Doing some review of my state’s sop’s…
The inspector shall report as deficient the absence of (III) back-flow devices, anti-siphon devices, or air gaps at the flow end of fixtures.
I would think most that bidet-toilet seats have backflow prevention built-in to the device, or I at least can’t tell if they do or not… but what about these spray hose attachments that connect directly to the water supply? Do these require a backflow prevention valve, in your opinion?
Wouldn’t there be an air gap? At least in all but the most “bizarre” conditions, lol.
Yes, every single time, with any fixture that there is a risk of cross-contamination!
Can they dribble piss on it?
Can they crap on it?
Can they drop it in a contaminated toilet bowl?
If you answer yes to any of this then yes it needs baclflow protection.
I see a lot of second source hoses being used for this purpose and have yet to find one that has integral or attached backflow protection on it.
Well I’m trying to compare this to a garden hose water supply, where I know one is required.
In the picture above, some water remains in the hose after each spray. So yes there is an air gap at the end of the hose, but maybe some foreign material could enter the hose, at which point it has re-entered the water supply? And of course, the hose might be dropped into the toilet, since it is designed to be used while you’re sitting on the toilet?
Thank you sir.
yea, beat me to it. doing some research into some brand name products to see if any come with it…
This one says “backflow preventer” in the product title, but doesn’t show it or mention it in the details:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Amucolo-Handheld-Bidet-Sprayer-Brass-Cloth-Diaper-Toilet-Sprayer-Attachment-with-Bidet-Hose-Backflow-Preventer-for-Self-Cleaning-YeaD-CYD0-UW8/325484995
I wonder if the spring loaded handle could be considered a check valve?
yea I was curious about that too.
I found another brand that advertises the existence of a backflow prevention valve…
I don’t know where else it could be, the valve at the T is a gate valve, correct?
You can take the sprayer handle off though… an unlikely scenario but still possible. Super-soaker mode.
HAH that’s funny but so true!! 
You also need to be careful when checking these out to make sure they are an approved device for that purpose even though they state it has backflow protection. I used to check that crap out (no pun intended) but of maybe one or two I have ever seen that claimed backflow protection was present none were actually approved. Also so many either didn’t have manufacturer info on them or I wouldn’t touch them with someone else’ hand (NASTY!!). Also even if it looks clean I don’t want to handle it to get the information. So now I don’t even bother wasting the time anymore an instead just write them up and tell the client to verify it either by having the owner provide the documentation or looking online themselves. They do get the explanation about the dangers of having one that is not equipped or not approved.
The only thing it’s going to check are your nuts if you lose control of it!
I would have to think that if they are advertising that, then it is required in many places, and a good idea even if not required.
I write them all up, if by chance one in a thousand has the safety device built-in, so be it.
Notice how the one in the OP’s photos has the wall & toilet tank mount reversed? If they can’t even get that right…
reasonable advice, thanks.
the inevitable follow-up questions:
-what sort of component is needed? what exactly is the solution?
-are we also saying that the kitchen dish sprayer is liable to backflow greywater? (edit: maybe the weighted return effectively creates an air-gap?)
Absolutely!!
Did you not read or understand my prior post?..
I wont bother asking about the detachable shower head… So do you personally write up kitchen sprayers and shower heads for lacking backflow prevention?
Why? It’s a bigger threat than the kitchen sink sprayer, as most people don’t use those very often, and very few people fill the sink with water to wash the dishes anymore.
Kitchen sprayers that do not have a hose holder or functioning hose holder to prevent them from being submersed should be written up. Detachable shower hoses that can touch the floor or below the level of a shower curb should be written up.
If you really want to go the extra mile IAPMO does have a product search directory here that helps display if a product is in compliance with ASME A112.18.1 which is the backflow standard doc. You do need to be careful though since a product might have been approved but the original product has been modified. For example a detachable shower head that was approved with a 42" hose might have had the hose part changed to an 82" hose that would reach the floor.
Ooops forgot the IAPMO link https://iapmo.org/ .
Gotta say that I had not considered a backflow preventer on a bidet and probably won’t going forward. I don’t inspect bidets partly because I am not quite sure how to do it. Drop my trousers to see how well it “freshens” my behind? Put on goggles, close my mouth, and try to shield the spray with my hand? How do I judge good pressure and flow? How many functions on a high-end bidet do I operate?
I disclaim them and move on.
