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Journeyman Plumber Exam practice questions

205 free questions with answers and explanations.

Practice test
  1. 1.A plumber is installing a new water service line to a single-family dwelling. The local plumbing code specifies a minimum burial depth of 12 inches for water service piping. However, the trench depth available due to existing underground utilities is only 8 inches. What is the most appropriate action the plumber should take?Water Supply Systems
  2. 2.A plumber is installing a new gas-fired clothes dryer in a residential laundry room. The dryer requires a 1/2-inch (DN15) gas supply line. The total developed length of the gas piping from the main manifold to the dryer connection point is 30 feet (9 meters), and there are six 90-degree elbows in the run. Assuming natural gas with a specific gravity of 0.60 and a pressure drop of 0.5 inches water column, what is the equivalent length (in feet) of the piping for sizing purposes?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  3. 3.A plumber is installing a water heater in a utility closet. The water heater is equipped with a temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve. The discharge pipe from the T&P valve must terminate in a specific manner to prevent hazards. Which of the following is the correct termination requirement for a T&P valve discharge pipe?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  4. 4.A plumber is installing a hot water recirculation system in a large single-family home. The system includes a circulator pump. Which type of check valve is typically recommended for installation on the discharge side of the recirculation pump to prevent reverse flow and ensure efficient operation?Water Supply Systems
  5. 5.A plumber is installing a water closet (toilet) in a commercial restroom. According to the International Plumbing Code (IPC), what is the minimum clear space required in front of a water closet?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  6. 6.A plumber is installing a single-lever kitchen faucet with an integral sprayer. The local jurisdiction follows the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). What is the minimum required flow rate for this kitchen faucet, measured in gallons per minute (GPM)?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  7. 7.A client requests the installation of a new dishwasher. The manufacturer's instructions specify a minimum 7/8-inch air gap for the dishwasher drain hose. Which of the following is the primary reason for installing an air gap?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  8. 8.A plumber is installing a water-hammer arrestor on a washing machine supply line. Which of the following statements best describes the principle by which a water-hammer arrestor functions?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  9. 9.A plumber is installing a water service pipe for a new commercial building. The pipe will be installed underground. According to the International Plumbing Code (IPC), what is the minimum depth of cover required for underground water service piping?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  10. 10.A plumber is installing a water distribution system in a commercial kitchen. The hot water supply to a dishwashing machine requires a minimum temperature of 180°F (82°C). The building's main water heater only supplies water at 140°F (60°C). What type of water heater would typically be installed near the dishwashing machine to meet the required temperature?Water Supply Systems
  11. 11.A plumber is installing a new kitchen sink and plans to connect a garbage disposal to it. The local code requires a dedicated circuit for the garbage disposal. If the garbage disposal is rated at 1/2 horsepower, what is the minimum amperage rating for the dedicated branch circuit overcurrent protection, assuming a standard 120-volt supply?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  12. 12.A journeyman plumber is installing a commercial kitchen three-compartment sink. According to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), what is the minimum nominal pipe size for the indirect waste receptor serving this sink?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  13. 13.A plumber is installing a water closet in a residential bathroom. According to IPC 2021, what is the minimum clear space required in front of the water closet, measured from the front rim of the fixture?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  14. 14.A plumber is installing a water softener in a residential application. The local plumbing code, based on the UPC, requires a minimum of 6 feet of developed length between the water softener discharge and the building drain or branch drain. If the discharge pipe is 1.5 inches in diameter, what is the maximum number of 90-degree elbows allowed within this 6-foot developed length, assuming each 90-degree elbow is equivalent to 5 feet of straight pipe for friction loss calculations?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  15. 15.A client is replacing an existing electric water heater. The new water heater has a capacity of 50 gallons. According to common plumbing practices and code, what is the maximum length allowed for the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve discharge pipe?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  16. 16.A plumber is installing a water heater in a residential garage. The local authority, which follows the International Plumbing Code (IPC), requires that water heaters in garages be elevated to prevent ignition of flammable vapors. What is the minimum height from the garage floor to the ignition source of the water heater, as per IPC?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  17. 