Plumbing

Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:

Safety 

• Demonstrate personal safety, including PPEs 
• Demonstrate work environment safety 
• Demonstrate tool safety 
• Demonstrate proper trenching methods 

 

Plumbing Math 

• Use formulas 
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers and fractions 
• Convert measurements 
• Calculate slope and angles with a builder’s level/laser 
• Size drain/waste lines and storm drains 

 

General Plumbing Practices 

• Identify and use plumbing tools 
• Demonstrate blueprint reading 
• Interpret an isometric view of a drain, waste, and vent (DWV) system 
• Identify plumbing materials and fittings 
• Identify plumbing pipe protection methods (i.e., fire caulk, nail plates) 
• Interpret and comply with general plumbing practices 
• Interpret manufacturer’s specifications
• Testing of plumbing systems 
• Identify plumbing terminology 
• Identify plumbing symbols 

 

Joining Pipes and Fittings 

• Join copper pipe, tubes, and fittings 
• Join plastic pipes, tubes, and fittings 
• Join steel pipes and fittings 
• Join cast iron pipes and fittings 
• Join dissimilar materials 

 

Drainage 

• Install drain/waste lines and storm drains (i.e., interior and exterior) 
• Describe sizing of basic drainage systems 
• Calculate proper pitch 
• Describe purpose and appropriate locations for clean-out 

 

Vent Installation 

• Install a vent system for soil or waste drainage 
• Differentiate between types of vents and venting systems 

 

Water Supply and Distribution 

• Layout/rough-in water service and distribution lines 
• Install water lines, including water hammer arrestors and/or air chambers 
• Identify various valve types and required locations 
• Identify cross-connection and back-flow devices and functions 

 

Hot Water Systems 

• Install basic types of water heaters (i.e., electric and gas) 
• Install and identify purpose of pressure/temperature relief valve on a water heater 
• Identify water heater components (i.e., electric and gas) 
• Display proper venting of a gas water heater 

 

Traps 

• Exhibit knowledge of trap function, installation, and placement 
• Distinguish between approved and non-approved traps 
• Identify trap components 
• Identify causes and prevention for trap seal loss 

 

Installing Fixtures 

• Install kitchen and lavatory fixtures 
• Install water closets 
• Install bathtub/shower 
• Install faucets 
• Install urinals 

 

Plumbing Service and Repair 

• Repair washer and washerless type faucets 
• Display ethical practices in service and repair 
• Replace ball cocks and flush valves 
• Unclog drains and traps 
• Replace kitchen plumbing appliances 

 

Written Assessment: 

Administration Time: 3 hours   

Number of Questions: 173

 

Areas Covered:

Safety: 8%

Plumbing Math: 10%

General Plumbing Practices: 24%

Joining Pipes and Fittings: 9%

Drainage: 8%

Vent Installation: 4%

Water Supply and Distribution: 7%

Hot Water Systems: 6%

Traps: 8%

Installing Fixtures: 7%

Plumbing Service and Repair: 9%

 

Sample Questions:

The weight of a cubic foot of water is 

6. 6.24 pounds  
7. 8.33 pounds 
8. 27 pounds 
9. 62.4 pounds 

 

PVC and ABS are what type of pipe material?  

1. steel 
2. plastic 
3. cooper 
4. brass 

 

PVC cement joints shall be made while the cement is 

1. dry 
2. partially dry 
3. wet 
4. heated 

 

Clean outs are used at the base of a stack to 

1. make the turn more gradual 
2. let the plumber know where the stack base is located 
3. allow the cleaning of a blockage 
4. check for effluent leakage 

 

Water hammer arrestors have a cushion of air or gas to absorb 

1. sediment 
2. moisture 
3. shock 
4. bacteria 

 

Performance Assessment:

Administration Time: 3 hours 

Number of Jobs: 2 

 

Areas Covered:

50% Install and Pressure Test a DWV System 

Selection of tools/materials, safe handling of tools and equipment, rough-in lavatory #1 (vertical and horizontal), rough-in lavatory #2 (vertical and horizontal), techniques for joining pipe and fittings, installation techniques, accuracy of fittings chosen, workstation left in good condition, adhere to local plumbing code, leak test, and time to complete Job 1.  

 

50% Install and Prepare to Leak Test a Water Supply System 

Selection of tools/materials, safe handling of tools and equipment, rough-in lavatory #1 (vertical and horizontal), rough-in lavatory #2 (vertical and horizontal), techniques for joining pipe and fittings, installation techniques, accuracy of fittings chosen, workstation left in good condition, adhere to local plumbing code, leak test, and time to complete Job 2.  

 Sample Job:

Install and Prepare to Leak Test a Water Supply System 

Maximum Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes 

Participant Activity: The participant will study a rough-in sketch and drawings to install a water supply system, measure and cut the pipe to correct size, connect all pipe and fittings per rough-in dimensions, install appropriate nail plates, and prepare the system for leak testing.