Idaho Plumbing Specialty Water Pump Journeyman Exam

Key Concepts

Scope & Purpose (UPC 101.2, 101.3) The code applies to erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, addition to, use, or maintenance of plumbing systems. Its purpose is to provide minimum requirements for protection of public health, safety, and welfare. Remember: it sets a floor, not a ceiling.

Conflict Resolution Rules (UPC 102.1) - Plumbing code vs. mechanical code → plumbing code prevails - Code vs. standards vs. manufacturer instructions → more stringent prevails - General requirement vs. specific requirement → specific requirement prevails

Authority Having Jurisdiction — AHJ (UPC 103.1) - Has powers of a law enforcement officer - Can render interpretations and adopt supplemental rules/regulations - Can appoint technical officers, inspectors, and employees - Can deputize inspectors as necessary - May request assistance from other officials of the jurisdiction

AHJ Liability (UPC 103.2) Acting in good faith and without malice, the AHJ is not personally liable for damages arising from enforcement duties. Legal defense is provided by the jurisdiction until final termination of proceedings.

Existing Installations (UPC 102.2) Plumbing systems lawfully in existence at code adoption may continue in use, maintenance, or repair if they follow the original design and location and create no hazard to life, health, or property.

Maintenance Responsibility (UPC 102.3) The owner or owner's designated agent is responsible for maintaining plumbing systems in sanitary, safe operating condition. The AHJ may cause a system to be reinspected to determine compliance.

Additions, Alterations, Repairs (UPC 102.4) New work must conform to current code requirements — but the existing system is not required to be brought up to current code unless it becomes unsafe, insanitary, or overloaded. Deviations may be approved by the AHJ.

Moved Structures (UPC 102.7) Plumbing in a moved building must comply with code as if it were new installation and must be completely tested. Exception: walls/floors need not be removed if equivalent inspection means are acceptable to the AHJ.

Changes in Occupancy (UPC 102.6) When a building changes use or occupancy, the plumbing system must meet requirements applicable to the new use or occupancy.

Chapter 2 Definitions — Study Brief (12% of Exam)

Key Concepts

Authority and Approval Terms

• Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): The organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing code requirements or approving equipment, materials, installations, or procedures. Can be a federal, state, local, or regional department — or a plumbing official, building official, health official, etc.
• Approved: Acceptable to the AHJ. Not the same as "listed" or "labeled."
• Listed/Labeled: Denotes equipment evaluated by a listing agency and found to meet specific standards. A product can be approved without being listed, but listing carries significant weight.
• Shall/Should/May: "Shall" = mandatory. "Should" = recommended but not required. "May" = permissive.

Potable Water Supply Terminology

• Building Supply: Pipe carrying potable water from the meter (or source) into the building.
• Water Distribution Pipe: Pipe conveying potable water from the building supply to fixtures.
• Water Main: The utility or municipal pipe serving the building supply.
• Riser: A water supply pipe that extends vertically one full story or more.
• Fixture Branch: The supply pipe connecting a fixture to the water distribution system.
• Fixture Supply: The pipe connecting the fixture branch to the fixture itself.

Backflow and Cross-Connection Terminology

• Backflow: Flow of water or substances into potable supply pipes from any source other than the intended source.
• Backsiphonage: Backflow caused by negative (sub-atmospheric) pressure in the supply pipe — a partial vacuum pulls contaminated water backward.
• Backpressure Backflow: Backflow caused by downstream pressure exceeding supply pressure (e.g., pumps, boilers, elevated tanks).
• Cross-Connection: Any physical connection between a potable water system and a non-potable source.
• Backflow Preventer: A device, assembly, or method to prevent backflow into the potable system.
• Air Gap (Water Distribution): The unobstructed vertical distance through free atmosphere between the lowest pipe/faucet opening and the flood-level rim of the receiving vessel. The most reliable backflow protection method.
• Critical Level (C-L): The marking on a backflow prevention device indicating the level below which it must not be installed relative to the flood-level rim.

Chapter 3: General Regulations — Study Brief

Key Concepts

Minimum Standards — Pipe, Fittings, and Materials (§301.2) All pipe, fittings, traps, fixtures, and devices must be listed or labeled (third-party certified) by an accredited listing agency and comply with recognized standards referenced in the code. Materials must be free from defects.

• Marking (§301.2.1): Every pipe length and fitting must have the manufacturer's name/mark cast, stamped, or indelibly marked on it. Where required by the applicable standard, weight and quality must also be marked. Field markings are NOT acceptable. Exception: nipples cut and threaded from approved pipe do not require markings.
• Plastic Pipe (§301.2.3): Must comply with NSF 14.
• Cast-Iron Soil Pipe (§301.2.4): Must be third-party certified per ASTM C1277 and CISPI 310.

Alternate Materials and Methods (§301.3) The code does not prohibit superior or equivalent systems. To use an alternate material or method: - Submit technical documentation to the AHJ demonstrating equivalency. - AHJ has authority to approve or disapprove. - Approval is jurisdiction-specific — it does not apply beyond that AHJ's boundaries. - AHJ may require testing at the applicant's expense (§301.3.1.1), performed by an approved testing agency per applicable standards. - AHJ can require repeated testing if there is reason to believe a previously approved material no longer meets requirements (§301.3.1.2).

Alternative Engineered Design (§301.5) Must meet the intent of the code and provide equivalent quality, safety, and effectiveness. - §301.5.1: The registered design professional must note on the permit application that an alternative engineered design is used. Permit records must permanently reflect this. - §301.5.2: Sufficient technical data must be submitted to prove performance meets code intent. - §301.5.3: Two complete sets of signed and sealed design documents must be submitted to the AHJ, including floor plans, riser diagram, direction of flow, pipe sizes, grade of horizontal piping, loading, and fixture/appliance locations. - §301.5.4: Approval is at the AHJ's discretion and is jurisdiction-specific.

2017 Idaho State Plumbing Code (based on 2015 UPC) | 12 questions | 24% of exam

Key Concepts

Backflow Prevention (Section 603.0)

Devices must be approved by the AHJ before installation and tested at installation, repair, relocation, and annually thereafter (603.2). Know each device type, its components, and applicable hazard level:

RP assemblies are required where a health hazard exists. DC assemblies are used for non-health hazard (pollution) situations only.

Cross-Connection Control (Section 602.0–603.0)

• No connection shall exist between potable supply and any contaminated or used water source without an approved backflow preventer (602.2).
• Each point of use with potential cross-contamination shall be separately protected (602.2).
• Prohibited connections include any piping that could allow backflow under normal operation, flooding, or pressure exceeding operating pressure (602.1).

Water Supply Piping Materials (Section 604.0)

Lead content in potable water pipe, fittings, and fixtures must be ≤ 0.25% weighted average (federal "lead-free" standard). Approved materials include: - Copper: Type K, L, M (Type M limited to above-ground applications in some jurisdictions) - PEX: ASTM F876/F877; requires approved fittings - CPVC: ASTM D2846 / F441; solvent cement joining - PE (Polyethylene): ASTM D2239/D3035; heat fusion or mechanical fittings - PP (Polypropylene): Heat fusion joining - PVC: Not typically approved for interior potable hot water - Stainless Steel: ASTM A312