Balloon-Type Ball Backwater Valve Selected As Joint Canada-U.S. Standards Pilot Project

OTTAWA — The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) has announced the selection of the balloon-type ball backwater valve as the product topic for the plumbing/heating sector joint Canada-U.S. Standard pilot project. The pilot project, one of two bi-national pilots launched in July, is focused on new or emerging product areas where neither standards nor regulations currently exist.
A selection panel of Canada-U.S. industry representatives, including members of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) and several U.S. organizations, evaluated project submissions and determined that standards development for balloon-type ball backwater valves would benefit the greatest number of Canadian and American users.
These valves are used in drainage pipes where reversal of flow causes the valve to close-off and prevent sewage from potentially causing extensive flood damage. With the increased incidence of flood risk and the cost of installing backwater valves, especially in residential retrofits, this product will have a valuable impact in the marketplace.
SCC will solicit proposals from accredited standards development organizations (SDOs), and provide as-needed funding to facilitate the development of a joint Canada-U.S. voluntary standard for balloon-type backwater valves. In order to be selected, entities must be accredited to develop national standards in both countries—whether as a single SDO with dual accreditation, or through a partnership of U.S.-Canada SDOs. The joint standard, when completed, will be submitted for approval by both the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and SCC. www.scc.ca.