Backflow Prevention Practice Exam

What can an increase in flow velocity due to a pipe restriction cause?

1. Backpressure

2. Aspirational flow

3. Pipe corrosion

4. Pressure stability

The correct answer is: Backpressure

An increase in flow velocity due to a pipe restriction can indeed result in backpressure. When a fluid flows through a restricted section of a pipe, its velocity increases, which can lead to a drop in pressure downstream of the restriction. However, if the fluid is being pushed into the restricted area with significant force, the pressure can build up upstream of the restriction, creating backpressure. Backpressure is a crucial concept in fluid dynamics, particularly in relation to backflow prevention. It is important to manage backpressure to prevent the reverse flow of potentially contaminated water into the clean water supply. In systems where pressurized flow is essential, such as in irrigation or water distribution, understanding how restrictions in pipes can lead to backpressure is vital for maintaining the system's integrity and ensuring safe water delivery. While aspirational flow, pipe corrosion, and pressure stability might be related to flow dynamics, they do not directly correlate with the consequence of increased flow velocity due to pipe restriction in the way backpressure does. Pipe corrosion can result from other factors, and stability issues generally stem from different hydraulic principles, not just velocity changes.