SIST EN 13078:2004

Devices to prevent pollution by backflow of potable water - Air gap with submerged feed incorporating air inlet plus overflow - Family A, type C

This European Standard specifies the characteristics and the requirements of air gaps with submerged feed incorporating air inlet and an overflow, Family A, type C. Air gaps are devices for protection of potable water in water installations from pollution. This standard applies to air gaps in factory assembled products and to constructed air gaps in situ and defines the physico-chemical characteristics of materials of construction used for the purpose and application to ensure compliance with this standard during normal working use.
Annex A specifies the vacuum test.

Sicherungseinrichtungen zum Schutz des Trinkwassers gegen Verschmutzung durch Rückfließen - Freier Auslauf mit belüftetem Tauchrohr und Überlauf - Familie A, Typ C

Diese Europäische Norm legt die Eigenschaften und Anforderungen für freie Ausläufe mit belüftetem Tauchrohr und Überlauf, Familie A, Typ C, fest. Freie Ausläufe sind Sicherungseinrichtungen zum Schutz des Trinkwassers vor Verunreinigungen in Trinkwasser-Installationen. Die Norm gilt für freie Ausläufe von fabrikmäßig montierten Bauteilen sowie für vor Ort gebaute freie Ausläufe und definiert die physikalisch-chemischen Eigenschaften der Konstruktionswerkstoffe, die gebrauchstauglich und für den Anwendungs-zweck geeignet sind, um im normalen Betrieb eine Übereinstimmung mit dieser Norm sicherzustellen.
Anhang A enthält Festlegungen für die Vakuumprüfung.

Dispositifs de protection contre la pollution de l'eau potable par retour - Surverse avec alimentation immergée incorporant une entrée d'air et un trop plein - Famille A, type C

La présente Norme européenne spécifie les caractéristiques et les exigences relatives aux surverses avec alimentation immergée incorporant une entrée d'air et un trop plein de la Famille A et du type C. Les surverses sont des dispositifs destinés à protéger contre la pollution l'eau potable des réseaux intérieurs. La présente norme s'applique à la fois aux surverses intégrées dans des produits assemblés en usine et aux surverses montées sur le terrain. Elle définit les caractéristiques physico-chimiques des matériaux de construction utilisés dans le cadre de cette application afin de garantir la conformité à la présente norme dans des conditions de service normal.
L'Annexe A spécifie l'essai au vide.

Naprave za varovanje pred onesnaženjem pitne vode zaradi povratnega toka - Prosti iztok s potopljeno cevjo in ozračenim prelivom - Družina A, tip C

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2004
• ICS: 13.060.20 - Drinking water
• ICS: 23.060.99 - Other valves
• ICS: 91.140.60 - Water supply systems
• Technical Committee: IOVO - Water supply and waste water engineering
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-May-2004
• Due Date: 01-May-2004
• Completion Date: 01-May-2004
• Directive: Harmonized Standard305/2011 - Regulation (eu) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 march 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing council directive 89/106/eec
• Directive:

  ---

  Not Harmonized89/106/EEC - Construction products
• Ref Project: EN 13078:2003 - Devices to prevent pollution by backflow of potable water - Air gap with submerged feed incorporating air inlet plus overflow - Family A, type C

Relations

• Refers: SIST EN 1717:2001 - Protection against pollution of potable water in water installations and general requirements of devices to prevent pollution by backflow
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: SIST EN 837-1:1997 - Pressure gauges - Part 1: Bourdon tube pressure gauges - Dimensions, metrology, requirements and testing
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 1717:2025 - Protection against pollution of water intended for human consumption in potable water installations and general requirements for devices to prevent pollution by backflow
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 806-5:2012 - Specification for installations inside buildings conveying water for human consumption - Part 5: Operation and Maintenance
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 18035:2026 - Prestressing steels - Waxed and sheathed strands for construction applications
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

SIST EN 13078:2004 is a European Standard developed by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST) that establishes requirements for devices preventing the pollution of potable water caused by backflow. Specifically, the document addresses air gaps with submerged feed incorporating air inlet plus overflow (Family A, type C). These devices serve as vital barriers in water supply systems, ensuring that drinking water remains uncontaminated by preventing cross-connection and the risk of backflow from non-potable sources.