17.A plumber is installing a new bathtub in a residential bathroom. What is the minimum required diameter for the trap and trap arm serving this fixture?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  18. 18.A plumber is installing a new bathtub and shower combination in a residential bathroom. The local code requires a minimum access opening for the bathtub trap. What is the typical minimum size for an access opening to a bathtub trap, as per most plumbing codes?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  19. 19.A homeowner is replacing an old garbage disposal. The new disposal has a 1/2 horsepower motor. According to common plumbing practices and electrical codes, what is the minimum typical branch circuit amperage required for a permanently wired garbage disposal operating at 120V?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  20. 20.A residential water heater is equipped with a temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve. The discharge pipe from this valve should terminate in a specific manner according to plumbing codes. Which of the following describes the correct termination for a T&P relief valve discharge pipe?Water Supply Systems
  21. 21.A journeyman plumber is tasked with installing a new water heater in an existing residential dwelling. The local plumbing code specifies that a temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve discharge pipe must terminate within 6 inches of the floor. What is the maximum height above the floor that the discharge pipe's end can be, according to this code requirement?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  22. 22.A journeyman plumber is installing a backflow prevention assembly on a potable water supply line to a commercial irrigation system. According to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), what is the minimum air gap required for an atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB) in this application?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  23. 23.A journeyman plumber is inspecting a newly installed vent termination on a residential roof. According to the International Plumbing Code (IPC), what is the minimum distance required between a plumbing vent termination and any window, door, or other ventilating opening?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  24. 24.A plumber is installing a water service line from the public water main to a residential property. The trench passes through an area known to have aggressive soil conditions (e.g., highly acidic or alkaline). Which of the following water service pipe materials would be most resistant to external corrosion in such conditions?Water Supply Systems
  25. 25.A homeowner reports a foul odor emanating from their seldom-used guest bathroom sink. Upon inspection, you find the trap is dry. What is the most likely cause of the dry trap?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  26. 26.A plumber is installing a water softener in a residential basement. The manufacturer's instructions specify that the drain line from the softener's regeneration cycle must connect to the sanitary drainage system. What is the minimum air gap required between the discharge pipe and the receiving fixture's flood level rim?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  27. 27.A journeyman plumber is replacing a section of 2-inch diameter cast iron drainage pipe with PVC pipe in an existing commercial building. According to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), what is the maximum horizontal spacing required for supports for this 2-inch PVC drainage pipe?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  28. 28.A plumber is installing a water distribution system in a new commercial building. The design calls for a main cold water supply line to be sized to deliver 60 GPM with a maximum velocity of 8 feet per second (fps). Using the formula Q = A × V (where Q = flow rate in ft³/s, A = cross-sectional area in ft², V = velocity in ft/s) and knowing 1 GPM = 0.002228 ft³/s, what is the minimum nominal pipe size (inside diameter) required for this application? (Note: Schedule 40 pipe inside diameters are approximately: 2" = 2.067", 2.5" = 2.469", 3" = 3.068", 4" = 4.026")Water Supply Systems
  29. 29.A plumber is preparing to perform a hydrostatic test on a newly installed sanitary drainage system in a multi-story commercial building. According to the International Plumbing Code (IPC), how long must the water be retained in the system for the test to be considered complete?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  30. 30.A plumber is installing a new wall-mounted water closet in a commercial building. According to the International Plumbing Code (IPC), what is the minimum clear space required in front of a water closet, from the front rim to any wall or obstruction?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  31. 31.During a routine inspection, a plumber observes a cross-connection between a potable water supply line and a non-potable irrigation system at a commercial property. There is no backflow prevention device installed. What is the primary hazard associated with this condition?Water Supply Systems
