Arizona Plumbing Practice Exam

Which of the following valve locations does not require full port (full way or full open) valves?

1. Valves servicing hosebibs

2. Valves at main water supply

3. Valves for fire hydrants

4. Valves for irrigation systems

The correct answer is: Valves servicing hosebibs

The reasoning for selecting valves servicing hose bibs as not requiring full port (full way or full open) valves lies in the operational needs and flow requirements specific to these applications. Hose bibs, commonly used for outdoor hose connections, typically deal with lower flow rates and do not necessitate the unrestricted flow provided by full port valves. A standard throttling valve can effectively serve this purpose without significantly impacting performance. In contrast, valves at the main water supply, valves for fire hydrants, and valves for irrigation systems are all critical for facilitating high volumes of water flow. Full port valves in these contexts are essential to ensure maximum water flow and pressure, which is crucial for emergency fire situations, efficient system performance in irrigation, and robust water supply from the main source. These applications prioritize the need for minimal pressure drop and maximum flow capacity, making full port valves a requirement in those scenarios.