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Pipefitter & Steamfitter Practice Test

Pipe math and offsets, fittings and flanges, valves, steam and hydronic systems, rigging, drawings and safety for pipefitter exams.

182 questions · 7 topics · free, no sign-up

Mixed practice test

10 questions, graded as you go, with the reason for every answer. No sign-up.

Timed mock exam

50 questions in 60 minutes, drawn from every topic. No answers shown until the end, then a score, your weakest topics and a review of what you missed.

Practise by topic

Sample questions

What is a piping isometric drawing?

  1. A top view of every line in an area, drawn to scale
  2. A three-dimensional view of one line, not to scale
  3. A side view of one piece of equipment and its nozzles
  4. A schematic of the instruments and control loops only
Show the answer

B. A three-dimensional view of one line, not to scale

An isometric shows a line in three dimensions on one sheet, with horizontal runs drawn at 30 degrees from horizontal and vertical runs drawn vertical. It carries the dimensions and bill of material but is not to scale.

Reference: Piping isometric drawings

Starting at which nominal pipe size does the outside diameter of steel pipe equal the nominal size?

  1. NPS 14
  2. NPS 8
  3. NPS 12
  4. NPS 10
Show the answer

A. NPS 14

Through NPS 12 the outside diameter is larger than the nominal size (NPS 12 is 12.75 in OD). From NPS 14 up, the OD equals the nominal size. NPS 12 is the tempting answer because it is the last of the small-pipe series.

Reference: ASME B36.10 pipe dimensions

What is the purpose of a balancing valve in a hydronic branch?

  1. To stop water from flowing backward in the branch
  2. To relieve pressure if the branch becomes isolated
  3. To shut the branch off quickly in an emergency
  4. To set the flow so each circuit gets its design gpm
Show the answer

D. To set the flow so each circuit gets its design gpm

Water takes the easiest path, so short circuits would get too much flow and distant ones too little. Balancing valves add measured resistance so every terminal unit gets its design flow.

Reference: Hydronic balancing

A 45-degree offset has to move a line over 14 in. Using the constant 1.414, what is the center-to-center travel?

Answer in in.

Show the answer

19.8 in

Travel = offset x 1.414 = 14 x 1.414 = 19.80 in.

Reference: Pipe offset constants (right-triangle trigonometry)

Which system uses closed sprinklers but needs a separate detection system to operate before water is admitted to the piping?

  1. Deluge system
  2. Preaction system
  3. Wet pipe system
  4. Antifreeze system
Show the answer

B. Preaction system

In a preaction system the piping is normally dry and the valve is opened by detection, after which individual sprinklers must still fuse to discharge. It is used where accidental discharge would be costly, such as computer rooms and archives.

Reference: NFPA 13 system types: preaction

Exams this helps with

ExamWho runs itWhere
Pipefitter / steamfitter journeyman readyState boards, UAUnited States (varies by state)
Pipefitting Levels 1 to 4 module tests readyNCCERUnited States
Fire sprinkler fitter readyState boardsUnited States (varies by state)

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