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9.3 Comparing the Four Practical-Exam Assemblies

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ASSE 5110 Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Study Guide Exam

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1 Introduction & Exam Overview

1.1 About ASSE 5110 and the Series 5000 Program 1.2 Eligibility, 40-Hour Course, Written & Practical Format 1.3 Validity, Recertification, and Retake Rules

2 Hydraulics Fundamentals

2.1 Pressure, Head, and Atmospheric Reference 2.2 Static vs Flowing Conditions for Testers 2.3 PSID and How Differentials Are Measured

3 Backpressure, Backsiphonage & Differentials

3.1 Backpressure: Causes and Field Examples 3.2 Backsiphonage: Causes and Field Examples 3.3 How Differentials Drive Relief and Air-Inlet Action 3.4 When and Why Backflow Occurs in Distribution Systems

4 Cross-Connection Recognition

4.1 Health Hazard vs Non-Health Hazard Classification 4.2 Common Cross-Connections and Correct Protection 4.3 Containment vs Isolation Strategies

5 RP and DC Assemblies

5.1 RP (ASSE 1013) Components and Operation 5.2 RP Relief Valve Theory and Zone Protection 5.3 DC (ASSE 1015) Components and Operation 5.4 When to Use RP vs DC

6 PVB, SVB & Detector Assemblies

6.1 PVB (ASSE 1020) Components and Operation 6.2 SVB (ASSE 1056) Components and Operation 6.3 RPDA and DCDA Detector Assemblies (1047/1048) 6.4 Non-Testable Devices Testers Must Recognize

7 Test Equipment & Calibration

7.1 Three-Valve Differential Pressure Gauges 7.2 Five-Valve Gauges and Hose Discipline 7.3 Bleeding, Hookup Sequence, and Air Elimination 7.4 Calibration, Accuracy, and Field Verification

8 RP & DC Field Test Procedures

8.1 RP Field Test Procedure (USC 10th Edition) 8.2 RP Pass/Fail Criteria and Troubleshooting 8.3 DC Field Test Procedure 8.4 DC Failures and Common Causes

9 PVB/SVB Tests & Practical Sequence

9.1 PVB Field Test Procedure 9.2 SVB Field Test Procedure 9.3 Comparing the Four Practical-Exam Assemblies 9.4 Hands-On Sequence Under Practical Exam Pressure

10 Installation Requirements & Inspection

10.1 Orientation, Clearance, and Elevation Rules 10.2 RP Drainage, Air Gap, and Flood Protection 10.3 Freeze Protection and Thermal Expansion 10.4 Pre-Test Visual Inspection

11 Codes, Standards & Manuals

11.1 ASSE Series 5000 and 5110 Professional Qualifications 11.2 Device Standards 1013, 1015, 1020, 1056 11.3 USC Manual of Cross-Connection Control 10th Edition 11.4 AWWA M14, EPA 816-R-03-002, and SDWA Framework

12 Reporting, Boundaries & Exam Prep

12.1 Field Test Reports and Pass/Fail Language 12.2 Purveyor Notification and Record Retention 12.3 Tester vs Repairer vs Surveyor Boundaries 12.4 Written Exam Strategy, Study Plan, and Next Credentials

9.3 Comparing the Four Practical-Exam Assemblies

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

Practical exam assemblies are RP 1013, DC 1015, PVB 1020, and SVB 1056—memorize device numbers with components and pass criteria.

RP unique numbers: relief ≥ 2.0 psid and check #1 ≥ 5.0 psid and above relief; check #2 is tight or leaked with no psid recorded.

DC: two checks ≥ 1.0 psid each, no relief valve—never invent a dump test.

PVB/SVB: check ≥ 1.0 psid and air inlet ≥ 1.0 psid above atmospheric; SVB adds spill resistance, not new pass floors.

Twenty-second visual ID (plate, relief vs air inlet, check count) prevents running the wrong script under the 90-minute clock.

Last updated: August 2026

9.3 Comparing the Four Practical-Exam Assemblies

Quick Answer: The ASSE 5110 practical requires correct field tests on four assemblies: RP (1013), DC (1015), PVB (1020), and SVB (1056) . Memorize each device’s components , hazard/hydraulic role , tests performed , and key pass numbers so you never run an RP relief script on a DC or invent a second check on a PVB.

Master comparison table

Feature RP ASSE 1013 DC ASSE 1015 PVB ASSE 1020 SVB ASSE 1056

Core internals 2 independent checks + differential pressure relief in the zone 2 independent checks, no relief Loaded check + independent air inlet Loaded check + spill-resistant air inlet path

  • Shutoffs 2 resilient-seated 2 resilient-seated 2 resilient-seated 2 resilient-seated
  • Test cocks Typically 4 (TC1–TC4) Typically 4 Commonly 2 Typically 1 (plus the vent valve)

Protects against Backpressure and backsiphonage Backpressure and backsiphonage (lower hazard class) Backsiphonage only Backsiphonage only

Continuous pressure Yes Yes Yes Yes

Typical hazard class Health (contamination) as approved Non-health (pollution) as approved Per AHJ; siphonage applications (often irrigation/process) Same vacuum-breaker family; preferred where spillage is a problem

