NEVADA NV A-20 INDUSTRIAL PIPING
CONTRACTOR EXAM 2026 CERTIFICATION
EVALUATION EXAMS
◉ (D) An industrial facility requires a pressurized piping system for
transporting 98% sulfuric acid at ambient temperature. What
materials, joint methods, safety features, and maintenance
requirements apply? Answer: For concentrated sulfuric acid, the
system requires alloy 20, high-silicon cast iron, or PTFE-lined carbon
steel pipe with flanged connections using specialized gaskets
(PTFE/PFA envelope type with appropriate filler). According to
chemical handling standards, ASME B31.3, and sulfuric acid safety
guidelines, the system must include: secondary containment with
acid-resistant coating, leak detection with alarm systems, barricaded
pump areas, diaphragm or magnetically coupled pumps to eliminate
seal leakage, clearly identified emergency isolation valves, safety
showers and eyewash stations within 10 seconds travel distance,
appropriate personal protective equipment stations, scheduled
thickness testing of piping components, and comprehensive
emergency response procedures including neutralization materials
appropriate for sulfuric acid.
◉ (E) What is the difference between parallel and series pump
arrangements in a pressurized water system? Answer: In a parallel
pump arrangement, multiple pumps discharge into a common
header, increasing the system flow capacity while maintaining
,approximately the same discharge pressure as a single pump. In a
series arrangement, pumps are installed sequentially with the
discharge of one feeding the suction of the next, increasing the total
discharge pressure while maintaining approximately the same flow
rate. According to pump engineering standards, parallel
arrangements are used when variable flow demands exist, while
series arrangements overcome higher system pressure
requirements.
◉ (M) What are the requirements for supporting a horizontal run of
8-inch (203 mm) high-temperature steam pipe operating at 375°F
(191°C) in an industrial facility? Answer: The pipe requires roller or
slider supports with maximum spacing of 19 ft (5.8 m), proper
guiding to control expansion movement, anchors positioned
according to stress analysis, spring supports where load variations
occur during thermal expansion, and minimum 2 inches (51 mm)
clearance from structural components. According to ASME B31.1
and pipe support design standards, supports must accommodate
vertical loads of the pipe plus insulation plus fluid content with a
safety factor of 5, include anti-seize compounds on sliding surfaces,
maintain proper pipe slope for drainage, and undergo regular
inspection for binding or deterioration of support components.
◉ (D) A food processing facility requires a Clean-In-Place (CIP)
system operating at 185°F (85°C) and 75 PSI (517 kPa) for sanitizing
production equipment. What design features, materials, and
validation requirements apply? Answer: The CIP system requires
316L stainless steel with 3A-compliant sanitary fittings, orbital
,welding with full documentation, minimum 2% slope for complete
drainage, and no dead legs exceeding 1.5 pipe diameters. According
to food safety regulations (FSMA, GFSI) and 3-A Sanitary Standards,
the system must include: sanitary pumps with mechanical seals
compatible with cleaning chemicals, spray devices validated for
complete coverage, temperature monitoring with recording
capability, chemical concentration verification, automated valve
sequencing for proper isolation, flow rate monitoring ensuring
turbulent flow (minimum Reynolds number >10,000), and
validation protocols including: coverage testing (riboflavin method),
microbial verification after cleaning cycles, temperature mapping,
and chemical concentration verification throughout the system with
comprehensive documentation for food safety audits.
◉ (M) What are the requirements for welding stainless steel piping
in an oxygen service application for an institutional facility? Answer:
Welding of stainless steel for oxygen service requires qualified
welders certified to ASME Section IX with specific qualifications for
the material and position. According to CGA G-4.4, AWS D18.1, and
oxygen safety standards, the process must include: cleaning and
degreasing of all surfaces before welding, inert gas purging inside
and outside during welding, dedicated tools used only for oxygen
service components, full penetration welds without undercut or
porosity, 100% visual inspection of all welds, minimum 10%
radiographic or dye penetrant testing, and post-weld cleaning
including passivation. Documentation must include welding
procedure specifications (WPS), procedure qualification records
(PQR), welder qualification records, and oxygen cleanliness
certification.
, ◉ (E) What is the purpose of a strainer in a pressurized industrial
piping system? Answer: A strainer captures and removes solid
particles, debris, and contaminants from the fluid flow to protect
downstream equipment such as pumps, valves, and instrumentation
from damage or clogging. According to engineering standards,
strainers should be installed before critical components, sized
appropriately for the flow rate with acceptable pressure drop,
include proper mesh size selection based on protected equipment
requirements, and allow for cleaning or replacement of the filter
element without major system disruption.
