Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester
Certification Exam (ASSE 5110) Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a backflow prevention assembly?
a) Increase water pressure
b) Prevent contamination of the potable water supply
c) Regulate flow rate
d) Measure water usage
b) Prevent contamination of the potable water supply
Backflow prevention assemblies are designed to protect the public
water supply from contamination due to backflow.
2. What is the most common cause of backflow?
a) High water demand
b) Pressure differential reversal
c) Pipe corrosion
d) Water hammer
b) Pressure differential reversal
Backflow occurs when the normal flow of water reverses, usually caused
by a change in pressure in the system.
3. What does the term “backpressure” refer to in plumbing?
a) Water flowing forward at high speed
b) Flow caused by increased downstream pressure
, c) Low water pressure at fixtures
d) A type of water hammer
b) Flow caused by increased downstream pressure
Backpressure happens when downstream pressure exceeds the supply
pressure, pushing water backward into the potable system.
4. Which device is typically used to prevent back-siphonage?
a) Double check valve assembly
b) Reduced pressure principle assembly
c) Atmospheric vacuum breaker
d) Pressure reducing valve
c) Atmospheric vacuum breaker
Atmospheric vacuum breakers prevent back-siphonage by introducing
air into the system when negative pressure occurs.
5. How often should backflow prevention assemblies be tested?
a) Every 6 months
b) Annually
c) Every 5 years
d) Only when installed
b) Annually
Most local codes require annual testing to ensure proper operation of
backflow assemblies.
6. What is a double check valve assembly (DCVA) primarily used for?
a) High hazard situations
b) Low to moderate hazard applications
c) Pressure regulation
d) Siphon prevention only
,b) Low to moderate hazard applications
DCVAs are effective for low to moderate hazard conditions but are not
suitable for high hazard situations.
7. What assembly is recommended for high hazard conditions?
a) Double check valve assembly
b) Reduced pressure principle assembly
c) Atmospheric vacuum breaker
d) Pressure relief valve
b) Reduced pressure principle assembly
RPAs are designed to provide protection against both backpressure and
back-siphonage in high hazard situations.
8. Which test kit component is essential for measuring differential
pressure across check valves?
a) Thermometer
b) Differential pressure gauge
c) Flow meter
d) Manometer
b) Differential pressure gauge
Differential pressure gauges are used to measure the pressure drop
across check valves to confirm proper function.
9. What is the maximum allowable leakage in a check valve during
testing?
a) 5 psi
b) 3 gpm
c) 1 drop per minute
d) 10% of flow
, c) 1 drop per minute
During testing, the assembly should not leak more than 1 drop per
minute past the check valve.
10. What is the first step in performing a backflow test?
a) Open the bypass valve
b) Identify assembly type and shut off supply
c) Record water temperature
d) Adjust pressure
b) Identify assembly type and shut off supply
Proper testing begins with identifying the assembly type and isolating it
to safely perform tests.
11. Which valve is used to isolate a backflow prevention
assembly during testing?
a) Test cock
b) Shut-off valve
c) Relief valve
d) Ball valve only
b) Shut-off valve
Shut-off valves are used to isolate the assembly to prevent water loss
during testing.
12. What is the purpose of test cocks on a backflow assembly?
a) To relieve pressure
b) To provide water for flushing
c) To connect testing equipment
d) To regulate flow
Certification Exam (ASSE 5110) Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a backflow prevention assembly?
a) Increase water pressure
b) Prevent contamination of the potable water supply
c) Regulate flow rate
d) Measure water usage
b) Prevent contamination of the potable water supply
Backflow prevention assemblies are designed to protect the public
water supply from contamination due to backflow.
2. What is the most common cause of backflow?
a) High water demand
b) Pressure differential reversal
c) Pipe corrosion
d) Water hammer
b) Pressure differential reversal
Backflow occurs when the normal flow of water reverses, usually caused
by a change in pressure in the system.
3. What does the term “backpressure” refer to in plumbing?
a) Water flowing forward at high speed
b) Flow caused by increased downstream pressure
, c) Low water pressure at fixtures
d) A type of water hammer
b) Flow caused by increased downstream pressure
Backpressure happens when downstream pressure exceeds the supply
pressure, pushing water backward into the potable system.
4. Which device is typically used to prevent back-siphonage?
a) Double check valve assembly
b) Reduced pressure principle assembly
c) Atmospheric vacuum breaker
d) Pressure reducing valve
c) Atmospheric vacuum breaker
Atmospheric vacuum breakers prevent back-siphonage by introducing
air into the system when negative pressure occurs.
5. How often should backflow prevention assemblies be tested?
a) Every 6 months
b) Annually
c) Every 5 years
d) Only when installed
b) Annually
Most local codes require annual testing to ensure proper operation of
backflow assemblies.
6. What is a double check valve assembly (DCVA) primarily used for?
a) High hazard situations
b) Low to moderate hazard applications
c) Pressure regulation
d) Siphon prevention only
,b) Low to moderate hazard applications
DCVAs are effective for low to moderate hazard conditions but are not
suitable for high hazard situations.
7. What assembly is recommended for high hazard conditions?
a) Double check valve assembly
b) Reduced pressure principle assembly
c) Atmospheric vacuum breaker
d) Pressure relief valve
b) Reduced pressure principle assembly
RPAs are designed to provide protection against both backpressure and
back-siphonage in high hazard situations.
8. Which test kit component is essential for measuring differential
pressure across check valves?
a) Thermometer
b) Differential pressure gauge
c) Flow meter
d) Manometer
b) Differential pressure gauge
Differential pressure gauges are used to measure the pressure drop
across check valves to confirm proper function.
9. What is the maximum allowable leakage in a check valve during
testing?
a) 5 psi
b) 3 gpm
c) 1 drop per minute
d) 10% of flow
, c) 1 drop per minute
During testing, the assembly should not leak more than 1 drop per
minute past the check valve.
10. What is the first step in performing a backflow test?
a) Open the bypass valve
b) Identify assembly type and shut off supply
c) Record water temperature
d) Adjust pressure
b) Identify assembly type and shut off supply
Proper testing begins with identifying the assembly type and isolating it
to safely perform tests.
11. Which valve is used to isolate a backflow prevention
assembly during testing?
a) Test cock
b) Shut-off valve
c) Relief valve
d) Ball valve only
b) Shut-off valve
Shut-off valves are used to isolate the assembly to prevent water loss
during testing.
12. What is the purpose of test cocks on a backflow assembly?
a) To relieve pressure
b) To provide water for flushing
c) To connect testing equipment
d) To regulate flow
