AL Plumber study plan
AL Plumber · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Sanitary Drainage Systems and Drainage Design
Compute drainage fixture unit (DFU) loads for individual fixtures, branches, stacks, and the building drain
Apply the correct slope and size to horizontal fixture branches, soil/waste stacks, and building sewers using sizing tables
Distinguish horizontal versus vertical fixture drain rules and change-of-direction requirements
Locate cleanouts and pipe supports at code-mandated intervals and justify each placement
Your checkpoint
A worked sizing worksheet solving 10 DFU-to-pipe-size problems with slope and fall calculations shown, scored at 90% or better
Sanitary Drainage Systems and Drainage Design & Plumbing Mathematics, Plan Reading, and Isometric Drawings
Translate a floor plan into a single-line isometric riser diagram showing stacks, drains, and fixture connections
Convert a completed isometric back into DFU totals and verify every pipe size on the drawing
Solve fall, slope, and developed-length problems using length times grade plus unit conversions
Interpret plumbing symbols, abbreviations, and elevation marks on a plan set
Your checkpoint
Hand-drawn isometric drainage diagram for a two-bath dwelling with every pipe labeled by size, plus a 10-question math set scored at 80% or better
Water Supply and Distribution Systems
Size the water service, main, and branches from water supply fixture unit values and developed length
Calculate available pressure by subtracting elevation loss (0.434 psi per foot of rise) and friction loss from street pressure
Compare the demand-supply method against velocity limits and select the governing pipe size
Specify shutoff valves, pressure-reducing valves, and water hammer arrestors at required locations
Your checkpoint
A pressure-budget calculation sheet for a two-story building showing static pressure, elevation loss, friction loss, residual pressure, and a documented PRV decision
Vents and Venting Systems & Water Supply and Distribution Systems
Identify individual, common, wet, circuit, stack, and relief vent types and state the conditions under which each is permitted
Size vent stacks and individual vents from drain size and fixture-unit tables
Verify vent termination clearances from windows, doors, air intakes, and property lines
Diagnose venting defects on a rough-in layout and correct each one
Re-check water supply sizing decisions against vent-related wet-venting restrictions
Your checkpoint
A one-page venting reference sheet listing each vent type with its sizing rule and prohibitions, plus eight diagnosed-and-corrected venting errors
Plumbing Fixtures, Fixture Fittings, and Appliances & Gas Piping and Gas-Fitting Systems
Compute minimum fixture counts from occupant load and apply required clearances and spacing for a commercial restroom
Verify fixture-fitting requirements including faucet flow rates, water closet flush volumes, and trap seal sizes
Convert appliance Btu/h input to cubic feet per hour and size gas piping using the longest-length method
Apply combustion air, appliance venting, and connector requirements to a gas installation
Your checkpoint
A combined fixture-count and gas-sizing worksheet for a 40-occupant restaurant showing Btu/h to CFH conversions and the selected pipe size for each segment
General Regulations, Definitions, and Code Administration & Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control
Trace the permit and inspection sequence from application to certificate of occupancy and name the responsible party at each step
Apply code definitions precisely, distinguishing shall from should and listed from approved
Classify backflow hazards as high or low and as pollution or contamination
Select the correct backflow prevention device (RPZ, DCVA, PVB, AVB, double check) for six given installations and justify each choice
Your checkpoint
A table of 10 code definitions written in your own words plus six cross-connection scenarios each paired with a device selection and one-sentence justification
Water Heaters and Temperature Control & Traps, Interceptors, and Special Wastes
Size water heaters and storage from peak-hour demand and first-hour rating
Apply temperature and pressure relief valve, discharge pipe, and thermal expansion requirements
Set temperature limits and mixing valve requirements for scald protection at fixtures
Determine when a grease interceptor, oil separator, or sand trap is required and size it by flow rate and retention time
Your checkpoint
A water heater sizing sheet covering three building types plus an interceptor selection summary for two commercial kitchens, with all inputs cited
General Regulations, Definitions, and Code Administration & Plumbing Mathematics, Plan Reading, and Isometric Drawings & Plumbing Fixtures, Fixture Fittings, and Appliances & Water Supply and Distribution Systems & Sanitary Drainage Systems and Drainage Design & Vents and Venting Systems & Traps, Interceptors, and Special Wastes & Water Heaters and Temperature Control & Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control & Gas Piping and Gas-Fitting Systems
Complete two timed full-length practice exams and score results by domain
Rebuild an error log and re-work every missed item until answered correctly with a stated reason
Recite from memory the highest-yield numbers: drainage slopes, vent clearances, water pressure limits, and fixture-unit values
Review the three lowest-scoring domains and redo their week-specific drills
Your checkpoint
Final timed exam scored at 80% or better with no domain below 70%, plus a one-page numbers-to-memorize card