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CTVET Ghana Certificate II - Plumbing study materials
CTVET Ghana Certificate II - Plumbing study resources

CTVET Ghana Certificate II - Plumbing practice questions

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Question 1Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

On a Ghanaian construction site, a plumber must enter a deep excavation to repair a broken drain line. Which control measure should be applied before entry is allowed?

  1. Shoring or benching of the excavation sides plus a means of escape Correct answer.
  2. Waiting until the end of the shift so fewer workers are present
  3. Placing warning tape around the top edge only
  4. Sprinkling water on the excavation walls to settle dust

Explanation

An excavation deeper than about 1.2 metres can collapse without warning, so the sides must be supported by shoring, benching or an equivalent system, and a ladder or ramp must be provided for safe access and escape. Warning tape alone does not prevent collapse.

Question 2Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

Which item of personal protective equipment is most important when a plumber is cutting galvanised pipe with a powered abrasive disc?

  1. A high-visibility vest
  2. Steel-toe boots
  3. Ear defenders
  4. Safety goggles or a face shield Correct answer.

Explanation

An abrasive cut-off disc throws hot metal particles and sparks at high speed, so eye and face protection is the primary defence against injury. Boots and vests are useful general site PPE but do not protect against flying particles aimed at the face.

Question 3Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

A plumber is about to solder copper pipework in a confined plant room. Which precaution is the most important to control the fume hazard?

  1. Providing forced or natural ventilation and monitoring the atmosphere before and during work Correct answer.
  2. Keeping the plant room door closed to stop draughts
  3. Wearing a dust mask of the type used for sweeping
  4. Working quickly so that exposure time is short

Explanation

Soldering fluxes give off fumes that can build up dangerously in a confined space, so ventilation and atmosphere monitoring are essential controls. A short exposure time does not make an unventilated space safe.

Question 4Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

What is the main reason for keeping a fire extinguisher near a plumbing task where a blowtorch is being used?

  1. To extinguish a small fire in its early stage before it spreads Correct answer.
  2. To satisfy the customer that the plumber is insured
  3. To cool hot metal fittings after soldering
  4. To replace the need for a fire blanket in the workshop

Explanation

A suitable extinguisher allows a trained worker to attack a small fire immediately, when it is still easy to control. It does not replace other controls such as removing combustibles and having a fire watch.

Question 5Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

A plumber must lift a cast-iron soil pipe alone. Which approach best reduces the risk of back injury?

  1. Lift the pipe at arm's length to keep it away from the body
  2. Lift with straight legs and a curved back to use the leg muscles
  3. Assess the load and use a mechanical aid or a second person, keeping the back straight and the load close Correct answer.
  4. Bend at the waist and twist quickly to move the pipe onto the shoulder

Explanation

Manual handling injuries are prevented by assessing the load first and using mechanical assistance or team lifting where possible. When lifting is unavoidable, the back should stay straight and the load held close to the body to reduce the strain on the spine.

Question 6Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

When working in a customer's home, which practice best protects the householder from contamination while a blocked drain is being cleared?

  1. Covering surfaces, containing waste water and disinfecting the work area afterwards Correct answer.
  2. Disposing of the removed debris in the customer's garden
  3. Flushing the drain with the highest pressure available
  4. Asking the householder to leave the room and closing the door

Explanation

Drain work involves sewage and harmful micro-organisms, so surfaces should be protected, waste water contained, and the area disinfected after the job. Good housekeeping also protects the plumber and leaves the premises safe.

Question 7Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

What does a safety data sheet primarily tell a plumber about a chemical such as a solvent cement?

  1. Its hazards, safe handling, first-aid measures and disposal requirements Correct answer.
  2. The name of the manufacturer's sales representative
  3. The retail price and the supplier's delivery schedule
  4. The colour of the container and its shelf position

Explanation

A safety data sheet is the main source of information on the hazards of a substance and on how to handle, store and dispose of it safely, including first-aid advice. It is not a commercial or marketing document.

Question 8Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

Solvent cement and primer for plastic pipework must be stored in a workshop. Which storage arrangement is safest?

