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Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester — Practice Exam

RP: practice questions

Our Backflow Tester bank has 20 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.

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Question 1

Why does an RP's first check need a higher pressure drop than its relief valve setting?

  1. So the relief valve won't discharge during normal pressure fluctuations
  2. To lower the supply pressure delivered to the building's plumbing and save water
  3. To make testing faster
  4. To lower supply pressure
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A. So the relief valve won't discharge during normal pressure fluctuations — The buffer prevents nuisance discharge.

Question 2

What is the 'zone' in an RP?

  1. The space downstream of the #2 shutoff
  2. The relief valve outlet
  3. The area upstream of the #1 shutoff valve, between it and the meter
  4. The space between the two check valves, kept at lower pressure than the supply
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D. The space between the two check valves, kept at lower pressure than the supply — Hence 'reduced pressure'.

Question 3

Why must an RP never be installed in a pit or below grade?

  1. It freezes easily in pits and the gauge can't be read in poor light below grade
  2. It freezes easily and is hard to read
  3. The relief valve could become submerged and act as a cross connection
  4. It can't be reached
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C. The relief valve could become submerged and act as a cross connection — Relief must discharge freely to atmosphere.

Question 4

An RP's relief valve discharges continuously with water flowing through. What is a likely cause?

  1. A closed #1 shutoff
  2. Low downstream demand during the night hours
  3. A fouled or leaking first check valve
  4. A perfect first check
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C. A fouled or leaking first check valve — Zone pressure rises toward supply when check 1 leaks.

Question 5

Why must the area around an RP be able to drain the relief valve discharge?

  1. It only drips a little during normal use, so a floor drain is never really needed
  2. It only drips a little, so no drain is needed
  3. The relief can release large flows that could flood the room
  4. Drainage is never needed
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C. The relief can release large flows that could flood the room — Size drains for full relief discharge.

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