New Mexico CID Mechanical Inspector Examination

A New Mexico CID mechanical inspector is asked which document is the official title of the statewide mechanical code adopted in 14.9.2 NMAC. What is the correct title?

• A2021 New Mexico Mechanical Code (NMMC)
• B2015 Uniform Mechanical Code without state amendments
• C2021 International Mechanical Code as published by ICC
• DNew Mexico Fuel Gas Code, 14.8.2 NMAC

Which model code does 14.9.2 NMAC adopt by reference as the technical base of the New Mexico Mechanical Code?

• A2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
• B2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
• C2021 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), as amended by 14.9.2 NMAC
• D2018 Uniform Mechanical Code with no New Mexico amendments

Under 14.9.2.10 NMAC, who is the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) for adoption, interpretation, and enforcement of the New Mexico Mechanical Code as the statewide minimum?

• AThe CID and the mechanical-plumbing trade bureau chief
• BThe local fire marshal only
• CThe IAPMO board of directors
• DThe serving natural-gas utility

A contractor asks a CID mechanical inspector which New Mexico rule governs when a mechanical permit is required. Which citation is correct?

• A14.5.2 NMAC, Permits
• BUMC Section 104.1 as printed, without state substitution
• C14.5.5 NMAC, Fees, only
• D14.9.2.28 NMAC, Appendices

Per 14.5.3.9 NMAC, which inspections are required for work subject to the New Mexico Mechanical Code?

• AOnly a final inspection after occupancy
• BA framing inspection and a roof-nail inspection
• CRough inspection before concealment, temporary heat if applicable, final after appliances…
• DOnly a gas-pressure test witnessed by the serving utility

A permit holder covers a gas-pipe and duct rough-in and then calls for inspection the same morning. Which 14.5.3 NMAC rules has the permittee violated?

• ANotification must be given not less than 24 hours before inspection, and work shall not b…
• BNone; same-day concealment is allowed if the contractor is licensed
• COnly the 24-hour notice rule; covering work before approval is allowed
• DOnly a fee rule in 14.5.5 NMAC

A gas utility is ready to set a meter on a new mechanical installation. Under 14.5.3.15 NMAC, when may the mechanical system be connected to the fuel source?

• AAfter the AHJ or appropriate inspector has given approval to connect or reconnect
• BAs soon as the contractor completes the piping, without CID approval
• COnly after a certificate of occupancy is issued for the entire building
• DWhenever the utility’s own leak test is complete, regardless of CID

Which condition authorizes a CID inspector, after verification as required, to issue a stop-work order under 14.5.3.10 NMAC?

• AThe project is behind the contractor’s advertised schedule
• BThe owner has not paid the contractor’s latest invoice
• CWork is not properly permitted, or the contractor is not properly licensed
• DThe design professional has not visited the site that week

A floor-mounted gas furnace with a listed flammable-vapor-ignition-resistant (FVIR) rating is installed in a residential garage with its ignition source 6 inches above the floor. How should a New Mexico CID mechanical inspector treat the installation under 14.9.2.11 NMAC?

• AApprove it because UMC 305.1 still allows the FVIR exception in New Mexico
• BApprove it if the garage has a floor drain
• CReject it; New Mexico deletes the UMC text “unless listed as a flammable vapor ignition r…
• DApprove it because garage elevation rules apply only to water heaters

If a provision of the adopted UMC appears to conflict with another New Mexico construction code, where does 14.9.2.9 NMAC send the inspector?

• ASubsection H of Section 60-13-44 NMSA 1978 and 14.5.1.9 NMAC
• BAlways follow the UMC because it is the later model code
• CThe serving utility’s installation manual
• DIAPMO’s unofficial code-interpretation hotline

Which UMC appendices does 14.9.2.28 NMAC delete from the New Mexico Mechanical Code?

• AAppendix G and Appendix H only
• BAll UMC appendices
• CAppendix A and Appendix B
• DAppendix C through Appendix F only

Under the New Mexico amendment to the UMC definition of listed (third-party certified) in 14.9.2.10 NMAC, which statement is correct?

• AA manufacturer may select an independent certification organization accredited by ANSI, o…
• BOnly UL may certify mechanical products used in New Mexico
• CNo listing is required if the contractor is a GB-98 licensee
• DProduct listing is optional whenever the owner signs a waiver

A fuel-gas rough-in uses Type L copper pipe for the interior natural-gas distribution. What is the New Mexico inspector’s correct action under 14.9.2.21 NMAC?