  1. In unmarked soft-drink bottles on the workbench
  2. In a locked, ventilated cabinet away from heat sources and ignition Correct answer.
  3. On an open shelf next to the workshop heater for easy access
  4. Under the workbench beside oily rags and waste timber

Explanation

Solvent cements and primers are flammable and give off harmful vapours, so they must be kept in a locked, ventilated cabinet away from heat and ignition sources. Clear labelling is also essential to prevent accidental misuse.

Question 9Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a permit-to-work system for hot work on site?

  1. To replace the need for a site induction
  2. To transfer legal responsibility for safety to the plumber
  3. To formally authorise the work after confirming fire precautions and isolating hazards Correct answer.
  4. To record the number of hours each plumber has worked

Explanation

A permit-to-work is a formal control that confirms the hazards have been assessed, precautions such as fire watch and isolation are in place, and the work is authorised before it starts. It supports, but does not replace, induction and other safety arrangements.

Question 10Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

A plumber notices that a portable electric drill's cable has exposed inner wires. What is the correct immediate action?

  1. Wrap the damaged section with ordinary adhesive tape and continue
  2. Continue using the drill but wear rubber gloves
  3. Stop using the tool, isolate it and report it for repair or replacement Correct answer.
  4. Move the drill to another job so the fault is not noticed

Explanation

Damaged insulation on a portable electric tool creates a serious risk of electric shock, so the tool must be taken out of use, isolated and reported. Adhesive tape does not restore the insulation to a safe standard.

Question 11Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

Why should a plumber use a residual current device when working with mains-powered tools on a damp site?

  1. It increases the voltage so tools work faster in wet conditions
  2. It prevents the tool from overheating during long use
  3. It quickly disconnects the supply if current leaks to earth, reducing shock risk Correct answer.
  4. It converts mains current into a safer low voltage for the whole site

Explanation

An RCD detects small earth-leakage currents and trips the supply quickly, which greatly reduces the severity of an electric shock. It does not change the voltage of the tool or act as a thermal cut-out.

Question 12Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

What is the correct way to dispose of used waste oil and contaminated rags from a plumbing workshop?

  1. Place them in labelled, lidded containers and send them to an approved waste contractor Correct answer.
  2. Store them in open buckets until the workshop is next cleaned
  3. Pour the oil down the foul drain and burn the rags at the back of the yard
  4. Mix them with general refuse so they go to the normal landfill site

Explanation

Waste oil and contaminated rags are controlled wastes that can pollute water and soil, so they must be held in labelled containers and removed by an approved contractor. Burning or pouring them out causes pollution and may be an offence.

Question 13Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

A plumber is working on a live water main and needs to isolate it. Which practice best prevents an unexpected release of water or stored energy?

  1. Close the valve fully and begin work immediately
  2. Lock off and tag the isolating valve, then prove the system is depressurised before work Correct answer.
  3. Leave a note on the valve saying the work is in progress
  4. Ask a colleague to watch the valve and shout if anyone touches it

Explanation

Isolation is only reliable when the valve or switch is locked and tagged and the system is then proved dead or depressurised. Relying on a person or a note leaves the isolation open to human error.

Question 14Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

Which action best demonstrates a plumber's duty to report a near miss, such as a falling scaffold board that did not hit anyone?

  1. Mention it informally to a friend at the end of the week
  2. Ignore it because no injury occurred and no report is needed
  3. Fix the scaffold personally without telling anyone
  4. Report it through the site's incident reporting system so the cause can be corrected Correct answer.

Explanation

Near misses are warning signs of a hazard that could cause injury next time, so they must be reported so that the cause can be investigated and corrected. Reporting is a normal part of a positive safety culture.

Question 15Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

When working at height on a ladder to install a rainwater downpipe, which practice is safest?

  1. Overreach sideways to avoid moving the ladder
  2. Carry the downpipe sections up the ladder in both hands
  3. Use the ladder only as short-duration access and maintain three points of contact while working Correct answer.
  4. Stand on the top two rungs to reach the fixing

Explanation

Ladders are best used for short-duration work and as a means of access, with three points of contact maintained. Where work needs both hands for more than a short period, a safer platform such as a tower or scaffold should be used.

Question 16Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

Which of these is the most reliable way to confirm that a gas-fired water heater has been installed without a dangerous flue gas leak?

