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The Plumbing - All Buildings exam

The technical exam for plumbing in every building type: all of Part 7 (including commercial items, interceptors and non-potable water systems), Part 3 plumbing fixture counts and barrier-free washrooms, pool and spa plumbing, and Part 9 plumbing facilities.

Plumbing and septicTechnical

multiple choice questions
70
multiple choice questions
to finish
3 hours
to finish
to pass
70%
to pass
you work from the code
Open book
you work from the code

Last updated

Who needs it

Plumbing inspectors, inspectors with CBO powers for plumbing (with Powers and Duties of CBO), and BCIN designers who design plumbing beyond houses. It also grants the Plumbing - House qualification.

Passing Plumbing - All Buildings also covers: Plumbing - House.

Free Plumbing - All Buildings study guide

One chapter per section of the exam, following the Ministry's study guide for the Plumbing - All Buildings exam, in plain language, with every rule linked to the 2024 OBC article it comes from.

  1. 1Code structure and Part 3 fire-related plumbing itemsDivision A (with exclusions), Division B Part 1, SA-1 and SB-1, combustible piping and fixtures, firestops, service penetrations, plenums.6 min read
  2. 2Plumbing fixture requirements and barrier-free washroomsPart 3 plumbing facilities and fixture counts by occupancy, food premises fixtures, and barrier-free washrooms, stalls, water closets.5 min read
  3. 3Pools, spas and special buildingsPlumbing and sanitary items for portable classrooms, self-storage, public pools (recirculation, dressing rooms), public spas.5 min read
  4. 4Part 7 general: scope, definitions, facilities and service connectionsAll of 7.1: scope, application, definitions, plumbing facilities, service connections (including private sewers and water supply).6 min read
  5. 5Materials and equipment (7.2)All of 7.2: fixtures (including public washroom fixtures and urinals), traps and interceptors, fittings, pipe materials, jointing.6 min read
  6. 6Piping: joints, support, protection and testing (7.3)Joints and connections, support of piping, protection of piping, and testing of drainage, venting and water systems.6 min read
  7. 7Drainage systems: connections, treatment, traps and cleanoutsConnections, fixture location, treatment of sewage and wastes (interceptors, neutralizing tanks), traps.7 min read
  8. 8Drainage sizing: slope, length, pipe size and hydraulic loadsMinimum slope and length, size of drainage pipes, and hydraulic loads from fixtures, roofs and paved surfaces.6 min read
  9. 9Venting systemsAll of 7.5 including circuit venting, yoke vents, offset relief vents, interceptor venting and air admittance valves.7 min read
  10. 10Potable water systemsArrangement of piping, public washrooms, flushing devices, backflow prevention (including fire protection systems and premise isolation).6 min read
  11. 11Non-potable water systemsNon-potable water systems, rainwater harvesting and water re-use systems.5 min read
  12. 12Part 9 plumbing facilities and related Part 9 itemsAll of 9.31, plus factory-built buildings, pools, glass, exits and service rooms, penetrations, drainage, notching and drilling, roof drains.5 min read
  13. 13Water and energy efficiency, renovation and Division C administrationPart 12 general, hot water piping insulation and water efficiency, compliance alternatives, and the Division C items on permits, occupancy.6 min read
Start with chapter 1

Practise for the Plumbing - All Buildings exam

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Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Plumbing - All Buildings exam?
70 multiple choice questions in 3 hours. You need 70% to pass.
Is the Plumbing - All Buildings exam open book?
Yes. The exam is open book: you work from the code, so knowing where to find an answer quickly matters as much as knowing it.