Rhode Island Journeyman Plumber Practice Exam

A drinking fountain cannot be installed in which area?

1. Kitchen

2. Restroom

3. Office

4. Garage

The correct answer is: Restroom

A drinking fountain cannot be installed in a restroom due to health and safety regulations. Restrooms are areas where hygiene and sanitation are of utmost concern, and the proximity to potential contaminants, such as toilets and sinks used for washing hands, poses a risk of waterborne illnesses. Drinking fountains are designed to provide clean drinking water, and installing one in a restroom would undermine the purpose of ensuring safe, potable water. The guidelines for plumbing systems typically prohibit the placement of drinking fountains in restrooms to avoid cross-contamination. Instead, drinking fountains should be situated in more conducive environments like kitchens when they are appropriately placed away from direct contamination sources, offices where cleanliness is more easily maintained, or garages that are not used for food handling or sanitation. Thus, the restroom setting is not suitable for the installation of a drinking fountain.