AR Plumber study guide
AR Plumber · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Arkansas Plumber Licensing Examination is the credentialing test used by the Arkansas State Board of Plumbing Examiners to qualify plumbers for journeyman and master level licensure in the state. It is intended for apprentices finishing their supervised field hours, out-of-state plumbers seeking reciprocal recognition, and experienced journeymen moving up to master status. The AR Plumber study guide has 10 sections and about 3,446 words.
01Arkansas Plumbing Law, Rules, and Licensing Requirements
Arkansas plumbing work is regulated by state statute (Ark. Title 17, Chapter 38) and administered through the Arkansas Department of Health's plumbing program, which adopts the Arkansas Plumbing Code - the Uniform Plumbing Code as amended by state rule.
355 words, about 2 min02General Regulations, Permits, and Code Administration
A permit must be obtained before work begins. The application identifies the owner, the contractor, the scope, and the occupancy; plans may be required for commercial or complex work.
335 words, about 2 min03Plumbing Mathematics, Sizing, and Isometric Analysis
Keep drainage fixture units (DFU) separate from water supply fixture units (WSFU) - one sizes drains, the other sizes supply piping, and their tables are not interchangeable. Sizing also depends on developed length : the measured pipe run plus an equivalent length for each fitting.
313 words, about 2 min04Water Supply and Distribution Systems
Water enters through the service, passes the meter, feeds the building main, then branch lines and fixture supplies. Sizing is driven by total WSFU, developed length, and available pressure.
338 words, about 2 min05Plumbing Fixtures, Faucets, and Fixture Fittings
Fixtures must be of an approved, listed type with smooth, nonabsorbent surfaces, installed level, securely fastened, and accessible for cleaning. Water closets, urinals, lavatories, sinks, showers, and drinking fountains each carry efficiency limits set by federal and state law; the adopted Arkansas code may be stricter than the federal maximum, so verify before answering an efficiency question.
310 words, about 2 min06Sanitary Drainage Systems
Sanitary drainage works by gravity, so slope, sizing, and fitting choice all serve to keep solids moving and air behind the flow. Size pipe from DFU tables using the total load on the section.
358 words, about 2 min07Vents and Venting Systems
A trap seal lasts only if the pressure on both sides stays equal. Venting admits air behind the flow, prevents siphonage and back pressure, and lets sewer gas escape above the roof.
371 words, about 2 min08Traps, Interceptors, and Backflow Prevention
A trap holds a water seal deep enough to block sewer gas but shallow enough to be renewed by each flow: the seal is typically 2 to 4 inches. Prohibited traps include the S-trap (double seal, self-siphonage), bell traps, traps with moving parts, and drum traps except in special permitted cases.
354 words, about 2 min09Water Heaters and Temperature Control
A storage water heater needs a temperature and pressure relief valve - rated for the tank's pressure and temperature, installed in the tank's top or on the hot outlet per the manufacturer, and never plugged, capped, or replaced with a lower-rated valve. The discharge pipe must be the full size of the valve outlet, gravity-drained, without traps or valves, and must terminate so discharge cannot injure anyone: typically 6 inches above the floor or to the exterior.
345 words, about 2 min10Special Systems: Storm Drainage, Fuel Gas Piping, and Specialty Plumbing
Storm systems are sized from the horizontal roof area and the local rainfall intensity, not from fixture units. Convert roof pitch area to its horizontal projection, apply the design rainfall rate, and then select leader and conductor sizes from the code table.
367 words, about 2 min