Texas Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Licensing
Exam Test Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a backflow prevention
assembly?
a) Increase water pressure
b) Reduce water consumption
c) Prevent contamination of the public water supply
d) Filter out sediment
Rationale: The main function of a backflow prevention assembly is to
prevent contaminants from entering the potable water supply.
2. What type of backflow occurs when the pressure in the supply line drops
below atmospheric pressure?
a) Backpressure
b) Back-siphonage
c) Thermal expansion
d) Hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: Back-siphonage occurs when negative pressure in the supply
line allows water to be drawn back from a potentially contaminated
source.
,3. Which device uses a check valve and an air inlet to prevent backflow?
a) Pressure vacuum breaker
b) Double check valve assembly
c) Reduced pressure principle assembly
d) Atmospheric vacuum breaker
Rationale: An atmospheric vacuum breaker has a check valve and an air
inlet to prevent backflow due to back-siphonage.
4. What is the minimum distance an atmospheric vacuum breaker must be
installed above the highest downstream outlet?
a) 6 inches
b) 12 inches
c) 6 inches
d) 12 feet
Rationale: The Texas Plumbing Code requires an atmospheric vacuum
breaker to be installed at least 6 inches above the highest downstream
outlet.
5. Which assembly is required for high-hazard conditions where toxic
substances could enter the potable water system?
a) Double check valve assembly
b) Pressure vacuum breaker
c) Reduced pressure principle assembly
d) Atmospheric vacuum breaker
Rationale: Reduced pressure principle assemblies are designed to protect
against both backpressure and back-siphonage in high-hazard situations.
,6. What is the correct testing frequency for a reduced pressure principle
assembly in Texas?
a) Annually
b) Every 12 months
c) Every 6 months
d) Only after installation
Rationale: Texas requires annual testing of RP assemblies to ensure
continued protection of the water supply.
7. Which of the following could cause a double check valve assembly to fail?
a) High water pressure
b) Debris trapped in the check valves
c) Low water temperature
d) Excessive chlorine
Rationale: Debris can prevent the check valves from seating properly,
leading to failure.
8. Backpressure is best described as:
a) Water flowing backward due to siphon action
b) Pressure in the downstream system exceeding supply pressure
c) Water hammer in pipes
d) Reduced flow at fixtures
Rationale: Backpressure occurs when the pressure downstream is higher
than the supply pressure, potentially causing contamination.
9. What is a common sign that a backflow prevention assembly may need
repair?
, a) Low water consumption
b) Increased water flow
c) Leakage through the relief valve
d) Discoloration of pipes
Rationale: Relief valve leakage indicates internal components are failing
and the assembly may not provide protection.
10.Which tool is essential for testing a reduced pressure principle assembly?
a) Pipe wrench
b) Screwdriver
c) Differential pressure gauge kit
d) Hammer
Rationale: Differential pressure gauges measure the internal pressure
differences necessary to verify RP assembly operation.
11.What is the main hazard that a pressure vacuum breaker protects against?
a) Backpressure
b) Back-siphonage
c) Thermal expansion
d) Freezing
Rationale: Pressure vacuum breakers prevent back-siphonage in systems
where negative pressure could draw contaminants into the water supply.
12.When installing a double check valve assembly, the assembly must be:
a) Underground
b) Installed in an accessible location for testing
c) Enclosed in a cabinet with a lock
Exam Test Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a backflow prevention
assembly?
a) Increase water pressure
b) Reduce water consumption
c) Prevent contamination of the public water supply
d) Filter out sediment
Rationale: The main function of a backflow prevention assembly is to
prevent contaminants from entering the potable water supply.
2. What type of backflow occurs when the pressure in the supply line drops
below atmospheric pressure?
a) Backpressure
b) Back-siphonage
c) Thermal expansion
d) Hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: Back-siphonage occurs when negative pressure in the supply
line allows water to be drawn back from a potentially contaminated
source.
,3. Which device uses a check valve and an air inlet to prevent backflow?
a) Pressure vacuum breaker
b) Double check valve assembly
c) Reduced pressure principle assembly
d) Atmospheric vacuum breaker
Rationale: An atmospheric vacuum breaker has a check valve and an air
inlet to prevent backflow due to back-siphonage.
4. What is the minimum distance an atmospheric vacuum breaker must be
installed above the highest downstream outlet?
a) 6 inches
b) 12 inches
c) 6 inches
d) 12 feet
Rationale: The Texas Plumbing Code requires an atmospheric vacuum
breaker to be installed at least 6 inches above the highest downstream
outlet.
5. Which assembly is required for high-hazard conditions where toxic
substances could enter the potable water system?
a) Double check valve assembly
b) Pressure vacuum breaker
c) Reduced pressure principle assembly
d) Atmospheric vacuum breaker
Rationale: Reduced pressure principle assemblies are designed to protect
against both backpressure and back-siphonage in high-hazard situations.
,6. What is the correct testing frequency for a reduced pressure principle
assembly in Texas?
a) Annually
b) Every 12 months
c) Every 6 months
d) Only after installation
Rationale: Texas requires annual testing of RP assemblies to ensure
continued protection of the water supply.
7. Which of the following could cause a double check valve assembly to fail?
a) High water pressure
b) Debris trapped in the check valves
c) Low water temperature
d) Excessive chlorine
Rationale: Debris can prevent the check valves from seating properly,
leading to failure.
8. Backpressure is best described as:
a) Water flowing backward due to siphon action
b) Pressure in the downstream system exceeding supply pressure
c) Water hammer in pipes
d) Reduced flow at fixtures
Rationale: Backpressure occurs when the pressure downstream is higher
than the supply pressure, potentially causing contamination.
9. What is a common sign that a backflow prevention assembly may need
repair?
, a) Low water consumption
b) Increased water flow
c) Leakage through the relief valve
d) Discoloration of pipes
Rationale: Relief valve leakage indicates internal components are failing
and the assembly may not provide protection.
10.Which tool is essential for testing a reduced pressure principle assembly?
a) Pipe wrench
b) Screwdriver
c) Differential pressure gauge kit
d) Hammer
Rationale: Differential pressure gauges measure the internal pressure
differences necessary to verify RP assembly operation.
11.What is the main hazard that a pressure vacuum breaker protects against?
a) Backpressure
b) Back-siphonage
c) Thermal expansion
d) Freezing
Rationale: Pressure vacuum breakers prevent back-siphonage in systems
where negative pressure could draw contaminants into the water supply.
12.When installing a double check valve assembly, the assembly must be:
a) Underground
b) Installed in an accessible location for testing
c) Enclosed in a cabinet with a lock
