ICC Journeyman Plumber Cheat Sheet

Administration and General Regulations

40% of exam
Exam Day Logistics Must-Know Definitions Rough-In and Final Tests Materials and Pressure Ratings Supports and Protection Plan Reading and Math 2015 to 2018 Renumbering

Plumbing Fixtures

17% of exam
Fixture Clearances IPC Flow and Flush Limits Water Heater Safety Shower Valve vs Public Lavatory Fixture Clearance Numbers

Water Supply and Distribution

14% of exam
Water Service and Pressure Minimum Fixture Supply Sizes Backflow Device Rules Backflow Device Picker AVB vs RPZ

Sanitary Drainage

13% of exam
DFU Values and Slopes Cleanouts, Sumps, Backwater Which Slope Applies Air Gap or Air Break Which Cleanout Is Required

Plumbing Vent Requirements

7% of exam
Vent Sizing and Terminals Vent Method Picker Trap Arm Ladder Vent Stack vs Stack Vent

Traps, Interceptors, and Separators

7% of exam
Trap Rules Interceptors and Separators Trap Seal Window Prohibited trap types Building trap ban

Storm Drainage

2% of exam
Storm Drainage Rules No sanitary connection Secondary drainage 100-year rainfall basis

Quick Facts

Exam IDs F25 | G25
Credential Journeyman Plumber (ICC)
Questions 70 multiple-choice
Time F25 3 hours; G25 4 hours
Code Basis F25 2015 IPC; G25 2018 IPC
Pass 70%, PASS/FAIL only
Fee $120
Format Open book, Pearson VUE
Retake 10-day wait
Pass Rate Not published by ICC

Test Numbers AD

Ten feet, five psi, fifteen minutes
Water: 10 ft head Air: 5 psi Both: 15 minutes Metal supply air: 50 psi

F25 vs G25 AD

F25

2015 IPC
3-hour limit
No grease slope clause

G25

2018 IPC
4-hour limit
1/4 in grease slope
Same outline, different edition

Exam Day Logistics AD

F25 2015 IPC, 3 hours
G25 2018 IPC, 4 hours
Questions 70 four-option multiple-choice
Passing score 70 percent, PASS or FAIL
Retake wait 10 days after a failure
Guessing penalty None; answer every question
Calculator Basic non-programmable four-function only
Allowed marks Ink notes, highlighting, attached tabs
Prohibited Photocopies of copyrighted material
Fuel gas Excluded; F28 adds gas

Edition Number Shift AD

Shower moved up, backwater valve moved down
417.4 to 421.4 424.3 to 412.3 715.1 to 714.1

Service vs Distribution Pipe AD

Water Service

160 psi at 73.4 F
PVC permitted
Buried outside structure

Hot Distribution

100 psi at 180 F
CPVC, never PVC
Inside the building
Cold buried vs hot inside

Must-Know Definitions AD

Branch interval 8 ft stack vertical length
Developed length Along centerline through fittings
Building drain ends 30 in past exterior wall
Stack vent Extension of the waste stack
Vent stack Air-only vertical vent pipe
Flood level rim Edge where receptacle overflows
Critical level C-L mark on backflow device
No C-L marking Bottom of device governs
Soil vs waste stack Fecal matter vs liquid waste

Rough-In and Final Tests AD

DWV water test 10 ft head, 15 min
Top 10 feet Exempt from the head
DWV air test 5 psi, 15 minutes
Air test equivalent 10 in mercury column
Plastic DWV piping Air test prohibited; water only
Water supply test Working pressure, 15 minutes
Air on metal supply 50 psi minimum allowed
Final smoke test 1 in water column, 15 min
Shower liner test 2 in water, 15 minutes
AAV install timing Only after DWV test

Materials and Pressure Ratings AD

PVC Water service only, never distribution
CPVC Interior hot and cold distribution
Water service rating 160 psi at 73.4 F
Hot distribution rating 100 psi at 180 F
Lead free pipe 0.25 percent weighted average
Lead free solder 0.2 percent maximum lead
PVC primer ASTM F656, purple colored
Copper types K thickest, L medium, M thin

