Plumbing Tools and Safety Quiz

Which type of grip is commonly used by plumbers for tightening fittings and unions in low carbon steel pipework?

• Water pump pliers

• Footprints

• Basin wrench

• Mole grips

What is the primary use of wire cutters in plumbing?

• Tightening nuts and bolts

• Cutting electrical cables and flex

• Removing circlips

• Bending wire

A plumber needs to grip and tighten small nuts and bolts. Which tool should they use?

• General-purpose pliers

• Basin wrench

• Stillsons

• Wire cutters

Which type of pliers is best for gripping small items and reaching into deep spaces?

• Circlip pliers

• Long nose pliers

• Water pump pliers

• Footprints

A plumber needs a tool that can be locked to allow hands-free gripping. Which tool should they use?

• Stillsons

• Mole grips

• Basin wrench

• Water pump pliers

Which type of spirit level is recommended for levelling large appliances such as baths and wash hand basins?

• Torpedo level (Boat level)

• Spirit level

• Adjustable level

• Laser level

Why is periodic maintenance, such as changing the cutting wheel and regular oiling, recommended for adjustable pipe cutters?

• To make the tool lighter

• To ensure the tool can cut many sizes of copper tube efficiently

• To change the color of the tool

• To make it suitable for plastic pipes

Explain why a plastic pipe cutter is essential when jointing push-fit pressure plastic pipe and waste pipe.

• It is cheaper than other tools

• It gives a clean cut, which is essential for proper jointing

• It can also bend pipes

• It is used for soldering

Which of the following is a recommended step to prevent excessive rippling when bending copper tubes?

• Annealing the tube before bending

• Using a blowtorch with a separate governor

• Applying external bending springs only

• Using a soldering and brazing torch

Which of the following best describes the process of annealing?

• Heating copper to a cherry-red colour and then quenching it in water

• Bending a pipe with a machine

• Applying oil to threading tools

• Grinding the seat of a tap