Question 1

Backwater Valve

Accepted Answer

A device installed into a sewer line to prevent sewage from flowing backward into the building.

Question 2

Closet Auger

Accepted Answer

A flexible rod with a curved end used to access the toilet's built-in trap to remove clogs.

Question 3

Cross Connection

Accepted Answer

A connection or potential connection between any part of a potable water system and any source of pollution or contamination.

Question 4

Dead Leg

Accepted Answer

A length of pipe leading from a soil, waste, or vent pipe, building drain, or building sewer, which is terminated at a developed length of 2 feet or more by means of a plug or cap.

Question 5

Fixture Unit

Accepted Answer

A measure of the probable discharge into the drainage system by various types of plumbing fixtures.

Question 6

Galvanic Action

Accepted Answer

The corrosive action that occurs when two dissimilar metals are in contact in the presence of an electrolyte.

Question 7

Horizontal Branch

Accepted Answer

A drain pipe extending horizontally from a soil or waste stack.

Question 8

Indirect Waste Pipe

Accepted Answer

A waste pipe that does not connect directly with the drainage system, but that discharges into the drainage system through an air break.

Question 9

Jetting

Accepted Answer

The use of streams of high-pressure water for cleaning the interiors of drain pipes.

Question 10

Lavatory

Accepted Answer

A fixture that provides water for hand washing and grooming.

Question 11

Main Vent

Accepted Answer

The principal artery of the venting system to which vent branches may be connected.

Question 12

Normal Operating Control

Accepted Answer

A device that controls the operation of any part of a heating, cooling, or heat-rejection system under normal operating conditions.

Question 13

Overhead Sewer

Accepted Answer

A gravity sewer that is located above the basement floor.

Question 14

Pneumatic System

Accepted Answer

A system that uses air or other gas pressure to actuate an element of a system.

Question 15

Quick-Opening Valve

Accepted Answer

A valve that opens fully or provides a fast, large pressure increase when only slightly opened.

Question 16

Relief Valve

Accepted Answer

A safety valve that opens to relieve excess pressure or heat.

Question 17

Service Sink

Accepted Answer

A sink used primarily for heavy-duty work or for filling and emptying mop buckets.

Question 18

Trap Primer

Accepted Answer

A device that adds water to traps.

Question 19

Upfeed System

Accepted Answer

A water supply system in which the water is pushed upwards by the force of a pump.

Question 20

Vacuum Breaker

Accepted Answer

A device that prevents backflow by creating an air gap within the device.

Question 21

Water Hammer

Accepted Answer

A loud banging noise created by shock waves that occur when a valve is suddenly closed on a pipe filled with high-speed water.

Question 22

Yoke Vent

Accepted Answer

A pipe connecting upward from a soil or waste stack to a vent stack for the purpose of preventing pressure changes in the stacks.

Question 23

Zone Valve

Accepted Answer

A device, usually placed near the heater or cooler, which controls the flow of water or steam to parts of the building.

Question 24

Air Gap

Accepted Answer

The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of the waste pipe and the flood level rim of the receptacle into which the waste pipe is discharging.

Question 25

Branch Interval

Accepted Answer

A length of soil or waste stack corresponding in general to a story height, but in no case less than 8 feet.

Question 26

Cleanout

Accepted Answer

An access point in a pipe used for cleaning or for clearing a blockage.

Question 27

Dielectric Union

Accepted Answer

A type of pipe fitting designed to effectively prevent galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals.

Question 28

Eductor

Accepted Answer

A device that uses the kinetic energy of one fluid to cause the flow of another.

Question 29

Ferrule

Accepted Answer

A ring or cap attached to an object to protect against damage, splitting, or wear.

Question 30

Grease Trap

Accepted Answer

A device designed to intercept grease and solids before they enter a wastewater disposal.

Question 31

Heat Exchanger

Accepted Answer

A device that transfers heat from one fluid to another without a direct contact or mix.

Question 32

Insulation Resistance Test

Accepted Answer

A test that measures the resistance of electrical insulation to ensure it can effectively contain the voltage and prevent leaks.

Question 33

Jockey Pump

Accepted Answer

A smaller pump that maintains pressure in a fire protection piping system to an automatic sprinkler system.

Question 34

Kitec Plumbing

Accepted Answer

A type of flexible aluminum and plastic pipe, recalled due to a high rate of failure.

Question 35

Lateral Sewer

Accepted Answer

The part of the sewer network that connects the building sewer to the main sewer.

Question 36

Manometer

Accepted Answer

An instrument for measuring the pressure of a fluid by balancing it, indirectly, against the pressure of a known fluid or gas.

Question 37

Nipple

Accepted Answer

A short piece of pipe with threads on both ends, used to connect two other fittings.

Question 38

O-Ring

Accepted Answer

A gasket in the shape of a torus; it is a loop of elastomer with a round cross-section, designed to be seated in a groove and compressed during assembly.

Question 39

Primer

Accepted Answer

A device or fitting that ensures that the water seal in traps does not evaporate.

Question 40

Quick Disconnect

Accepted Answer

A type of fitting that allows for swift and tool-free connection or disconnection of fluid lines.

Question 41

Roof Drain

Accepted Answer

A plumbing device that removes water from a building's roof.

Question 42

Saddle Valve

Accepted Answer

A valve mounted on a pipe run by a clamping device, or saddle tee, used to make quick, temporary, or emergency connections.

Question 43

Thermal Expansion

Accepted Answer

The tendency of matter to change in volume in response to a change in temperature.

Question 44

Union

Accepted Answer

A type of fitting that allows pipes to be joined together easily, and without the use of special tools.

Question 45

Vent Pipe

Accepted Answer

A pipe that allows air to enter a drain system to balance the air pressure, preventing water in the traps from being siphoned off.

Question 46

Wye Fitting

Accepted Answer

A Y-shaped fitting used to connect pipes. It derives its name from its shape, which resembles the letter "Y".

Question 47

XH Pipe

Accepted Answer

Extra heavy pipe; used for specific applications where additional strength is required.

Question 48

Yoke

Accepted Answer

A device that prevents differential pressure between hot and cold water supplies by utilizing a bridge between hot and cold pipes.

Question 49

Zoning

Accepted Answer

A method of designing a plumbing system in a series of independent systems, each serving one area of a building.

Question 50

Air Admittance Valve

Accepted Answer

A device that replaces a traditional vent to allow air to enter the pipe and equalize pressure, without allowing gases to escape into the home.

Question 51

Building Drain

Accepted Answer

The lowest point in a drainage system where the interior drainage pipes meet and exit to the exterior of the building.

Question 52

Combination Waste and Vent System

Accepted Answer

A specially designed system of waste piping embodying the horizontal wet venting of one or more sinks or floor drains by means of a common waste and vent pipe adequately sized to provide free movement of air above the flow line of the drain.

Question 53

Differential Pressure

Accepted Answer

The difference in pressure between two points in a system, such as the higher pressure pump supply versus the lower pressure pump return.

Question 54

Expansion Tank

Accepted Answer

A tank designed to absorb the heat and pressure from a heating system.

Question 55

Flashing Collar

Accepted Answer

A device used to seal a vent pipe as it passes through a roof.

Question 56

Gate Valve

Accepted Answer

A type of valve that uses a gate to stop or start the flow of water.

Red Seal Plumber Exam: Advanced Terminology Flashcards