IAPMO Green Plumber flashcards
IAPMO Green Plumber · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- WaterSense toilet flush limit
- WaterSense-labeled tank-type toilets must not exceed 1.28 gallons per flush. This is the same threshold used for high-efficiency toilets, and it is about 20 percent below the older 1.6 gpf standard.
- WaterSense showerhead flow rate
- WaterSense showerheads are limited to 2.0 gallons per minute at 80 psi. The federal maximum is 2.5 gpm, so a labeled showerhead reduces flow by roughly 20 percent while meeting spray-force performance criteria.
- WaterSense bathroom faucet flow
- WaterSense bathroom faucets and aerators are rated at no more than 1.5 gallons per minute at 60 psi. Standard kitchen faucets are allowed 2.2 gpm, and public lavatory faucets are typically 0.5 gpm.
- High-efficiency urinal flush volume
- A high-efficiency urinal uses 0.5 gallons per flush or less, compared with the 1.0 gpf standard. Waterless urinals use no flush water and rely on a cartridge or seal liquid to block sewer gas.
- Dual-flush toilet operation
- Dual-flush toilets offer a reduced flush of roughly 0.8 to 1.1 gallons for liquid waste and a full flush of about 1.28 to 1.6 gallons for solids. Average consumption depends on the ratio of reduced to full flushes.
- Fixture units versus probable flow
- Plumbing codes assign fixture units to each fixture, then convert the total to probable demand in gallons per minute using a demand curve. Summing individual fixture flows overstates the true peak demand.
- Toilet leak detection method
- A dye tablet placed in the tank, followed by a check of the bowl water after 15 to 30 minutes without flushing, reveals a flapper leak. A silent leak can waste 200 gallons or more per day.
- Rainwater harvest yield formula
- Annual harvest in gallons equals catchment area in square feet times annual rainfall in inches times 0.623 times a runoff coefficient. A 1,000 square foot roof with 12 inches of rain and a 0.85 coefficient yields about 6,350 gallons.
- Graywater definition and sources
- Graywater is wastewater from lavatories, showers, bathtubs, and laundry. Kitchen sink, dishwasher, and toilet waste are blackwater and are excluded from graywater reuse systems under typical code definitions.
- Water heater storage setpoint
- A common storage setpoint is 120 degrees Fahrenheit for efficiency and scald prevention. Stored water at 140 degrees or higher requires a tempering valve to limit delivery at fixtures to about 120 degrees.
- Heat trap purpose and size
- Heat traps on a storage water heater inlet and outlet limit convection losses through the connected piping. They are typically 24-inch vertical pipe loops or 6-inch integral traps, and they reduce standby energy loss.
- Tankless heater temperature rise
- A tankless water heater's delivered flow in gallons per minute falls as the required temperature rise increases. Cold inlet water in winter demands a larger rise, so maximum flow cannot be sustained year-round.
- SRCC OG-300 certification
- SRCC OG-300 is a rating standard for packaged solar domestic hot water systems. It accounts for collector performance, storage, and climate, and it estimates the fraction of annual water heating load offset.
- Solar collector sizing rule of thumb
- In moderate climates, about 20 square feet of flat-plate collector per person supports a 50 to 60 percent solar fraction. Storage is typically sized at roughly 1.5 to 2 gallons per square foot of collector.
- Heat pump water heater COP
- A heat pump water heater typically has a coefficient of performance of 2 to 3.5, moving 2 to 3.5 units of heat per unit of electricity. It also cools and dehumidifies the air in the space it draws from.
- On-demand recirculation advantage
- A demand-controlled recirculation system runs the pump only when a user calls for hot water, cutting the standby losses of continuous recirculation while still reducing wait time and water wasted down the drain.
- Pipe insulation rule at water heater
- Insulate the first 6 feet of hot and cold piping from a storage water heater, plus all accessible hot piping. Insulating cold lines limits condensation and helps protect against freezing in exposed locations.
- Water-energy nexus in plumbing
- Reducing hot water use lowers the energy needed to heat water, so low-flow fixtures save both water and energy. Efficiency measures in one domain therefore support savings in the other.
- UPC and IPC model codes
- The Uniform Plumbing Code and International Plumbing Code are the two principal US model plumbing codes. Local jurisdictions adopt and amend them, and green provisions often appear in companion or state codes.
- WaterSense program status
- WaterSense is a voluntary EPA labeling program for efficient products and services. Labeled products meet efficiency and performance criteria and are frequently referenced by green codes and utility rebate programs.
- LEED water efficiency credits
- LEED v4.1 Water Efficiency credits address outdoor water use reduction, indoor water use reduction, and water metering. Indoor savings are calculated against a baseline built from fixture flow rates and occupancy.
- IgCC and ASHRAE 189.1
- The International Green Construction Code and ASHRAE Standard 189.1 set green requirements including water-use reduction percentages and metering of large water uses. They are adopted by jurisdictions as mandatory or prescriptive green codes.
- CALGreen indoor water reduction
- CALGreen, the California Green Building Standards Code, requires new construction to reduce indoor water use by 20 percent over the 2007 baseline, with additional voluntary tiers for higher performance.
- Sub-metering in green codes
- Green plumbing codes commonly require separate metering of indoor and outdoor water and sub-metering for buildings above a threshold size. Metering enables leak detection and verifies that efficiency targets are met.
- Plumbing commissioning purpose
- Commissioning verifies that plumbing systems meet design flow rates, pressure, water heater performance, and control sequences. It appears as a prerequisite or credit in several green rating systems.
- Cross-connection control requirement
- Any recycled, harvested, or graywater system must include backflow prevention so nonpotable water cannot enter the potable supply. A reduced-pressure-zone assembly is a common protection method.
- Purple pipe convention
- Reclaimed or nonpotable water piping is commonly labeled or colored purple to distinguish it from potable lines. Clear labeling and cross-connection control prevent accidental contamination of drinking water.
- Onsite reuse treatment components
- An onsite water reuse system typically includes a storage tank, filtration, disinfection by UV or chlorine, and a pump. Required treatment depends on end use; subsurface irrigation needs less than toilet flushing.
- Common pipe material applications
- PEX and CPVC are common for hot and cold distribution, cast iron and PVC for drain, waste, and vent lines, and copper where code or local practice requires it. Material choice weighs durability, cost, and code acceptance.
- Lead-free plumbing definition
- The Safe Drinking Water Act as amended in 2011 limits the weighted average lead content of wetted pipe, fittings, and fixtures to 0.25 percent. This is the legal definition of lead-free plumbing in the US.
- Velocity and pipe sizing limits
- Oversized velocity causes noise and erosion in supply piping, while undersized drain lines cause backups. Designers follow fixture-unit tables, slope requirements, and velocity limits to keep systems durable and quiet.
- Pressure-reducing valve at service
- A pressure-reducing valve at the service entrance limits supply pressure, protecting fixtures and piping from damage and reducing water waste from leaks. Green codes often require one where pressure exceeds 80 psi.