Which device is designed to prevent backflow from a fire protection system into the potable water supply?

Which device is designed to prevent backflow from a fire protection system into the potable water supply?

• A. Backflow preventer.
• B. Pressure gauge.
• C. Tamper switch.
• D. Waterflow alarm.

Answer: (A)

Preventing backflow is essential to keep the drinking water supply safe from contamination when a fire protection system is in use. The device that does this is the backflow preventer, installed at the connection between the potable water supply and the fire protection system. It blocks any reverse flow if pressure in the fire line rises or if the potable supply pressure drops, so water from the sprinkler system can’t siphon back into the drinking water. The other devices have different roles: a pressure gauge only reads pressure, a tamper switch monitors unauthorized changes, and a waterflow alarm detects when water is moving through the system. So the backflow preventer is the correct choice because its purpose is to stop backflow and protect the potable water supply.

Preventing backflow is essential to keep the drinking water supply safe from contamination when a fire protection system is in use. The device that does this is the backflow preventer, installed at the connection between the potable water supply and the fire protection system. It blocks any reverse flow if pressure in the fire line rises or if the potable supply pressure drops, so water from the sprinkler system can’t siphon back into the drinking water. The other devices have different roles: a pressure gauge only reads pressure, a tamper switch monitors unauthorized changes, and a waterflow alarm detects when water is moving through the system. So the backflow preventer is the correct choice because its purpose is to stop backflow and protect the potable water supply.