Georgia Master Plumber Class II (Unrestricted) Exam

Key Concepts

Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)

• Governed under Title 43, Chapter 14 of Georgia law
• Five divisions: Conditioned Air, Electrical, Low Voltage, Master/Journeyman Plumbers, Utility Contractors
• Each division has five members (contractors, journeymen, engineers, inspectors) plus two consumer members not connected to the industry
• Members appointed by the Governor for four-year terms; each division meets at least once per quarter
• Board address: 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217
• Class II Master Plumber license is unrestricted; requires 5 years experience
• Passing score for licensure exam: 70 or higher
• License renewal is required to maintain active status; failure to renew can result in lapsed or invalid license

Key Concepts

Licensing Authority & Scope

• The State Construction Industry Licensing Board (SCILB) governs plumbers under Title 43, Chapter 14 of the Georgia Code.
• Class II Master Plumber license is unrestricted. Class I is limited to single-family/two-family dwellings and commercial structures ≤10,000 sq ft.
• Applicants must have 5 years of experience in plumbing work covered by the Georgia State Plumbing Code; must pass exam with score of 70 or higher.
• Purpose of licensing: protect health, safety, and welfare of the public from unqualified or unethical contractors.

Key Concepts

Bill of Materials / Job Takeoff

A quantity take-off (QTO) is a systematic count of every material item needed, derived directly from the construction drawings and specifications. Work room by room or system by system — never estimate from memory. The result feeds your bill of materials and drives your cost estimate. A good estimate falls within 1–2% of actual construction costs.

Code Precedence

When documents conflict, apply this hierarchy (most restrictive governs): 1. Applicable codes — minimum legal requirements (Georgia State Minimum Standard Plumbing Code, IPC as adopted) 2. Specifications — project-specific material/method requirements 3. Manufacturer's instructions — installation requirements for listed equipment

Key Concepts

Cast Iron Pipe

• Snap-type chain cutters are the standard field tool; score evenly around the full circumference before snapping.
• Lead and oakum joints: pack oakum first (yarned in), then pour molten lead and calk. Minimum lead depth: 1 inch.
• No-hub connectors: stainless steel shield with neoprene gasket and clamps — torque to manufacturer's spec (typically 60 in-lb).
• Rubber-type (compression) joints use a gasket seated in the bell. Lubricate and push spigot to the home mark.

Key Concepts

Plans & Specifications Always install per approved drawings. Where a general requirement conflicts with a specific requirement, the specific requirement governs (IPC 102.1). The most restrictive provision applies when sections conflict.

Water Supply Sizing Size based on fixture unit demand, developed length, and available pressure. Supply pipes must maintain minimum pressure at point of use. Install pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) where street pressure exceeds system design limits.

Drainage Fixture Units (DFUs) DFU values are the foundation for sizing branches, stacks, and building drains. Common values to memorize: - Lavatory: 1 DFU - Water closet (tank type): 3 DFU - Bathtub/shower: 2 DFU - Kitchen sink (residential): 2 DFU - Clothes washer: 2 DFU - Floor drain: 2 DFU…

Georgia Master Plumber Class II (Unrestricted) Exam — 5% of Exam (7 Questions)

Key Concepts

Water Distribution System Testing

• Hydrostatic/water test: Minimum 100 psi for 15 minutes with no leakage. Use water or air — air testing is more sensitive for detecting small leaks.
• Air test alternative: Permitted for water supply piping. System charged to minimum 50 psi and held for 15 minutes.
• Plastic pipe (PVC, CPVC, PEX) should be water tested, not air tested at high pressures — air under pressure stores energy and is a safety hazard if the pipe fails.

(15 Questions | 11% of Exam)

Key Concepts

Gas Line Leak Detection - Use soapy water (bubbles indicate leak) or an approved electronic gas detector. Never use an open flame. - Test at operating pressure. Check all fittings, unions, and appliance connections. - Thermocouple function: generates a small millivolt signal (typically 25–30 mV) to hold the gas valve open. If output drops below the valve's minimum threshold, the valve closes. A faulty thermocouple will not hold a pilot light.

Gas Appliance Service - Clean burner orifices with compressed air — never use wire or enlarge the orifice. - Check for proper flame color: natural gas burns blue with a small yellow tip; excessive yellow or orange flame…

(15 Questions | 11% of Exam)

Key Concepts

OSHA Framework

• Governing standards: 29 CFR 1926 (Construction), 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry), 29 CFR 1904 (Recordkeeping)
• OSHA poster must be posted at the location employees report to each day
• Georgia has no state OSHA plan — federal OSHA applies directly
• Free confidential consultation available through Georgia Tech 21(d) Program for employers with <500 employees

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Employer is responsible for providing and requiring PPE: hard hats, safety boots, protective eyewear, gloves, fall protection, hearing protection, respirators, face shields, coveralls
• PPE selection must be based on hazard assessment per OSHA standards

(Offset, Volume, Area, Pressure, Depth, Circumference, Radius, Weight — 5 questions, ~4% of exam)

Key Concepts

Pipe Offsets (45°): A 45° offset creates a right triangle. The diagonal (travel) is the hypotenuse. The rise and run are the two legs. The key constant for 45° work is 1.414 — multiply either leg (rise or run) by 1.414 to get the diagonal pipe length. Conversely, multiply the diagonal by 0.707 to get the rise or run.

Water Pressure & Head: Water exerts 0.433 psi per foot of head (vertical height). Invert this: 1 psi = 2.31 feet of head. These two conversion factors are the foundation of all pressure/head problems.

Key Concepts

Business Entity Structures - Sole Proprietorship: Simplest form; unlimited personal liability; terminates on owner's death; profits reported as ordinary income (no corporate tax); fictitious name certificate required if operating under a trade name. - General Partnership: Can be formed by oral agreement; all general partners have unlimited personal liability; dissolves upon a general partner's death or departure; file IRS Form 1065 for federal taxes. - Limited Partnership: Has at least one general partner (unlimited liability) and one or more limited partners (liability limited to investment). - LLC / Corporation: Provides liability protection separating personal and business assets. S-Corps and C-Corps require formal registration with the Georgia Secretary of State.

(15 Questions, 11% of Exam)

Key Concepts

Bonds - Bid Bond: Guarantees the bidder will enter into the contract if awarded. Protects the owner if the low bidder walks away. - Performance Bond: Guarantees the contractor will complete the work per contract terms. - Payment Bond: Guarantees subcontractors and suppliers will be paid. - Liquidated Damages: A pre-agreed daily dollar amount deducted for each day a project runs past the contract completion date. Must be a reasonable estimate of actual damages — not a penalty.

Key Concepts

Backflow Prevention & Cross-Connection Control Backflow preventers must match the degree of hazard. Air gaps (minimum 2x pipe diameter, never less than 1 inch) provide the highest protection. Reduced pressure zone (RPZ) assemblies are required for high-hazard connections. Double check valve assemblies are used for low-hazard applications. Vacuum breakers protect against back-siphonage only — they do not protect against backpressure.

Water Heater & Boiler Sizing Size water heaters based on peak demand (gallons per hour) and recovery rate, not just storage capacity. Temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valves are mandatory on all water heaters; discharge must run to within 6 inches of the floor or to an approved receptor. Boilers require pressure relief valves sized to the…