Master Plumber Exam Administration, Codes, and Regulations 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal agency regulates lead content in plumbing materials used in public water systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act?
- OSHA
- EPA (Correct answer)
- HUD
- CPSC
Correct answer: EPA
The EPA enforces the Safe Drinking Water Act, including the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act limiting lead in plumbing products.
Question 2: Under the 2021 IPC, what is the maximum allowable lead content by weighted average for solder and flux used in potable water systems?
- 0.2%
- 0.25% (Correct answer)
- 2%
- 8%
Correct answer: 0.25%
Federal law and the IPC limit lead content in solder and flux to no more than 0.25% by weighted average for potable water systems.
Question 3: Which plumbing code standard governs water supply fixture units (WSFU) used to size water distribution systems?
- ASME A112.18.1
- IPC Table 604.3 (Correct answer)
- ASTM E1319
- NFPA 13
Correct answer: IPC Table 604.3
IPC Table 604.3 provides the water supply fixture unit values used to calculate demand loads for sizing water supply piping.
Question 4: A master plumber takes on an apprentice who performs work unsupervised and causes property damage. Who bears primary liability?
- The apprentice solely
- The property owner for allowing it
- The master plumber who is responsible for supervision (Correct answer)
- The licensing board
Correct answer: The master plumber who is responsible for supervision
The master plumber is legally responsible for supervising and is liable for work performed under their license.
Question 5: Under the IPC, what must be done with all plumbing systems before a certificate of occupancy is issued?
- Filed with the county recorder
- Tested, inspected, and approved by the AHJ (Correct answer)
- Signed off by the architect only
- Photographed and submitted to the permit office
Correct answer: Tested, inspected, and approved by the AHJ
All plumbing systems must pass all required tests and inspections and receive AHJ approval before occupancy is permitted.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes a 'listed' product as used in the IPC?
- A product imported from an approved country
- Equipment included in a list published by an approved testing organization showing compliance with standards (Correct answer)
- Any product sold in a plumbing supply store
- A product registered with the state licensing board
Correct answer: Equipment included in a list published by an approved testing organization showing compliance with standards
A listed product has been evaluated by an approved third-party testing organization and is included in their published compliance listings.
Question 7: Under most state plumbing regulations, how must a master plumber notify the licensing board if they change their business address?
- No notification is required
- Written notification within the time period specified by state rules, typically 30 days (Correct answer)
- Notification only at license renewal
- Notification only if the business name also changes
Correct answer: Written notification within the time period specified by state rules, typically 30 days
Most state licensing laws require master plumbers to notify the board of address changes in writing within a specified period, commonly 30 days.
Master Plumber Exam Administration, Codes, and Regulations 4
Which federal agency regulates lead content in plumbing materials used in public water systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act?