Key tests Relief opening; check #1; check #2 Check #1; check #2 Check; air inlet Check; air inlet

Headline pass numbers (USC typical) Relief ≥ 2.0 psid ; check #1 ≥ 5.0 psid and above relief ; check #2 tight (no psid) Each check ≥ 1.0 psid Check ≥ 1.0 psid ; air inlet ≥ 1.0 psid above atmospheric Same as PVB family

Atmospheric dump signal Relief can discharge None in normal design Air inlet opens to atmosphere Air inlet opens; spillage minimized

Elevation / special install Drainage & air gap for relief discharge critical Orientation/clearance Air-inlet critical level ≥ ~12 in above highest outlet Same elevation class as PVB

Memory hooks for practical day

Use short hooks you can recite while walking to the stand:

“Thirteen is reduced pressure.” 1013 = RP → relief story (2.0 / 5.0 / 1.0).

“Fifteen is double check.” 1015 = DC → two checks, no relief , both ≥ 1.0.

“Twenty is pressure vacuum.” 1020 = PVB → check + air inlet, both ≥ 1.0; elevation 12 in.

“Fifty-six doesn’t spit.” 1056 = SVB → same 1.0 / 1.0 family as PVB, spill-resistant manners.

“One dump or no dump.” RP dumps via relief ; DC has no dump ; PVB/SVB dump air path via air inlet , not a zone relief.

Number flash card (write this once, say it often)

  • Device # Name Numbers you must not forget
  • 1013 RP Relief ≥ 2.0 ; CK1 ≥ 5.0 & > relief; CK2 tight (no psid)
  • 1015 DC CK1 ≥ 1.0 ; CK2 ≥ 1.0
  • 1020 PVB Check ≥ 1.0 ; air inlet ≥ 1.0 psid above atmospheric
  • 1056 SVB Check ≥ 1.0 ; air inlet ≥ 1.0 psid above atmospheric
  • What you never do (practical landmines)
  • Never do Why it fails the outcome
  • Treat a DC like it has a relief You will invent a dump test that does not exist and miss real check work
  • Treat a PVB/SVB like an RP You will hunt for a zone relief and skip air-inlet opening

Apply 5.0 psid as the universal check minimum 5.0 is RP check #1 under USC 10th—not DC checks, not PVB/SVB checks

Use a PVB under backpressure application logic on the written Vacuum breakers do not replace RPs on backpressure health hazards

  • Skip visual ID Wrong assembly → wrong entire procedure under the clock
  • Leave air in the gauge False differentials on every type
  • “Pass” a PVB that opens at 0.8 because “close enough” Minimums are floors, not suggestions
  • Ignore elevation on vacuum breakers Geometry can nullify a pretty gauge reading
  • Component checklist you can run in 20 seconds

At each stand, force this micro-scan before hoses:

Name plate / standard number → 1013 / 1015 / 1020 / 1056.

How many checks? Two (RP/DC) vs one loaded check + air inlet (PVB/SVB).

Is there a relief canopy/port between checks? Yes → think RP. No mid-body relief → not RP.

Is there a top air inlet / vented canopy? Think PVB/SVB; then decide spill-resistant vs conventional by plate and behavior.

Shutoffs both present? If not, it may not be a complete testable assembly.

How the tests differ in “feel”

Assembly Dominant sensory/procedure cue Time sink if you are rusty

RP Watching relief spit at the opening point; managing zone differentials Relief + three readings; order discipline

DC Quiet—no atmospheric dump; pure check tightness Convincing yourself both checks really hold without a relief “signal”

  • PVB Air inlet motion + possible spit; elevation glance Clean air-inlet opening mark on the gauge
  • SVB Quieter start-up; subtler vent cues Same as PVB but without puddle feedback
  • Integrating hazard language (written + practical talk)

When a proctor or written stem asks why an assembly is present:

RP: health hazard, continuous pressure, possible backpressure and/or siphonage.

DC: non-health as allowed, continuous pressure, backpressure/siphonage— not for toxic contamination loads.

PVB/SVB: backsiphonage protection under continuous pressure; not for backpressure; elevation critical; SVB when spillage must be controlled.

You are a tester , not the final AHJ, but you must recognize mismatches (for example, a DC on a clearly toxic feed) and report observations. Do not “upgrade” an assembly by imagination during the practical—test what is on the stand with the correct procedure for that device standard.

Mini case: four stands in sequence

Stand A shows a mid-body relief port and four test cocks → RP script (2.0 / 5.0 / 1.0).

Stand B shows two checks, no relief → DC script (1.0 / 1.0).

Stand C shows a top air inlet and irrigation-style elevation → PVB script (1.0 / 1.0).

Stand D looks similar to C but plate says 1056 and stays dry on fill → SVB script (still 1.0 / 1.0).

If you start measuring a “relief opening” on Stand B, you have already adversely affected the demonstration—even if your hands are steady.

Bridge

With the four-assembly map fixed, Section 9.4 turns the comparison into exam-day choreography : 90 continuous minutes, fail-mode completeness, second-attempt rules, report discipline, and how not to self-destruct under proctor eyes.