  32. 32.A plumber is inspecting a new commercial building's water distribution system. The local code requires that all water heaters be equipped with a temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve. Which of the following statements accurately describes the proper termination of the T&P valve discharge pipe?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  33. 33.A plumber is installing a water-saving toilet (water closet) that is rated for 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf). What is the maximum allowable water consumption for water closets in new installations, according to current federal standards (Energy Policy Act of 1992, as amended)?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  34. 34.A plumber is installing a new natural gas appliance in a residential property. The local gas code requires that all gas piping, other than listed appliance connectors, must be rigidly supported. What is the maximum horizontal spacing for supports for 1/2-inch (15 mm) steel gas piping?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  35. 35.A plumber is troubleshooting a potable water distribution system in a multi-story building. Occupants on the upper floors are reporting consistently low water pressure, even when fixtures on lower floors are not in use. The water service enters the building at ground level with adequate pressure. What is the most likely cause of this issue?Water Supply Systems
  36. 36.A journeyman plumber is installing a new commercial kitchen. The local plumbing code requires that all food preparation equipment with indirect waste connections, such as commercial dishwashers and steam kettles, must discharge into a floor sink with an adequate air gap. Which of the following is the PRIMARY reason for this code requirement?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  37. 37.A plumber is performing a rough-in inspection for a new residential dwelling. The inspection includes confirming that all required cleanouts are correctly installed. According to the International Plumbing Code (IPC), what is the maximum distance a cleanout can be located from the upstream end of a horizontal drainage pipe?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  38. 38.A journeyman plumber is tasked with installing a backflow prevention device on a non-potable water supply system used for irrigation. According to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), which of the following devices offers the highest level of protection against both backpressure and backsiphonage for this application?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  39. 39.A plumber is installing a water distribution system using PEX tubing. According to common plumbing codes, what is the maximum permissible continuous operating temperature for PEX tubing used in potable hot water systems?Water Supply Systems
  40. 40.A plumber is inspecting a newly installed backwater valve on a building drainage system. According to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), what is the primary purpose of a backwater valve?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  41. 41.A plumber is installing a water-hammer arrestor on a washing machine supply line. According to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), where should water-hammer arrestors be installed?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  42. 42.A plumber is installing a shower receptor (base) in a new residential bathroom. What is the minimum interior dimension required for a shower receptor, measured from the finished interior of the shower stall, according to the International Plumbing Code (IPC)?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  43. 43.A plumber is performing a final inspection of a newly installed commercial kitchen. The kitchen includes multiple grease-producing fixtures. According to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), what is the minimum required size for the outlet pipe of a grease interceptor serving a commercial kitchen?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  44. 44.A plumber is installing a wall-hung lavatory in a public restroom. According to ADA standards, what is the maximum height permitted for the rim or counter surface of the lavatory above the finished floor?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  45. 45.A journeyman plumber is replacing a section of a potable water distribution pipe in a building. The existing pipe is galvanized steel, and the new section will be copper. According to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), what fitting must be used to connect these two dissimilar metals to prevent accelerated corrosion?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  46. 46.A plumber is installing a water heater in a garage. The manufacturer's instructions state that if the water heater is installed in a location susceptible to mechanical damage, it must be protected. Which of the following methods satisfies this requirement?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  47. 47.A plumber is performing a rough-in inspection for a new water distribution system. The system includes copper, PEX, and CPVC piping. Before the final connections are made, the system must be pressure tested. What is the generally accepted minimum test pressure and duration for a water distribution system, according to most plumbing codes?Water Supply Systems
  48. 48.A plumber is installing a new wall-mounted lavatory in a commercial public restroom. The rim of the lavatory must be set at a height that complies with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility standards. What is the maximum height allowed for the rim of the lavatory from the finished floor?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances
  49. 49.A plumber is installing a water-supplied appliance in a commercial laundry room. The appliance requires an indirect waste connection. According to plumbing codes, what is the maximum vertical distance allowed between the indirect waste pipe outlet and the flood level rim of the receptor into which it discharges?Plumbing Code and Regulations
  50. 50.A plumber is installing a washing machine. The washing machine standpipe for the drain must extend a certain distance above the trap weir to prevent suds or wastewater from overflowing the standpipe during discharge. What is the minimum height required for the standpipe above the trap weir, according to UPC standards?Fixtures, Faucets, and Other Appliances