  1. Commissioning checks with a suitable flue gas analyser and confirming adequate ventilation Correct answer.
  2. Checking that the flame is blue before leaving
  3. Smelling for gas around the appliance
  4. Asking the customer to report any headaches later

Explanation

Carbon monoxide from faulty combustion is odourless and can be present even with a blue flame, so proper commissioning with a flue gas analyser and confirmation of ventilation are needed. Reliance on smell or on the customer reporting symptoms is unsafe.

Question 17Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

What is the main hazard to control when using a drain-cleaning machine with a rotating auger?

  1. Electrical overload of the workshop supply
  2. Noise from the water pump
  3. Fumes from the drain chemicals
  4. Entanglement and laceration from the rotating cable Correct answer.

Explanation

The rotating cable of a drain-cleaning machine can catch gloves, clothing or hair and cause severe injury, so guards, correct technique and loose clothing control are essential. The other listed items are secondary compared with the mechanical entanglement risk.

Question 18Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

A plumber finds asbestos-containing lagging on an old pipe that must be removed. What is the correct response?

  1. Cover it with paint and continue working around it
  2. Break it into bags and put it in the general waste skip
  3. Stop work, isolate the area and arrange for a licensed asbestos contractor to assess and remove it Correct answer.
  4. Wet the lagging and pull it off quickly while holding breath

Explanation

Disturbing asbestos releases fibres that cause serious lung disease, so work must stop and a competent, licensed contractor must deal with it. Only trained and equipped specialists should remove or disturb asbestos-containing materials.

Question 19Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

Which practice best protects the health of a plumber who regularly works in dusty conditions, such as chasing walls for pipe routes?

  1. Wear a high-visibility vest and safety boots only
  2. Use dust suppression or extraction and wear suitable respiratory protection Correct answer.
  3. Open a window and rely on the breeze
  4. Work faster so the dust cloud disperses sooner

Explanation

Silica dust from chasing masonry can cause serious lung disease, so the dust should be controlled at source with water suppression or extraction, backed by suitable respiratory protection. General PPE and ventilation alone are not enough.

Question 20Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

What is the main purpose of a site induction for a plumber arriving at a new construction project?

  1. To replace the need for task-specific risk assessments
  2. To explain site-specific hazards, emergency arrangements and rules before work begins Correct answer.
  3. To test the plumber's trade skills before employment
  4. To allocate the plumber's wages and working hours

Explanation

A site induction covers the particular hazards of that site, the emergency and first-aid arrangements, and the rules that apply there. It does not test trade competence or remove the need for task-specific assessments.

Question 21Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

In plumbing working drawings, which scale is most suitable for a detailed layout of a bathroom in a single domestic house?

  1. 1:500
  2. 1:20 Correct answer.
  3. 1:2500
  4. 1:100

Explanation

Detail drawings of a single room need a large scale so that pipe sizes, fittings and clearances are legible; 1:20 shows 50 mm on paper as 1 m on site, which is appropriate for a bathroom layout. Small-scale maps such as 1:500 or 1:2500 are used for site and estate plans, not for fitting-level detail.

Question 22Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

A drawing is produced at a scale of 1:50. A soil pipe measures 84 mm on the drawing. What is its actual length on site?

  1. 8.40 m
  2. 4.20 m Correct answer.
  3. 1.68 m
  4. 0.60 m

Explanation

At 1:50 each drawing millimetre represents 50 mm on site, so multiply 84 mm by 50 to get 4200 mm, which is 4.20 m. Always convert the final answer to metres and check the magnitude against the drawing size.

Question 23Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

On a plumbing drawing, what does the line type consisting of a long dash followed by two short dashes typically represent?

  1. A buried drain run
  2. A boundary or property line Correct answer.
  3. A concealed pipe above a ceiling
  4. A centre line of a pipe

Explanation

The long-dash-double-short-dash convention is the standard chain line used for boundaries, property lines and similar limit lines. It is not used for pipe centrelines, which take a single long-dash-short-dash pattern, nor for buried or concealed services.

Question 24Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

A hot-water cylinder is drawn on a plan at 1:25 with a diameter of 18 mm. What diameter must be ordered?

  1. 540 mm
  2. 450 mm Correct answer.
  3. 360 mm
  4. 720 mm

Explanation

At 1:25 the drawing dimension is multiplied by 25, so 18 mm times 25 equals 450 mm. This is a realistic domestic cylinder diameter, which confirms the arithmetic.

