Which device must be listed for fire protection service?

Which device must be listed for fire protection service?

• A. Piping hangers
• B. Drain valves
• C. Backflow preventers
• D. Control valves

Answer: (C)

Backflow prevention devices must be listed for fire protection service to protect the public potable water supply from contamination when pressures in the system rise or fall. In NFPA 13R, any device on the water supply line that connects to a fire protection system is required to be listed for fire protection service, ensuring the device has been tested for reliability and compatibility with potable water and sprinkler service. A backflow preventer serves specifically to stop water from flowing back into the drinking-water supply, which is critical for residential systems where a sprinkler loop is tied into the public water supply. Other items like piping hangers, drain valves, or control valves are important components for installation and operation, but they do not carry the same specific requirement to be listed for fire protection service in the context of protecting the potable water supply.

Backflow prevention devices must be listed for fire protection service to protect the public potable water supply from contamination when pressures in the system rise or fall. In NFPA 13R, any device on the water supply line that connects to a fire protection system is required to be listed for fire protection service, ensuring the device has been tested for reliability and compatibility with potable water and sprinkler service. A backflow preventer serves specifically to stop water from flowing back into the drinking-water supply, which is critical for residential systems where a sprinkler loop is tied into the public water supply.

Other items like piping hangers, drain valves, or control valves are important components for installation and operation, but they do not carry the same specific requirement to be listed for fire protection service in the context of protecting the potable water supply.