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Backflow Tester Cheat Sheet

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Hydraulic Principles

  • 30% of exam
  • Backflow Types Pressure Hazard Cross-Connection Selection Picker

Assemblies Equipment

  • 30% of exam
  • RP Assembly DC Assembly PVB SVB Check Valves Troubleshooting

Field Test Procedures

  • 20% of exam
  • Test Setup RP Test DC Test PVB Test Test Picker

Cross-Connection Control

  • 10% of exam
  • Containment Isolation Surveys Air Gap Hazard Rating

Field Test Equipment

  • 5% of exam
  • Differential Gauge Hoses Test Cocks Bleeding Calibration

Codes Regulations

  • 5% of exam
  • SDWA Purveyor Records Reporting Recertification

Quick Facts

  • Exam Backflow Tester
  • Bodies ABPA / ASSE
  • Written 100 questions
  • Time 3 hours
  • Pass 70%
  • Practical Hands-on testing
  • Assemblies RP DC PVB SVB
  • Validity 3 years
  • Gauge Annual calibration

Two Backflows HY

  • Pressure pushes; siphon pulls.
  • Backpressure Backsiphonage

Backpressure vs Backsiphonage HY

Backpressure

  • Downstream pressure higher
  • Pumps/boilers cause

Backsiphonage

  • Supply pressure drops
  • Vacuum draws back
  • Pressure direction decides

Selection Picker HY

  • Health hazard → RP or air gap
  • Low hazard → DC
  • Backpressure exists → RP/DC ( Not PVB )
  • Backsiphonage only → PVB/SVB
  • Maximum protection → Air gap
  • Fixture protection → Isolation

Hydraulics Basics HY

  • Backflow Reverse flow
  • Backpressure Downstream pressure higher
  • Backsiphonage Supply pressure drops
  • Static pressure No-flow pressure
  • Dynamic pressure Flowing pressure
  • Pressure loss Drop across device

RP Parts EQ

  • Check, zone, relief, check.
  • Check 1 Zone Relief Check 2

RP vs DC EQ

RP

  • Relief valve present
  • High hazard use

DC

  • No relief valve
  • Low hazard use
  • Health hazard needs RP

Failure Picker EQ

  • Reading unstable → Bleed hoses
  • Check leaks → Clean seat
  • Relief won't open → Inspect diaphragm
  • Shutoff leaks → Repair shutoff
  • Gauge suspect → Check calibration
  • Wrong assembly → Hazard review

RP Assembly EQ

  • RP Reduced pressure principle
  • Check 1 Creates zone pressure
  • Check 2 Prevents outlet return
  • Relief valve Vents failed zone
  • Zone Reduced pressure area
  • Use High hazard protection

PVB vs SVB EQ

PVB

  • Vacuum breaker
  • May spill water

SVB

  • Spill-resistant design
  • Vacuum breaker
  • Both backsiphonage only

DC Assembly EQ

  • DC Double check assembly
  • Check 1 First closure point
  • Check 2 Second closure point
  • Shutoff 1 Inlet isolation
  • Shutoff 2 Outlet isolation
  • Use Low hazard protection

Device vs Assembly EQ

Device

  • Often non-testable
  • No test cocks

Assembly

  • Field testable
  • Has shutoffs/cocks
  • Testability matters

PVB SVB EQ

  • PVB Pressure vacuum breaker
  • SVB Spill-resistant breaker
  • Air inlet Opens on vacuum
  • Check valve Holds downstream water
  • Backpressure Not protected
  • Elevation Install above outlets

Troubleshooting EQ

  • Debris Fouls check seat
  • Scale Restricts movement
  • Spring Weak closure force
  • Diaphragm Relief valve failure
  • Leaky shutoff Invalid test
  • Air in hose Unstable reading

Test Start PR

  • Identify, isolate, connect, bleed.
  • Identify Isolate Connect Bleed

Test Picker PR

  • Before connection → Gauge zero
  • Hoses attached → Bleed air
  • RP assembly → Relief plus checks
  • DC assembly → Two checks
  • PVB/SVB → Air inlet/check
  • Any failure → Repair retest

Test Setup PR

  • Permission Notify responsible party
  • Flow direction Confirm before testing
  • Test cocks Open slowly
  • Bleed hoses Remove trapped air
  • Gauge zero Check before readings
  • Record Document findings

RP Test Logic PR

  • Relief opening Must open
  • Zone pressure Lower than supply
  • Check 1 Holds differential
  • Check 2 Holds backpressure
  • Shutoff 2 Must be tight
  • Fail Repair then retest

DC PVB Tests PR

  • DC check 1 Must hold tight
  • DC check 2 Must hold tight
  • DC shutoff No leakage
  • PVB check Holds pressure
  • Air inlet Opens to atmosphere
  • SVB spill Minimized discharge

Containment vs Isolation CR

Containment

  • Service entrance
  • Protects public system

Isolation

  • Individual fixture
  • Protects internal users
  • Location decides

Hazard Control CR

  • Cross-connection Potable/nonpotable link
  • Pollution Aesthetic quality hazard
  • Contamination Health hazard
  • Containment Service protection
  • Isolation Fixture protection
  • Air gap Physical separation

Pollution vs Contamination CR

Pollution

  • Aesthetic concern
  • Non-health hazard

Contamination

  • Health concern
  • Toxic/pathogenic hazard
  • Health risk escalates

Test Kit TE

  • Differential gauge Measures pressure difference
  • High hose Connect upstream side
  • Low hose Connect downstream side
  • Bypass hose Equalizes as needed
  • Calibration Check yearly
  • Needle valves Control gauge flow

Report Basics RE

  • Assembly, readings, result, signature.
  • Assembly Readings Result Signature

Records Regs RE

  • SDWA Drinking water law
  • Purveyor Water supplier
  • Authority Local program rules
  • Report Submit test results
  • Serial number Assembly identifier
  • Recertify Renew credential

Common Traps

PVB Trap

  • Backsiphonage only ≠ Backpressure protection

Hazard Trap

  • Pollution ≠ Contamination

Gauge Trap

  • Air in hose ≠ True pressure

Shutoff Trap

  • Leaky shutoff ≠ Valid test

RP Trap

  • Relief valve opens ≠ Relief valve closed

Location Trap

  • Containment ≠ Isolation

Last Minute

  • 1. Name two backflow types
  • 2. Classify hazard first
  • 3. Match assembly to hazard
  • 4. Confirm flow direction
  • 5. Bleed gauge hoses
  • 6. Test shutoffs matter
  • 7. RP relief must open
  • 8. PVB excludes backpressure
  • 9. Record serial number
  • 10. Repair then retest

Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester

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