Massachusetts Plumbers Journeyman Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your Licensing Test!

The correct term for the installation of all plumbing system parts that can be completed before the installation of fixtures is "roughing-in." This stage involves setting up the essential components of the plumbing system, including pipes, drains, and vent lines, according to the plumbing code and design specifications, but does not include the actual installation of sinks, toilets, or other fixtures.

Roughing-in is crucial because it lays the foundation for the final plumbing work and ensures that everything will function properly once the fixtures are installed. This phase is an important step to ensure efficiency and compliance with safety regulations in plumbing installations.

The other terms do not accurately describe this initial phase of plumbing installation. An air gap is a mechanism to prevent backflow, a water distribution pipe refers to the piping that delivers water to fixtures, and a barometric loop is a specific technique used to maintain proper drainage and prevent siphoning, none of which pertain to the comprehensive early stage of plumbing installation known as roughing-in.