NHIE PLUMBING COMPLETE
EXAMINATION TEST QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
●● When should plumbing be protected when passing through framing
members?
Answer: Pipes installed through house or notches (e.g., studs, joists,
rafters) should:
- be protected against puncture w/steel plates
- be installed when pipe is closer than 1 1/2 in. from edge of member
- have a plate which extends 2-in above and below pipe
●● What are hole requirements when passing through framing?
Answer: Holes for pipes should be:
- large enough to allow pipes to move
- about 1/2 in larger than pipe diameter
Note: too smalls holes result in squeaking, rubbing and clicking of pipe
against framing
●● How should pipes pass through foundation walls?
Answer: Pipes through foundations walls:
,- should be protected against breaking by a relieving arc or a sleeve
- should have sleeves 2 sizes bigger than pipe
- should pass through sleeve sealed with waterproofing material (e.g.,
caulk, foam, or gasket)
●● How should pipes be supported?
Answer: Material should be:
- sturdy enough to support pipe full of substance
- wide enough to support pipe without crimping material
- a compatible material with pipe (e.g., no copper hangers for steel, etc.)
●● What are the minimum and maximum size of residential service
pipes?
Answer: Answer:
- min size 3/4 in.
- max size 1 1/2 in.
- average size 1 in.
●● What are the three types of copper tubing used in residential
construction?
Answer: Answer:
- Type K: thickest wall; green markings;
- Type L: Thinner wall; blue markings; &
,- Type M thinnest wall: red markings.
●● What is the typical service life of copper tubing?
Answer: Answer:
- Depending on site conditions, it can be as little as 20 years or more
than 50 years.
●● What are the installation requirements of copper?
Answer: Copper tubing:
- should be supported horizontally every 6 ft.
- should be protected against punctures, corrosion, breaking, and
freezing
- (Type K & L) can be installed underground and embedded in concrete
- (Type M) can be installed underground but not embedded in concrete
●● What are the copper connection requirements?
Answer: Copper tubing should be connect with:
- soldered copper fittings
- compression fittings (used w/drawn copper)
- flared fittings (used w/annealed tubing)
- CPVC & PEX w/ push fittings (drawn copper only)
, ●● What are the problems with copper tubing?
Answer: Problems:
1) protective patina damaged by highly acidic or alkaline water
2) pinhole leaks form with water high in hydrogen sulfide
3) high water pressure results in leaks
4) stagnant water damage protective patina
5) water hammer damage fittings 6)excessive flux damage protective
patina
●● What are 4 signs of problems with copper tubing?
Answer: Common clues are:
1) green stains on and in fixtures
2) green stains on and around fittings
3) green stains w/blue center indicate active leak
4) debris in toilet tank
●● What is CPVC (Description and use)?
Answer: - CPVC: chlorinated polyvinyl chloride
- Common use: used for water service and distributions.
- Period of use: From 1960s to present
- Construction: cream color w/yellow stripe (can be orange);
- application: used for hot and cold; used for pressure relief systems;
EXAMINATION TEST QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
●● When should plumbing be protected when passing through framing
members?
Answer: Pipes installed through house or notches (e.g., studs, joists,
rafters) should:
- be protected against puncture w/steel plates
- be installed when pipe is closer than 1 1/2 in. from edge of member
- have a plate which extends 2-in above and below pipe
●● What are hole requirements when passing through framing?
Answer: Holes for pipes should be:
- large enough to allow pipes to move
- about 1/2 in larger than pipe diameter
Note: too smalls holes result in squeaking, rubbing and clicking of pipe
against framing
●● How should pipes pass through foundation walls?
Answer: Pipes through foundations walls:
,- should be protected against breaking by a relieving arc or a sleeve
- should have sleeves 2 sizes bigger than pipe
- should pass through sleeve sealed with waterproofing material (e.g.,
caulk, foam, or gasket)
●● How should pipes be supported?
Answer: Material should be:
- sturdy enough to support pipe full of substance
- wide enough to support pipe without crimping material
- a compatible material with pipe (e.g., no copper hangers for steel, etc.)
●● What are the minimum and maximum size of residential service
pipes?
Answer: Answer:
- min size 3/4 in.
- max size 1 1/2 in.
- average size 1 in.
●● What are the three types of copper tubing used in residential
construction?
Answer: Answer:
- Type K: thickest wall; green markings;
- Type L: Thinner wall; blue markings; &
,- Type M thinnest wall: red markings.
●● What is the typical service life of copper tubing?
Answer: Answer:
- Depending on site conditions, it can be as little as 20 years or more
than 50 years.
●● What are the installation requirements of copper?
Answer: Copper tubing:
- should be supported horizontally every 6 ft.
- should be protected against punctures, corrosion, breaking, and
freezing
- (Type K & L) can be installed underground and embedded in concrete
- (Type M) can be installed underground but not embedded in concrete
●● What are the copper connection requirements?
Answer: Copper tubing should be connect with:
- soldered copper fittings
- compression fittings (used w/drawn copper)
- flared fittings (used w/annealed tubing)
- CPVC & PEX w/ push fittings (drawn copper only)
, ●● What are the problems with copper tubing?
Answer: Problems:
1) protective patina damaged by highly acidic or alkaline water
2) pinhole leaks form with water high in hydrogen sulfide
3) high water pressure results in leaks
4) stagnant water damage protective patina
5) water hammer damage fittings 6)excessive flux damage protective
patina
●● What are 4 signs of problems with copper tubing?
Answer: Common clues are:
1) green stains on and in fixtures
2) green stains on and around fittings
3) green stains w/blue center indicate active leak
4) debris in toilet tank
●● What is CPVC (Description and use)?
Answer: - CPVC: chlorinated polyvinyl chloride
- Common use: used for water service and distributions.
- Period of use: From 1960s to present
- Construction: cream color w/yellow stripe (can be orange);
- application: used for hot and cold; used for pressure relief systems;