Supports and Protection AD

PVC/ABS DWV horizontal 4 ft spacing
PVC/ABS DWV vertical 10 ft spacing
Copper 1-1/4 in horizontal 6 ft spacing
Cast iron horizontal 5 ft, or 10 ft lengths
Cast iron vertical 15 ft spacing
Water pipe burial 6 in below frost line
Burial floor 12 in below grade minimum
Foundation penetration Sleeve two pipe sizes larger

Plan Reading and Math AD

1/4 in scale One inch equals four feet
1/8 in scale One inch equals eight feet
Static head 0.433 psi per vertical foot
1 psi 2.31 feet of head
45-degree offset Travel equals run times 1.414
Isometric drawing Shows vertical runs and vents
Read off isometric DFU, trap arms, vent heights

2015 to 2018 Renumbering AD

Shower compartment 417.4 becomes 421.4
Shower opening 417.4.2 becomes 421.4.2
Shower valve 424.3 becomes 412.3
Backwater valve 715.1 becomes 714.1
Chapter 4 order Resequenced alphabetically by fixture
What changed Numbers moved, rules unchanged

Fixture Clearance Numbers FI

Fifteen to the wall, thirty apart, twenty-one ahead
15 in to wall 30 in center to center 21 in in front

Shower Valve vs Public Lavatory FI

Shower Valve

120 F maximum
ASSE 1016 valve
Limit stop at valve

Public Lavatory

110 F maximum
ASSE 1070 device
Tempered water required
Two limits, two devices

Fixture Clearances FI

Centerline to wall 15 in minimum
Centerline to centerline 30 in minimum
Clear space in front 21 in minimum
Shower area 900 sq in minimum
Shower least dimension 30 in minimum
Shower exception 25 in with 1,300 sq in
Shower measure height Up to 70 in
Shower door opening 22 in clear width
Fixture outlet to weir 24 in vertical maximum

IPC vs WaterSense Flow FI

IPC Table 604.4

Showerhead 2.5 gpm
Lavatory 2.2 gpm
Urinal 1.0 gpf

WaterSense or State

Showerhead 2.0 gpm
Lavatory 1.5 gpm
Urinal 0.5 gpf
Code base vs amendment

IPC Flow and Flush Limits FI

Showerhead 2.5 gpm at 80 psi
Private lavatory faucet 2.2 gpm at 60 psi
Public lavatory faucet 0.5 gpm at 60 psi
Metering faucet 0.25 gallon per cycle
Water closet 1.6 gallons per flush
Urinal 1.0 gallon per flush
2015 vs 2018 Identical flow and flush values
2.0, 1.5, 0.5 figures WaterSense or state amendment

Water Heater Safety FI

T&P discharge size Full size of valve outlet
Discharge termination 6 in maximum above floor
Discharge end No threads, no valves
Discharge routing Gravity, untrapped, one device
Never connect to The drainage system
Pan depth 1-1/2 in minimum
Pan drain 3/4 in indirect waste
Shower valve limit 120 F, ASSE 1016
Public lavatory limit 110 F, ASSE 1070

AVB vs RPZ WA

AVB

6 in above rim
No downstream valve
Not continuous pressure

RPZ

High hazard rated
Continuous pressure allowed
Backpressure and backsiphonage
Hazard and pressure decide

Backflow Device Picker WA

High hazard, continuous pressure → RPZ assembly ( ASSE 1013 )
Low hazard, pollution only → Double check assembly
Hose bibb or sillcock → Hose connection vacuum breaker ( Permanently attached )
No downstream valve, intermittent → Atmospheric vacuum breaker ( 6 in above rim )
Open receptor available → Physical air gap ( Cannot fail mechanically )
Static pressure over 80 psi → Pressure-reducing valve ( Creates a closed system )

Water Service and Pressure WA

Minimum service size 3/4 in diameter
Sewer separation 5 ft compacted earth
Sleeve alternative 5 ft each side of sewer
Vertical alternative 12 in above sewer top
PRV trigger Static pressure over 80 psi
PRV standard ASSE 1003 with strainer
10 ft separation Utility rule, not IPC

