Massachusetts Plumbers Journeyman Practice Exam

Where should the waste from a clothes washer discharge through?

1. Safe waste pans

2. Ground drain

3. Air break

4. Laundromat

The correct answer is: Air break

The correct answer is that the waste from a clothes washer should discharge through an air break. An air break is a plumbing fitting that creates a gap between the waste line of the washing machine and the drainage system. This design helps to prevent backflow and ensures that wastewater does not contaminate the potable water supply. It is essential for maintaining sanitary conditions and is a common requirement in plumbing codes to safeguard against potential health risks associated with sewage contamination. Other choices, while relevant in some contexts, do not specifically address the method of discharging waste from a clothes washer as effectively as an air break does. Safe waste pans and ground drains are not standard discharge methods for washing machines, and the option of a laundromat does not pertain to the discharge of individual machine waste.