What should a Queensland plumbing business record for backflow testing?

Who registers, tests and notifies

Section 101 requires local governments to register testable devices and monitor maintenance and testing. Section 102 makes the premises owner responsible for registration, with exceptions where it has already been registered or the relevant licensee has given the required notice. After registration, the owner must arrange a backflow prevention licensee to maintain and test the device at least once each year.

Section 103 covers installing or removing a testable device and maintaining and testing it. Within 10 business days after that relevant work, the licensee must give the approved notice to both the local government and the owner. Form 9 is the approved registration and testing form; keep both recipients in your close-out checklist.

Sources[1][2]

What Form 9 asks for

Form 9 (Version 3, 2024) says completion of all applicable sections is mandatory. Use this as a guide to what your own records should hold before the form is completed.

Sources[2]

Your own tracking checklist

Use this suggested admin checklist alongside Form 9. Set the actual statutory due date for the work, allowing for applicable public holidays, and record when each recipient received the notice. Replace every square bracket.

BACKFLOW DEVICE TRACKING (our admin checklist, not Form 9)

Device ID and serial number: [number]
Site: [address or lot and plan]   Local government area: [council]
Owner or occupier: [name, contact]
Device type and protection type: [as on Form 9]
Location of device: [description]
Test type: [installation or registration / standard / commissioning / decommissioning and removal]
Test date and time: [DD/MM/YYYY, time]
Result: [pass / fail, as recorded on Form 9]
Authorised tester: [name, licence numbers]

Form 9 completed: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Statutory notice due date (10 business days after relevant work): [DD/MM/YYYY]
Sent to local government: [DD/MM/YYYY, method]
Sent to owner: [DD/MM/YYYY, method]
Owner acknowledgement received: [DD/MM/YYYY or not yet]
Next test due: [DD/MM/YYYY, at least annually after registration, plus any applicable council directions]

Sources[2][1]

Common questions

What are the backflow prevention requirements in Queensland?

For a testable device, check registration with the local government, the owner's annual maintenance and testing arrangement, and Form 9 notification. Sections 102 and 103 set the owner and licensee duties, including notice to both the owner and local government within 10 business days of relevant work.[1][2]

How often does a backflow need to be tested?

Under section 102(4), the premises owner must arrange for a backflow prevention licensee to maintain and test the device at least once each year after it is registered. Confirm the device's registration and next due date with the owner and local government.[1][2]