UTAH JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER EXAM – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
• CORE DOMAINS *
•
o Plumbing Fundamentals and Theory *
•
o IPC (International Plumbing Code) Compliance *
•
o Water Supply and Distribution Systems *
•
o Sanitary Drainage and Venting Systems *
•
o Vents and Venting Requirements *
•
o Storm Drainage Systems *
•
o Fuel Gas Piping and Appliances *
•
o Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control *
•
o Administrative Policies and Utah Amendments *
•
o Safety, OSHA, and Professional Ethics *
• INTRODUCTION *
• The Utah Journeyman Plumber Exam is a rigorous assessment designed to ensure
that candidates possess the specialized knowledge and technical proficiency required
to perform plumbing work safely and effectively within the state. This exam evaluates
a candidate's understanding of the International Plumbing Code, local amendments,
and trade mathematics. The assessment utilizes a combination of multiple-choice
questions and complex scenario-based problems to simulate real-world challenges
, encountered on the job. By emphasizing critical thinking and practical decision-
making, the exam verifies that the practitioner can protect public health through the
proper installation, maintenance, and repair of essential piping systems and fixtures.
*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. What is the minimum required size for a building sewer?
A. 2 inches B. 3 inches C. 4 inches D. 6 inches
B. 3 inches
Explanation: According to the IPC, the minimum size for a building sewer is 3 inches to
ensure adequate flow and prevent blockages from solids.
2. A plumbing apprentice is installing a horizontal drain pipe. What is the minimum
slope required for a 2.5-inch diameter pipe?
A. 1/8 inch per foot B. 1/4 inch per foot C. 1/2 inch per foot D. 1 inch per foot
B. 1/4 inch per foot
Explanation: Pipes with a diameter of 2.5 inches or less generally require a minimum
slope of 1/4 inch per foot to maintain the necessary scouring velocity.
3. Which of the following materials is prohibited for use in a water distribution system
underground?
A. Type L copper B. PEX C. Galvanized steel D. Ductile iron
C. Galvanized steel
Explanation: Galvanized steel piping is generally not permitted for underground water
distribution due to its susceptibility to corrosion when in contact with soil.
4. In a residential bathroom, what is the minimum clearance required from the center
of a water closet to any side wall or partition?
A. 12 inches B. 15 inches C. 18 inches D. 21 inches
B. 15 inches
Explanation: To provide adequate space for user comfort and accessibility, the code
requires at least 15 inches from the centerline of the fixture to any obstruction.
5. What is the maximum distance a manual shutoff valve can be located from a gas-
fired water heater?
A. 3 feet B. 6 feet C. 10 feet D. 50 feet
, B. 6 feet
Explanation: Gas regulations require the shutoff valve to be in the same room and within
6 feet of the appliance for emergency access and maintenance.
6. Which device is specifically designed to prevent back-siphonage only and cannot be
used under continuous pressure?
A. Reduced pressure principle backflow preventer B. Double check valve assembly C.
Atmospheric vacuum breaker D. Pressure vacuum breaker
C. Atmospheric vacuum breaker
Explanation: An atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB) is not designed for continuous
pressure and must be installed downstream of the last valve in the line.
7. When testing a DWV system with air, what is the minimum pressure that must be
maintained for at least 15 minutes?
A. 2 psi B. 5 psi C. 10 psi D. 15 psi
B. 5 psi
Explanation: The standard air test for a Drainage, Waste, and Vent (DWV) system
requires 5 psi to ensure the integrity of the joints and piping.
8. A 4-inch horizontal drain line connects to a vertical stack. What is the required
minimum size of the vent for this 4-inch drain?
A. 1.5 inches B. 2 inches C. 3 inches D. 4 inches
B. 2 inches
Explanation: The vent size is determined by the developed length and the total drainage
fixture unit (DFU) load; for a 4-inch drain, a 2-inch vent is typically the minimum required.
9. What is the maximum temperature allowed for water discharged into a public sewer
system?
A. 110 degrees F B. 120 degrees F C. 140 degrees F D. 160 degrees F
C. 140 degrees F
Explanation: High temperatures can damage sewer piping and biological treatment
processes, so discharge is limited to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. A thermal expansion tank is required when which of the following is present in a
water system?
DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
• CORE DOMAINS *
•
o Plumbing Fundamentals and Theory *
•
o IPC (International Plumbing Code) Compliance *
•
o Water Supply and Distribution Systems *
•
o Sanitary Drainage and Venting Systems *
•
o Vents and Venting Requirements *
•
o Storm Drainage Systems *
•
o Fuel Gas Piping and Appliances *
•
o Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control *
•
o Administrative Policies and Utah Amendments *
•
o Safety, OSHA, and Professional Ethics *
• INTRODUCTION *
• The Utah Journeyman Plumber Exam is a rigorous assessment designed to ensure
that candidates possess the specialized knowledge and technical proficiency required
to perform plumbing work safely and effectively within the state. This exam evaluates
a candidate's understanding of the International Plumbing Code, local amendments,
and trade mathematics. The assessment utilizes a combination of multiple-choice
questions and complex scenario-based problems to simulate real-world challenges
, encountered on the job. By emphasizing critical thinking and practical decision-
making, the exam verifies that the practitioner can protect public health through the
proper installation, maintenance, and repair of essential piping systems and fixtures.
*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. What is the minimum required size for a building sewer?
A. 2 inches B. 3 inches C. 4 inches D. 6 inches
B. 3 inches
Explanation: According to the IPC, the minimum size for a building sewer is 3 inches to
ensure adequate flow and prevent blockages from solids.
2. A plumbing apprentice is installing a horizontal drain pipe. What is the minimum
slope required for a 2.5-inch diameter pipe?
A. 1/8 inch per foot B. 1/4 inch per foot C. 1/2 inch per foot D. 1 inch per foot
B. 1/4 inch per foot
Explanation: Pipes with a diameter of 2.5 inches or less generally require a minimum
slope of 1/4 inch per foot to maintain the necessary scouring velocity.
3. Which of the following materials is prohibited for use in a water distribution system
underground?
A. Type L copper B. PEX C. Galvanized steel D. Ductile iron
C. Galvanized steel
Explanation: Galvanized steel piping is generally not permitted for underground water
distribution due to its susceptibility to corrosion when in contact with soil.
4. In a residential bathroom, what is the minimum clearance required from the center
of a water closet to any side wall or partition?
A. 12 inches B. 15 inches C. 18 inches D. 21 inches
B. 15 inches
Explanation: To provide adequate space for user comfort and accessibility, the code
requires at least 15 inches from the centerline of the fixture to any obstruction.
5. What is the maximum distance a manual shutoff valve can be located from a gas-
fired water heater?
A. 3 feet B. 6 feet C. 10 feet D. 50 feet
, B. 6 feet
Explanation: Gas regulations require the shutoff valve to be in the same room and within
6 feet of the appliance for emergency access and maintenance.
6. Which device is specifically designed to prevent back-siphonage only and cannot be
used under continuous pressure?
A. Reduced pressure principle backflow preventer B. Double check valve assembly C.
Atmospheric vacuum breaker D. Pressure vacuum breaker
C. Atmospheric vacuum breaker
Explanation: An atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB) is not designed for continuous
pressure and must be installed downstream of the last valve in the line.
7. When testing a DWV system with air, what is the minimum pressure that must be
maintained for at least 15 minutes?
A. 2 psi B. 5 psi C. 10 psi D. 15 psi
B. 5 psi
Explanation: The standard air test for a Drainage, Waste, and Vent (DWV) system
requires 5 psi to ensure the integrity of the joints and piping.
8. A 4-inch horizontal drain line connects to a vertical stack. What is the required
minimum size of the vent for this 4-inch drain?
A. 1.5 inches B. 2 inches C. 3 inches D. 4 inches
B. 2 inches
Explanation: The vent size is determined by the developed length and the total drainage
fixture unit (DFU) load; for a 4-inch drain, a 2-inch vent is typically the minimum required.
9. What is the maximum temperature allowed for water discharged into a public sewer
system?
A. 110 degrees F B. 120 degrees F C. 140 degrees F D. 160 degrees F
C. 140 degrees F
Explanation: High temperatures can damage sewer piping and biological treatment
processes, so discharge is limited to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. A thermal expansion tank is required when which of the following is present in a
water system?
