Atmospheric and pressure vacuum breakers are typically found in which application?

Atmospheric and pressure vacuum breakers are specifically designed to prevent backflow in irrigation systems. These devices help maintain the integrity of the potable water supply by stopping potentially contaminated water from flowing back into the clean water system. In irrigation applications, where water is often exposed to soil, fertilizers, and other potential contaminants, ensuring that water does not reverse flow and contaminate the source is critical. Pressure vacuum breakers achieve this by allowing air to enter the system when the pressure drops, which effectively breaks the siphon effect that could draw water back into the supply lines.

Other applications, such as residential plumbing, fire suppression systems, and pump stations, may have differing requirements for backflow prevention and often utilize different types of devices tailored to those specific contexts.