Texas Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester
Licensing Exam Questions and Correct
Answers
Question 1
Any Cross connection control assembly providing protection against an actual public
health hazard is to be tested
Correct Answer
Upon Installation, Annually, and As required by the local ordinances
Question 2
When the air inlet valve opens, the pressure in the body of the pressurized vacuum
breaker assembly must be
Correct Answer
at least 1 psi above atmospheric pressure
Question 3
The pressure generated by a column of water 27.25 inches (2.31 feet) high is ___ psi
Correct Answer
1
Page 1 of 96
,Question 4
Test cocks on reduced pressure principle assemblies are intended for
Correct Answer
flushing debris and testing the assembly
uestion 1: What is the primary purpose of a backflow prevention assembly in a public
water system?
A. To increase water pressure for residential fire suppression systems
B. To prevent the contamination or pollution of the potable water supply by
reversing flow
C. To filter out suspended sediment and dissolved minerals from raw water sources
D. To regulate and measure volumetric water consumption for billing purposes
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To prevent the contamination or pollution of the potable water
supply by reversing flow
Rationale: The fundamental purpose of any approved backflow prevention assembly
is to protect the public potable water distribution system from cross-connection
contamination caused by backflow events.
Question 2: Which hydraulic condition occurs when the pressure in the potable water
supply main drops below atmospheric pressure, creating a vacuum?
A. Backpressure
B. Back-siphonage
C. Thermal expansion
D. Water hammer
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Back-siphonage
Rationale: Back-siphonage is caused by a sub-atmospheric or negative pressure
condition in the supply piping, which can draw non-potable liquids backward into
the drinking water system.
Question 3: What condition must exist for backpressure to occur within a plumbing or
water distribution system?
A. Downstream pressure must exceed the supply pressure in the potable water main
Page 2 of 96
,B. Supply pressure must drop completely to zero or become negative relative to the
atmosphere
C. The system must operate exclusively under gravity drainage without any
mechanical pumps
D. The water temperature must rise rapidly, causing an instantaneous drop in fluid
density
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Downstream pressure must exceed the supply pressure in the
potable water main
Rationale: Backpressure results when a downstream source (such as a booster
pump, elevated piping, or thermal expansion) creates a pressure greater than the
supply pressure, forcing water backward.
Question 4: Which of the following defines an actual or potential cross-connection
between a potable water system and any non-potable source?
A. A closed isolation valve installed on a main supply line
B. Any physical connection through which unsafe substances could enter drinking
water
C. A parallel piping arrangement utilizing separate water meters
D. An open atmospheric discharge point with a properly sized air gap
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Any physical connection through which unsafe substances
could enter drinking water
Rationale: A cross-connection is defined as any actual or potential physical
connection between a potable water supply and any source of pollution or
contamination.
Question 5: What is the physical air gap separation distance required between the
lowest point of a water supply outlet and the flood rim of a receiving vessel?
A. Exactly one-half inch regardless of pipe size
B. Equal to the exact diameter of the supply pipe
C. At least twice the diameter of the supply pipe
D. At least twice the diameter of the supply pipe or a minimum of one inch, or 1.5
times depending on code, but typically defined as twice the effective opening
diameter or specified by local plumbing codes*
Page 3 of 96
, (Wait, let's look at standard code: minimum air gap is typically twice the diameter of
the supply outlet, or 1.5 times in some contexts. Let's make the options unambiguous.)
Let's refine Question 5: Question 5: According to standard cross-connection control
criteria, what is the minimum acceptable air gap separation between a potable water
supply outlet and the flood rim of a receiving fixture?
A. Equal to the diameter of the supply pipe
B. Twice the diameter of the supply pipe, with a specified minimum
C. Exactly one inch under all operating conditions
D. Half the diameter of the supply pipe
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Twice the diameter of the supply pipe, with a specified
minimum
Rationale: An air gap must provide complete physical separation, typically requiring
a minimum distance of two times the diameter of the supply outlet (or established
plumbing code rules).
Question 6: Which backflow assembly provides the highest level of protection and is
approved for high-hazard cross-connections involving toxic substances?
A. Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)
B. Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)
C. Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly (RP)
D. Dual Check Valve with Atmospheric Vent
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly (RP)
Rationale: The Reduced Pressure Principle assembly features an independently
operating differential pressure relief valve between two spring-loaded check valves,
making it suitable for high-hazard containment.
Question 7: A Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA) is generally approved for use in
which type of hazard application?
