole in the overflow pipe within a low
pressure airconditioning plenum chamber [see Figure 4.2(b)].

www.standards.org.au © Standards Australia

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AS 2845.2-2010, Water supply - Backflow

preventions devices Registered air gaps and
registered break tanks
This is a free 9 page sample. Access the full version at http://infostore.saiglobal.com.

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