Massachusetts Plumbers Journeyman Exam Questions Answered Correctly Latest Update
2025-2026
Existing Work - Answers A plumbing system or any part thereof installed prior to March 11, 2005.
Soil Pipe - Answers 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 - Answers A pipe within the building or on the premises that conveys
water from the water service pipe to the point of usage
Barometric Loop. - Answers 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 - Answers The length of a pipeline as measured along the center line of the
pipe or fittings.
Roughing-in. - Answers 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 - Answers The vertical distance between the crown weir and the top of the dip of the
trap.
Air Gap (Drainage System). - Answers 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. - Answers 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 - Answers Discharge from any fixture, appliance, area or appurtenance that does
not contain human or animal waste matter suspended in a solution.
Vacuum - Answers Any pressure less than that exerted by the atmosphere
Branch Interval - Answers 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? - Answers 125 PSI
Storm or Sanitary drains shall be installed at a slope that: - Answers 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 diameter or smaller shall be installed with
a minimum uniform pitch - Answers ¼ inch per foot
Horizontal drainage piping which is larger than three inches in diameter shall be installed with a
minimum uniform pitch of - Answers 1/8 inch per foot
Special Labs. All licensed plumbers and plumbing apprentices installing pipe connections or
working on drains to hospital waste and vent systems, mortuary waste and vent systems,
laboratory waste and vent systems, dental waste and vent systems and plumbing systems in
radioactive sensitive areas - Answers shall have the surface of their body and clothing protected
by disposable or washable gowns similar or equal to the gowns, gloves and face masks worn by
surgical staff.
Whenever there is reason to believe that the plumbing system of any building has become
defective, it shall be subjected - Answers test and/or inspection, and any defects found shall be
corrected as required in writing by the Inspector
Waste and Vent shall be tested for? - Answers 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 supply system when roughed, it shall be
tested and proved tight under a pressure not less than - Answers 125 pounds per square inch
Upon notice of a request for an Inspection of the rough plumbing, the Inspector shall make the
Inspection within - Answers two working days after receipt of such notice
Two acceptable tests for Drain and Waste - Answers Peppermint Test and Air Test
Quarter bends, or their equivalent may be used in soil and waste lines when the change in the
direction of the flow is from the - Answers horizontal to the vertical.
Short sweep fittings may be used in a branch waste line when the waste line serves only -
Answers one outlet and cleanouts are provided.
List 3 Prohibited Fittings - Answers -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? - Answers Extend the cleanout.
, Where trenches are excavated below grade such that the bottom of the trench does not form
the bed for the pipe, the trench shall be? - Answers back-filled to grade with sand tamped in
place so as to provide a uniform bearing surface for the pipe between joints.
Where rock is encountered in trenching, The rock shall be removed to a point - Answers at least
three inches below the grade line of the trench and the trench shall be 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 lest____________ feet of tamped earth
considerable care shall be exercised in backfilling trenches - Answers two feet
When are deviations from the plumbing code permited? - Answers -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 existing plumbing or gas system that may
cause a health or safety hazard the inspector shall...? - Answers Notify the owner or his or her
agent.
List two requirements when demolishing a building? - Answers 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 produces a computed velocity of
discharge of not less than - Answers two feet per second
What fitting could you legally install that the branch is larger than the main? - Answers 4x3
closet bend (The enlargement of a three-inch closet bend or stub to four inches shall not be
considered an obstruction).
Trenching, Tunneling and Back-filling Where rock is encountered in trenching - Answers The
rock shall be removed to a point at least three inches below the grade line of the trench
Where trenches are excavated below grade such that the bottom of the trench does not form
the bed for the pipe - Answers the trench shall be back-filled to grade with sand tamped in place
so as to provide a uniform bearing surface for the pipe between joints.
Backfilling. 1. Until the crown of the pipe is covered by at - Answers 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 - Answers rats cannot enter a building
2025-2026
Existing Work - Answers A plumbing system or any part thereof installed prior to March 11, 2005.
Soil Pipe - Answers 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 - Answers A pipe within the building or on the premises that conveys
water from the water service pipe to the point of usage
Barometric Loop. - Answers 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 - Answers The length of a pipeline as measured along the center line of the
pipe or fittings.
Roughing-in. - Answers 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 - Answers The vertical distance between the crown weir and the top of the dip of the
trap.
Air Gap (Drainage System). - Answers 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. - Answers 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 - Answers Discharge from any fixture, appliance, area or appurtenance that does
not contain human or animal waste matter suspended in a solution.
Vacuum - Answers Any pressure less than that exerted by the atmosphere
Branch Interval - Answers 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? - Answers 125 PSI
Storm or Sanitary drains shall be installed at a slope that: - Answers 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 diameter or smaller shall be installed with
a minimum uniform pitch - Answers ¼ inch per foot
Horizontal drainage piping which is larger than three inches in diameter shall be installed with a
minimum uniform pitch of - Answers 1/8 inch per foot
Special Labs. All licensed plumbers and plumbing apprentices installing pipe connections or
working on drains to hospital waste and vent systems, mortuary waste and vent systems,
laboratory waste and vent systems, dental waste and vent systems and plumbing systems in
radioactive sensitive areas - Answers shall have the surface of their body and clothing protected
by disposable or washable gowns similar or equal to the gowns, gloves and face masks worn by
surgical staff.
Whenever there is reason to believe that the plumbing system of any building has become
defective, it shall be subjected - Answers test and/or inspection, and any defects found shall be
corrected as required in writing by the Inspector
Waste and Vent shall be tested for? - Answers 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 supply system when roughed, it shall be
tested and proved tight under a pressure not less than - Answers 125 pounds per square inch
Upon notice of a request for an Inspection of the rough plumbing, the Inspector shall make the
Inspection within - Answers two working days after receipt of such notice
Two acceptable tests for Drain and Waste - Answers Peppermint Test and Air Test
Quarter bends, or their equivalent may be used in soil and waste lines when the change in the
direction of the flow is from the - Answers horizontal to the vertical.
Short sweep fittings may be used in a branch waste line when the waste line serves only -
Answers one outlet and cleanouts are provided.
List 3 Prohibited Fittings - Answers -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? - Answers Extend the cleanout.
, Where trenches are excavated below grade such that the bottom of the trench does not form
the bed for the pipe, the trench shall be? - Answers back-filled to grade with sand tamped in
place so as to provide a uniform bearing surface for the pipe between joints.
Where rock is encountered in trenching, The rock shall be removed to a point - Answers at least
three inches below the grade line of the trench and the trench shall be 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 lest____________ feet of tamped earth
considerable care shall be exercised in backfilling trenches - Answers two feet
When are deviations from the plumbing code permited? - Answers -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 existing plumbing or gas system that may
cause a health or safety hazard the inspector shall...? - Answers Notify the owner or his or her
agent.
List two requirements when demolishing a building? - Answers 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 produces a computed velocity of
discharge of not less than - Answers two feet per second
What fitting could you legally install that the branch is larger than the main? - Answers 4x3
closet bend (The enlargement of a three-inch closet bend or stub to four inches shall not be
considered an obstruction).
Trenching, Tunneling and Back-filling Where rock is encountered in trenching - Answers The
rock shall be removed to a point at least three inches below the grade line of the trench
Where trenches are excavated below grade such that the bottom of the trench does not form
the bed for the pipe - Answers the trench shall be back-filled to grade with sand tamped in place
so as to provide a uniform bearing surface for the pipe between joints.
Backfilling. 1. Until the crown of the pipe is covered by at - Answers 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 - Answers rats cannot enter a building
