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Plumbing Merit Badge

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January, 2017

Requirements for the Plumbing merit badge:

Do the following:
1. Describe how a properly working plumbing system protects our family's health and safety.
2. List five important local health regulations related to plumbing and tell how they protect health and safety.
3. Describe the safety precautions you must take when making home plumbing repairs.
Do the following:
1. Make a drawing and explain how a home hot- and cold- water supply system works. Tell how you would make it safe from freezing.
2. Make a drawing and explain the drainage system of the plumbing in a house. Show and explain the use of drains and vents.
Show how to use five important plumber's tools.
Identify and describe the use of each of the following: washer, retaining nut, plunger (rubber force cup), solder, flux, elbow, tee, nipple, coupling, plug, union, trap, drainpipe, and water meter.
Name the kinds of pipe that are used most often in a plumbing system. Explain why these pipes are used.
Cut, thread, and connect two pieces of metal pipe.
Under the supervision of a knowledgeable adult, solder three copper tube connections using a gas torch. Include one tee, two straight pieces, and one coupling.
Do the following:
1. Replace a washer in a faucet.
2. Clean out a sink or lavatory trap.

Plumbing Worksheet

All Merit Badges

Comments:

Nov 29, 2014 - Cristina

For requirements 6 and 7, can PEX be used instead?

Dec 01, 2014 - Scouter Paul

@Cristina - No, the requirements specifically say that steel and copper need to be used. Since PEX is becoming so common, maybe the next iteration of the requirements will include it.

Apr 27, 2016 - Kelly Plunkett

Where are the scouts to get the infomation to qualify for this badge? Is there a book or handout?

Apr 27, 2016 - Scouter Paul

@Kelly - Every merit badge has a "merit badge pamphlet" available online at scoutstuff.org or at your local Scout Shop. Every scout should have a pamphlet for each merit badge he begins.

Jan 26, 2021 - Chatwin Lansdowne

I have the same issue with requirement 6. I no longer have any tools for threading pipe, so I haven't offered to teach the badge even though I think understanding plumbing is important. The skill of threading iron pipe still applies to gas pipe installations, but there are newer better technologies for water. The only way I can think to close it is to meet at Lowes when their machine isn't broken and watch it work. Perhaps requirement 6 could be opened to accepting advances in technology by offering an "or" method. I'd be happy if scouts could thread two pieces of pipe together and pass a leak check.

Mar 15, 2023 - Ty Nickolson

Requirement 6 and 7 are outdated. As A master Plumber, plumbers and plumbing companies are moving away from threading pipe as well as soldering methods of plumbing. The materials remain however, press, glue and expansion/crimp methods are more common place. This plumbing merit remains extremely important, yet needs to be updated. I still taught my Troop how to solder, as well as glue and expansion/crimp. For requirement 6 I used flexible stainless steel tubing or (TracPipe). Regardless, the “Merit” of the Plumbing merit badge is still there. II simply updated it to the ever changing times in which we live.

Mar 15, 2023 - Scouter Paul

@Ty - Please see this page for contacting national BSA about updating merit badges.

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