Page 1 of 164
Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Standard
Journeyman Plumber - 250_PA_PH Contractor
Exam Questions & Rationales VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Standard Journeyman Plumber - 250_PA_PH Contractor Exam
Exam Coverage Summary
Based on Philadelphia Code requirements and the 2018 Philadelphia Plumbing Code (a locally
amended version of the International Plumbing Code), this exam covers :
• Licensing & Regulations: Philadelphia Code Chapter 9-1003 governs plumber licensing;
the Philadelphia Plumbing Advisory Board administers exams through the Department
of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) . Journeyman applicants must have been registered
apprentices for not less than four years .
• Drainage Systems: Minimum slope for 2½"–3" pipe is ¼ inch per foot . Cleanouts
required within 10 feet of changes in horizontal direction . House traps must be at least
the size of the house drain pipe, with fresh air inlet located not within 10 feet of
doors/windows/air intakes .
• Trap Requirements: Minimum water seal of 2 inches (not exceeding 4 inches) . Crown-
vented traps are prohibited . Minimum trap size for kitchen sink: 1½ inches ; for
lavatory: 1¼ inches ; for clothes washer standpipe: 2 inches . Brass traps must have
minimum wall thickness of No. 17 Brown & Sharpe gauge .
• Venting: Offsets in vent lines must be at 45° minimum to horizontal . Vent terminations
must be at least 12 inches above roof .
• Water Distribution: Minimum water pressure at fixtures: 30 psi . Galvanized steel
is prohibited for new potable water distribution . Thermal expansion tanks required in
closed-loop systems .
• Fixtures & Special Requirements: Floor drains must have 3-inch minimum outlet . All-
gender restrooms require floor-to-ceiling partitions; urinals are not permitted in
facilities designed for all genders . Condensate drains require ⅛-inch per foot slope .
• Plan Reading: 25% of exam dedicated to plan reading and analysis .
• Exam Details: Administered by ICC; 75 questions, 3 hours, closed book, 75% passing
score .
QUESTIONS 1-50
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1. According to the Philadelphia Plumbing Code, what is the minimum required water seal for
a typical fixture trap?
A) 1 inch
B) 2 inches
C) 4 inches
D) 6 inches
Answer: B) The Philadelphia Plumbing Code mandates each fixture trap have a water seal of not
less than 2 inches and not more than 4 inches to prevent sewer gases from entering buildings .
2. What is the minimum slope required for a 3-inch horizontal drainage pipe according to the
Philadelphia Plumbing Code?
A) ⅛ inch per foot
B) ¼ inch per foot
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C) ⅜ inch per foot
D) ½ inch per foot
Answer: B) The code requires ¼ inch per foot slope for 2½" through 3" horizontal drainage
piping to maintain proper flow velocity and prevent blockages .
3. Which type of trap is PROHIBITED by the Philadelphia Plumbing Code?
A) P-trap
B) S-trap
C) Crown-vented trap
D) Drum trap
Answer: C) The code explicitly prohibits crown-vented traps as they are prone to siphoning and
self-scouring, which can break the water seal. Other prohibited types include traps with movable
parts and double traps without a fresh air inlet .
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4. What is the minimum size trap and fixture drain required for a residential kitchen sink with
two compartments?
A) 1¼ inches
B) 1½ inches
C) 2 inches
D) 3 inches
Answer: B) Table P-506 in the Philadelphia Plumbing Code requires a residential kitchen sink—
single or double compartment—to have a minimum trap and fixture drain size of 1½ inches .
5. What is the minimum size for a floor drain outlet according to the Philadelphia Plumbing
Code?
A) 2 inches
B) 3 inches
Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Standard
Journeyman Plumber - 250_PA_PH Contractor
Exam Questions & Rationales VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Standard Journeyman Plumber - 250_PA_PH Contractor Exam
Exam Coverage Summary
Based on Philadelphia Code requirements and the 2018 Philadelphia Plumbing Code (a locally
amended version of the International Plumbing Code), this exam covers :
• Licensing & Regulations: Philadelphia Code Chapter 9-1003 governs plumber licensing;
the Philadelphia Plumbing Advisory Board administers exams through the Department
of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) . Journeyman applicants must have been registered
apprentices for not less than four years .
• Drainage Systems: Minimum slope for 2½"–3" pipe is ¼ inch per foot . Cleanouts
required within 10 feet of changes in horizontal direction . House traps must be at least
the size of the house drain pipe, with fresh air inlet located not within 10 feet of
doors/windows/air intakes .
• Trap Requirements: Minimum water seal of 2 inches (not exceeding 4 inches) . Crown-
vented traps are prohibited . Minimum trap size for kitchen sink: 1½ inches ; for
lavatory: 1¼ inches ; for clothes washer standpipe: 2 inches . Brass traps must have
minimum wall thickness of No. 17 Brown & Sharpe gauge .
• Venting: Offsets in vent lines must be at 45° minimum to horizontal . Vent terminations
must be at least 12 inches above roof .
• Water Distribution: Minimum water pressure at fixtures: 30 psi . Galvanized steel
is prohibited for new potable water distribution . Thermal expansion tanks required in
closed-loop systems .
• Fixtures & Special Requirements: Floor drains must have 3-inch minimum outlet . All-
gender restrooms require floor-to-ceiling partitions; urinals are not permitted in
facilities designed for all genders . Condensate drains require ⅛-inch per foot slope .
• Plan Reading: 25% of exam dedicated to plan reading and analysis .
• Exam Details: Administered by ICC; 75 questions, 3 hours, closed book, 75% passing
score .
QUESTIONS 1-50
,Page 2 of 164
1. According to the Philadelphia Plumbing Code, what is the minimum required water seal for
a typical fixture trap?
A) 1 inch
B) 2 inches
C) 4 inches
D) 6 inches
Answer: B) The Philadelphia Plumbing Code mandates each fixture trap have a water seal of not
less than 2 inches and not more than 4 inches to prevent sewer gases from entering buildings .
2. What is the minimum slope required for a 3-inch horizontal drainage pipe according to the
Philadelphia Plumbing Code?
A) ⅛ inch per foot
B) ¼ inch per foot
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C) ⅜ inch per foot
D) ½ inch per foot
Answer: B) The code requires ¼ inch per foot slope for 2½" through 3" horizontal drainage
piping to maintain proper flow velocity and prevent blockages .
3. Which type of trap is PROHIBITED by the Philadelphia Plumbing Code?
A) P-trap
B) S-trap
C) Crown-vented trap
D) Drum trap
Answer: C) The code explicitly prohibits crown-vented traps as they are prone to siphoning and
self-scouring, which can break the water seal. Other prohibited types include traps with movable
parts and double traps without a fresh air inlet .
, Page 4 of 164
4. What is the minimum size trap and fixture drain required for a residential kitchen sink with
two compartments?
A) 1¼ inches
B) 1½ inches
C) 2 inches
D) 3 inches
Answer: B) Table P-506 in the Philadelphia Plumbing Code requires a residential kitchen sink—
single or double compartment—to have a minimum trap and fixture drain size of 1½ inches .
5. What is the minimum size for a floor drain outlet according to the Philadelphia Plumbing
Code?
A) 2 inches
B) 3 inches