RPZ vs Double Check WA

RPZ

High hazard, contamination
ASSE 1013 assembly

DCVA

Low hazard, pollution
Never on health hazard
Hazard class picks device

Minimum Fixture Supply Sizes WA

Lavatory 3/8 in
Water closet flush tank 3/8 in
Kitchen sink 1/2 in
Bathtub 1/2 in
Shower, single head 1/2 in
Hose bibb 1/2 in
Urinal flushometer 3/4 in
Water closet flushometer 1 in, the outlier

Backflow Device Rules WA

Air gap size Twice the effective opening
Air gap minimum 1 in above flood rim
AVB height 6 in above flood rim
AVB downstream valve Never permitted
AVB pressure limit 12 hours in any 24
RPZ High hazard, continuous pressure
DCVA Low hazard, pollution only
Hose bibb Permanently attached vacuum breaker

Slope Ladder SA

Quarter, eighth, sixteenth as pipe grows
2-1/2 in: 1/4 in 3-6 in: 1/8 in 8 in: 1/16 in Grease upstream: 1/4 in, G25

Air Gap vs Air Break SA

Air Gap

Open space above rim
Twice the effective opening
Food equipment requires it

Air Break

Pipe ends below rim
Separation to trap seal
Dishwasher may use it
Above rim vs below rim

Which Slope Applies SA

Pipe 2-1/2 in or less → 1/4 in per foot
Pipe 3 in to 6 in → 1/8 in per foot ( Steeper always allowed )
Pipe 8 in or larger → 1/16 in per foot
Upstream of grease interceptor → 1/4 in per foot ( G25 only, 2018 IPC )
F25, upstream of interceptor → Table 704.1 slopes apply
Trap arm 2 in or smaller → 1/4 in per foot ( Table 909.1 basis )
Trap arm 3 or 4 in → 1/8 in per foot ( Table 909.1 basis )

DFU Values and Slopes SA

Bathroom group 5 dfu, 1.6 gpf closet
Water closet, private 3 dfu
Water closet, public 4 dfu
Lavatory 1 dfu
Bathtub, shower, kitchen sink 2 dfu each
Pipe 2-1/2 in or less 1/4 in per foot
Pipe 3 in to 6 in 1/8 in per foot
Pipe 8 in or larger 1/16 in per foot
Upstream of grease trap 1/4 in per foot, G25

Air Gap or Air Break SA

Food-handling equipment waste → Air gap ( Air break not allowed )
Potable clear-water waste → Air gap
Commercial dishwashing machine → Air gap or air break
Potable water storage tank → Air gap above overflow
Pipe ends below flood rim → Air break ( Separation to trap seal )
Sizing the air gap → Twice the effective opening ( No 1-in floor here )

Cleanouts, Sumps, Backwater SA

Cleanout interval 100 ft, all pipe sizes
Direction change Cleanout over 45 degrees
Stack base Cleanout at the foot
Drain meets sewer Cleanout near that junction
Clearance, 6 in pipe 18 in in front
Clearance, 8 in pipe 36 in in front
Sewage sump pit 18 in wide, 24 deep
Sump cover Gas-tight, removable, vented
Discharge valve order Check valve, then full-open
Ejector solids 2 in spheres with closets
Backwater valve trigger Floor below upstream manhole cover
Above that elevation Must bypass the valve

Which Cleanout Is Required SA

Horizontal run over 100 ft → Cleanout at 100 ft intervals
Direction change over 45 degrees → Cleanout at the fitting
Base of a waste stack → Cleanout at stack base
Building drain meets sewer → Cleanout near that junction
Pipe 6 in or smaller → 18 in clearance in front
Pipe 8 in or larger → 36 in clearance in front
Backwater valve installed → Accessible cleanout for service

Trap Arm Ladder VE

Bigger trap arm buys a longer run
1-1/4 in = 5 ft 1-1/2 in = 6 ft 2 in = 8 ft 3 in = 12 ft 4 in = 16 ft

Vent Stack vs Stack Vent VE

Vent Stack

Carries air only
Required at 5 intervals
Connects at stack base

Stack Vent

Extends the waste stack
Above highest drain connection
Terminates through roof
Separate pipe vs extension

Vent Method Picker VE

One fixture trap → Individual vent ( Half the drain served )
Two traps, one fitting → Common vent
Bathroom group, one branch → Wet vent
Battery of 2-8 fixtures → Circuit vent
Island sink, no wall → Island fixture vent
No roof penetration possible → Air admittance valve ( One open vent required )
Stack has 5 branch intervals → Vent stack required

