AK Plumber study guide
AK Plumber · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Alaska Journeyman Plumber license is a state credential that allows a plumber to perform plumbing work in Alaska under the scope defined by state law and regulation. It is intended for tradespeople who have completed the required practical experience and want to work independently at the journeyman level, rather than for homeowners doing their own repairs or for apprentices still accumulating hours. The AK Plumber study guide has 9 sections and about 3,070 words.
01General Plumbing Regulations, Definitions, and Administration
Alaska plumbing work is governed by a statewide code adopted by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, administered through the state's mechanical inspection program, with some municipalities (notably Anchorage) enforcing locally amended versions. Candidates must know the hierarchy: statute authorizes the code, the code incorporates a model plumbing code by reference, and local ordinances may be more stringent but not less.
345 words, about 2 min02Plumbing Math, Sizing Calculations, and Fixture Units
Sizing questions reward disciplined unit handling. Convert everything to consistent units before calculating.
362 words, about 2 min03Drainage Systems, Traps, and Vents
A drainage system carries waste by gravity while protecting the trap seal with air. Every fixture except those specifically exempt (such as some direct-connected fixtures and certain interceptors) requires a trap.
360 words, about 2 min04Water Supply and Distribution Systems
Water supply design balances pressure, flow, and pipe size. Know the difference between static and residual pressure, and that pressure drops through meters, valves, and elevation.
329 words, about 2 min05Fixtures, Fixture Fittings, and Appliances
Fixtures must be of an approved type, smooth, impervious, and free of concealed fouling surfaces. Know the required clearances: water closets need side and front clearance to walls and partitions, lavatories and sinks need specified spacing, and fixtures must be accessible for cleaning.
332 words, about 2 min06Water Heaters and Temperature Control
Water heaters must be listed, installed per manufacturer instructions, and provided with a temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve. The TPR discharge pipe must be full size, gravity-drained, terminate within the specified distance above the floor or outside, and never be trapped, capped, or reduced.
343 words, about 2 min07Sanitary Drainage, Storm Drainage, and Special Waste
Sanitary drainage carries sewage and gray water by gravity. Know the components and their sizing: fixture drains, branches, stacks, building drain, and building sewer.
323 words, about 2 min08Fuel Gas Piping and Combustion Air
Fuel gas piping must be sized using the code's tables based on appliance input in Btu/h, the specific gravity of the gas, the allowable pressure drop, and the equivalent length of the longest run. Know how to convert appliance input to cubic feet per hour: divide Btu/h by the heating value of the gas (about 1,000 Btu per cubic foot for natural gas).
339 words, about 2 min09Safety, Health, and Jobsite Practices
Plumbing work involves confined spaces, trenching, electrical hazards, and exposure to sewage and chemicals. Know the basics of confined-space entry: test the atmosphere, ventilate, use a permit, and have a rescue plan.
337 words, about 2 min