◉ (D) An industrial facility requires installation of a high-pressure
hydraulic system operating at 3000 PSI (20,684 kPa) for operating
production equipment. What piping specifications, installation
methods, and testing procedures are required? Answer: The system
requires seamless steel tubing conforming to SAE J524 or ASTM
A179 with minimum burst pressure of 12,000 PSI (82,737 kPa), or
high-pressure hydraulic hose meeting SAE J517 standards with
appropriate end fittings. According to hydraulic system design
standards and safety regulations, the installation must include:
flared, compression, or welded connections (no threaded pipes
above 2000 PSI/13,790 kPa), appropriate bend radius for tubing
(minimum 3x pipe diameter), continuous pipe runs where possible,
vibration isolation at equipment connections, protective sleeving in
traffic areas, clear labeling showing pressure rating, pressure testing
at 1.5 times working pressure in incremental stages with
appropriate safety protocols, leak testing using hydraulic oil at
CONTRACTOR EXAM 2026 CERTIFICATION
EVALUATION EXAMS
◉ (D) An industrial facility requires a pressurized piping system for
transporting 98% sulfuric acid at ambient temperature. What
materials, joint methods, safety features, and maintenance
requirements apply? Answer: For concentrated sulfuric acid, the
system requires alloy 20, high-silicon cast iron, or PTFE-lined carbon
steel pipe with flanged connections using specialized gaskets
(PTFE/PFA envelope type with appropriate filler). According to
chemical handling standards, ASME B31.3, and sulfuric acid safety
guidelines, the system must include: secondary containment with
acid-resistant coating, leak detection with alarm systems, barricaded
pump areas, diaphragm or magnetically coupled pumps to eliminate
seal leakage, clearly identified emergency isolation valves, safety
showers and eyewash stations within 10 seconds travel distance,
appropriate personal protective equipment stations, scheduled
thickness testing of piping components, and comprehensive
emergency response procedures including neutralization materials
appropriate for sulfuric acid.
◉ (E) What is the difference between parallel and series pump
arrangements in a pressurized water system? Answer: In a parallel
pump arrangement, multiple pumps discharge into a common
header, increasing the system flow capacity while maintaining
,approximately the same discharge pressure as a single pump. In a
series arrangement, pumps are installed sequentially with the
discharge of one feeding the suction of the next, increasing the total
discharge pressure while maintaining approximately the same flow
rate. According to pump engineering standards, parallel
arrangements are used when variable flow demands exist, while
series arrangements overcome higher system pressure
requirements.
◉ (M) What are the requirements for supporting a horizontal run of
8-inch (203 mm) high-temperature steam pipe operating at 375°F
(191°C) in an industrial facility? Answer: The pipe requires roller or
slider supports with maximum spacing of 19 ft (5.8 m), proper
guiding to control expansion movement, anchors positioned
according to stress analysis, spring supports where load variations
occur during thermal expansion, and minimum 2 inches (51 mm)
clearance from structural components. According to ASME B31.1
and pipe support design standards, supports must accommodate
vertical loads of the pipe plus insulation plus fluid content with a
safety factor of 5, include anti-seize compounds on sliding surfaces,
maintain proper pipe slope for drainage, and undergo regular
inspection for binding or deterioration of support components.
◉ (D) A food processing facility requires a Clean-In-Place (CIP)
system operating at 185°F (85°C) and 75 PSI (517 kPa) for sanitizing
production equipment. What design features, materials, and
validation requirements apply? Answer: The CIP system requires
316L stainless steel with 3A-compliant sanitary fittings, orbital
,welding with full documentation, minimum 2% slope for complete
drainage, and no dead legs exceeding 1.5 pipe diameters. According
to food safety regulations (FSMA, GFSI) and 3-A Sanitary Standards,
the system must include: sanitary pumps with mechanical seals
compatible with cleaning chemicals, spray devices validated for
complete coverage, temperature monitoring with recording
capability, chemical concentration verification, automated valve
sequencing for proper isolation, flow rate monitoring ensuring
turbulent flow (minimum Reynolds number >10,000), and
validation protocols including: coverage testing (riboflavin method),
microbial verification after cleaning cycles, temperature mapping,
and chemical concentration verification throughout the system with
comprehensive documentation for food safety audits.
◉ (M) What are the requirements for welding stainless steel piping
in an oxygen service application for an institutional facility? Answer:
Welding of stainless steel for oxygen service requires qualified
welders certified to ASME Section IX with specific qualifications for
the material and position. According to CGA G-4.4, AWS D18.1, and
oxygen safety standards, the process must include: cleaning and
degreasing of all surfaces before welding, inert gas purging inside
and outside during welding, dedicated tools used only for oxygen
service components, full penetration welds without undercut or
porosity, 100% visual inspection of all welds, minimum 10%
radiographic or dye penetrant testing, and post-weld cleaning
including passivation. Documentation must include welding
procedure specifications (WPS), procedure qualification records
(PQR), welder qualification records, and oxygen cleanliness
certification.
, ◉ (E) What is the purpose of a strainer in a pressurized industrial
piping system? Answer: A strainer captures and removes solid
particles, debris, and contaminants from the fluid flow to protect
downstream equipment such as pumps, valves, and instrumentation
from damage or clogging. According to engineering standards,
strainers should be installed before critical components, sized
appropriately for the flow rate with acceptable pressure drop,
include proper mesh size selection based on protected equipment
requirements, and allow for cleaning or replacement of the filter
element without major system disruption.
◉ (D) An industrial facility requires installation of a high-pressure
hydraulic system operating at 3000 PSI (20,684 kPa) for operating
production equipment. What piping specifications, installation
methods, and testing procedures are required? Answer: The system
requires seamless steel tubing conforming to SAE J524 or ASTM
A179 with minimum burst pressure of 12,000 PSI (82,737 kPa), or
high-pressure hydraulic hose meeting SAE J517 standards with
appropriate end fittings. According to hydraulic system design
standards and safety regulations, the installation must include:
flared, compression, or welded connections (no threaded pipes
above 2000 PSI/13,790 kPa), appropriate bend radius for tubing
(minimum 3x pipe diameter), continuous pipe runs where possible,
vibration isolation at equipment connections, protective sleeving in
traffic areas, clear labeling showing pressure rating, pressure testing
at 1.5 times working pressure in incremental stages with
appropriate safety protocols, leak testing using hydraulic oil at
