Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester
Certification Exam (ASSE 5110) With
Actual Questions & Verified Answers, Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed 100% Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a backflow prevention assembly?
A. To increase water pressure
B. To prevent contamination of the potable water supply
C. To filter debris from water
D. To measure water flow
B. To prevent contamination of the potable water supply
Rationale: Backflow prevention assemblies are designed to
prevent contaminants from entering the potable water system.
2. Which type of backflow is caused by a drop in supply pressure?
A. Backsiphonage
B. Backpressure
C. Cross-connection
D. Vacuum breaker
A. Backsiphonage
Rationale: Backsiphonage occurs when a negative pressure
(siphon effect) draws contaminated water into the potable
system.
,3. Backpressure backflow occurs when:
A. Water flows backward due to siphon
B. Pressure in the downstream system exceeds supply pressure
C. Water is contaminated in a storage tank
D. Valves fail to open
B. Pressure in the downstream system exceeds supply pressure
Rationale: Backpressure backflow happens when downstream
pressure forces non-potable water back into the potable system.
4. Which assembly is generally considered the highest level of
protection against backflow?
A. Double check valve assembly (DCVA)
B. Reduced pressure principle assembly (RP)
C. Pressure vacuum breaker (PVB)
D. Atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB)
B. Reduced pressure principle assembly (RP)
Rationale: RP assemblies provide maximum protection by
including a relief valve that opens if backflow occurs.
5. How often must most backflow prevention assemblies be tested?
A. Monthly
B. Annually
C. Every 5 years
D. Only when installed
B. Annually
Rationale: Most jurisdictions require annual testing of backflow
prevention assemblies to ensure proper function.
6. Which device prevents backflow due to backsiphonage only and
not backpressure?
A. RP assembly
B. Double check valve assembly
, C. Pressure vacuum breaker
D. Reduced pressure detector assembly
C. Pressure vacuum breaker
Rationale: PVBs prevent backsiphonage but do not protect
against backpressure conditions.
7. When testing a reduced pressure principle assembly, which of the
following is measured first?
A. Check valve #1
B. Relief valve opening
C. Differential pressure across the check valves
D. Water temperature
C. Differential pressure across the check valves
Rationale: Testing begins with measuring the differential
pressure to ensure the checks and relief valve function correctly.
8. What tool is required for testing most backflow assemblies?
A. Pipe wrench
B. Backflow test kit with gauge
C. Screwdriver
D. Multimeter
B. Backflow test kit with gauge
Rationale: A test kit with gauges is necessary to measure
pressure differences across check valves and relief valves.
9. What is the function of a relief valve in an RP assembly?
A. Reduce system pressure
B. Open to discharge water if backflow occurs
C. Increase water flow
D. Detect leaks in piping
B. Open to discharge water if backflow occurs
, Rationale: The relief valve in an RP assembly opens to discharge
water when downstream pressure exceeds upstream pressure.
10. Which of the following is NOT a recognized type of backflow
prevention device?
A. Air gap
B. Double check valve assembly
C. Pressure vacuum breaker
D. Expansion tank
D. Expansion tank
Rationale: Expansion tanks are used for pressure control, not
backflow prevention.
11. Air gaps provide protection by:
A. Installing a mechanical valve
B. Creating a physical separation between potable and non-
potable water
C. Using a pressure relief device
D. Backflow testing
B. Creating a physical separation between potable and non-
potable water
Rationale: An air gap physically prevents contaminated water
from reaching the potable supply.
12. What is a cross-connection?
A. Two pipes running parallel
B. A connection between potable water and a non-potable source
C. A valve used for pressure testing
D. A type of pump
B. A connection between potable water and a non-potable
source
Certification Exam (ASSE 5110) With
Actual Questions & Verified Answers, Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed 100% Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a backflow prevention assembly?
A. To increase water pressure
B. To prevent contamination of the potable water supply
C. To filter debris from water
D. To measure water flow
B. To prevent contamination of the potable water supply
Rationale: Backflow prevention assemblies are designed to
prevent contaminants from entering the potable water system.
2. Which type of backflow is caused by a drop in supply pressure?
A. Backsiphonage
B. Backpressure
C. Cross-connection
D. Vacuum breaker
A. Backsiphonage
Rationale: Backsiphonage occurs when a negative pressure
(siphon effect) draws contaminated water into the potable
system.
,3. Backpressure backflow occurs when:
A. Water flows backward due to siphon
B. Pressure in the downstream system exceeds supply pressure
C. Water is contaminated in a storage tank
D. Valves fail to open
B. Pressure in the downstream system exceeds supply pressure
Rationale: Backpressure backflow happens when downstream
pressure forces non-potable water back into the potable system.
4. Which assembly is generally considered the highest level of
protection against backflow?
A. Double check valve assembly (DCVA)
B. Reduced pressure principle assembly (RP)
C. Pressure vacuum breaker (PVB)
D. Atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB)
B. Reduced pressure principle assembly (RP)
Rationale: RP assemblies provide maximum protection by
including a relief valve that opens if backflow occurs.
5. How often must most backflow prevention assemblies be tested?
A. Monthly
B. Annually
C. Every 5 years
D. Only when installed
B. Annually
Rationale: Most jurisdictions require annual testing of backflow
prevention assemblies to ensure proper function.
6. Which device prevents backflow due to backsiphonage only and
not backpressure?
A. RP assembly
B. Double check valve assembly
, C. Pressure vacuum breaker
D. Reduced pressure detector assembly
C. Pressure vacuum breaker
Rationale: PVBs prevent backsiphonage but do not protect
against backpressure conditions.
7. When testing a reduced pressure principle assembly, which of the
following is measured first?
A. Check valve #1
B. Relief valve opening
C. Differential pressure across the check valves
D. Water temperature
C. Differential pressure across the check valves
Rationale: Testing begins with measuring the differential
pressure to ensure the checks and relief valve function correctly.
8. What tool is required for testing most backflow assemblies?
A. Pipe wrench
B. Backflow test kit with gauge
C. Screwdriver
D. Multimeter
B. Backflow test kit with gauge
Rationale: A test kit with gauges is necessary to measure
pressure differences across check valves and relief valves.
9. What is the function of a relief valve in an RP assembly?
A. Reduce system pressure
B. Open to discharge water if backflow occurs
C. Increase water flow
D. Detect leaks in piping
B. Open to discharge water if backflow occurs
, Rationale: The relief valve in an RP assembly opens to discharge
water when downstream pressure exceeds upstream pressure.
10. Which of the following is NOT a recognized type of backflow
prevention device?
A. Air gap
B. Double check valve assembly
C. Pressure vacuum breaker
D. Expansion tank
D. Expansion tank
Rationale: Expansion tanks are used for pressure control, not
backflow prevention.
11. Air gaps provide protection by:
A. Installing a mechanical valve
B. Creating a physical separation between potable and non-
potable water
C. Using a pressure relief device
D. Backflow testing
B. Creating a physical separation between potable and non-
potable water
Rationale: An air gap physically prevents contaminated water
from reaching the potable supply.
12. What is a cross-connection?
A. Two pipes running parallel
B. A connection between potable water and a non-potable source
C. A valve used for pressure testing
D. A type of pump
B. A connection between potable water and a non-potable
source