Question 25Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

Which drawing is best suited to show the complete drainage and water supply arrangement of a whole two-storey house on one sheet?

  1. An installation or layout plan at 1:100 Correct answer.
  2. A detail drawing at 1:10
  3. A site location plan at 1:2500
  4. An isometric detail at 1:5

Explanation

An installation plan at around 1:100 fits the whole building on one sheet while still showing the routes of soil, waste and supply pipes between rooms and floors. Very large scales such as 1:10 or 1:5 show only small details, and a location plan shows no internal services.

Question 26Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

A rectangular tank is 1.2 m long, 0.8 m wide and 0.6 m deep. What is its capacity in litres?

  1. 5 760 litres
  2. 57.6 litres
  3. 960 litres
  4. 576 litres Correct answer.

Explanation

Volume equals length times width times depth: 1.2 x 0.8 x 0.6 = 0.576 cubic metres. Since one cubic metre holds 1000 litres, the capacity is 576 litres.

Question 27Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

A pipe run falls 120 mm over a horizontal distance of 6 m. What is the gradient?

  1. 1 in 120
  2. 1 in 60
  3. 1 in 50 Correct answer.
  4. 1 in 20

Explanation

Gradient is the fall divided into the distance, so 6000 mm divided by 120 mm gives 1 in 50. Expressing both measurements in the same unit is essential before dividing.

Question 28Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

Using a scale of 1:20, how long on paper is a 3.6 m length of pipe?

  1. 72 mm
  2. 18 mm
  3. 180 mm Correct answer.
  4. 360 mm

Explanation

Convert 3.6 m to 3600 mm and divide by the scale factor of 20, giving 180 mm on the drawing. Dividing instead of multiplying is the key step when scaling down from site to paper.

Question 29Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

On a plumbing drawing, a circle with a cross through it placed on a pipe run most commonly indicates which component?

  1. A pipe bracket
  2. A gate valve
  3. A stop valve or isolating valve Correct answer.
  4. An inspection chamber

Explanation

A circle with a diagonal cross is the standard symbol for a valve used to isolate flow, such as a stop valve on a supply branch. Gate valves, brackets and inspection chambers each have their own distinct symbols and outlines.

Question 30Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

A drawing of a drainage run is marked with an invert level of 99.750 m at one chamber and 99.450 m at the next. What is the fall between them?

  1. 0.450 m
  2. 0.750 m
  3. 1.300 m
  4. 0.300 m Correct answer.

Explanation

The fall is the difference between the two invert levels: 99.750 minus 99.450 equals 0.300 m. Subtracting the smaller level from the larger gives the drop along the run.

Question 31Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

Which projection method places the plan directly below the front elevation on the same sheet?

  1. Isometric projection
  2. First-angle projection Correct answer.
  3. Third-angle projection
  4. Oblique projection

Explanation

In first-angle projection the object sits between the observer and the plane, so the view seen from above is projected onto a plane below and appears under the elevation. In third-angle projection the plan appears above the elevation.

Question 32Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

A cylindrical pipe has an outside diameter of 110 mm and a wall thickness of 5 mm. What is the internal cross-sectional area, correct to the nearest square centimetre?

  1. 95 cm²
  2. 62 cm²
  3. 79 cm² Correct answer.
  4. 50 cm²

Explanation

The internal diameter is 110 minus twice 5 mm, which is 100 mm or 10 cm. Area equals pi times radius squared, so 3.142 times 5 squared gives about 78.5 cm², which rounds to 79 cm².

Question 33Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

A plumbing drawing carries the note '50 mm dia. SWP falls 1 in 40'. What does the abbreviation SWP most likely denote in this context?

  1. Site water pressure
  2. Stop valve position
  3. Soil and waste pipe Correct answer.
  4. Suspended water pump

Explanation

On drainage and sanitary layouts SWP is a common shorthand for soil and waste pipe, and the note gives its size and gradient. The other expansions do not fit a pipe size followed by a fall.

Question 34Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

A rectangular floor area for a plant room measures 4.5 m by 3.2 m on site. At a scale of 1:50, what is the area of this room on the drawing in square centimetres?

