Massachusetts Plumbers Journeyman Exam
Existing Work A plumbing system or any part thereof installed prior to March 11, 2005.
Soil Pipe Any pipe that conveys the discharge of toilets, urinals or fixtures having similar
functions to the building drain or building sewer. The discharge may be conveyed
with or without the discharge from other fixtures
Water Distribution Pipe A pipe within the building or on the premises that conveys water from the water
service pipe to the point of usage
Barometric Loop. A vertical loop of pipe, rising to a height sufficient to prevent back-siphonage from
occurring in the potable water supply pipe. (Approximately 35 feet, depending on
the weight of the atmosphere.)
Developed Length The length of a pipeline as measured along the center line of the pipe or fittings.
Roughing-in. The installation of all parts of the plumbing system that can be completed prior to
the installation of fixtures. This includes drainage piping, water supply piping,
vent piping, the necessary fixture supports, and any fixtures that are built into the
building.
Trap Seal The vertical distance between the crown weir and the top of the dip of the trap.
Air Gap (Drainage System). The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the
outlet of a waste pipe and the flood level rim of the receptacle into which the
waste discharges.
Air
Fixture Unit. A unit of liquid flow used in sizing both supply and drainage pipes. It is equal to 1
cubic foot per minute or approximately 7.5 gallons per minute.
Liquid Waste Discharge from any fixture, appliance, area or appurtenance that does not
contain human or animal waste matter suspended in a solution.
Vacuum Any pressure less than that exerted by the atmosphere
Branch Interval A distance along a soil or waste stack corresponding in general to a story height,
but not less than eight feet in vertical height, and wherein the horizontal branches
from one floor or story of a building are connected to the stack
Testing water supply shall be at a pressure no less than? 125 PSI
Storm or Sanitary drains shall be installed at a slope that: a slope that produces a computed velocity of discharge of not less than two feet
per second.
Horizontal drainage piping which is (3) three inches in ¼ inch per foot
diameter or smaller shall be installed with a minimum
uniform pitch
Horizontal drainage piping which is larger than three 1/8 inch per foot
inches in diameter shall be installed with a minimum
uniform pitch of
, Massachusetts Plumbers Journeyman Exam
Special Labs. All licensed plumbers and plumbing shall have the surface of their body and clothing protected by disposable or
apprentices installing pipe connections or working on washable gowns similar or equal to the gowns, gloves and face masks worn by
drains to hospital waste and vent systems, mortuary surgical staff.
waste and vent systems, laboratory waste and vent
systems, dental waste and vent systems and plumbing
systems in radioactive sensitive areas
Whenever there is reason to believe that the plumbing test and/or inspection, and any defects found shall be corrected as required in
system of any building has become defective, it shall be writing by the Inspector
subjected
Waste and Vent shall be tested for? until there is a uniform gauge pressure of five P.S.I.G. or sufficient pressure to
balance a column of mercury ten inches in height. This pressure shall be held
without introduction of additional air for a period of at least 15 minutes. The
gauge used for this test shall be calibrated in increments no greater than 1/10 of
a pound. c
Upon completion of a section or of the entire water 125 pounds per square inch
supply system when roughed, it shall be tested and
proved tight under a pressure not less than
Upon notice of a request for an Inspection of the rough two working days after receipt of such notice
plumbing, the Inspector shall make the Inspection within
Two acceptable tests for Drain and Waste Peppermint Test and Air Test
Quarter bends, or their equivalent may be used in soil horizontal to the vertical.
and waste lines when the change in the direction of the
flow is from the
Short sweep fittings may be used in a branch waste line one outlet and cleanouts are provided.
when the waste line serves only
List 3 Prohibited Fittings -No fitting that incorporates a straight T branch shall be used as a drainage
fitting.
- No running threads, bands or saddles shall be used in a drainage system.
-A fitting commonly referred to as a "Sisson Joint" is prohibited
A dead end may be used to? Extend the cleanout.
Where trenches are excavated below grade such that back-filled to grade with sand tamped in place so as to provide a uniform bearing
the bottom of the trench does not form the bed for the surface for the pipe between joints.
pipe, the trench shall be?
Where rock is encountered in trenching, The rock shall at least three inches below the grade line of the trench and the trench shall be
be removed to a point backfilled to grade with sand tamped in place so as to provide a uniform bearing
for the pipe between joints; and b. care shall be exercised to ensure that no
portion of the pipe, including its joints, rests on any portion of a rock
Backfilling. 1. Until the crown of the pipe is covered by at two feet
lest____________ feet of tamped earth considerable
care shall be exercised in backfilling trenches
When are deviations from the plumbing code permited? -Existing buildings for repair or remodel work
-Inspectors permission prior to the start of the job
-They are necessary and conform to the intent of the code
If a plumbing inspector finds code violations in any Notify the owner or his or her agent.
existing plumbing or gas system that may cause a health
or safety hazard the inspector shall...?
