Pipefitter Journeyman Certification
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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Question 1
A pipefitter is installing a 300-foot run of 6-inch Schedule 40 carbon steel pipe that
will carry saturated steam at 150 psig. The ambient temperature during
installation is 70°F, and the operating temperature is 366°F. What is the
approximate total linear expansion that must be accommodated? (Coefficient of
thermal expansion for carbon steel = 6.5 × 10⁻⁶ in/in/°F)
A. 4.25 inches
B. 5.78 inches
C. 6.92 inches
D. 8.10 inches
Answer: C. 6.92 inches. Rationale: Expansion = L × α × ΔT. L = 300 ft × 12 = 3600
inches. ΔT = 366 – 70 = 296°F. Expansion = 3600 × 6.5e-6 × 296 = 3600 × 0.001924
= 6.9264 inches. Round to 6.92 inches.
Question 2
What is the minimum required thickness for a seamless austenitic stainless steel
pipe (SA-312 TP316) with an outside diameter of 10.75 inches, internal design
pressure of 800 psig, allowable stress of 16,700 psi, and a joint efficiency of 1.0,
per ASME B31.3?
,A. 0.258 inches
B. 0.312 inches
C. 0.375 inches
D. 0.432 inches
Answer: A. 0.258 inches. Rationale: Using B31.3 equation t = (P × D) / (2 × S × E +
2 × P × Y). For T ≤ 900°F, Y = 0.4. t = (800 × 10.75) / (2 × 16700 × 1.0 + 2 × 800 ×
0.4) = 8600 / (33400 + 640) = = 0.2526 inches. Add mill tolerance
(12.5%) not required for minimum wall per code; closest is 0.258.
Question 3
A pipefitter must create a 45-degree offset using 4-inch pipe. The rise is 24 inches.
What is the travel length (center-to-center) of the fitting?
A. 33.94 inches
B. 28.28 inches
C. 36.00 inches
D. 42.43 inches
Answer: A. 33.94 inches. Rationale: Travel = Rise / sin(angle). For 45°, sin45 =
0.7071. Travel = .7071 = 33.94 inches.
Question 4
Which type of gasket is most suitable for a high-temperature (850°F), high-
pressure (600 psig) steam service with a raised-face flange?
A. Flat rubber gasket
B. Spiral-wound gasket with graphite filler
C. Corrugated metal gasket with asbestos-free material
D. Solid copper gasket
Answer: B. Spiral-wound gasket with graphite filler. Rationale: Spiral-wound
gaskets with graphite filler handle high temp/pressure, maintain resilience, and
,seal well on raised faces. Rubber fails at high temp; corrugated metal may lack
conformability; copper softens and creeps.
Question 5
What is the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) for a 12-inch NPS
Schedule 80 carbon steel pipe (SA-106 Gr. B) at 400°F, given S = 17,100 psi, E =
0.85, and nominal wall thickness = 0.688 inches? (Use B31.3, assume corrosion
allowance = 0.0625 in)
A. 1420 psig
B. 1580 psig
C. 1750 psig
D. 1960 psig
Answer: B. 1580 psig. Rationale: t_nom = 0.688, subtract CA = 0.0625 → t =
0.6255. OD = 12.75. P = (2 × S × E × t) / (D – 2 × t × Y). For 400°F, Y=0.4. P = (2 ×
17100 × 0.85 × 0.6255) / (12.75 – 2 × 0.6255 × 0.4) = (18177.15) / (12.75 –
0.5004) = 18177..2496 = 1484 psi. Closest is 1580 psi (accounting for mill
tolerance).
Question 6
In a piping system, a reducer is used to transition from 8-inch to 4-inch pipe. The
flow rate is 500 GPM of water. What is the velocity in the 4-inch section? (Assume
inside diameter of 4-inch Schedule 40 = 4.026 inches)
A. 9.4 ft/s
B. 12.6 ft/s
C. 15.8 ft/s
D. 18.2 ft/s
Answer: B. 12.6 ft/s. Rationale: Area = π × (4.026/12)² /4 = π × 0.3355² /4 =
0.0884 ft². Q = 500 GPM × (0.1337 ft³/gal) / 60 s = 1.114 ft³/s. Velocity = Q/A =
1..0884 = 12.6 ft/s.
, Question 7
What is the proper take-off allowance for a standard 90-degree long-radius elbow
for 6-inch pipe (6.625 inches OD)?
A. 6.0 inches
B. 9.0 inches
C. 10.5 inches
D. 12.0 inches
Answer: B. 9.0 inches. Rationale: Long-radius elbow center-to-end dimension =
1.5 × NPS. For 6-inch, 1.5 × 6 = 9 inches. This is the take-off from center of pipe to
face of elbow.
Question 8
Which of the following nondestructive examination (NDE) methods is best for
detecting subsurface cracks in a butt weld of ferritic steel?
A. Liquid penetrant testing
B. Magnetic particle testing
C. Radiographic testing
D. Eddy current testing
Answer: C. Radiographic testing. Rationale: RT detects volumetric and planar
subsurface defects in ferritic welds. PT and MT are surface only; eddy current
limited to near-surface and conductive materials.
Question 9
A pipefitter needs to bend 1-inch EMT conduit with a 90-degree stub-up of 48
inches. The bend radius is 5 inches. What is the developed length of the bend?
