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100+ Free SOLAS Plumbing Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

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 test your SOLAS Plumbing exam readiness. 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 Practice Questions

Verified exam format metadata for SOLAS Ireland Plumbing Apprenticeship (Phase Written Exams) is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.