A. Low-hazard non-health hazards where aesthetic qualities are affected
B. High-hazard toxic chemical containment applications
C. Sewage treatment plants and industrial chemical processing lines
D. Direct injection fertilizer and pesticide irrigation systems
Page 4 of 96
Licensing Exam Questions and Correct
Answers
Question 1
Any Cross connection control assembly providing protection against an actual public
health hazard is to be tested
Correct Answer
Upon Installation, Annually, and As required by the local ordinances
Question 2
When the air inlet valve opens, the pressure in the body of the pressurized vacuum
breaker assembly must be
Correct Answer
at least 1 psi above atmospheric pressure
Question 3
The pressure generated by a column of water 27.25 inches (2.31 feet) high is ___ psi
Correct Answer
1
Page 1 of 96
,Question 4
Test cocks on reduced pressure principle assemblies are intended for
Correct Answer
flushing debris and testing the assembly
uestion 1: What is the primary purpose of a backflow prevention assembly in a public
water system?
A. To increase water pressure for residential fire suppression systems
B. To prevent the contamination or pollution of the potable water supply by
reversing flow
C. To filter out suspended sediment and dissolved minerals from raw water sources
D. To regulate and measure volumetric water consumption for billing purposes
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To prevent the contamination or pollution of the potable water
supply by reversing flow
Rationale: The fundamental purpose of any approved backflow prevention assembly
is to protect the public potable water distribution system from cross-connection
contamination caused by backflow events.
Question 2: Which hydraulic condition occurs when the pressure in the potable water
supply main drops below atmospheric pressure, creating a vacuum?
A. Backpressure
B. Back-siphonage
C. Thermal expansion
D. Water hammer
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Back-siphonage
Rationale: Back-siphonage is caused by a sub-atmospheric or negative pressure
condition in the supply piping, which can draw non-potable liquids backward into
the drinking water system.
Question 3: What condition must exist for backpressure to occur within a plumbing or
water distribution system?
A. Downstream pressure must exceed the supply pressure in the potable water main
Page 2 of 96
,B. Supply pressure must drop completely to zero or become negative relative to the
atmosphere
C. The system must operate exclusively under gravity drainage without any
mechanical pumps
D. The water temperature must rise rapidly, causing an instantaneous drop in fluid
density
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Downstream pressure must exceed the supply pressure in the
potable water main
Rationale: Backpressure results when a downstream source (such as a booster
pump, elevated piping, or thermal expansion) creates a pressure greater than the
supply pressure, forcing water backward.
Question 4: Which of the following defines an actual or potential cross-connection
between a potable water system and any non-potable source?
A. A closed isolation valve installed on a main supply line
B. Any physical connection through which unsafe substances could enter drinking
water
C. A parallel piping arrangement utilizing separate water meters
D. An open atmospheric discharge point with a properly sized air gap
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Any physical connection through which unsafe substances
could enter drinking water
Rationale: A cross-connection is defined as any actual or potential physical
connection between a potable water supply and any source of pollution or
contamination.
Question 5: What is the physical air gap separation distance required between the
lowest point of a water supply outlet and the flood rim of a receiving vessel?
A. Exactly one-half inch regardless of pipe size
B. Equal to the exact diameter of the supply pipe
C. At least twice the diameter of the supply pipe
D. At least twice the diameter of the supply pipe or a minimum of one inch, or 1.5
times depending on code, but typically defined as twice the effective opening
diameter or specified by local plumbing codes*
Page 3 of 96
, (Wait, let's look at standard code: minimum air gap is typically twice the diameter of
the supply outlet, or 1.5 times in some contexts. Let's make the options unambiguous.)
Let's refine Question 5: Question 5: According to standard cross-connection control
criteria, what is the minimum acceptable air gap separation between a potable water
supply outlet and the flood rim of a receiving fixture?
A. Equal to the diameter of the supply pipe
B. Twice the diameter of the supply pipe, with a specified minimum
C. Exactly one inch under all operating conditions
D. Half the diameter of the supply pipe
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Twice the diameter of the supply pipe, with a specified
minimum
Rationale: An air gap must provide complete physical separation, typically requiring
a minimum distance of two times the diameter of the supply outlet (or established
plumbing code rules).
Question 6: Which backflow assembly provides the highest level of protection and is
approved for high-hazard cross-connections involving toxic substances?
A. Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)
B. Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)
C. Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly (RP)
D. Dual Check Valve with Atmospheric Vent
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly (RP)
Rationale: The Reduced Pressure Principle assembly features an independently
operating differential pressure relief valve between two spring-loaded check valves,
making it suitable for high-hazard containment.
Question 7: A Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA) is generally approved for use in
which type of hazard application?
A. Low-hazard non-health hazards where aesthetic qualities are affected
B. High-hazard toxic chemical containment applications
C. Sewage treatment plants and industrial chemical processing lines
D. Direct injection fertilizer and pesticide irrigation systems
Page 4 of 96