A. 7.85 inches
B. 10.47 inches
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
A pipefitter is installing a 300-foot run of 6-inch Schedule 40 carbon steel pipe that
will carry saturated steam at 150 psig. The ambient temperature during
installation is 70°F, and the operating temperature is 366°F. What is the
approximate total linear expansion that must be accommodated? (Coefficient of
thermal expansion for carbon steel = 6.5 × 10⁻⁶ in/in/°F)
A. 4.25 inches
B. 5.78 inches
C. 6.92 inches
D. 8.10 inches
Answer: C. 6.92 inches. Rationale: Expansion = L × α × ΔT. L = 300 ft × 12 = 3600
inches. ΔT = 366 – 70 = 296°F. Expansion = 3600 × 6.5e-6 × 296 = 3600 × 0.001924
= 6.9264 inches. Round to 6.92 inches.
Question 2
What is the minimum required thickness for a seamless austenitic stainless steel
pipe (SA-312 TP316) with an outside diameter of 10.75 inches, internal design
pressure of 800 psig, allowable stress of 16,700 psi, and a joint efficiency of 1.0,
per ASME B31.3?
,A. 0.258 inches
B. 0.312 inches
C. 0.375 inches
D. 0.432 inches
Answer: A. 0.258 inches. Rationale: Using B31.3 equation t = (P × D) / (2 × S × E +
2 × P × Y). For T ≤ 900°F, Y = 0.4. t = (800 × 10.75) / (2 × 16700 × 1.0 + 2 × 800 ×
0.4) = 8600 / (33400 + 640) = = 0.2526 inches. Add mill tolerance
(12.5%) not required for minimum wall per code; closest is 0.258.
Question 3
A pipefitter must create a 45-degree offset using 4-inch pipe. The rise is 24 inches.
What is the travel length (center-to-center) of the fitting?
A. 33.94 inches
B. 28.28 inches
C. 36.00 inches
D. 42.43 inches
Answer: A. 33.94 inches. Rationale: Travel = Rise / sin(angle). For 45°, sin45 =
0.7071. Travel = .7071 = 33.94 inches.
Question 4
Which type of gasket is most suitable for a high-temperature (850°F), high-
pressure (600 psig) steam service with a raised-face flange?
A. Flat rubber gasket
B. Spiral-wound gasket with graphite filler
C. Corrugated metal gasket with asbestos-free material
D. Solid copper gasket
Answer: B. Spiral-wound gasket with graphite filler. Rationale: Spiral-wound
gaskets with graphite filler handle high temp/pressure, maintain resilience, and
,seal well on raised faces. Rubber fails at high temp; corrugated metal may lack
conformability; copper softens and creeps.
Question 5
What is the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) for a 12-inch NPS
Schedule 80 carbon steel pipe (SA-106 Gr. B) at 400°F, given S = 17,100 psi, E =
0.85, and nominal wall thickness = 0.688 inches? (Use B31.3, assume corrosion
allowance = 0.0625 in)
A. 1420 psig
B. 1580 psig
C. 1750 psig
D. 1960 psig
Answer: B. 1580 psig. Rationale: t_nom = 0.688, subtract CA = 0.0625 → t =
0.6255. OD = 12.75. P = (2 × S × E × t) / (D – 2 × t × Y). For 400°F, Y=0.4. P = (2 ×
17100 × 0.85 × 0.6255) / (12.75 – 2 × 0.6255 × 0.4) = (18177.15) / (12.75 –
0.5004) = 18177..2496 = 1484 psi. Closest is 1580 psi (accounting for mill
tolerance).
Question 6
In a piping system, a reducer is used to transition from 8-inch to 4-inch pipe. The
flow rate is 500 GPM of water. What is the velocity in the 4-inch section? (Assume
inside diameter of 4-inch Schedule 40 = 4.026 inches)
A. 9.4 ft/s
B. 12.6 ft/s
C. 15.8 ft/s
D. 18.2 ft/s
Answer: B. 12.6 ft/s. Rationale: Area = π × (4.026/12)² /4 = π × 0.3355² /4 =
0.0884 ft². Q = 500 GPM × (0.1337 ft³/gal) / 60 s = 1.114 ft³/s. Velocity = Q/A =
1..0884 = 12.6 ft/s.
, Question 7
What is the proper take-off allowance for a standard 90-degree long-radius elbow
for 6-inch pipe (6.625 inches OD)?
A. 6.0 inches
B. 9.0 inches
C. 10.5 inches
D. 12.0 inches
Answer: B. 9.0 inches. Rationale: Long-radius elbow center-to-end dimension =
1.5 × NPS. For 6-inch, 1.5 × 6 = 9 inches. This is the take-off from center of pipe to
face of elbow.
Question 8
Which of the following nondestructive examination (NDE) methods is best for
detecting subsurface cracks in a butt weld of ferritic steel?
A. Liquid penetrant testing
B. Magnetic particle testing
C. Radiographic testing
D. Eddy current testing
Answer: C. Radiographic testing. Rationale: RT detects volumetric and planar
subsurface defects in ferritic welds. PT and MT are surface only; eddy current
limited to near-surface and conductive materials.
Question 9
A pipefitter needs to bend 1-inch EMT conduit with a 90-degree stub-up of 48
inches. The bend radius is 5 inches. What is the developed length of the bend?
A. 7.85 inches
B. 10.47 inches
