Cross Connection Practice Exam

A Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly may be installed with a/an ____________ downstream of the assembly.

1. Shut off valve

2. Flow meter

3. Backflow preventer

4. Pressure regulator

The correct answer is: Shut off valve

The correct choice is that a Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly may be installed with a shut-off valve downstream of the assembly. This is significant because a shut-off valve allows for maintenance and servicing of the system without disrupting the entire water supply. It helps isolate the Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly from the downstream system, ensuring that the assembly can function effectively without risking backflow when repairs are needed. Installing a shut-off valve downstream ensures that the proper operation of the Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly is maintained, as it prevents backpressure or backflow conditions that could occur if the assembly is directly connected to a system with varying pressures. This isolation is crucial for preserving the integrity of the backflow prevention mechanism. Other components like flow meters, backflow preventers, and pressure regulators are typically not recommended to be installed downstream of a Pressure Vacuum Breaker because they could impede the breaker's ability to function properly or create conditions that lead to backflow issues. For example, flow meters can introduce potential backpressure, while backflow preventers are redundant to the function of the Pressure Vacuum Breaker and pressure regulators might interfere with the atmospheric pressure needed for the assembly to work effectively.