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Master / Journeyman Plumber Exam

Gas Piping Practice Questions

25 practice questions with detailed explanations — aligned to the Master / Journeyman Plumber Exam.

Master Gas Piping to boost your score on the Master / Journeyman Plumber Exam. Each question below mirrors the style and difficulty of real exam questions, complete with detailed explanations so you understand the why behind every answer. Work through all 25 questions, review any that trip you up, and use the related topics below to round out your preparation.

  1. Q1.According to the IFGC, what is the minimum test pressure required for a gas piping system withstand test?

    A.1.5 times the working pressure, but not less than 3 psig
    B.10 psig
    C.20 psig
    D.1.5 times the working pressure, but not less than 5 psig
    A1.5 times the working pressure, but not less than 3 psig

    Explanation: IFGC 406.4.1 requires the test pressure to be 1.5 times the proposed maximum working pressure, but generally not less than 3 psig.

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  2. Q2.The test duration for a gas piping system with a test pressure of less than 10 psig shall be not less than:

    A.10 minutes
    B.15 minutes
    C.30 minutes
    D.1 hour
    A10 minutes

    Explanation: IFGC 406.4.2 states the test duration shall be not less than 10 minutes.

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  3. Q3.Gas shutoff valves shall be located within ___ feet of the appliance they serve.

    A.3
    B.4
    C.5
    D.6
    D6

    Explanation: IFGC 409.5.1 requires the shutoff valve to be located in the same room as the appliance and within 6 feet of the appliance.

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  4. Q4.Plastic pipe (PE, PVC) used for gas piping shall be installed:

    A.Indoors only
    B.Outdoors underground only
    C.In attics
    D.Anywhere
    BOutdoors underground only

    Explanation: IFGC 403.6 prohibits plastic pipe for use within buildings. It is allowed outdoors underground only.

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  5. Q5.What is the minimum burial depth for underground gas piping?

    A.6 inches
    B.12 inches
    C.18 inches
    D.24 inches
    B12 inches

    Explanation: IFGC 404.12 requires gas piping underground to be installed not less than 12 inches below grade (except for individual lines to outdoor lights/grills which can be 8 inches if protected).

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  6. Q6.A sediment trap (drip leg) is required:

    A.At the utility meter only
    B.Downstream of the appliance shutoff valve as close to the inlet of the equipment as practical
    C.On all gas lines exceeding 20 feet
    D.Upstream of the shutoff valve
    BDownstream of the appliance shutoff valve as close to the inlet of the equipment as practical

    Explanation: IFGC 408.4 requires sediment traps (often called dirt legs) to be installed downstream of the appliance shutoff valve to catch debris before it enters the gas valve.

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  7. Q7.The unthreaded portion of gas piping outlets shall extend not less than ___ inches through finished ceilings or walls.

    A.1
    B.1-1/2
    C.2
    D.2-1/2
    A1

    Explanation: IFGC 404.16 requires the unthreaded portion of piping outlets to extend at least 1 inch beyond finished ceilings or walls.

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  8. Q8.Standard Method: The minimum required volume of indoor combustion air is ___ cubic feet per 1,000 BTU/h of the appliance input rating.

    A.25
    B.50
    C.100
    D.200
    B50

    Explanation: IFGC 304.5.1 states the minimum volume shall be 50 cubic feet per 1,000 BTU/h.

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  9. Q9.Unvented room heaters shall not be installed in:

    A.Living rooms
    B.Kitchens
    C.Sleeping rooms or bathrooms (with limited exceptions)
    D.Garages
    CSleeping rooms or bathrooms (with limited exceptions)

    Explanation: IFGC 303.3 prohibits unvented fuel-burning heaters in bedrooms or bathrooms (unless it's a specific wall-mounted heater equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor and meets BTU limits).

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  10. Q10.Gas piping installed in a concealed location shall not contain:

    A.Threaded elbows
    B.Unions, tubing fittings, or running threads
    C.Welded joints
    D.Couplings
    BUnions, tubing fittings, or running threads

    Explanation: IFGC 404.5 prohibits unions, tubing fittings, right/left couplings, bushings, compression couplings, and running threads in concealed locations (walls/floors) to prevent leaks.

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  11. Q11.Appliance fuel connectors shall have a maximum overall length of:

    A.3 feet
    B.4 feet
    C.6 feet
    D.10 feet
    C6 feet

    Explanation: IFGC 411.1.3.1 limits the length of flexible appliance connectors to 6 feet.

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  12. Q12.CSST (Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing) gas piping systems must be:

    A.Painted yellow
    B.Electrically bonded (grounded)
    C.Buried at least 24 inches
    D.Used for vents only
    BElectrically bonded (grounded)

    Explanation: IFGC 310.1.1 requires CSST to be bonded to the electrical service grounding electrode system to prevent arc damage from lightning strikes.

