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.
What is the minimum water closet compartment width required by the IPC for a standard toilet stall?