Plumb Perfect
To ensure water conservation, the plumbing code mandates that toilets installed in new installations shall use a maximum of this many gallons per flush.
1.6 gallons (or 6.0 liters).
Upon completion of a rough-in, the water distribution and supply system must be tested and proved tight under a pressure of no less than this many pounds per square inch (PSIG).
125 PSIG. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.04(2)2.)
Under the administrative requirements of the Board, all licensed plumbers (Journeyman and Master) must renew their licenses at this specific time interval.
Every two years.
This term describes wastewater that contains fecal matter and other human waste flushed or discharged from toilets or urinals.
Black Water. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.03)
According to the Uniform State Plumbing Code, horizontal drainage piping that is three inches in diameter or smaller must be installed with this minimum uniform pitch per foot.
1/4 of an inch. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.05(2)(b))
When running a vent pipe from a horizontal soil or waste pipe, the vent must rise vertically (or at a 45-degree angle) until it is at least this many inches above the flood-level rim of the fixture it serves before it can turn horizontally.
6 inches. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.16(4)(b)2)
When installing a potable water system that uses a check valve or backflow preventer to create a "closed system," the plumber must also install this device as close as possible to the meter to protect against pressure increases.
A thermal expansion tank. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.14(3)
For record-keeping and verification of experience, a licensed apprentice must retain all of their W-2 records for at least this many years after they have successfully obtained their journeyman license.
7 years. (Reference: 248 CMR 3.03(2)(a)6)
While most horizontal drainage piping requires a 1/4-inch pitch, the code allows a minimum uniform pitch of only 1/8-inch per foot for piping of this specific size or larger.
Larger than three inches in diameter. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.05(2)(c))
Every fixture trap installed in a plumbing system must maintain a liquid seal within a specific range; it must be at least two inches deep, but cannot exceed this many inches.
4 inches.
To ensure competency and prevent "test-cycling," a licensed apprentice is prohibited from attempting the journeyman license examination more than this many times without special Board approval.
6 times. (Reference: 248 CMR 11.02(1)(b))
According to the water distribution sizing tables, what is the assigned "Factor Value" used for a single flush-valve (flushometer) type toilet?
12. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.14(4): Table 1)
When calculating the load on a drainage system for equipment with continuous flow, such as a waste pump or sewage ejector, how many fixture units must be assigned for each gallon per minute (GPM) of flow?
Two (2) fixture units. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.15(2)(b))
In the event that a vent for an individual sink or lavatory cannot rise vertically six inches above the flood-level rim before turning horizontal, the code allows for the installation of this specific type of vent.
A Bow Vent. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.16(9)(a))
When connecting building sanitary and storm drainage systems to a combined public sewer, the systems must remain entirely separate until they reach this minimum distance outside the inside face of the foundation wall.
10 feet. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.17(10)(a)2)
While the standard vent extension through a roof is 2 inches, the code requires the extension to be at least this many inches in diameter in areas where "frost closure" is likely to occur.
3 inches. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.16(3)(e))
In the event of the death of the "Licensee of Record" for a plumbing corporation or LLC, the business must notify the Board within 15 days, but may continue to operate for this maximum number of days while a new application is filed.
60 days. (Reference: 248 CMR 3.03(1)(e)3.a-b.)
To ensure safety and identification, all special waste piping must be labeled at least every ten feet, at all changes of direction, and on both sides of wall penetrations with this specific color scheme.
Yellow labels with black lettering. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.13(1)(d)4.d.)
When installing a laundry waste system in a multi-story building serving more than three branch intervals, the suds pressure relief vent must connect to the laundry main drain at least this many pipe diameters downstream from the base of the stack.
40 pipe diameters. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.15(8)(d)3.)
According to the rules for protecting the potable water supply, if a water outlet is located less than three times its effective opening away from a vertical wall, the minimum required air gap must be this many times the effective opening.
Three times the effective opening. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.14(7)(l)1.a.ii.)
When designing a vent header system that connects more than four 4-inch soil or waste stacks, the vent header extension through the roof must be at least this many inches in diameter.
6 inches. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.16(2)(e)4.)
To ensure adequate protection during a chemical exposure emergency, safety showers must be capable of discharging a continuous spray at a rate of 20 gallons per minute (GPM) for a minimum duration of how many minutes?
15 minutes. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.10(13)(c))
For safety and to prevent damage to the building's drainage system, the plumbing code specifies two strict limits for boiler discharge. The temperature cannot exceed 150°F, and the pressure cannot exceed this many pounds per square inch (PSI).
5 PSI. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.22(1)(b))
While most plumbing instructors only require a Master Plumber or Master Gas Fitter license, an instructor for undiluted liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) courses must hold a specific license AND provide evidence of this many years of work experience.
Two (2) years of work experience. (Reference: 248 CMR 11.05(2)(e))
In the design and installation of a special hazardous waste system, the system must be engineered to adjust the pH of the waste to a specific level before it is discharged. What is the required pH range?
Between 6 and 9. (Reference: 248 CMR 10.13(3)(a))