• AApprove it; UMC 1308.5.2.2 still allows copper alloy pipe
• BApprove it if the copper is Type K only
• CReject it; 14.9.2.21 NMAC deletes UMC 1308.5.2.2 and states that copper and copper alloy…
• DApprove it for natural gas but reject it only for LP gas

In addition to the serving supplier’s meter valve, what extra gas shutoff does 14.9.2.21 NMAC require on a New Mexico fuel-gas system?

• AAn additional approved gas shutoff valve downstream of the serving supplier gas meter, be…
• BA fusible-link valve at every appliance connector
• CA second meter set on the roof
• DAn underground curb valve at the property line in every occupancy

A project includes an on-site liquefied-petroleum-gas tank and building piping. Which New Mexico sources replace UMC 1312.11 for LP-gas facilities?

• ASections 70-5-1 through 70-5-23 NMSA 1978 (LPG and CNG Act) and 19.15.40 NMAC
• BOnly UMC Chapter 13 as printed, with no state substitution
• C14.7.2 NMAC, the New Mexico Commercial Building Code, only
• DThe International Fire Code Appendix B only

A contractor bonds CSST gas piping using only the bonding method printed in UMC 1311.0. What does 14.9.2.21 NMAC require the mechanical inspector to do?

• ADelete UMC 1311.0 and apply the New Mexico Electrical Code, subsection G of 14.10.4.11 NM…
• BApprove any bonding method shown in the UMC chapter
• CWaive bonding if the pipe is black steel
• DRequire the gas utility, not the electrical code, to approve bonding

For a new interior fuel-gas piping system that is not welded and is not designed to operate above 14 inches water column, what minimum pressure test does UMC 1313.3 / UPC 1213.3 require the inspector to witness?

• AAn air, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen test of not less than 10 psi held not less than 15 mi…
• BA soap-bubble check at operating pressure only
• CA 60 psi test held for 30 minutes on every residential branch
• DA fuel-gas test at meter pressure for 5 minutes

A welded steel gas main will operate at 2 psi. What minimum acceptance test does UMC 1313.3 / UPC 1213.3 require?

• A10 psi for 15 minutes
• B3 psi for 10 minutes
• CNot less than 60 psi continued for a time satisfactory to the AHJ, but not less than 30 m…
• DOperating pressure plus 1 inch water column for 5 minutes

An existing low-pressure gas piping system is being altered. What New Mexico exception to UMC 1313.3 / UPC 1213.3 may the inspector accept?

• AA test at one and one-half times the operating pressure, but in no case less than 3 psi
• BNo test is required on existing piping
• CA 1 psi air test for 60 seconds
• DA visual inspection of joints in lieu of any pressure test

CSST will carry gas at 2 psi. Which acceptance test matches the UMC/UPC fuel-gas test rules used with the New Mexico codes?

• ANot less than 30 psi for 30 minutes
• B10 psi for 15 minutes, the same as low-pressure black-steel house piping
• COperating pressure only, because CSST is factory-listed
• D100 psi hydrostatic water test

Which test medium is prohibited for a fuel-gas piping pressure test under UMC Chapter 13 / UPC Chapter 12?

• AAir
• BNitrogen
• CCarbon dioxide
• DOxygen or fuel gas

A hydronic heating loop will operate at 30 psi. What pressure-test rule does 14.9.2.20 NMAC substitute for the first sentence of UMC 1205.2?

• AA hydrostatic or air test of not less than 1.5 times operating pressure
• BA 10 psi air test for 15 minutes only
• CNo test is required if the boiler is listed
• DA 200 psi hydrostatic test on every residential loop

Which UMC chapter, adopted without a New Mexico text change in 14.9.2.19 NMAC, governs refrigeration systems on the mechanical inspector exam?

• AChapter 4, Ventilation Air
• BChapter 9, Installation of Specific Appliances
• CChapter 11, Refrigeration
• DChapter 15, Solar Energy Systems

During a refrigeration rough-in, the inspector finds refrigerant piping routed through an enclosed public exit stairway. What is the correct inspection decision?

• AApprove it if the pipe is insulated
• BApprove it if the refrigerant is Group A1
• CReject it; UMC Chapter 11 does not permit refrigerant piping in public stairways, lobbies…
• DApprove it because refrigeration piping is unregulated in New Mexico

Hydronic piping for a hot-water heating system must be approved by the inspector when it is:

• AMaterial listed and rated for the fluid, temperature, and pressure of the hydronic system…
• BAny pipe the contractor has on the truck, regardless of listing or temperature rating
• CFuel-gas CSST, because it is already pressure-rated
• DRefrigerant ACR tubing, because both systems carry a closed-loop fluid

An underground polyethylene fuel-gas service is installed without a tracer wire. How should the inspector treat the installation under UMC Chapter 13?