, Massachusetts Plumbers Journeyman Exam
List two requirements when demolishing a building? 1. You must secure a plumbing permit
2. Must make all connections gas and water tight.
Storm or sanitary drains shall be installed at a slope that two feet per second
produces a computed velocity of discharge of not less
than
What fitting could you legally install that the branch is 4x3 closet bend (The enlargement of a three-inch closet bend or stub to four
larger than the main? inches shall not be considered an obstruction).
Trenching, Tunneling and Back-filling Where rock is The rock shall be removed to a point at least three inches below the grade line of
encountered in trenching the trench
Where trenches are excavated below grade such that the trench shall be back-filled to grade with sand tamped in place so as to
the bottom of the trench does not form the bed for the provide a uniform bearing surface for the pipe between joints.
pipe
Backfilling. 1. Until the crown of the pipe is covered by at at least two feet of tamped earth considerable care shall be exercised in
backfilling trenches
Meter boxes shall be constructed in such a manner that rats cannot enter a building by following the water service pipe from the box into
the building
All strainer plates on drain inlets shall be designed and 1/2"
installed so that the diameter of the opening is no greater
than...?
Piping in Relation to Footings. (a) Outside of Footings. destroy the bearing value of the soil
Piping which is installed outside of and below a footing
shall not
Through or Under Footings, Foundations or Walls. No a provision is made in the footing to carry the building or structural loads without
pipe shall be installed through or under a footing, transmitting such loads to the pipe.
foundation or wall, except when
Sewage Disposal Connections (Buildings). (a) The in the opinion of the Inspector, a single separate connection is not feasible.
plumbing of each building shall have an independent
connection to a public sanitary sewer outside of building,
unless
materials not covered by the standards listed in 248 approval of the State Board
CMR 10.06 may be used with the approval of the...?
Allowable Materials. (a) When installing fittings or piping same material as the existing stack or drain and be compliant with a joining
for renovations or alterations within an existing soil stack, method outlined in 248 CMR 10.07
waste stack, vent stack or drain, the fitting or piping shall
be of the
Exception: In new residential construction Cast Iron
____________ pipe may be used exclusively with PVC
for sound reduction
Sheet Lead. shall meet the following requirements: 1. four pounds per square foot
For a safe pan the sheet lead shall not be less than
For vent terminal flashing the sheet lead shall not be less three pounds per square foot. 3lbs
than
Existing Work A plumbing system or any part thereof installed prior to March 11, 2005.
Soil Pipe Any pipe that conveys the discharge of toilets, urinals or fixtures having similar
functions to the building drain or building sewer. The discharge may be conveyed
with or without the discharge from other fixtures
Water Distribution Pipe A pipe within the building or on the premises that conveys water from the water
service pipe to the point of usage
Barometric Loop. A vertical loop of pipe, rising to a height sufficient to prevent back-siphonage from
occurring in the potable water supply pipe. (Approximately 35 feet, depending on
the weight of the atmosphere.)
Developed Length The length of a pipeline as measured along the center line of the pipe or fittings.
Roughing-in. The installation of all parts of the plumbing system that can be completed prior to
the installation of fixtures. This includes drainage piping, water supply piping,
vent piping, the necessary fixture supports, and any fixtures that are built into the
building.
Trap Seal The vertical distance between the crown weir and the top of the dip of the trap.
Air Gap (Drainage System). The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the
outlet of a waste pipe and the flood level rim of the receptacle into which the
waste discharges.
Air
Fixture Unit. A unit of liquid flow used in sizing both supply and drainage pipes. It is equal to 1
cubic foot per minute or approximately 7.5 gallons per minute.
Liquid Waste Discharge from any fixture, appliance, area or appurtenance that does not
contain human or animal waste matter suspended in a solution.
Vacuum Any pressure less than that exerted by the atmosphere
Branch Interval A distance along a soil or waste stack corresponding in general to a story height,
but not less than eight feet in vertical height, and wherein the horizontal branches
from one floor or story of a building are connected to the stack
Testing water supply shall be at a pressure no less than? 125 PSI
Storm or Sanitary drains shall be installed at a slope that: a slope that produces a computed velocity of discharge of not less than two feet
per second.
