AWWA Backflow Prevention Assembly
Testing: Key Procedures and
Troubleshooting Exam 2026 Questions
and Answers
When testing a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, there is
intermittent spitting from the relief valve. What is the possible cause of the
spitting? - Correct answer-supply pressure fluctuations
When testing the air inlet of a pressure vacuum breaker the hose(s) on the test kit
shall be connected in this manner: - Correct answer-High side hose to the #2
testcock
When testing the #1 check valve of a double check valve assembly you have
opened the #3 testcock to the atmosphere. The water recedes from the sight tube.
How do you proceed? - Correct answer-Lower the test kit to the centerline of the
assembly; record the reading as the static pressure drop across the #1 check valve.
Note that the #2 check valve and the #2 shut off valve are leaking and terminate the
test.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,As you move water from the high side of the #1 check valve to the low side of the
#2 check valve of a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, the
indicator on the test kit falls to the low end of the scale and the differential pressure
relief valve discharges a continuous stream of water. How do you proceed? -
Correct answer-Open the low side bleed needle valve to re-establish differential
pressure above the apparent differential pressure to give the #2 check a second
chance.
When testing a double check valve assembly and the #1 check valve fails you may
proceed in the following manner: - Correct answer-Fail the #1 check valve and
continue to test the #2 check valve
The correct procedure to test the #1 check valve of a double check valve assembly
is to: - Correct answer-Install the bleed arrangement on the #2 testcock before
purging air from the test kit
As you start to test the air inlet on a pressure vacuum breaker you close the #2 shut
off valve, raise your test kit to the appropriate elevation and close the #1 shut off
valve. You open the high side bleed needle valve one quarter turn. Water continues
to discharge from the high side bleed needle valve and the indicator on your test kit
remains at the high side of the scale. How do you proceed? - Correct answer-Open
the #1 testcock to compensate for a leaking #1 shut off valve.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, Regarding question #4, after you have opened the low side bleed needle valve and
re-established the differential pressure above the apparent differential pressure, you
close the low side bleed needle valve. Now you test kit indicates an acceptable
value for the actual differential pressure across the #1 check valve. How do you
proceed? - Correct answer-Accept the value as the actual differential pressure
across the #1 check valve
When testing the #2 check valve of a double check valve assembly you open the #4
testcock. Water continues to discharge from the sight tube and the bleed valve
arrangement, after you have opened the bleed valve arrangement completely on the
#3 testcock. How do you proceed? - Correct answer-Close the bleed valve
arrangement and open the #2 testcock to compensate for a leaking #1 shut off valve
When testing the #2 check valve of a double check valve assembly you open the #4
testcock. The water in the sight tube recedes. How do you proceed? - Correct
answer-Lower the test kit to the centerline of the assembly and record the reading
on the test kit noting the #2 shut off valve is leaking with demand.
When testing the #1 check valve of a double check valve assembly it is necessary
to use the bleed valve arrangement to compensate for a leaking #1 shut off valve.
The static pressure drop across the #1 check valve as indicated by the test kit is 0.6
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
Testing: Key Procedures and
Troubleshooting Exam 2026 Questions
and Answers
When testing a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, there is
intermittent spitting from the relief valve. What is the possible cause of the
spitting? - Correct answer-supply pressure fluctuations
When testing the air inlet of a pressure vacuum breaker the hose(s) on the test kit
shall be connected in this manner: - Correct answer-High side hose to the #2
testcock
When testing the #1 check valve of a double check valve assembly you have
opened the #3 testcock to the atmosphere. The water recedes from the sight tube.
How do you proceed? - Correct answer-Lower the test kit to the centerline of the
assembly; record the reading as the static pressure drop across the #1 check valve.
Note that the #2 check valve and the #2 shut off valve are leaking and terminate the
test.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,As you move water from the high side of the #1 check valve to the low side of the
#2 check valve of a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, the
indicator on the test kit falls to the low end of the scale and the differential pressure
relief valve discharges a continuous stream of water. How do you proceed? -
Correct answer-Open the low side bleed needle valve to re-establish differential
pressure above the apparent differential pressure to give the #2 check a second
chance.
When testing a double check valve assembly and the #1 check valve fails you may
proceed in the following manner: - Correct answer-Fail the #1 check valve and
continue to test the #2 check valve
The correct procedure to test the #1 check valve of a double check valve assembly
is to: - Correct answer-Install the bleed arrangement on the #2 testcock before
purging air from the test kit
As you start to test the air inlet on a pressure vacuum breaker you close the #2 shut
off valve, raise your test kit to the appropriate elevation and close the #1 shut off
valve. You open the high side bleed needle valve one quarter turn. Water continues
to discharge from the high side bleed needle valve and the indicator on your test kit
remains at the high side of the scale. How do you proceed? - Correct answer-Open
the #1 testcock to compensate for a leaking #1 shut off valve.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, Regarding question #4, after you have opened the low side bleed needle valve and
re-established the differential pressure above the apparent differential pressure, you
close the low side bleed needle valve. Now you test kit indicates an acceptable
value for the actual differential pressure across the #1 check valve. How do you
proceed? - Correct answer-Accept the value as the actual differential pressure
across the #1 check valve
When testing the #2 check valve of a double check valve assembly you open the #4
testcock. Water continues to discharge from the sight tube and the bleed valve
arrangement, after you have opened the bleed valve arrangement completely on the
#3 testcock. How do you proceed? - Correct answer-Close the bleed valve
arrangement and open the #2 testcock to compensate for a leaking #1 shut off valve
When testing the #2 check valve of a double check valve assembly you open the #4
testcock. The water in the sight tube recedes. How do you proceed? - Correct
answer-Lower the test kit to the centerline of the assembly and record the reading
on the test kit noting the #2 shut off valve is leaking with demand.
When testing the #1 check valve of a double check valve assembly it is necessary
to use the bleed valve arrangement to compensate for a leaking #1 shut off valve.
The static pressure drop across the #1 check valve as indicated by the test kit is 0.6
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3