Every faucet in a food business has to be protected against backflow, but most sink faucets get that protection from an air gap, not from a separate device. The faucets that usually need a backflow preventer are the ones with a hose or a threaded outlet, such as a mop sink service faucet, a pre-rinse sprayer or a hose bibb, because the end of the hose can sit in dirty water.
Shop the equipment in this article: faucets and plumbing supplies, floor mop sinks and hand sinks. Freight is included on every order.
A deck mount hand sink faucet whose spout ends well above the bowl, like our commercial hand sink faucet, the HFC-35, relies on the gap between the spout and the rim. A service faucet with a hose thread is a different case, and that is where most inspection questions come from.
What the Food Code says
The FDA Food Code (section 5-203.14) says the plumbing system has to be installed to stop backflow of any solid, liquid or gas contaminant into the water supply at each point of use, including a hose bibb when a hose is attached. It allows two ways to do that: an air gap (5-202.13) or an approved backflow prevention device (5-202.14).
- Air gap: the space between the water outlet and the flood level rim of the fixture has to be at least twice the diameter of the outlet, and never less than 1 inch.
- Backflow device: it has to meet the plumbing standard adopted for that type of device and application. Virginia’s adoption, for example, points to its building code.
- Location: the device has to be placed where it can be serviced and maintained (5-204.12).
Your local health department and plumbing inspector have the final say on which faucets need a device and which type they accept.
Faucets that usually rely on an air gap
A faucet with a fixed spout that ends above the rim of the sink can meet the rule with the air gap alone, as long as nothing connects the outlet to the water in the bowl. Common examples:
- Hand sink faucets, deck or wall mount, with a gooseneck spout above the bowl.
- Compartment sink faucets with a swing spout, as long as the spout stays above the rim.
- Bar sink faucets on underbar sinks.
The air gap is lost the moment someone pushes a hose onto the spout or lets a sprayer hang into the bowl. That is why inspectors look closely at anything with a hose.
Faucets that usually need a device
- Mop sink and service sink faucets. The hose end often lies in a bucket or in the mop sink basin, below the rim. Common practice is a service faucet with a built-in vacuum breaker.
- Hose bibbs. The Food Code names them directly: protection is required at a hose bibb when a hose is attached.
- Chemical dispensers fed from a faucet. Wall dispensers that mix cleaning chemicals with tap water are a common backflow concern. Follow the dispenser’s installation instructions and ask your plumber which device it needs.
- Pre-rinse sprayers and hose reels. The sprayer can drop into a full sink. Ask your plumber whether your local code wants a device on that line.
How to check a faucet you already have
- Look at the spout outlet. If it ends above the rim and nothing can reach the water, the air gap is doing the job.
- Measure the gap. It has to be at least twice the outlet diameter and at least 1 inch.
- Look for a hose thread. A threaded spout or a hose bibb with a hose attached needs a device.
- Find the device. A vacuum breaker is usually a small domed cap on top of the spout body or above the hose connection. It should be easy to reach for service.
- Check for leaks. A vacuum breaker that spits water every time the faucet shuts off may need a repair kit or replacement.
Our faucets and what they include
| Model | Type | Backflow protection listed on the page |
|---|---|---|
| TMWSF-865 | Wall mount service sink faucet, 8 in. centers, 6.5 in. spout with pail hook and hose thread | Built-in vacuum breaker and internal check valves |
| PPRS-12 | Wall mount pre-rinse assembly, 8 in. adjustable centers, spray hose and 12 in. swing spout | Not listed; ask your plumber |
| HFC-35 | Deck mount hand sink faucet, 4 in. centers, gooseneck spout | Air gap at the spout |
The TMWSF-865 also has integral supply stops and 1/4 turn ceramic cartridges, and as a non-powered item it has a 14-day return window from delivery. Our floor mop sinks come with a drain basket and a wall clip but no faucet, so plan the service faucet with the sink.
What to buy
- For a mop sink or janitor closet: a service faucet with a vacuum breaker from our commercial sink faucets, paired with one of our floor mop sinks.
- For hand sinks: a fixed gooseneck faucet such as the HFC-35, or a hand sink with the faucet included from our hand sinks.
- For a dish area: a pre-rinse assembly, installed by a plumber who confirms the local rule for the hose.
Freight to the 48 contiguous states is included in the price, and a licensed plumber should install any faucet that needs a backflow device.