Journeyman Plumbers Exam Plumbing Fixtures and Appliances 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum water closet compartment width required by the IPC for a standard toilet stall?
- 24 inches
- 30 inches (Correct answer)
- 36 inches
- 42 inches
Correct answer: 30 inches
The IPC requires a minimum 30-inch width for a standard water closet compartment to allow adequate user access.
Question 2: A bathtub overflow drain is required primarily to:
- Prevent siphonage of the trap seal
- Limit water depth and prevent flooding (Correct answer)
- Provide venting for the drain
- Equalize pressure in the drain line
Correct answer: Limit water depth and prevent flooding
The overflow drain prevents water from exceeding a safe depth in the tub, protecting against accidental flooding.
Question 3: Which type of faucet uses a ceramic disc cartridge to control water flow?
- Ball faucet
- Compression faucet
- Disc faucet (Correct answer)
- Cartridge faucet
Correct answer: Disc faucet
Disc faucets use a ceramic disc cylinder that rotates to open and close ports, controlling both flow and temperature.
Question 4: When installing a pedestal lavatory, the drain rough-in height from the finished floor is typically:
- 12 inches
- 18 inches
- 21 inches (Correct answer)
- 24 inches
Correct answer: 21 inches
A pedestal lavatory drain rough-in is typically 21 inches from the finished floor to align with the fixture's drain outlet.
Question 5: A pressure-balancing shower valve is designed to:
- Reduce overall water pressure in the system
- Maintain a constant hot-to-cold ratio during pressure fluctuations (Correct answer)
- Increase flow rate to the showerhead
- Eliminate the need for a tempering valve
Correct answer: Maintain a constant hot-to-cold ratio during pressure fluctuations
Pressure-balancing valves sense pressure changes on the hot or cold supply and automatically adjust the ratio to prevent scalding or sudden cold shocks.
Question 6: What is the maximum hot water temperature allowed at a residential shower per the IPC?
- 110°F
- 115°F
- 120°F (Correct answer)
- 125°F
Correct answer: 120°F
The IPC limits shower water temperature to 120°F (49°C) maximum to prevent scalding injuries.
Question 7: A floor-mounted water closet that connects to the drain at the floor level uses which type of flange connection?
- Spigot flange
- Closet flange (floor flange) (Correct answer)
- Hub flange
- Fernco coupling
Correct answer: Closet flange (floor flange)
A closet flange (floor flange) is anchored to the floor and provides the connection point between the toilet horn and the drain pipe.
