Double check valves should be installed in areas that ___________ as the ____________ can form a cross connection if submerged

• A. Do not flood; test cocks
• B. Do not flood; test valves
• C. Do flood; test cocks
• D. Flood; test cocks

Answer: (A)

Double check valve assemblies must be kept in areas that won’t flood because the small openings called test cocks are used to test and sample the flow. If those test cocks get submerged during a flood, they can become pathways for contaminated water to enter the potable system, creating a cross-connection. Keeping the DCV in dry locations ensures the backflow prevention device can do its job and avoids the risk of backflow through submerged test ports. Submerging test cocks is the specific vulnerability, not test valves, and flooding the area would defeat the purpose of the device.