Is it possible to install a smaller backflow preventer device than the plumbing size?

Reducing the diameter of the device will influence the water flow speed and pressure. If the same flow should be maintained, a reduction in the diameter will cause an increase in the flow of water. In order to understand the reason why the flow speed increases, it is necessary to assess its relationship with the area of the transverse section. The speed and the area of the transverse section have an inversely proportional relationship, that is when the area is twice smaller, the speed will be twice as fast if the flow remains the same.

In this case, the diameter of the device is reduced, which will reduce the area of the transverse section and increase the speed. Depending on speed, the flow of water can be laminar or turbulent. For a lower speed, the flow is laminar or stable and predictable while for a higher speed, the flow is turbulent or irregular as well as disorderly, which will result in a difference in speed between the different particles. This type of flow will worsen the sound problems, load losses or in other words pressure losses and an acceleration of erosion of the device and other plumbing components which will not reach their complete lifespan. In addition, the nominal flow or the reference flow depends on the diameter of the component or the piping. For example, a 3-inch water meter (7.62 cm) placed upstream of the device has a nominal flow of 320 gallons per minute (GPM) while the 2-inch device (5.08 cm) has a nominal flow of 160 GPM. When the water with a speed of 320 GPM will go through the device, the water speed will increase to accommodate this flow which has exceeded the nominal flow of the 2-inch (5.08 cm) device.

The other consequence of reducing the diameter of the device is the pressure loss. The lack of pressure and flow will affect the quality of life. Indeed, a shower head that has low pressure is much less pleasant. Pressure loss per friction has a relationship proportional to the square of the speed. When the speed is doubled, the pressure loss is quadrupled. Pressure losses can be converted into meters with the length and diameter of the piping. Article A-2.6.3.1. paragraph 2 of Chapter III - Plumbing of the Construction Code describes the simplified methods to calculate the minimum pipe diameter which will avoid too high flow speeds and pressure losses in the drinking water network.

There are solutions to solve these problems. For the lack of pressure, an overpressure pump can be added to the network and acoustic insulation will be able to solve noise problems, but this goes against the original goal which was to save money. In addition, the backflow preventer device would need to be replaced since a high speed will cause a premature erosion.

In conclusion, installing a smaller backflow preventer device than that of the piping will not be less costly, on the contrary, the costs as well as the speed and pressure problems will increase.This is why it is not recommended to install a smaller size device.

Reduction of the size of a backflow preventer device