The standard covers both factory-assembled products and air gaps constructed in situ. It outlines the responsibilities for materials selection, construction, testing (including the vacuum test in Annex A), and marking requirements, enabling compliance during regular operation.

Key Topics

• Device Functionality:
  Air gap devices work by maintaining a permanent, vertical distance between the lowest point of the water supply inlet and the critical water level (the maximum water level reached in the receiving vessel after the supply is closed). This prevents backflow and potential contamination of potable water lines.

• Scope of Application:
  The standard applies to:

  • Factory-assembled air gap products
  • Air gaps constructed on-site (in situ)

• Material Requirements:

  • Materials in contact with potable water must meet European and national standards
  • Compatibility is required among all materials used

• Construction and Installation:

  • Devices include a water inlet device, receiving vessel, air inlet orifice, and overflow arrangement
  • Fixing and securing of all components is mandatory
  • No adjustable or removable joints are permitted below the critical water level
  • All overflows must have an air break before connecting to drains

• Testing and Verification:

  • Air gaps must be verified by physical testing
  • Annex A details the vacuum test for ensuring the efficacy of the air gap in preventing backflow
  • Marking requirements ensure product traceability and compliance

Applications

SIST EN 13078:2004 is relevant for:

• Designers and manufacturers of water supply components where there is a need to protect potable water installations against contamination.
• Water utilities, plumbing contractors, and facility managers who must ensure installations comply with safety standards for potable water.
• Construction projects in a variety of buildings including residential complexes, hospitals, schools, and public facilities where safeguarding drinking water purity is critical.
• Situations where water tanks, cisterns, or storage vessels are installed and there is a risk of contaminated water flowing back into the potable supply.

By implementing air gaps according to this standard, stakeholders ensure legal compliance and public health protection against waterborne hazards.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive approach to potable water protection, consider the following related standards:

• EN 1717:2000 - Protection against pollution of potable water in water installations and general requirements of devices to prevent pollution by backflow.
• EN 837-1 - Pressure gauges – Bourdon tube pressure gauges – Dimensions, metrology, requirements and testing.
• Other standards on water supply systems and valves under ICS codes 13.060.20 (Drinking water), 23.060.99 (Other valves), and 91.140.60 (Water supply systems).

SIST EN 13078:2004 works in conjunction with these standards to provide a robust framework for hygienic, reliable water installation design and operation.

---

Keywords: potable water, backflow prevention, air gap device, water installations, pollution protection, overflow air gap, SIST EN 13078, European water standards, plumbing compliance, factory-assembled devices, in situ construction, drinking water safety.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Sicherungseinrichtungen zum Schutz des Trinkwassers gegen Verschmutzung durch Rückfließen - Freier Auslauf mit belüftetem Tauchrohr und Überlauf - Familie A, Typ CDispositifs de protection contre la pollution de l'eau potable par retour - Surverse avec alimentation immergée incorporant une entrée d'air et un trop plein - Famille A, type CDevices to prevent pollution by backflow of potable water - Air gap with submerged feed incorporating air inlet plus overflow - Family A, type C91.140.60Sistemi za oskrbo z vodoWater supply systems23.060.99Drugi ventiliOther valves13.060.20Pitna vodaDrinking waterICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13078:2003SIST EN 13078:2004en01-maj-2004SIST EN 13078:2004SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 13078November 2003ICS 13.060.20; 23.060.99English versionDevices to prevent pollution by backflow of potable water - Airgap with submerged feed incorporating air inlet plus overflow -Family A, type CDispositifs de protection contre la pollution de l'eau potablepar retour - Surverse avec alimentation immergéeincorporant une entrée d'air et un trop plein - Famille A,type CSicherungseinrichtungen zum Schutz des Trinkwassersgegen Verschmutzung durch Rückfließen - Freier Auslaufmit belüftetem Tauchrohr und Überlauf - Familie A, Typ CThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 1 September 2003.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the Management Centre or to any CEN member.This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UnitedKingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2003 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 13078:2003 ESIST EN 13078:2004

Vacuum test.11A.1General.11A.2Principle.11A.3Apparatus.11A.4Procedure.11SIST EN 13078:2004
...