ICC F34 Journeyman Gas Pipe Fitter Exam (2015 IFGC)

22 questions · 40% of the exam

Key Concepts

Scope and applicability - The piping provisions cover natural gas at an operating pressure of 125 psig or less and LP-gas at 20 psig or less, except as provided in Section 402.6; coverage runs from the point of delivery to the outlet of the appliance shutoff valves (101.2.2). - Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories high with separate means of egress, and their accessory structures, follow the International Residential Code (101.2, Exception). - Section 101.2.4 lists systems outside the scope. Raw material (feedstock) applications are excluded "except for piping to special atmosphere generators" — that piping stays regulated.

Permits, documents, enforcement - Construction documents for buildings more than two stories must indicate where penetrations will be made and the materials/methods for maintaining structural safety, fire-resistance rating and fireblocking (106.3.1). - A permit application is deemed abandoned 180 days after filing unless pursued in good faith; extensions not exceeding 180 days each (106.3.2). - Half-fee renewal of a null-and-void permit requires no change to the original documents and suspension/abandonment not exceeding one year (106.5.3). - Starting work before permits: an additional fee of 100 percent of the usual permit fee (106.6.1). - Annual permit in place of individual permits is for alterations to already approved installations, for firms regularly employing qualified tradespersons (106.1.1); detailed records required (106.1.2). - Temporary equipment/systems permits: limited as to time of service, not more than 180 days, extensions for cause (110.1). - Required tests of alternative materials are performed by an approved agency (105.3.2) and at no expense to the jurisdiction (105.3).

Key Concepts

Testing and listing standards (know the appliance-to-standard pairs) - Water heaters: ANSI Z21.10.1 and ANSI Z21.10.3; water heaters using fuels other than fuel gas are regulated by the International Mechanical Code (624.1). - Water heater sizing, relief valves, drain pans and scald protection: International Plumbing Code (624.1.1). - Combination potable water heating/space heating water heaters: listed and labeled for such service by the manufacturer, installed per manufacturer's instructions and the IPC (624.2). - Decorative appliances in approved solid fuel-burning fireplaces: ANSI Z21.60; manually lighted natural gas decorative appliances: ANSI Z21.84 (602.1). Vented gas fireplaces: ANSI Z21.50 (604.1). Vented gas fireplace heaters: ANSI Z21.88 (605.1). Log lighters: CSA 8 (603.1). - Vented wall furnaces and floor furnaces: ANSI Z21.86/CSA 2.32 (608.1, 609.1). Duct furnaces: ANSI Z83.8 or UL 795 (610.1). Nonrecirculating direct-fired industrial air heaters: ANSI Z83.4/CSA 3.7 (611.1). Pool and spa heaters: ANSI Z21.56 (617.1). - Boilers: listed to ANSI Z21.13 or UL 795; where applicable designed/constructed to ASME CSD-1, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Sections I, II, IV, V and IX, and NFPA 85 (631.1). Gas equipment in existing unlisted boilers complies with 631.1 plus manufacturer's instructions and the IMC (632.1). - Unvented room heaters: ANSI Z21.11.2 (621.1); factory-built fireplace system for an unvented decorative room heater: UL 127 (621.7); ventless firebox enclosure: ANSI Z21.91 (621.7.1). - Dryer transition ducts: UL 2158A (614.8.3); domestic dryer exhaust duct power ventilators: UL 705 (614.5).

Flame safeguard — Decorative appliances in solid fuel-burning fireplaces need an ignition means and a flame safeguard device, except those tested to ANSI Z21.84 (602.2).

