Codes & SafetyQuestion 106 of 120
A drainage, waste and vent system is being water tested. Which statement describes the test correctly?
a.All openings are tightly plugged and the system is filled with water to at least a 10 ft head, except for the uppermost 10 ft of the system, and the water level is held for at least 15 minutes with no drop
b.The system is filled to a 5 ft head and held for 5 minutes, and a small drop is acceptable if no leak is visible
c.Only the piping below the lowest floor must be filled, and the water must stand for 30 minutes
d.Water is run through each fixture for 15 minutes while the inspector watches the joints for drips
Explanation
The water test plugs every opening, fills the system so that at least a 10 ft head of water stands on the section being tested, and requires the level to hold for a minimum of 15 minutes with no loss. The uppermost 10 ft of the system is the recognized exception, since there is no way to put a 10 ft head on the highest piping. A 5 ft head for 5 minutes is not a recognized test, and any drop in the water level means a leak, not an allowable tolerance. Running water through fixtures is a flow check, not a pressure test, and would not reveal a weeping joint under head.
Law Reference: IPC §312.2Practice all 120 questions free — no signup required.
Related questions on this topic
- A homeowner hires a plumbing company to replace a water heater and reroute the gas line to it. A journeyman employed by that company will perform the installation. Under a typical adopted plumbing code, who is authorized to apply for and hold the permit?
- Underground drainage piping is installed, and the crew backfills and compacts the trench before the groundwork inspection is called for. What does the code require?
- Model plumbing codes are published on a three-year cycle. A state adopts one of those editions with statewide amendments, and a city then adopts the state code with additional local amendments. Which document governs an installation in that city?
- A high-rise DWV system is water tested in sections. The highest joint in the section currently under test is 28 ft above the building drain, and three more floors of piping continue above that section. To what height above the building drain must the test standpipe extend?
- Freezing weather makes a water test impractical, so the DWV rough-in is air tested instead. Which combination of test pressure and duration satisfies the code?
- A water distribution system that will operate at 45 psi working pressure is tested with water. The plumber pumps it to 48 psi, and after 15 minutes the gauge reads 46 psi. How should the result be reported?
Last reviewed: · editorial process
PrepPass Editorial Team · Verified against Journeyman Plumber Licensing Exam (UPC/IPC-based) · How we review