Free Practice Questions for SOLAS Plumbing

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Key Facts: SOLAS Plumbing Exam

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

Level 6

QQI/NFQ Award

SOLAS/QQI

4 years

Apprenticeship Duration

SOLAS

7 phases

On/Off-the-Job Phases

SOLAS

I.S. 813

Irish Gas Standard

NSAI/RGII

RGII

Gas Installer Register

Gas Networks Ireland

The SOLAS plumbing apprenticeship is Ireland's four-year craft route to becoming a qualified plumber, leading to a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft. Apprentices complete seven phases, alternating paid on-the-job work with three off-the-job training phases (Phases 2, 4 and 6), and must pass modular written/theory exams and practical assessments at each. The theory papers use multiple-choice and short-answer questions and typically require around 50% per module to pass. Content covers cold and hot water systems, central heating, gas installation to I.S. 813, sheet lead and weathering, pipework materials and jointing, drainage and sanitary work, the Irish Technical Guidance Documents, building services science and site safety. Gas work itself must be carried out by a Registered Gas Installer (RGII), and a Safe Pass card is needed for most sites. This free prep includes 100 research-based practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample SOLAS Plumbing Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the SOLAS Plumbing exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In a conventional vented hot water system in an Irish dwelling, what is the primary purpose of the cold water storage cistern in the attic?

A.To pressurise the mains supply

B.To provide a stored supply and gravity head to outlets and the hot water cylinder

C.To act as an expansion vessel for the heating circuit

D.To soften the incoming water

Explanation: In a vented (low-pressure) indirect system, the cold water storage cistern feeds the hot water cylinder and cold outlets by gravity, providing stored capacity and a static head. The head is the vertical distance between the cistern water level and the outlet, which governs the available pressure.

2An unvented hot water storage cylinder in Ireland must be fitted with which combination of safety devices in addition to the control thermostat?

A.A non-return valve and a stopcock only

B.A temperature relief valve and an expansion (pressure) relief valve

C.A drain cock and an isolating valve only

D.Two gate valves in series

Explanation: Unvented systems are sealed and pressurised, so they require layered overheat and overpressure protection. The cylinder thermostat is backed up by a non-self-resetting energy cut-out, a temperature relief valve (typically opening near 90-95C) and a pressure/expansion relief valve, with discharge taken safely to a tundish and drain.

3What is the recommended maximum hot water delivery temperature at outlets used for bathing to reduce the risk of scalding under Irish building services guidance?

A.38C

B.48C

C.60C

D.70C

Explanation: To limit scalding risk, hot water at baths and similar bathing outlets should not exceed about 48C, commonly achieved with a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV). Stored water itself is kept at 60C or above to control Legionella, then blended down at the point of use.

4Stored hot water should be maintained at a minimum of 60C primarily to control which risk?

A.Limescale formation

B.Legionella bacteria growth

C.Thermal expansion

D.Galvanic corrosion

Explanation: Legionella bacteria multiply between roughly 20C and 45C and are killed at higher temperatures, so storage at 60C or above suppresses growth. Distribution should reach at least 50C at outlets within one minute to maintain control.

5In an indirect hot water cylinder, why is the primary (heating) water kept separate from the secondary (stored hot) water?

A.To increase the flow rate at taps

B.To prevent the stored hot water being contaminated and to reduce scale and corrosion in the boiler circuit

C.To allow the cylinder to operate without an immersion heater

D.To eliminate the need for a cold feed

Explanation: In an indirect cylinder a coil or heat exchanger transfers heat from the primary boiler water to the stored secondary water without mixing them. This keeps drinking-quality hot water free of system additives and corrosion debris, and reduces fresh-water scaling in the boiler.

6What device is fitted to a mixer outlet to deliver a safe blended temperature and protect vulnerable users from scalding?

A.Pressure reducing valve

B.Thermostatic mixing valve (TMV)

C.Double check valve

D.Air admittance valve

Explanation: A thermostatic mixing valve blends hot and cold supplies to a stable set temperature and shuts off if the cold supply fails, preventing a sudden scald. TMV2 or TMV3 rated valves are specified at baths, showers and basins where scald protection is needed.

7On an unvented hot water cylinder, the discharge from the temperature and pressure relief valves passes through a device that provides a visible air break before connecting to the drain. What is this device called?

A.Tundish

B.Trap

C.Strainer

D.Rose

Explanation: A tundish is a small open funnel fitting placed in the discharge (D1) pipe close to the relief valves. It provides a visible air gap so a leaking or discharging valve can be seen, and prevents backflow from the drain into the safety devices.

8Which backflow prevention device is required where a hose union tap could allow contaminated water to be drawn back into the wholesome supply?

A.Gate valve

B.Double check valve

C.Drain cock

D.Servicing valve

Explanation: A double check valve provides backflow protection for fluid category 2 and 3 risks such as a garden hose union tap. It uses two independent check valves in series so that a single failure still prevents reverse flow of potentially contaminated water into the mains.

9In a cold water storage cistern, what is the purpose of the warning (overflow) pipe?

A.To supply the boiler

B.To give a visible signal and safely discharge water if the float valve fails to close

C.To vent the hot water cylinder

D.To balance pressure between cisterns

Explanation: The warning/overflow pipe is set above the normal water line but below the cistern rim. If the float-operated valve fails to shut off, the rising water discharges through it to a visible external point, warning of the fault and preventing the cistern overflowing internally.