• AApprove it; tracer wire is only an electrical-code item
• BApprove it if the trench is at least 6 inches deep
• CReject it; nonmetallic underground gas piping must be installed with a means of locating…
• DApprove it because polyethylene cannot be located later anyway

At the inlet of a gas furnace the inspector finds only a flexible connector and no sediment trap. What is the correct inspection call under UMC Chapter 13?

• AReject it where the code requires a sediment trap (drip) at the appliance inlet, installe…
• BApprove it; sediment traps are optional accessories
• CApprove it if the connector is less than 3 feet long
• DReject it only if the fuel is LP gas

A listed flexible gas appliance connector is 10 feet long between the appliance shutoff and a moveable range. What should the inspector do?

• AReject it; listed flexible appliance connectors are limited to a maximum length of 6 feet
• BApprove it; any listed connector length is acceptable
• CApprove it if the connector is CSST
• DReject it only when the appliance is a water heater

Fuel-gas piping is run inside a supply-air duct serving occupied rooms. What is the inspector’s correct action?

• AReject it; gas piping shall not be installed in or through a duct used to convey supply,…
• BApprove it if the pipe joints are welded
• CApprove it if the pipe is painted yellow
• DApprove it for natural gas but reject it for LP gas

A machinery room serving a large refrigeration plant has no refrigerant-detector shutoff and uses combustion air from the room for an atmospheric boiler. How should the inspector treat the arrangement under UMC Chapters 7 and 11?

• AReject it unless a refrigerant vapor detector automatically shuts off the combustion proc…
• BApprove it; boilers may always take combustion air from a refrigeration machinery room
• CApprove it if the refrigerant is any Group A refrigerant
• DIgnore the boiler because machinery-room rules apply only to chillers

A closed hydronic heating system is placed in service with no expansion tank and no pressure-relief valve on the boiler. What should the inspector require?

• AAn expansion tank or other approved expansion control, plus a listed pressure-relief valv…
• BNothing; modern boilers do not need relief or expansion control
• COnly a circulating pump larger than 1/2 horsepower
• DA fuel-gas sediment trap on the boiler water piping

On a New Mexico commercial gas rough-in the inspector finds Type L copper used for a 2 psi interior distribution main and no extra shutoff downstream of the utility meter. Which statement best describes the inspection result?

• ABoth conditions may be approved because they are allowed in the unamended UMC
• BCopper is allowed; only the extra shutoff is a New Mexico fail
• CBoth are New Mexico fails: 14.9.2.21 NMAC prohibits copper and copper alloy gas pipe and…
• DOnly the copper is a fail; New Mexico deleted the extra-shutoff requirement

When sizing a low-pressure natural-gas piping system by the longest-length method in UMC 1315.2, which length does the inspector use for every pipe section?

• AThe developed length from the point of delivery to the most remote appliance outlet, used…
• BThe length of that individual section only
• CThe average of all branch lengths
• DThe straight-line horizontal distance, ignoring fittings and vertical drops

A natural-gas system is sized from UMC tables for schedule 40 metallic pipe, inlet pressure less than 2 psi, 0.5 inch water-column drop, and specific gravity 0.60. The longest developed length is 60 feet. Total connected load is 120 cubic feet per hour. Table capacities at 60 feet are: 1/2 inch = 65 CFH, 3/4 inch = 137 CFH, 1 inch = 257 CFH. What is the smallest pipe the inspector may approve for a section carrying the full 120 CFH?

• A3/4 inch
• B1/2 inch
• C1 inch is the minimum that can carry 120 CFH
• D2 inch, because all mains must be at least 2 inch

A dwelling has an 80,000 Btu/h furnace and a 40,000 Btu/h water heater on natural gas with a heating value of 1,000 Btu per cubic foot. The developed length to the more remote appliance is 40 feet. Using the same UMC table (less than 2 psi, 0.5 inch water-column drop, SG 0.60), capacities at 40 feet are: 1/2 inch = 81 CFH, 3/4 inch = 170 CFH. The branch that serves only the 40,000 Btu/h water heater must be at least which size?