Vent Sizing and Terminals VE

Individual vent size Half the drain served
Absolute minimum vent 1-1/4 in
Vent over 40 ft Increase one nominal size
Vent stack trigger 5 or more branch intervals
Trap to vent, 1-1/4 in 5 ft maximum
Trap to vent, 1-1/2 in 6 ft maximum
Trap to vent, 2 in 8 ft maximum
Trap to vent, 3 in 12 ft maximum
Trap to vent, 4 in 16 ft maximum
Terminal near opening 10 ft, or 3 ft above
Promenade roof 7 ft above the roof
Plain roof height Bracketed; jurisdiction fills in
Frost closure areas Increase to 3 in diameter

Trap Seal Window TR

Two to four inches, never deeper
2 in minimum 4 in maximum Deeper holds solids Shallower gets siphoned

Trap Rules TR

Trap seal depth 2 in to 4 in
Deeper than 4 in Holds solids, not self-scouring
Prohibited traps S, bell, crown-vented, drum
Also prohibited Moving-part and partition traps
Building trap Prohibited, no exception
Drum trap exception Solids interceptor or chemical waste
Trap arm fall Not over one pipe diameter
Fixture outlet to weir 24 in vertical, 30 horizontal

Interceptors and Separators TR

Grease interceptor Receives FOG-bearing kitchen waste
Water closet waste Never into grease interceptor
Upstream slope, G25 1/4 in per foot minimum
Upstream slope, F25 Table 704.1 slopes govern
Oil separator Garages and fuel facilities
Oil separator venting Separate vapor vent required
Sand interceptor Grit from wash-down areas
Chemical waste Independent system, neutralize first

Storm Drainage Rules ST

Storm to sanitary Prohibited under the IPC
Combined public sewer Connect storm independently, trapped
Design basis 100-year, one-hour rainfall
Secondary drainage Required where parapets trap water
Secondary inlet height 2 in above roof low point
Subsoil drains Storm system, never sanitary

Common Traps

Flow rates did not change

IPC showerhead is 2.5 gpm ≠ 2.0 gpm is WaterSense

Urinal flush volume

IPC urinal is 1.0 gpf ≠ 0.5 gpf is an amendment

Lavatory faucet flow

Private lavatory is 2.2 gpm ≠ 1.5 gpm is an amendment

Renumbering is not rule change

417.4 became 421.4 ≠ Requirements stayed identical

Building traps are banned

Building trap prohibited outright ≠ Not the same as interceptor

Deeper trap seals are worse

Over 4 in holds solids ≠ 2 to 4 in only

Water service is not distribution

PVC for service only ≠ CPVC for interior hot

Sewer separation is 5 feet

IPC requires 5 ft ≠ 10 ft is a utility rule

Burial needs both numbers

6 in below frost line ≠ 12 in below grade

Cleanout clearance is IPC-specific

IPC uses 18 and 36 in ≠ The 12 in split is UPC

Vent stack vs stack vent

Vent stack carries air ≠ Stack vent extends waste stack

Bathroom group is discounted

Group equals 5 dfu ≠ Less than summing parts

Individual vent sizes off drain

Half the drain served ≠ Not the trap arm

Last Minute

1. 70 questions, open book
2. F25 3 hours; G25 4 hours
3. Pass is 70 percent
4. Retake wait is 10 days
5. Administration is 40 percent
6. Slopes drop: quarter, eighth, sixteenth
7. Trap seal 2 to 4 in
8. Cleanouts every 100 ft
9. Air gap is twice opening
10. Showerhead 2.5 gpm, not 2.0
11. Water test: 10 ft, 15 min
12. No air test on plastic
13. Vent stack at 5 intervals
14. Storm never enters sanitary sewer
15. Building traps are prohibited
16. PVC service only; CPVC hot
17. Tab Tables 604.4, 704.1, 709.1

Journeyman Plumber

Practice Questions 198 questions Study Guide 41 topics Cheat Sheet 163 facts Flashcards 50 cards Blogs 1 blog Free CE Podcast