AL Plumber study guide
AL Plumber · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Alabama Plumber Licensing Examination is the credentialing exam used by the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board to qualify individuals for journeyman and master plumber licensure in the state. It is written for working plumbing professionals - apprentices finishing their field hours, journeymen ready to advance, and master candidates who intend to pull permits and supervise work - rather than for beginners entering the trade. The AL Plumber study guide has 10 sections and about 3,181 words.
01General Regulations, Definitions, and Code Administration
Most administrations test first on authority. A licensed plumber may perform only work within the scope of the license; a permit is required before work begins and before anything is concealed; the code official may approve alternate materials, require tests, order corrections, and stop work.
326 words, about 2 min02Plumbing Mathematics, Plan Reading, and Isometric Drawings
Drainage slope is given in inches per foot. Convert to percent by dividing by 12 and multiplying by 100: 1/4 in/ft = 0.0208 = about 2.1%; 1/8 in/ft = about 1.0%.
314 words, about 2 min03Plumbing Fixtures, Fixture Fittings, and Appliances
Water closet compartments are the classic exam item: not less than 15 in from the centerline of the fixture to any side wall, 30 in of clear width, and 21 in of clear space in front. Lavatories follow similar logic, and accessible fixtures follow the accessibility standard adopted locally (grab bars, knee clearance, operable parts).
321 words, about 2 min04Water Supply and Distribution Systems
Water supply design starts at the source and works toward the most remote fixture. You need the static pressure at the service, the developed length of the critical path, the elevation change, the fixture unit load (wsfu), and the pressure losses through the meter, valves, and fittings.
311 words, about 2 min05Sanitary Drainage Systems and Drainage Design
Drainage is sized by drainage fixture units, slope, and pipe diameter, and the rules cascade from fixture drain to branch to stack to building drain. A fundamental rule: the pipe may not decrease in size downstream in the direction of flow.
311 words, about 2 min06Vents and Venting Systems
A vent equalizes pressure in the drainage system so trap seals survive. Know these types: individual, common, wet, circuit, stack, relief, and air admittance valves (where allowed).
339 words, about 2 min07Traps, Interceptors, and Special Wastes
A trap seal must be between 2 in and 4 in deep. Traps must be self-cleaning, accessible, and level.
330 words, about 2 min08Water Heaters and Temperature Control
Every storage water heater needs a temperature and pressure relief valve rated for the tank, typically set to open at 210°F or 150 psi. The T&P valve is mounted near the top of the tank, in the hot outlet or a dedicated tapping.
304 words, about 2 min09Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control
Backsiphonage is caused by negative pressure in the supply; backpressure is caused by downstream pressure exceeding supply pressure. Both can pull contaminants into potable water.
301 words, about 2 min10Gas Piping and Gas-Fitting Systems
Gas piping is sized by the appliance input in Btu/hr, the gas's specific gravity and heating value, the developed length of the longest run, and the allowable pressure drop. Use the manufacturer's input rating, not the output.
324 words, about 2 min