10A vent (expansion) pipe from an open-vented hot water cylinder must terminate over the cold water storage cistern primarily to:

A.Increase delivery pressure

B.Allow safe discharge of expansion and any boiling water without creating a sealed pressure vessel

C.Reduce noise in the system

D.Prevent airlocks at the taps

Explanation: The open vent provides a permanent path to atmosphere so the cylinder can never become a sealed, pressurised vessel. If the water overheats, expansion or steam discharges safely back into the feed cistern rather than building dangerous pressure.

About the SOLAS Plumbing Exam

The SOLAS plumbing apprenticeship is a four-year, NFQ/QQI Level 6 craft programme in Ireland. Apprentices alternate on-the-job phases with off-the-job training phases (2, 4 and 6), sitting modular written theory exams and practical assessments. Topics span cold and hot water, central heating, gas installation, sheet lead, pipework, drainage, Irish building regulations, science and safety.

Exam sponsor: SOLAS (Further Education and Training Authority), delivered through Education and Training Boards and higher education providers. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Modular written/theory exams (multiple-choice and short-answer) plus practical skills assessments at the off-the-job phases (2, 4 and 6) of the four-year apprenticeship; this practice bank is 100 selected-response items.

Time Limit

Varies by phase examination

Passing Score

Typically 50% per module (per SOLAS/QQI criteria)

Exam / Certification Fees

No separate exam fee; annual student contribution applies during off-the-job phases

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

14%

Cold & Hot Water Systems

Vented and unvented systems, storage cisterns and cylinders, indirect heating, Legionella and scald control, TMVs, backflow prevention and commissioning

16%

Central Heating Systems

Open-vented and sealed systems, S-plan and Y-plan controls, expansion vessels, balancing, TRVs, condensing boilers, underfloor heating and inhibitors

12%

Gas Installation

I.S. 813 domestic gas, RGI/RGII, natural gas and LPG properties, tightness testing, ventilation, flueing, carbon monoxide and the Declaration of Conformance

10%

Sheet Lead & Weathering

BS EN 12588 lead codes, soakers, step and cover flashings, bossing, lead welding, drips, rolls, thermal movement and fixings

12%

Pipework Materials & Jointing

Copper, low-carbon steel and plastic pipe; capillary, compression, press-fit, push-fit and threaded joints; bending, reaming and galvanic corrosion

13%

Drainage & Sanitary

Trap seals, soil and vent pipes, air admittance valves, waste sizing, gradients, gullies, inspection chambers, siphonage and drainage testing

10%

Building Services Regulations (Irish)

Technical Guidance Documents G, H, J and L, I.S. EN 806/1717, air gaps, bonding, insulation, heating controls and sustainable drainage

Science & Calculations

Pressure and head, density and mass, heat transfer, specific heat capacity, thermal expansion, material properties and drawing scales

Safety

Risk assessment, hot works and fire safety, manual handling, Safe Pass, working at height, PPE and safe electrical isolation

Preparing for the SOLAS Plumbing Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Typically 50% per module (per SOLAS/QQI criteria)
Assessment: Modular written/theory exams (multiple-choice and short-answer) plus practical skills assessments at the off-the-job phases (2, 4 and 6) of the four-year apprenticeship; this practice bank is 100 selected-response items.
Time limit: Varies by phase examination
Exam / certification fees: No separate exam fee; annual student contribution applies during off-the-job phases Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

SOLAS Plumbing: Suggested Study Strategy

1Weight your study toward water systems, heating and pipework, which together make up the bulk of the plumbing theory

2Learn the Irish standards and documents by name: I.S. 813 for gas, I.S. EN 806/1717 for water, and Technical Guidance Documents G, H, J and L

3Memorise the key drainage values: 75 mm trap seal for basins/sinks/WCs, 50 mm for a bath/shower to a gully, and self-cleansing drain gradients

4Know the lead codes (BS EN 12588 codes 3 to 8 increase with thickness) and core leadwork details such as soakers, step flashings, drips and rolls

5Practise the calculations: 1 m head equals about 0.1 bar, water expands about 4% on heating, and 1 litre of water has a mass of 1 kg

6Complete all 100 practice questions and review every miss with the AI tutor before each phase exam

Frequently Asked Questions

What level is the SOLAS plumbing apprenticeship and how long does it take?

It is a four-year craft apprenticeship leading to a QQI (NFQ) Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft in Plumbing. Apprentices complete seven phases, alternating paid on-the-job work with three off-the-job training phases (Phases 2, 4 and 6).

How are the SOLAS plumbing phase exams structured?

Each off-the-job phase includes modular written/theory exams using multiple-choice and short-answer questions, alongside practical skills assessments. The number of questions and exact format vary by phase and module rather than a single fixed national paper.

What score do I need to pass a SOLAS plumbing module?

Modules are typically assessed against a pass mark of around 50%, set by SOLAS and QQI assessment criteria. Theory and practical assessments are both required, and the precise grade boundaries are confirmed by your training provider.

What topics do the plumbing theory exams cover?

They cover cold and hot water systems, central heating, gas installation to I.S. 813, sheet lead and weathering, pipework materials and jointing, drainage and sanitary work, the Irish Technical Guidance Documents, building services science and site safety.

Can a plumbing apprentice carry out gas work in Ireland?

Gas work in Ireland must be carried out by a Registered Gas Installer (RGI) registered with RGII, who issues a Declaration of Conformance under I.S. 813. The apprenticeship teaches the underpinning gas knowledge, but the statutory registration is a separate requirement.

Is this free SOLAS plumbing practice as good as paid prep?

Our 100 practice questions cover the same theory domains as the apprenticeship phase exams, with a teaching explanation for every answer plus free daily AI tutor interactions. All content is free forever and updated for 2026.

Free Practice Questions for SOLAS Plumbing

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