Massachusetts Plumbers Journeyman Practice Exam

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Study for the Massachusetts Plumbers Journeyman Exam. Prepare with multiple choice questions, hints, and detailed explanations. Ace your licensing exam with confidence!

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What must be installed on all sillcocks, hose connections, and wall hydrants, including faucets that incorporate a hose thread outlet?

Ball valve
Gate valve
Check valve
Vacuum breaker

The correct answer is: Vacuum breaker

The correct answer is a vacuum breaker. This device is essential for preventing back-siphonage, which can occur when there is a drop in pressure in the water supply system. When a hose is connected to a sillcock or wall hydrant, and water is drawn through it, any negative pressure can cause contaminated water to be siphoned back into the potable water supply. The vacuum breaker creates an air gap that prevents this type of contamination, ensuring that drinking water remains safe and free from pollutants. While ball valves and gate valves are important for regulating water flow, they do not provide the same level of protection against backflow contamination as a vacuum breaker does. Their primary functions relate to controlling the on/off operation of the water flow rather than preventing back-siphonage. A check valve is designed to allow water to flow in one direction only, which helps prevent backflow but does not address the vacuum conditions that a vacuum breaker is specifically designed to handle.