New York City Food Protection Practice Test

What type of device must be installed in any equipment with a direct connection to the potable water supply?

1. Pressure relief valve

2. Atmospheric Vacuum Breakers (AVB)

3. Safety shut-off valve

4. Check valve

The correct answer is: Atmospheric Vacuum Breakers (AVB)

The correct choice is Atmospheric Vacuum Breakers (AVB) because these devices are specifically designed to prevent backflow, which can occur when water pressure drops and allows contaminants to enter the potable water supply. An AVB is installed on equipment that has a direct connection to the water supply to ensure that contaminated water cannot siphon back into the clean drinking water system, thereby protecting public health. In terms of other devices mentioned, while pressure relief valves and check valves serve important functions, they do not directly prevent backpressure in the same way that an AVB does. Pressure relief valves are designed to relieve excess pressure in systems, and check valves allow fluid to flow in only one direction but may not provide adequate protection against back siphonage. A safety shut-off valve, while useful in stopping water flow, does not prevent backflow either. Therefore, the AVB is the essential device for safeguarding against contamination in systems directly connected to the potable water supply.