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  13. Q13.Underground gas piping carrying Propane (LPG) allows:

    A.Use of standard Schedule 40 PVC
    B.Use of PE pipe (Yellow)
    C.Use of Type M copper
    D.Use of cast iron
    BUse of PE pipe (Yellow)

    Explanation: Polyethylene (PE) is the standard plastic allowed for underground gas (Natural or LP). Schedule 40 PVC is generally prohibited for gas due to brittleness.

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  14. Q14.Supports for 3/4-inch rigid steel gas pipe shall be spaced not more than ___ feet apart.

    A.6
    B.8
    C.10
    D.12
    B8

    Explanation: IFGC Table 415.1 requires 3/4-inch or 1-inch steel pipe to be supported every 8 feet. (1/2-inch is 6 feet).

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  15. Q15.A gas vent connector shall slope upward toward the vent or chimney at least:

    A.1/8 inch per foot
    B.1/4 inch per foot
    C.1/2 inch per foot
    D.1 inch per foot
    B1/4 inch per foot

    Explanation: IFGC 503.10.7 requires a minimum upward slope of 1/4 inch per foot to ensure draft.

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  16. Q16.Where gas piping penetrates a foundation wall underground, it must be:

    A.Encased in a protective sleeve
    B.Painted
    C.Glued
    D.Made of copper
    AEncased in a protective sleeve

    Explanation: IFGC 404.6 requires piping passing through a foundation wall to be encased in a protective sleeve and sealed to prevent gas entry into the building.

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  17. Q17.Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is heavier than air. Natural Gas is:

    A.Heavier than air
    B.Lighter than air
    C.The same density as air
    D.A liquid
    BLighter than air

    Explanation: Natural gas (Methane) is lighter than air (Specific Gravity ~0.60), causing it to rise and dissipate. Propane is heavier (SG ~1.50) and pools in low spots.

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  18. Q18.Thread joint compounds (pipe dope) used on gas piping must be:

    A.Water soluble
    B.Resistant to the action of Liquefied Petroleum (LP) gas
    C.Clear
    D.Applied to female threads only
    BResistant to the action of Liquefied Petroleum (LP) gas

    Explanation: IFGC 403.9.3 requires pipe joint compound to be resistant to the chemical action of LP gas.

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  19. Q19.When using the 'Longest Length Method' to size gas piping, you measure from the point of delivery (meter) to:

    A.The first appliance
    B.The water heater
    C.The most remote outlet
    D.The middle of the system
    CThe most remote outlet

    Explanation: The Longest Length Method requires measuring from the delivery point to the most remote outlet, then using that single length to size the entire system.

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  20. Q20.Underground gas piping marked with a yellow tracer wire is likely:

    A.Steel pipe
    B.Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe
    C.Copper pipe
    D.Aluminum pipe
    BPolyethylene (PE) plastic pipe

    Explanation: Plastic pipe is non-conductive, so IFGC 404.17.3 requires an electrically continuous yellow tracer wire (minimum AWG 18) to be installed with it for locating purposes.

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  21. Q21.Category I gas appliances rely on:

    A.Natural draft (non-positive vent pressure)
    B.Forced draft
    C.Positive vent pressure
    D.Condensing technology
    ANatural draft (non-positive vent pressure)

    Explanation: Category I appliances operate with a non-positive vent static pressure and a vent gas temperature that avoids excessive condensation (standard atmospheric draft).

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  22. Q22.Which valve is prohibited for use as a gas shutoff valve?

    A.Ball valve
    B.Lubricated plug cock
    C.Water valve (Gate valve)
    D.Gas cock
    CWater valve (Gate valve)

    Explanation: Gas valves must be approved for gas service (often marked WOG or Gas). Standard water gate valves are not approved for gas isolation.

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  23. Q23.Gas piping shall not be used as a:

    A.Fuel line
    B.Grounding electrode
    C.Support for other piping
    D.Conduit for wires
    BGrounding electrode

    Explanation: IFGC 310.1 prohibits using gas piping as a grounding electrode (ground rod). It must be bonded *to* the ground, but not used *as* the ground path for the electrical system.

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  24. Q24.The approximate BTU content of 1 cubic foot of Natural Gas is:

    A.500 BTU
    B.1,000 BTU
    C.2,500 BTU
    D.10,000 BTU
    B1,000 BTU

    Explanation: Standard natural gas contains approximately 1,000 to 1,050 BTUs per cubic foot. (Propane is ~2,500).

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  25. Q25.When purging a gas line of air, if the piping is larger than ___ inches, the purge gas must be discharged outdoors.

    A.2
    B.2-1/2
    C.3
    D.4
    A2

    Explanation: IFGC 406.7.2 requires that purging of gas piping larger than 2 inches nominal diameter be performed by discharging the gas to the outdoors, away from any source of ignition. For piping 2 inches or smaller, indoor purging with specific precautions may be permitted under certain conditions. The 2-inch threshold is the key dividing line for mandatory outdoor purge discharge requirements.

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