Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester — Practice Exam
Troubleshooting: practice questions
Our Backflow Tester bank has 13 questions on this topic. Here are 4 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
What should be checked if a relief valve won't close after flow is restored?
- Debris on the relief seat, a damaged diaphragm or a leaking first check
- The customer's meter
- The meter reading
- The paint on the relief valve body
Show the answer
A. Debris on the relief seat, a damaged diaphragm or a leaking first check — Common RP relief problems.
Question 2
What should be checked when a DC check valve reads low but not zero?
- The meter reading
- The customer's bills
- The paint color and the assembly's nameplate
- Weak spring, worn disc or debris on the seat
Show the answer
D. Weak spring, worn disc or debris on the seat — Readings below 1.0 psid fail.
Question 3
Why should only manufacturer-approved parts be used to repair an assembly?
- Any part works
- They are cheaper and easier to find at hardware stores
- Other parts may void the approval and fail to perform
- Approval doesn't matter
Show the answer
C. Other parts may void the approval and fail to perform — Repairs keep the assembly in its approved condition.
Question 4
Why might a tester see a high first-check reading followed by a slowly falling value?
- A frozen gauge
- A perfectly working assembly with no leaks, settling into a stable reading
- A slow leak past the check or a flow condition downstream
- Normal static pressure
Show the answer
C. A slow leak past the check or a flow condition downstream — Hold readings until they stabilize.