IAPMO UPC PI study plan
IAPMO UPC PI · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Uniform Plumbing Code - Water Supply, Drainage, Waste and Venting & Uniform Plumbing Code - General Regulations and Administration
Map the UPC chapters covering water supply, drainage, waste, and venting, and annotate the scope of each.
Define key terms such as fixture unit, developed length, stack, vent stack, and trap arm using the code text.
Calculate drain fixture unit loads for a single-bathroom and a two-bathroom dwelling using UPC tables.
Size a building drain and building sewer from a given fixture unit total using UPC sizing tables.
Identify general regulations on permits, inspections, and installer responsibilities that affect drainage work.
Your checkpoint
A one-page reference sheet with the drainage and venting chapter map, five key definitions, and two worked fixture-unit sizing examples.
Uniform Plumbing Code - Water Supply, Drainage, Waste and Venting
Size branch intervals and stacks using UPC fixture unit and stack sizing tables for low-rise buildings.
Determine vent sizes for individual, branch, and circuit vents from the code tables and rules.
Apply wet-venting and common-vent restrictions to a sample layout.
Compute developed length of a drain and apply the slope and fall requirements for different pipe sizes.
Identify where cleanouts are required and how to space them along horizontal and vertical drainage piping.
Your checkpoint
A completed venting and cleanout plan for a two-story, two-bath dwelling, with all pipe sizes and slopes annotated.
Uniform Plumbing Code - Water Supply, Drainage, Waste and Venting & Uniform Plumbing Code - Gas Piping and Mechanical Provisions
Size water supply piping and determine pressure requirements using UPC water supply tables and methods.
Explain the differences between drainage, waste, and vent piping and water supply piping in code application.
Identify gas piping materials, sizing methods, and installation requirements from the UPC gas chapters.
Calculate gas pipe sizes for a sample appliance load using the longest-length method.
List mechanical provisions such as water heater installation, relief valve, and venting requirements.
Your checkpoint
A water supply and gas piping sizing worksheet for a single-family dwelling, showing pipe sizes, pressure calculations, and gas load calculations.
Uniform Plumbing Code - Plumbing Systems and Fixtures & Uniform Plumbing Code - Gas Piping and Mechanical Provisions
Identify fixture requirements for water closets, lavatories, bathtubs, showers, and sinks from UPC fixture chapters.
Determine minimum fixture clearances and installation requirements for bathrooms and kitchens.
Describe gas appliance connector requirements and the prohibition of concealed connectors.
Explain combustion air and venting requirements for gas-fired appliances.
Apply fixture unit values for common fixtures to a drainage load calculation.
Your checkpoint
A fixture and gas appliance checklist for a kitchen and bathroom remodel, citing the applicable UPC sections for each item.
Uniform Plumbing Code - General Regulations and Administration & Uniform Plumbing Code - Plumbing Systems and Fixtures
Outline the permit process, inspection stages, and approval requirements from the administrative chapters.
Describe the roles of the authority having jurisdiction and the licensed contractor under the UPC.
Identify special plumbing systems such as medical gas, gray water, and rainwater catchment and their code references.
Explain the requirements for indirect waste receptors and special wastes.
Review the UPC appendices and determine which are adopted by reference in common jurisdictions.
Your checkpoint
A process flowchart of the permit-to-final-inspection sequence with the required inspection points and responsible party for each step.
Inspection, Testing, and Plan Review Practice & Uniform Plumbing Code - Water Supply, Drainage, Waste and Venting
Develop a plan review checklist for drainage, venting, and water supply systems based on UPC requirements.
Describe the hydrostatic and water test procedures for drainage and water supply systems, including test pressures and durations.
Identify common code violations found during rough-in and final inspections.
Explain how to document inspection results and corrections.
Apply plan review skills to a sample set of plumbing drawings and list deficiencies.
Your checkpoint
A completed plan review of a sample residential plumbing plan with a written list of at least ten deficiencies and code citations.
Inspection, Testing, and Plan Review Practice & Uniform Plumbing Code - General Regulations and Administration
Practice timed plan review and inspection scenarios covering all five domains.
Explain the appeal and variance process under the UPC administrative provisions.
Review testing requirements for gas piping and special systems.
Identify the documentation required for final approval and certificate of occupancy.
Analyze case studies of failed inspections and determine the corrective actions.
Your checkpoint
A timed 40-question practice exam with a score of at least 75% and a written review of every missed question.
Uniform Plumbing Code - General Regulations and Administration & Uniform Plumbing Code - Plumbing Systems and Fixtures & Uniform Plumbing Code - Water Supply, Drainage, Waste and Venting & Uniform Plumbing Code - Gas Piping and Mechanical Provisions & Inspection, Testing, and Plan Review Practice
Complete two full-length timed practice exams covering all domains.
Review weak areas identified in practice exams and re-read the relevant UPC sections.
Memorize key tables and formulas for fixture units, sizing, and slope.
Practice explaining code requirements clearly in written form for inspection reports.
Finalize a one-page quick-reference sheet for exam day.
Your checkpoint
Two completed full-length practice exams with scores of at least 80% and a final one-page quick-reference sheet.
Milestones
Week 2: Complete the drainage and venting plan for a two-story dwelling with all pipe sizes and slopes correct, scoring at least 80% on a self-graded checklist.
Week 4: Pass a 25-question quiz on fixture and gas requirements with a score of at least 75%.
Week 6: Complete the plan review of a sample residential plan, identifying at least ten deficiencies with correct code citations.
Week 8: Score at least 80% on two full-length timed practice exams and demonstrate mastery of key sizing tables from memory.