  1. 57.6 cm² Correct answer.
  2. 576 cm²
  3. 0.576 cm²
  4. 5.76 cm²

Explanation

On paper the sides become 4500/50 = 90 mm and 3200/50 = 64 mm, that is 9 cm by 6.4 cm. Multiplying gives 57.6 cm². Area scales by the square of the scale factor, so it cannot be found by scaling the site area once.

Question 35Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

In an isometric sketch of a pipe assembly, along which directions are the three main axes drawn?

  1. Three axes at 60° to the horizontal Correct answer.
  2. Two horizontal and one vertical
  3. One horizontal and two at 30° to the vertical
  4. Three axes at 45° to the horizontal

Explanation

Isometric drawing uses three axes spaced 120° apart, which appear as one vertical axis and two receding axes at 60° to the horizontal. This gives equal foreshortening along all three directions and is why pipe lengths can be stepped off directly.

Question 36Technical Drawing, Sketching and Trade Calculations

A cold-water storage tank must hold 900 litres. If the base is fixed at 1.5 m by 1.0 m, what depth of water is required?

  1. 1.2 m
  2. 0.9 m
  3. 0.6 m Correct answer.
  4. 1.5 m

Explanation

900 litres equals 0.9 cubic metres. Dividing the volume by the base area of 1.5 times 1.0 gives 0.6 m depth. Checking by multiplying 1.5 x 1.0 x 0.6 returns 0.9 cubic metres, confirming the answer.

Question 37Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

Which hand tool is used to cut internal threads in a galvanised steel pipe?

  1. A stock and die Correct answer.
  2. A pipe wrench
  3. A flaring tool
  4. A hacksaw

Explanation

A stock holds a die, and the die cuts the external thread on a pipe end. The die is turned onto the pipe so the cutting teeth form a tapered male thread. A pipe wrench grips and turns fittings but does not cut threads.

Question 38Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

A plumber needs to cut a 15 mm copper tube squarely before soldering. Which tool gives the cleanest, square end?

  1. A tube cutter with a deburring tool Correct answer.
  2. A tenon saw
  3. A pair of side-cutting pliers
  4. A cold chisel

Explanation

A tube cutter uses a hardened wheel that scores and rolls around the tube, producing a square cut with minimal deformation. The built-in reamer or a separate deburring tool then removes the internal burr so the fitting seats fully. Saws and chisels leave ragged or oval ends that leak.

Question 39Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

What is the main purpose of applying PTFE tape to a male threaded pipe end?

  1. To prevent the pipe from corroding internally
  2. To increase the diameter of the pipe bore
  3. To strengthen the thread against stripping
  4. To lubricate and seal the joint so water cannot pass along the thread Correct answer.

Explanation

PTFE tape fills the spiral gap between the male and female threads and acts as a lubricant so the fitting can be tightened firmly. Together these stop water creeping along the thread path. It does not add strength to the metal or change the bore.

Question 40Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

Which material is classified as a thermoplastic pipe commonly used for cold water supply in Ghanaian buildings?

  1. uPVC Correct answer.
  2. Cast iron
  3. Galvanised steel
  4. Asbestos cement

Explanation

uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) is a thermoplastic that softens on heating and can be re-formed, and it is widely used for cold water and drainage. Cast iron, asbestos cement and galvanised steel are not thermoplastics.

Question 41Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

A plumber is about to use a pipe wrench on a chrome-plated brass fitting. What is the best practice?

  1. Place a cloth or protective pad between the jaws and the fitting Correct answer.
  2. Use the wrench on the smooth chrome surface without adjustment
  3. Apply maximum force immediately to avoid slipping
  4. Strike the wrench handle with a hammer to seat the jaws

Explanation

Serrated wrench jaws will gouge and scratch a decorative chrome finish. A cloth or protective pad spreads the load and protects the surface while still allowing a firm grip. Striking the handle is unsafe and can damage both tool and fitting.

Question 42Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

Which size of pipe wrench is most appropriate for tightening a 15 mm compression nut under a sink?

  1. A 200 mm adjustable wrench Correct answer.
  2. A chain wrench
  3. A 900 mm stillson wrench
  4. A 350 mm heavy-duty pipe wrench

Explanation

A small adjustable wrench matches the hex nut and gives controlled torque in a confined space. Oversized wrenches are clumsy under a sink and easily over-tighten and distort the nut. Chain and stillson wrenches are for large pipe diameters.

