Sprinkler Fitter - Exam Information

Table of Contents

Self-Assessment

This tool can be used to reflect on your own experience and knowledge in the trade compared with what is on the exam.

Exam Breakdown

Each Red Seal exam's questions are developed to assess the activities laid out in the Red Seal Occupational Standard. This trade's Red Seal exam has 120 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:

Major Work Activity A - Performs common occupational skills - 25 questions
Task A-1 Performs safety-related functions
5 questions
Task A-2 Uses and maintains tools and equipment
6 questions
Task A-3 Organizes work
8 questions
Task A-4 Commission systems
4 questions
Task A-5 Uses communication and mentoring techniques
2 questions
Major Work Activity B - Installs water supply - 18 questions
Task B-6 Installs underground water supplies
3 questions
Task B-7 Installs fire pump units
7 questions
Task B-8 Installs fire department connections
5 questions
Task B-9 Installs private water supply systems
3 questions
Major Work Activity C - Installs piping - 32 questions
Task C-10 Prepares pipe, tube and fittings for installation
9 questions
Task C-11 Installs pipe, tube and fittings
11 questions
Task C-12 Installs piping components
12 questions
Major Work Activity D - Installs and lays out fire protection systems and devices - 26 questions
Task D-13 Installs water-based systems
15 questions
Task D-14 Installs specialty fire suppression systems
4 questions
Task D-15 Installs detection devices
3 questions
Task D -16 Installs signal-initiating devices
4 questions
Major Work Activity E - Inspects, tests and maintains (itm) fire protection systems - 19 questions
Task E-17 Maintains and repairs fire protection systems
10 questions
Task E -18 Inspects and tests fire protection systems
9 questions

Types of Exam Questions

All Red Seal exam questions are written in multiple-choice format. A multiple-choice question consists of question followed by four possible responses (A, B, C, D). Every question has exactly one correct answer and three incorrect options. They are not misleading or trick questions, but the incorrect options are not always obvious.

There are three types of questions that you will see on Red Seal Exams:

  • Knowledge and Recall
  • Procedural and Application
  • Critical Thinking

Knowledge and Recall

This type of question tests your ability to recall and understand definitions, facts and principles.

For this trade, between 10 and 20% of questions that are this type.

Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:

On which type of sprinkler system is a detector wire installed as a system activation device?

  1. Dry.
  2. Wet.
  3. Antifreeze.
  4. Pre-action.

Answer: D

Procedural and Application

This type of question tests your ability to apply your knowledge of procedures to a situation.

For this trade, between 75 and 85% of questions are this type.

Example of a Procedural and Application Question:

What is done to prepare the pipe ends of a CPVC pipe?

  1. Deburr and clean.
  2. Bevel and clean.
  3. Deburr and bevel.
  4. Deburr and solder.

Answer: C

Critical Thinking

This type of question tests  your ability to interpret data, solve problems and arrive at valid conclusions.

For this trade, less than 10% of questions are this type.

Example of a Critical Thinking Question:

What is installed to prevent over pressurizing if a jockey pump fails to shut off?

  1. A control valve on the discharge side of the pump.
  2. A pressure regulator on the inlet side of the pump.
  3. A relief valve on the discharge side of the pump.
  4. A strainer on the inlet side of the pump.

Answer: C

Try more sample questions for this trade and check out the Exam Preparation Guide. It will give you practical insights on what goes into Red Seal exams, and how you can best prepare yourself to do well.

For more information about exam preparation materials contact your provincial/territorial apprenticeship office.