ALABAMA JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER EXAMINATION
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
1. When installing a water-supply piping system, which principle is most
important for preventing contamination of potable water through
unintended connections?
A. Increase pipe diameter at every fixture
B. Provide approved backflow protection where required
C. Install shutoff valves only at the water meter
D. Connect drainage piping directly to supply piping
Answer: B
Rationale: Approved backflow prevention protects potable water from
contamination caused by backsiphonage or backpressure from
connected systems.
2. Before beginning installation of a new sanitary drainage system,
what should the plumber verify about the approved construction
documents?
A. Only the fixture colors
B. The homeowner's preferred pipe brand
C. Applicable plans, specifications, and required plumbing provisions
D. The location of electrical outlets exclusively
Answer: C
,Rationale: Reviewing approved plans and applicable requirements
helps ensure the installation follows the authorized design and
governing plumbing standards.
3. Why must a plumber maintain adequate slope on horizontal sanitary
drainage piping during installation of a building sewer?
A. To increase water pressure
B. To promote proper gravity drainage and reduce solids accumulation
C. To eliminate the need for cleanouts
D. To prevent water heaters from overheating
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper slope allows wastewater and suspended solids to
flow efficiently by gravity while minimizing blockages and standing
wastewater.
4. A plumbing vent becomes blocked after installation, causing several
fixtures to drain slowly and produce gurgling sounds. What is likely
occurring?
A. Excessive water pressure
B. Inadequate electrical grounding
C. Improper venting and pressure imbalance within the drainage
system
D. Oversized water service piping
Answer: C
,Rationale: Blocked vents can prevent proper pressure equalization,
producing slow drainage, gurgling, and potentially trap-seal problems.
5. Which plumbing component is specifically intended to prevent sewer
gases from entering an occupied building through a fixture drain?
A. Water hammer arrestor
B. Trap
C. Pressure-reducing valve
D. Vacuum breaker
Answer: B
Rationale: A properly installed and maintained trap retains a water seal
that prevents sewer gases from entering occupied spaces.
6. When determining where a cleanout should be installed, which
consideration is most important for long-term maintenance of the
drainage piping?
A. It should always be hidden behind finished walls
B. It should be accessible for inspection and clearing blockages
C. It should be installed only above the roof
D. It should connect exclusively to water-supply piping
Answer: B
Rationale: Accessible cleanouts provide plumbers with practical
locations for inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining drainage piping.
, 7. What is the primary reason a plumbing vent system must terminate
properly above or outside the building according to applicable
requirements?
A. To increase fixture water pressure
B. To discharge sewer gases safely away from occupied spaces
C. To prevent hot-water circulation
D. To eliminate the requirement for traps
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper vent termination allows drainage-system gases to
disperse safely while maintaining acceptable air pressure within the
piping system.
8. A plumber notices that a newly installed threaded steel pipe
connection leaks slightly during testing. What should generally be done
first?
A. Ignore the leak until occupancy
B. Apply additional exterior paint
C. Correct the defective connection and retest the system
D. Increase water pressure substantially
Answer: C
Rationale: Leaking joints indicate defective workmanship or connection
problems that should be corrected before the system is placed into
service.
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
1. When installing a water-supply piping system, which principle is most
important for preventing contamination of potable water through
unintended connections?
A. Increase pipe diameter at every fixture
B. Provide approved backflow protection where required
C. Install shutoff valves only at the water meter
D. Connect drainage piping directly to supply piping
Answer: B
Rationale: Approved backflow prevention protects potable water from
contamination caused by backsiphonage or backpressure from
connected systems.
2. Before beginning installation of a new sanitary drainage system,
what should the plumber verify about the approved construction
documents?
A. Only the fixture colors
B. The homeowner's preferred pipe brand
C. Applicable plans, specifications, and required plumbing provisions
D. The location of electrical outlets exclusively
Answer: C
,Rationale: Reviewing approved plans and applicable requirements
helps ensure the installation follows the authorized design and
governing plumbing standards.
3. Why must a plumber maintain adequate slope on horizontal sanitary
drainage piping during installation of a building sewer?
A. To increase water pressure
B. To promote proper gravity drainage and reduce solids accumulation
C. To eliminate the need for cleanouts
D. To prevent water heaters from overheating
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper slope allows wastewater and suspended solids to
flow efficiently by gravity while minimizing blockages and standing
wastewater.
4. A plumbing vent becomes blocked after installation, causing several
fixtures to drain slowly and produce gurgling sounds. What is likely
occurring?
A. Excessive water pressure
B. Inadequate electrical grounding
C. Improper venting and pressure imbalance within the drainage
system
D. Oversized water service piping
Answer: C
,Rationale: Blocked vents can prevent proper pressure equalization,
producing slow drainage, gurgling, and potentially trap-seal problems.
5. Which plumbing component is specifically intended to prevent sewer
gases from entering an occupied building through a fixture drain?
A. Water hammer arrestor
B. Trap
C. Pressure-reducing valve
D. Vacuum breaker
Answer: B
Rationale: A properly installed and maintained trap retains a water seal
that prevents sewer gases from entering occupied spaces.
6. When determining where a cleanout should be installed, which
consideration is most important for long-term maintenance of the
drainage piping?
A. It should always be hidden behind finished walls
B. It should be accessible for inspection and clearing blockages
C. It should be installed only above the roof
D. It should connect exclusively to water-supply piping
Answer: B
Rationale: Accessible cleanouts provide plumbers with practical
locations for inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining drainage piping.
, 7. What is the primary reason a plumbing vent system must terminate
properly above or outside the building according to applicable
requirements?
A. To increase fixture water pressure
B. To discharge sewer gases safely away from occupied spaces
C. To prevent hot-water circulation
D. To eliminate the requirement for traps
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper vent termination allows drainage-system gases to
disperse safely while maintaining acceptable air pressure within the
piping system.
8. A plumber notices that a newly installed threaded steel pipe
connection leaks slightly during testing. What should generally be done
first?
A. Ignore the leak until occupancy
B. Apply additional exterior paint
C. Correct the defective connection and retest the system
D. Increase water pressure substantially
Answer: C
Rationale: Leaking joints indicate defective workmanship or connection
problems that should be corrected before the system is placed into
service.
