Frequently Asked Questions
Backflow Test Kits – Certification & Repair
- Where do I send my backflow test kits (gauges) for certification and/or repair?
- All backflow test kits (gauges) should be shipped directly to our repair center in Sellersville, Pennsylvania.
CLICK HERE for a Shipping Form that includes instructions on how and where to ship your kits. - How often do backflow test kits (gauges) need to be tested?
- Requirements for testing and re-calibration are set by your local jurisdiction, usually a municipality or water authority. Typically kits are required to be tested once a year, but some local regulations can be as short as 6 months or as long as three years.
- What is turnaround time on certification/calibration?
- Normal turnaround time to test, calibrate and certify backflow test kits is 2 to 3 business days after receipt of the kits.
- How long is a calibration certificate valid for?
- Calibration certificates are valid for one year from the test date.
- Can I get a longer certification period?
- Yes - one year is typical, however, upon request we can certify test kits for two or three year time frames.
Backflow Test Kits – New Kits
- What is difference between a 3-valve and a 5-valve test kit?
- With a 5-valve kit you do not need to disconnect hoses to vent the system. All our 5-valve kits have a built in bleed line so test procedures can be completed without disconnecting any hoses which saves time.
- Unless otherwise specified, all orders are shipped via UPS within:
- Gage-it and Mid-West kits - 1 to 2 business days
- Conbraco and Watts kits - 2 to 3 business days
Faster shipping methods (next day or 2nd day air) are available upon request. - Where can I get test procedure instructions?
- CLICK HERE for a handy PDF detailing standard procedures for testing a backflow preventer valve.
Pressure Gauges – Certification & Repair
- Where do I send my gauges for certification and/or repair?
- All gauges should be shipped directly to our repair center in Sellersville, Pennsylvania.
CLICK HERE for a Shipping Form that includes instructions on how and where to ship your gauges. - What is NIST Certification?
- NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) calibration provides a serial numbered gauge or instrument along with a certificate of calibration that it has been calibrated/certified in accordance to the pressure instrument standards with instruments that are traceable to NIST.
- Can Gage-it Certify Gauges to ISO Standards?
- Certification to ISO 9001 and/or ISO 17025 is available upon request via a third party accredited lab.
- What is the turnaround time on gauge certification and/or repair?
- Typical turnaround time is 1 to 2 weeks. Expedited certification and/or repair service is available upon request.
- What is the maximum pressure range that Gage-it can certify a gauge to?
- Gage-it is capable of calibrating and certifying pressure gauges from inches water column up to 100,000 psi.
- What is instrument oxygen cleaning?
- Oxygen cleaning and degreasing is required for all gauges that are used for oxygen (O2) service. The cleaning removes oil, grease and other hydrocarbons that can react violently with oxygen potentially resulting in explosions, fire, and injury to personnel and property.
Pressure Gauges – New Gauges
- What pressure range should I select?
- Select a gauge with a range that is approximately twice the maximum operating pressure. Too low a range may result in fatigue of the elastic element in the gauge from high operating stress and/or pressure transients that exceed the normal operating pressure. Too high a range may provide gauge readings with insufficient resolution for the application.
- How long will it take to ship new gauge?
- All in-stock gages ship within 1 to 2 business days.
- What is difference between a crimped ring and a bayonet ring?
- A bayonet ring is removable which allows the gauge to be recalibrated. This type of gauge can have a longer life and is ideal for testing applications. A crimped ring is not removable and if the gauge goes off of zero it cannot be fixed and must be discarded. Crimped ring gauges are typically used as a general-purpose replacement gauge.
- Why would I use a liquid filled gauge vs. a dampened movement gauge?
- In applications where there is vibration or pulsation on the line, liquid filling enables reading of the dial pointer by dampening the movement. In addition, liquid filling extends the life of a gauge by reducing resonance induced fracturing and frictional wear, preventing condensation, and improving reliability. Dampened movement gauges provide the same function without the use of a liquid fill and thus are cleaner and eliminate the potential for leaking. Pulsation dampeners and snubbers are alternative devices which can be also be used to dampen vibration and pulsation.
- What is a diaphragm seal and when should it be used?
- A diaphragm seal is an isolating device attached to the inlet connection of a pressure gauge or instrument that is designed indirectly transmit system pressures by segregating the process pressure with a thin flexible membrane that in turn transfers the pressure through a fill fluid to the instrument. Diaphragm seals are typically used in applications where corrosives, slurries or viscous fluids are present in order to protect the gauge from damage. In addition, they are also found in applications with extreme temperatures and can also be used in conjunction with capillaries to further distance the instrument from the process media.
- When should I use a thermowell?
- A thermowell protects instrument sensing elements from corrosion damage caused by the process media. In addition, it permits changing instruments and calibration checks without closing down the process or loss of costly process fluids.
- How often must sprinkler gauges be replaced?
- NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) regulations require that sprinkler gauges be replaced within five years from the date on the dial.