• A1/2 inch, because 40 CFH is less than 81 CFH at the 40-foot longest length
• B3/8 inch, because 40 CFH always fits 3/8 inch
• C3/4 inch, because every appliance branch must match the main
• D1 inch, because water heaters require 1-inch connectors

A plan lists only appliance input ratings in Btu/h. Before entering a UMC natural-gas sizing table that is printed in cubic feet per hour, what conversion should the inspector require?

• ADivide each input by the local heating value in Btu per cubic foot (commonly about 1,000…
• BMultiply Btu/h by 3.412 to obtain CFH
• CUse Btu/h and CFH interchangeably because they are the same unit
• DDivide Btu/h by 12 to obtain CFH

How does 14.9.2.11 NMAC amend UMC 314.0 balancing for HVAC and hydronic systems?

• AHeating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, including hydronic systems, shall be…
• BBalancing is deleted and is never required in New Mexico
• COnly kitchen exhaust hoods must be balanced
• DBalancing is required only when the owner requests a TAB report

Who must furnish the gauges and apparatus for a fuel-gas pressure test, and in whose presence must the test be made?

• AThe inspector furnishes the gauges; the test may be done overnight and reported later
• BThe gas utility must furnish nitrogen and need not notify CID
• CThe permit holder furnishes the necessary apparatus, and the test is made in the presence…
• DThe design professional must personally hold the gauge

A hydronic snow-melt loop will operate at 20 psi. What is the minimum New Mexico test pressure under 14.9.2.20 NMAC?

• A20 psi
• B10 psi
• C30 psi
• D100 psi in every case

A packaged evaporative cooler draws 100 percent of its air from outside the building. The contractor omitted an automatic smoke-detector shutoff on the unit. What does 14.9.2.14 NMAC allow?

• AThe inspector must fail every air-moving unit that lacks a smoke detector
• BA smoke detector is required only if the cooler exceeds 10,000 cfm
• CAutomatic shutoffs are not required on evaporative coolers that derive all of their air f…
• DEvaporative coolers are prohibited in New Mexico

A Type I kitchen hood exhaust is interlocked only by leaving a kitchen window open for makeup air. What New Mexico amendment applies?

• AWindows and doors are an approved makeup-air path if they are screened
• BMakeup air is never required for Type I hoods in New Mexico
• C14.9.2.13 NMAC amends UMC 511.3 so windows and doors shall not be used for makeup air; ex…
• DOnly a gravity louver to the dining room is required

A commercial kitchen has an electrically interlocked makeup-air unit, but no airflow-proving device in the makeup-air plenum. The exhaust fan can still run if the makeup-air blower belt breaks. What should the inspector require?

• ANothing; the electrical interlock alone satisfies 14.9.2.13 NMAC
• BA larger exhaust fan to overcome the lost makeup air
• CA device that senses continued air movement in the makeup-air plenum and initiates comple…
• DConversion of the hood to a recirculating Type II hood

A like-for-like furnace replacement is completed under permit. Besides rough and final, what additional mechanical inspection does 14.5.3.9(D) NMAC expressly include?

• AA soils report review
• BA separate elevator inspection
• COperation of mechanical equipment installed to replace existing equipment or fixtures, re…
• DA plumbing top-out, even if no plumbing was altered

If mechanical work is covered before it is inspected, tested if applicable, and approved, what may the inspector or AHJ order under 14.5.3.8 NMAC?

• AThat the work remain covered and be accepted by affidavit
• BThat the permit be automatically converted to an annual permit
• CThat the work be uncovered
• DThat only photographs be submitted in lieu of any inspection

An unlisted wall furnace is installed with 8 inches of clearance to combustible gypsum. What clearance does 14.9.2.17 NMAC require?

• AThe 8-inch clearance is acceptable because the unit is a wall furnace
• B36 inches to all surfaces, including the floor
• CZero clearance if the gypsum is Type X
• DNot less than 18 inches (460 mm) to combustible material

A listed gas furnace is installed with clearances smaller than the generic UMC table but equal to the clearances on the rating plate. What should the inspector do?

• AReject any clearance smaller than 18 inches
• BApprove it only in R-3 occupancies
• CRequire the furnace to be treated as unlisted
• DApprove the installation if it follows the listing and the manufacturer’s installation in…

A listed FVIR gas water heater is set on the garage floor so that burners and the ignition source are 4 inches above the slab. Under New Mexico rules, what is the inspector’s decision?

• AApprove it because 14.8.2.13 NMAC keeps the UPC FVIR exception
• BApprove it in attached garages only
• CApprove it if a drain pan is present
• DReject it; 14.8.2.13 NMAC deletes the UPC 507.13 FVIR exception, and 14.9.2.11 NMAC delet…