Master Plumber Exam Plumbing Codes and Standards 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the IPC, which of the following materials is approved for underground building sanitary sewer piping?
- Galvanized steel pipe
- Type M copper
- Schedule 40 PVC (Correct answer)
- CPVC
Correct answer: Schedule 40 PVC
Schedule 40 PVC is an approved material for underground building sewer piping per IPC Table 702.2.
Question 2: According to the IPC, what is the maximum vertical drop allowed in a drainage offset using 45-degree fittings before requiring a vent?
- 2 feet
- 4 feet
- 6 feet (Correct answer)
- 8 feet
Correct answer: 6 feet
Per IPC Section 711, horizontal offsets in drainage stacks require venting if the offset exceeds 45 degrees and the vertical portion exceeds 6 feet above the offset.
Question 3: Per the IPC, an island fixture vent (for a kitchen island sink) must rise to a height of at least how many inches above the flood rim before turning horizontal?
- 6 inches
- 12 inches (Correct answer)
- 18 inches
- 6 inches above the countertop
Correct answer: 12 inches
The IPC requires the island fixture vent to rise at least 6 inches above the flood level rim of the fixture before turning horizontal.
Question 4: Under the IPC, what is required when a p-trap is installed on a fixture where the drain pipe connects to the trap inlet at less than a 45-degree angle?
- A check valve must be added
- The trap must be an S-trap configuration
- The installation is code-compliant as long as water seal depth is maintained (Correct answer)
- A running trap must be substituted
Correct answer: The installation is code-compliant as long as water seal depth is maintained
The IPC does not restrict the angle at which drain piping connects to a trap inlet as long as the proper trap seal depth of 2 to 4 inches is maintained.
Question 5: Per the IPC, which of the following is a requirement for an interceptor (grease trap) installation in a commercial kitchen?
- It must be located inside the kitchen for easy access
- It must be vented separately from the sanitary system
- It must be accessible for maintenance and cleaning (Correct answer)
- It must have a capacity of at least 50 gallons
Correct answer: It must be accessible for maintenance and cleaning
The IPC requires that interceptors and separators be readily accessible for service and maintenance per Section 1003.2.
Question 6: Under the IPC, which standard governs the performance requirements for pressure balancing shower valves?
- ASME A112.18.1
- ASSE 1016 (Correct answer)
- ASTM D2513
- NSF 61
Correct answer: ASSE 1016
ASSE 1016 is the standard for performance requirements of automatic compensating valves for individual showers and tub/shower combinations.
Question 7: Per the IPC, what is the maximum developed length of a 2-inch vent pipe serving a 3-inch soil stack with 10 drainage fixture units?
- 30 feet
- 60 feet
- 120 feet (Correct answer)
- 180 feet
Correct answer: 120 feet
Per IPC Table 916.1, a 2-inch vent serving a 3-inch drain with up to 10 DFUs has a maximum developed length of 120 feet.
Master Plumber Exam Plumbing Codes and Standards 5
Under the IPC, which of the following materials is approved for underground building sanitary sewer piping?