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New Mexico MM-1 Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Contractor EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
New Mexico MM-1 Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Contractor Exam
10-Line Exam Coverage in Points Form
1. Business & Law – New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) regulations, CSLB
application & renewal procedures, worker’s comp requirements, financial responsibility,
and lien laws[citation:1].
2. HVAC Systems – Forced-air and hydronic system design, heat pump operation, VAV
systems, and basic psychrometrics[citation:2].
3. Refrigeration Cycle – Phase changes, superheat/subcooling calculations, TXV function,
and compressor operation[citation:2].
4. Load Calculations – Manual J residential and Manual N commercial procedures, heat
gain/loss, and equipment sizing[citation:2].
5. Duct Systems – Manual D sizing, pressure drop, friction loss, leakage testing, and
SMACNA fabrication standards[citation:2].
6. Gas Piping & Combustion – IFGC sizing, pressure testing (1.5x working pressure with
soap test), black iron piping, venting categories (I, II, III, IV), and combustion air
requirements[citation:2].
7. Electrical & Controls – Ohms law, single/three-phase power, contactors, relays,
thermostats, and VFD operation[citation:2].
8. Boilers – Hot water/steam boilers, low-water cutoff, pressure relief valves, expansion
tanks, and piping/circulator sizing[citation:2].
9. Safety – OSHA 1926 (Fall Protection at 6 feet), handling of refrigerants (EPA 608),
Lockout/Tagout, and PPE[citation:2].
10. Codes & Standards – International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fuel Gas Code
(IFGC), and New Mexico amendments[citation:2].
100 Practice Questions (A, B, C, D) with Rationales
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Question 1
According to the IMC, what is the primary purpose of a mechanical permit?
A) To generate revenue for the local municipality
B) To ensure compliance with mechanical codes and safety standards
C) To verify the contractor has general liability insurance
D) To schedule the final inspection date
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A mechanical permit is the primary mechanism for the Authority Having Jurisdiction
(AHJ) to enforce safety and code compliance[citation:2]. The core purpose is to ensure that the
installation meets minimum safety and performance standards outlined in the IMC, not merely
to generate revenue or verify insurance.
Question 2
If an existing mechanical system is being altered, how is the existing part of the system treated
under the current code?
A) It must be brought up to current code requirements
B) It may remain as is, regardless of code changes
C) It must be completely demolished
D) It does not require a permit if the alteration is under $1,000
Correct Answer: A
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Rationale: The IMC generally requires that existing systems that are being altered must be
brought up to current code requirements where they are affected by the alteration[citation:2].
This ensures that the modified portions of the system maintain a baseline of safety and
efficiency.
Question 3
What is the minimum clearance required for a furnace installed in a closet, specifically for
service access?
A) 6 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 18 inches
D) 24 inches
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While 12 inches might be expected for fire safety, the IMC typically requires a
minimum of 18 inches of clearance in front of equipment for service and maintenance
access[citation:2]. A minimum of 18 inches in front of equipment allows a technician to safely
service the unit.
Question 4
What is the minimum separation distance required between a propane tank and a building
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opening (door, window, or vent)?
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 20 feet
D) 30 feet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The IFGC requires a minimum distance of 10 feet between a propane tank and a
building opening or ignition source to reduce fire risk and prevent vapor from entering the
structure[citation:2]. Some codes require 10 feet horizontal separation.
Question 5
When testing a newly installed fuel-gas piping system for leaks, what is the correct method?
A) Visual inspection only
B) Applying soapy water to all joints while the system is pressurized
C) Filling the pipes with water and looking for leaks
D) Measuring the pressure drop over 24 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The IFGC requires a pressure test (typically at 1.5 times the maximum operating
pressure), followed by a soap-and-water bubble test on all joints and connections to detect
New Mexico MM-1 Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Contractor EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
New Mexico MM-1 Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Contractor Exam
10-Line Exam Coverage in Points Form
1. Business & Law – New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) regulations, CSLB
application & renewal procedures, worker’s comp requirements, financial responsibility,
and lien laws[citation:1].
2. HVAC Systems – Forced-air and hydronic system design, heat pump operation, VAV
systems, and basic psychrometrics[citation:2].
3. Refrigeration Cycle – Phase changes, superheat/subcooling calculations, TXV function,
and compressor operation[citation:2].
4. Load Calculations – Manual J residential and Manual N commercial procedures, heat
gain/loss, and equipment sizing[citation:2].
5. Duct Systems – Manual D sizing, pressure drop, friction loss, leakage testing, and
SMACNA fabrication standards[citation:2].
6. Gas Piping & Combustion – IFGC sizing, pressure testing (1.5x working pressure with
soap test), black iron piping, venting categories (I, II, III, IV), and combustion air
requirements[citation:2].
7. Electrical & Controls – Ohms law, single/three-phase power, contactors, relays,
thermostats, and VFD operation[citation:2].
8. Boilers – Hot water/steam boilers, low-water cutoff, pressure relief valves, expansion
tanks, and piping/circulator sizing[citation:2].
9. Safety – OSHA 1926 (Fall Protection at 6 feet), handling of refrigerants (EPA 608),
Lockout/Tagout, and PPE[citation:2].
10. Codes & Standards – International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fuel Gas Code
(IFGC), and New Mexico amendments[citation:2].
100 Practice Questions (A, B, C, D) with Rationales
, Page 2 of 131
Question 1
According to the IMC, what is the primary purpose of a mechanical permit?
A) To generate revenue for the local municipality
B) To ensure compliance with mechanical codes and safety standards
C) To verify the contractor has general liability insurance
D) To schedule the final inspection date
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A mechanical permit is the primary mechanism for the Authority Having Jurisdiction
(AHJ) to enforce safety and code compliance[citation:2]. The core purpose is to ensure that the
installation meets minimum safety and performance standards outlined in the IMC, not merely
to generate revenue or verify insurance.
Question 2
If an existing mechanical system is being altered, how is the existing part of the system treated
under the current code?
A) It must be brought up to current code requirements
B) It may remain as is, regardless of code changes
C) It must be completely demolished
D) It does not require a permit if the alteration is under $1,000
Correct Answer: A
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Rationale: The IMC generally requires that existing systems that are being altered must be
brought up to current code requirements where they are affected by the alteration[citation:2].
This ensures that the modified portions of the system maintain a baseline of safety and
efficiency.
Question 3
What is the minimum clearance required for a furnace installed in a closet, specifically for
service access?
A) 6 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 18 inches
D) 24 inches
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While 12 inches might be expected for fire safety, the IMC typically requires a
minimum of 18 inches of clearance in front of equipment for service and maintenance
access[citation:2]. A minimum of 18 inches in front of equipment allows a technician to safely
service the unit.
Question 4
What is the minimum separation distance required between a propane tank and a building
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opening (door, window, or vent)?
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 20 feet
D) 30 feet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The IFGC requires a minimum distance of 10 feet between a propane tank and a
building opening or ignition source to reduce fire risk and prevent vapor from entering the
structure[citation:2]. Some codes require 10 feet horizontal separation.
Question 5
When testing a newly installed fuel-gas piping system for leaks, what is the correct method?
A) Visual inspection only
B) Applying soapy water to all joints while the system is pressurized
C) Filling the pipes with water and looking for leaks
D) Measuring the pressure drop over 24 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The IFGC requires a pressure test (typically at 1.5 times the maximum operating
pressure), followed by a soap-and-water bubble test on all joints and connections to detect
