PrepIQ Maine Plumber Journeyman in Training
Ultimate Exam
1. What is the minimum slope required for a horizontal drainage
pipe of 3-inch diameter under the Maine Uniform Building and
Energy Code (MUBEC)?
A) ¼ inch per foot
B) ⅛ inch per foot
C) ½ inch per foot
D) 1 inch per foot
Answer: A) ¼ inch per foot
Rationale: MUBEC, which incorporates the IPC, requires ¼ inch per foot
for pipes 3 inches or less in diameter to ensure solids do not settle.
2. In Maine, a plumbing apprentice must work under the direct
supervision of a licensed journeyman or master plumber for how
many years before taking the journeyman exam?
A) 2 years
B) 4 years
C) 5 years
D) 3 years
Answer: B) 4 years
Rationale: Maine requires 4 years (8,000 hours) of on-the-job training
under a licensed plumber to qualify for the journeyman exam.
,3. Which type of backflow preventer is required for a residential
lawn irrigation system with chemical injection?
A) Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)
B) Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ)
C) Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)
D) Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB)
Answer: B) Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ)
Rationale: RPZ provides high-hazard protection and is required when
chemicals are injected into the irrigation system.
4. What is the maximum allowable fixture unit (FU) load for a 4-inch
horizontal drainage pipe at ⅛ inch per foot slope (IPC table)?
A) 180 FU
B) 216 FU
C) 160 FU
D) 480 FU
Answer: B) 216 FU
Rationale: Under IPC 2018 (adopted by Maine), a 4-inch horizontal drain
at ⅛ inch/ft slope carries 216 fixture units.
5. The minimum size of a residential building sewer from the
foundation wall to the public main is:
A) 3 inches
B) 4 inches
,C) 2 inches
D) 6 inches
Answer: A) 3 inches
Rationale: Maine code permits 3-inch building sewers for single-family
homes unless local codes require 4 inches; 3-inch is the IPC minimum.
6. A trap serving a bathtub must have a trap seal depth of at least:
A) 1 inch
B) 2 inches
C) 3 inches
D) 4 inches
Answer: B) 2 inches
Rationale: IPC 2018 requires a minimum 2-inch and maximum 4-inch
water seal for all plumbing traps.
7. What is the primary purpose of a cleanout in a DWV system?
A) To vent the system
B) To provide access for drain cleaning
C) To trap sewer gases
D) To regulate pressure
Answer: B) To provide access for drain cleaning
Rationale: Cleanouts allow augers and snakes to clear blockages without
cutting pipes.
, 8. Under Maine code, a backwater valve is required when:
A) The building has more than 3 fixtures
B) There is a possibility of sewer backup from the main
C) The building has a sump pump
D) The drain pipe is smaller than 4 inches
Answer: B) There is a possibility of sewer backup from the main
Rationale: Backwater valves prevent sewage from re-entering a building
when the public sewer surcharges.
9. Which material is NOT approved for use in potable water systems
in Maine?
A) Type L copper
B) PEX
C) CPVC
D) Galvanized steel (new installation)
Answer: D) Galvanized steel (new installation)
Rationale: Galvanized steel is no longer allowed for new potable water
systems due to corrosion and scale buildup.
10. What is the minimum vertical distance from the flood level rim
of a fixture to the inlet of a drainpipe serving another fixture?
A) 1 inch
B) 2 inches
C) 3 inches
D) No requirement
Ultimate Exam
1. What is the minimum slope required for a horizontal drainage
pipe of 3-inch diameter under the Maine Uniform Building and
Energy Code (MUBEC)?
A) ¼ inch per foot
B) ⅛ inch per foot
C) ½ inch per foot
D) 1 inch per foot
Answer: A) ¼ inch per foot
Rationale: MUBEC, which incorporates the IPC, requires ¼ inch per foot
for pipes 3 inches or less in diameter to ensure solids do not settle.
2. In Maine, a plumbing apprentice must work under the direct
supervision of a licensed journeyman or master plumber for how
many years before taking the journeyman exam?
A) 2 years
B) 4 years
C) 5 years
D) 3 years
Answer: B) 4 years
Rationale: Maine requires 4 years (8,000 hours) of on-the-job training
under a licensed plumber to qualify for the journeyman exam.
,3. Which type of backflow preventer is required for a residential
lawn irrigation system with chemical injection?
A) Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)
B) Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ)
C) Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)
D) Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB)
Answer: B) Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ)
Rationale: RPZ provides high-hazard protection and is required when
chemicals are injected into the irrigation system.
4. What is the maximum allowable fixture unit (FU) load for a 4-inch
horizontal drainage pipe at ⅛ inch per foot slope (IPC table)?
A) 180 FU
B) 216 FU
C) 160 FU
D) 480 FU
Answer: B) 216 FU
Rationale: Under IPC 2018 (adopted by Maine), a 4-inch horizontal drain
at ⅛ inch/ft slope carries 216 fixture units.
5. The minimum size of a residential building sewer from the
foundation wall to the public main is:
A) 3 inches
B) 4 inches
,C) 2 inches
D) 6 inches
Answer: A) 3 inches
Rationale: Maine code permits 3-inch building sewers for single-family
homes unless local codes require 4 inches; 3-inch is the IPC minimum.
6. A trap serving a bathtub must have a trap seal depth of at least:
A) 1 inch
B) 2 inches
C) 3 inches
D) 4 inches
Answer: B) 2 inches
Rationale: IPC 2018 requires a minimum 2-inch and maximum 4-inch
water seal for all plumbing traps.
7. What is the primary purpose of a cleanout in a DWV system?
A) To vent the system
B) To provide access for drain cleaning
C) To trap sewer gases
D) To regulate pressure
Answer: B) To provide access for drain cleaning
Rationale: Cleanouts allow augers and snakes to clear blockages without
cutting pipes.
, 8. Under Maine code, a backwater valve is required when:
A) The building has more than 3 fixtures
B) There is a possibility of sewer backup from the main
C) The building has a sump pump
D) The drain pipe is smaller than 4 inches
Answer: B) There is a possibility of sewer backup from the main
Rationale: Backwater valves prevent sewage from re-entering a building
when the public sewer surcharges.
9. Which material is NOT approved for use in potable water systems
in Maine?
A) Type L copper
B) PEX
C) CPVC
D) Galvanized steel (new installation)
Answer: D) Galvanized steel (new installation)
Rationale: Galvanized steel is no longer allowed for new potable water
systems due to corrosion and scale buildup.
10. What is the minimum vertical distance from the flood level rim
of a fixture to the inlet of a drainpipe serving another fixture?
A) 1 inch
B) 2 inches
C) 3 inches
D) No requirement