Horizontal drainage piping which is (3) three inches in ¼ inch per foot
diameter or smaller shall be installed with a minimum
uniform pitch
Horizontal drainage piping which is larger than three 1/8 inch per foot
inches in diameter shall be installed with a minimum
uniform pitch of
, Massachusetts Plumbers Journeyman Exam
Special Labs. All licensed plumbers and plumbing shall have the surface of their body and clothing protected by disposable or
apprentices installing pipe connections or working on washable gowns similar or equal to the gowns, gloves and face masks worn by
drains to hospital waste and vent systems, mortuary surgical staff.
waste and vent systems, laboratory waste and vent
systems, dental waste and vent systems and plumbing
systems in radioactive sensitive areas
Whenever there is reason to believe that the plumbing test and/or inspection, and any defects found shall be corrected as required in
system of any building has become defective, it shall be writing by the Inspector
subjected
Waste and Vent shall be tested for? until there is a uniform gauge pressure of five P.S.I.G. or sufficient pressure to
balance a column of mercury ten inches in height. This pressure shall be held
without introduction of additional air for a period of at least 15 minutes. The
gauge used for this test shall be calibrated in increments no greater than 1/10 of
a pound. c
Upon completion of a section or of the entire water 125 pounds per square inch
supply system when roughed, it shall be tested and
proved tight under a pressure not less than
Upon notice of a request for an Inspection of the rough two working days after receipt of such notice
plumbing, the Inspector shall make the Inspection within
Two acceptable tests for Drain and Waste Peppermint Test and Air Test
Quarter bends, or their equivalent may be used in soil horizontal to the vertical.
and waste lines when the change in the direction of the
flow is from the
Short sweep fittings may be used in a branch waste line one outlet and cleanouts are provided.
when the waste line serves only
List 3 Prohibited Fittings -No fitting that incorporates a straight T branch shall be used as a drainage
fitting.
- No running threads, bands or saddles shall be used in a drainage system.
-A fitting commonly referred to as a "Sisson Joint" is prohibited
A dead end may be used to? Extend the cleanout.
Where trenches are excavated below grade such that back-filled to grade with sand tamped in place so as to provide a uniform bearing
the bottom of the trench does not form the bed for the surface for the pipe between joints.
pipe, the trench shall be?
Where rock is encountered in trenching, The rock shall at least three inches below the grade line of the trench and the trench shall be
be removed to a point backfilled to grade with sand tamped in place so as to provide a uniform bearing
for the pipe between joints; and b. care shall be exercised to ensure that no
portion of the pipe, including its joints, rests on any portion of a rock
Backfilling. 1. Until the crown of the pipe is covered by at two feet
lest____________ feet of tamped earth considerable
care shall be exercised in backfilling trenches
When are deviations from the plumbing code permited? -Existing buildings for repair or remodel work
-Inspectors permission prior to the start of the job
-They are necessary and conform to the intent of the code
If a plumbing inspector finds code violations in any Notify the owner or his or her agent.
existing plumbing or gas system that may cause a health
or safety hazard the inspector shall...?
, Massachusetts Plumbers Journeyman Exam
List two requirements when demolishing a building? 1. You must secure a plumbing permit
2. Must make all connections gas and water tight.
Storm or sanitary drains shall be installed at a slope that two feet per second
produces a computed velocity of discharge of not less
than
What fitting could you legally install that the branch is 4x3 closet bend (The enlargement of a three-inch closet bend or stub to four
larger than the main? inches shall not be considered an obstruction).
Trenching, Tunneling and Back-filling Where rock is The rock shall be removed to a point at least three inches below the grade line of
encountered in trenching the trench
Where trenches are excavated below grade such that the trench shall be back-filled to grade with sand tamped in place so as to
the bottom of the trench does not form the bed for the provide a uniform bearing surface for the pipe between joints.
pipe
Backfilling. 1. Until the crown of the pipe is covered by at at least two feet of tamped earth considerable care shall be exercised in
backfilling trenches
Meter boxes shall be constructed in such a manner that rats cannot enter a building by following the water service pipe from the box into
the building
All strainer plates on drain inlets shall be designed and 1/2"
installed so that the diameter of the opening is no greater
than...?
Piping in Relation to Footings. (a) Outside of Footings. destroy the bearing value of the soil
Piping which is installed outside of and below a footing
shall not
Through or Under Footings, Foundations or Walls. No a provision is made in the footing to carry the building or structural loads without
pipe shall be installed through or under a footing, transmitting such loads to the pipe.
foundation or wall, except when
Sewage Disposal Connections (Buildings). (a) The in the opinion of the Inspector, a single separate connection is not feasible.
plumbing of each building shall have an independent
connection to a public sanitary sewer outside of building,
unless
materials not covered by the standards listed in 248 approval of the State Board
CMR 10.06 may be used with the approval of the...?
Allowable Materials. (a) When installing fittings or piping same material as the existing stack or drain and be compliant with a joining
for renovations or alterations within an existing soil stack, method outlined in 248 CMR 10.07
waste stack, vent stack or drain, the fitting or piping shall
be of the
Exception: In new residential construction Cast Iron
____________ pipe may be used exclusively with PVC
for sound reduction
Sheet Lead. shall meet the following requirements: 1. four pounds per square foot
For a safe pan the sheet lead shall not be less than
For vent terminal flashing the sheet lead shall not be less three pounds per square foot. 3lbs
than