Question 43Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

What does the term 'nominal bore' (NB) indicate when specifying a steel pipe?

  1. A standard size designation close to, but not exactly, the bore Correct answer.
  2. The maximum working pressure of the pipe
  3. The exact outside diameter in millimetres
  4. The length of the pipe in metres

Explanation

Nominal bore is a conventional size label used to identify a pipe; the actual outside diameter and wall thickness vary with the schedule. It is only approximately related to the true internal diameter. It says nothing about length or pressure rating.

Question 44Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

A die is being run onto a galvanised steel pipe and the thread is tearing. Which action is most likely to correct the problem?

  1. Forcing the die on with a longer lever
  2. Increasing the cutting speed and applying no lubricant
  3. Starting the die at an angle to the pipe axis
  4. Using a sharp die of the correct size with suitable cutting oil Correct answer.

Explanation

Torn threads usually result from a blunt or wrong-sized die, or from cutting dry. A sharp die of the correct size, well lubricated with cutting oil and backed off periodically to clear chips, produces a clean thread. Extra force or a skewed start worsens the damage.

Question 45Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

Why must the end of a copper tube be deburred after cutting before a capillary solder fitting is used?

  1. To let the tube enter the fitting fully and keep the bore clear for flow Correct answer.
  2. To harden the copper at the joint
  3. To allow the solder to flow into the fitting more quickly
  4. To remove the need for flux

Explanation

Cutting leaves a raised internal burr and a slightly reduced bore. Deburring lets the tube slide fully home into the socket and restores the full flow area, which also helps solder draw into the capillary gap evenly. It does not replace flux or harden the metal.

Question 46Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

A joint on a hot water pipe is being made with solvent cement on uPVC. Which condition most seriously weakens the joint?

  1. Applying cement to both the pipe end and the socket
  2. Allowing the joint to cure before pressure testing
  3. Assembling the joint while the cement is still wet
  4. Using cement on a damp or dirty pipe surface Correct answer.

Explanation

Solvent cement works by softening and fusing the plastic surfaces. Moisture or dirt on the surfaces prevents proper fusion and creates a weak, leak-prone joint. Cement on both surfaces and immediate assembly while wet are correct techniques.

Question 47Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

What is the purpose of a pipe vice when working on a galvanised steel pipe?

  1. To hold the pipe firmly while it is cut or threaded Correct answer.
  2. To bend the pipe to a required angle
  3. To test the pipe for leaks
  4. To measure the pipe diameter

Explanation

A pipe vice clamps the workpiece securely so both hands are free to operate a hacksaw or stock and die. Its serrated or hinged jaws grip round pipe without letting it rotate. It does not bend, measure or pressure-test pipe.

Question 48Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

A plumber must join a 22 mm copper tube to a 22 mm copper tube in a position where heat cannot be used. Which jointing method is most suitable?

  1. A lead-wiped joint
  2. A bronze-welded joint
  3. A capillary solder fitting
  4. A compression fitting Correct answer.

Explanation

Compression fittings seal mechanically by tightening an olive onto the tube, so no flame is needed. This makes them suitable where heat is a fire risk or where the pipe cannot be drained. Solder, brazing and lead wiping all require heat.

Question 49Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

Which property makes plastic pipe unsuitable for a hot water flow pipe in many installations?

  1. It is too heavy to support
  2. It softens and loses strength at elevated temperature Correct answer.
  3. It reacts with water to form scale
  4. It cannot be cut with a hacksaw

Explanation

Thermoplastic pipe softens as temperature rises, so its pressure rating falls sharply at hot water temperatures. Standard uPVC is therefore limited to cold water service, while materials such as CPVC or PEX are used for hot water. Weight, cutting and scaling are not the limiting factors here.

Question 50Tools, Equipment, Materials and Pipework Fundamentals

What is the correct way to store a hacksaw blade when it is not in use?

  1. With the teeth resting directly on a concrete floor
  2. With the blade left under full tension in a damp toolbox
  3. With the blade tension released and the teeth protected Correct answer.
  4. With the handle removed and the blade loose in a pocket

Explanation

Releasing tension prevents the frame from being distorted and the blade from snapping later. Protecting the teeth keeps them sharp and prevents injury during handling. Damp storage causes rust and loose blades are a cut hazard.