Which device is specified as a backflow preventer for the hot and cold water supply to a pedicure chair?

• A. Reduced Pressure Principle
• B. Two Check Valve
• C. Air Gap
• D. Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker

Answer: (A)

Protecting the potable water supply from contamination when feeding a pedicure chair requires a device that stops backflow in both directions and under varying pressures. The reduced pressure principle backflow preventer does that by creating a reduced-pressure zone between the supply and the chair, with a relief valve to atmosphere if pressure on the protected side drops or rises too much. That means no contaminated spa water can flow back into the building’s potable water system, which is crucial for a high-hazard setup like a pedicure chair where chemicals and wastewater could be present.

The other options don’t provide the same level of protection for this scenario. A double-check valve guards against backflow but is intended for lower-hazard connections and may not be allowed where backpressure or high-contamination risk is present. An air gap is a physical separation used in some applications but isn’t an inline backflow device on hot and cold supply lines to a chair. An atmospheric vacuum breaker prevents backsiphonage but offers no protection against backpressure, and it’s not suitable for continuous hot-and-cold supply to equipment like this.

So the reduced pressure principle backflow preventer is the best choice here because it addresses both forms of backflow in a high-hazard scenario.