The pedicure chair hazard requires backflow protection on which water lines?

• A. Only hot water line
• B. Only cold water line
• C. Both hot and cold water lines
• D. Neither line

Answer: (C)

Backflow prevention is required whenever a fixture can create a path for contaminated water to flow back into the public supply. In a pedicure chair, the basin and its jets can allow cross-connections between the fixture and the supply lines. If pressure drops or a siphon occurs, water from the basin (potentially contaminated with chemicals or other contaminants) can be drawn back into the hot or cold potable supplies. Since both hot and cold lines feed the fixture and both can become involved in a cross-connection, protection must be installed on both supplies. Protecting both lines ensures that neither hot nor cold potable water can backflow into the supply, eliminating the contamination risk.