2015 International Fuel Gas Code — Chapter 4, Gas Piping Installations (Sections 401 and 402)

Key Concepts

• Scope of the piping provisions. The code's piping requirements apply to piping systems from the point of delivery to the connections with the appliances, including design, materials, fabrication, installation, testing and maintenance (Section 401.1).
• Minimum sizes. Pipe used for installation, extension and alteration of any piping system shall be sized to supply the full number of outlets for the intended purpose, in accordance with Section 402 (Section 401.8).
• Existing systems. In modifying or adding to existing piping systems, sizes shall be maintained in accordance with the chapter (Section 401.3). Where an additional appliance is to be served, the existing piping shall be checked for adequate capacity for all appliances served; if inadequate, the system shall be enlarged or separate piping of adequate capacity provided (Section 401.4).
• General sizing objective. Piping shall be sized and installed to meet the maximum demand and supply gas to each appliance inlet at not less than the minimum supply pressure required by the appliance (Section 402.1).
• Maximum gas demand. The volumetric flow rate shall be the sum of the maximum input of the appliances served. The total connected hourly load is the basis for pipe sizing, assuming all appliances could operate at full capacity simultaneously. Sizing on diversified loads is permitted only where a diversity of load can be established (Section 402.2).
• Altitude. The volumetric flow rate shall be adjusted for altitude where the installation is above 2,000 feet (610 m) in elevation (Section 402.2).
• Three permitted sizing methods (Section 402.3): (1) the pipe sizing tables or sizing equations of…

2015 International Fuel Gas Code — Section 304

Key Concepts

Scope and exception (Section 304.1). Appliances other than natural draft design, vented gas appliances not designated as Category I, and appliances equipped with power burners shall be provided with combustion, ventilation and dilution air in accordance with the appliance manufacturer's instructions. Exception: Type 1 clothes dryers that are provided with makeup air in accordance with Section 614.6.

Appliance location (Section 304.2). Appliances shall be located so as not to interfere with proper circulation of combustion, ventilation and dilution air.

Draft hood/regulator location (Section 304.3). A draft hood or barometric draft regulator shall be installed in the same room or enclosure as the appliance served, to prevent any difference in pressure between the hood or regulator and the combustion air supply.

Makeup air (Section 304.4). Where exhaust fans, clothes dryers and kitchen ventilation systems interfere with the operation of appliances, makeup air shall be provided.

Indoor combustion air (Section 304.5). The required volume of indoor air shall be determined in accordance with Section 304.5.1 or 304.5.2, except that where the air infiltration rate is known to be less than 0.40 ACH, Section 304.5.2 shall be used. The total required volume is the sum of the volumes required for all appliances in the space. Rooms communicating directly with the appliance space through openings not furnished with doors, and through combustion air openings sized per Section 304.5.3, are considered part of the required volume.

Standard Method (Section 304.5.1). Minimum required volume = 50 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu/h (4.8 m³/kW) of appliance input rating.

Chapter 5 — Chimneys and Vents

Key Concepts

Vent listing standards (Section 502.1). Vents, except as provided in Section 503.7, shall be listed and labeled. Type B and BW vents are tested to UL 441; Type L vents to UL 641; vents for Category II and III appliances to UL 1738. Listed chimney lining systems comply with UL 1777 (Section 501.12, Item 2).

Factory-built chimneys (Section 506.1). Building heating appliances with flue gas temperatures not greater than 1,000°F at the chimney entrance require chimneys listed and labeled to UL 103. UL 959 applies to medium-heat appliances above 1,000°F (Section 506.3).

Insulation shield (Section 502.4). Steel of minimum thickness 0.0187 inch (No. 26 gage); where vents pass through attic space the shield terminates not less than 2 inches above the insulation materials and is secured against displacement.

Shield plates in framing (Section 502.7). Where a vent passes through bored holes or notches in studs, joists or rafters less than 1 1/2 inches from the nearest edge of the member, protective steel shield plates of minimum thickness 0.0575 inch (No. 16 gage) are required, extending not less than 4 inches above sole plates, below top plates and to each side of the member.

Single-wall metal pipe (Section 503.7). Constructed of galvanized sheet steel not less than 0.0304 inch thick, or other approved noncombustible, corrosion-resistant material (503.7.1). Through a combustible roof (503.7.5): noncombustible, nonventilating thimble extending not less than 18 inches above and 6 inches below the roof, annular space open at bottom, closed only at top. Through a combustible exterior wall (503.7.7), ventilated metal thimble sizing: - Listed draft-hood appliances / appliances listed for Type B vents: **not less than 4…