1 exam prep certified pool operator handbook practice test
TRANSCRIPT
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 1
1 Exam Prep
Certified Pool Operator Handbook
Practice Test
1. You operate a 120,000 gallon pool, and upon performing your hourly chemical tests you observe the
following readings:
Total Available Chlorine reading is 1.6
Free available chlorine reading is 1.5
pH is 7.4
Your supervising lifeguard has just informed you that you have had a fecal incident occur; a solid stool has been
discharged into the pool. According to the Centers for Disease Control, as the CPO, you should do the
following:
A. clear the pool of users and boost the free chlorine to 17 ppm
B. clear the pool and raise the free chlorine to 2 ppm
C. allow swimmers to remain in the pool, but raise the free chlorine to 10 ppm.
D. none of the above
2. Assuming that your local health department requires you to raise the free chlorine to 5 ppm, how much
sodium hypochlorite would be needed to raise the free chlorine in the pool in question #1 to that level?
A. 6 gallons
B. 3.5 gallons
C. 9 gallons
D. 35 gallons
3. You are the CPO for an indoor health club pool. The facility manager informs you that he is receiving
complaints about a strong chlorine odor in the pool area, and several members have complained of eye
irritation. The most likely cause of these complaints is:
A. too much free chlorine in the water
B. too few swimmers in the pool
C. high levels of chloramines in the pool
D. high calcium levels in the water
4. To determine the level of chloramines in the water, you should do which of the following?
A. test for free chlorine and pH, then divide the pH number by the free chlorine number
B. test for total chlorine and free chlorine, then subtract the free chlorine number from the total chlorine
number
C. test for total chlorine and combined chlorine, then subtract the combined chlorine number from the
free chlorine number
D. test for total alkalinity and pH, then multiply the total alkalinity number by the pH number
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 2
5. You operate a 45,000 gallon indoor pool, and upon doing your hourly chemical tests you observe the
following readings:
Total available chlorine is 2.2
Free available chlorine is 1.4
pH is 7.6
What is the level of chloramines in this pool?
A. 3.6
B. .8
C. -.8
D. 2.8
6. To remove the chloramines in the pool in question #5, how much of the following compounds would be
needed?
A). Using Chlorine gas:
A. 4 lbs.
B. 24.13 lbs.
C. 5.666 lbs.
D. 2.413 lbs.
B). Using Sodium Hypochlorite:
A. 12 gallons
B. 2.48 gallons
C. 4.05 gallons
D. 3.11 gallons
C). Using Calcium Hypochlorite:
A. 3.71 lbs.
B. 2.36 lbs.
C. 37.1 lbs.
D. 5 lbs.
7. You are the operator of a 330,000 gallon outdoor pool. Your local health department requires you to perform
a water balance calculation once monthly. Upon performing the water tests necessary to perform this
calculation, you observe the following readings in your pool:
Total alkalinity is 50 ppm
pH is 7.2
Calcium Hardness is 150 ppm
Temperature is 76 degrees F
Total Dissolved Solids is 500 ppm
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 3
Using these readings, what is the Saturation Index for this pool?
A. +0.8
B. +0.3
C. -0.8
D. -8.0
8. To adjust the tested Total Alkalinity in the pool in question #7 to an acceptable level, which chemical would
be most appropriate?
A. Sodium Hypochlorite
B. Sodium Bicarbonate
C. Sodium Carbonate
D. Sodium Chloride
9. To adjust the tested pH in the pool in question #7 to an acceptable level, which chemical would be most
appropriate?
A. Sodium Carbonate
B. Sodium Chloride
C. Chlorine Gas
D. Sodium Thiosulfate
10. You are the CPO for a 28,000 gallon hotel pool. You perform a water balance chemical test, and to your
surprise, the Calcium Hardness is only 100 ppm. How much calcium chloride (77%) would be required to
increase this to 400 ppm?
A. 10 lbs.
B. 1,000 lbs.
C. 100.8 lbs.
D. 1.0 lbs.
11. You are the CPO for a 100 foot long, 50 foot wide country club pool. The average depth of this pool is 7
feet. You return to the pool on Monday morning, after a rare weekend off, and find that the auto-fill feature has
failed to work, and the pool water level is four inches too low. How many gallons of water must be added to
return the water to the proper level?
A. 120,480 gallons
B. 3.123 gallons
C. 12,495 gallons
D. 15,000 gallons
12. You are the operator of a 3,000 gallon health club spa, which has an average of 100 users per day.
According to the CPO Handbook, how often should the water in this spa be changed?
A. 20 days
B. 10 days
C. 100 days
D. 1 day
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 4
13. You are the CPO for a large municipal swimming pool. This pool has a volume of 560,000 gallons of water,
and has an average daily bather load of 1300 people. The pool is operated using high rate pressure sand filters.
How often should you backwash the filters?
A. Once per week
B. Every 168 hours
C. When the influent and effluent gauges are 10 to 20 psi apart
D. Whenever the pool manager tells you to
14. In testing for Chlorine/Bromine in a commercial pool, DPD is preferred over OTO because:
A. OTO bleaches out at high levels of chlorine
B. DPD has a pleasant pink color
C. OTO only tests for Total Chlorine
D. DPD smells funny
15. Safety and rescue equipment should always be:
A. Kept easily accessible around the pool
B. Kept safely stored inside a locked room
C. Kept near the wading pool at all times
D. Kept in the pool manager's office
16. Which type of filter system will remove the smallest micron particles?
A. rapid rate sand
B. cartridge
C. diatomaceous earth
D. high rate sand
17. If the pump fails to prime, which of the following does not have to be checked?
A. leak on suction side of the pump
B. hair and lint cover is loose or has a worn 0-ring
C. clogged skimmer basket
D. filter system pressure is too high
18. Oxidation Reduction Potential testing (ORP) is measured in?
A. mV
B. PPM
C. GPM
D. FAC
19. High calcium hardness can result in what condition?
A. etching of pool surface
B. heater failure
C. staining
D. cloudy water
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 5
20. Head first entry dives are:
A. only important in pools greater than 5 feet deep
B. allowed only when patrons are young and athletic, never by very young or very old
patrons
C. only allowed in areas of the pool that are not marked as 'NO DIVING'
D. not taught to the public anymore due to the extreme danger they present
21. Opening and closing checklists:
A. help note unsafe conditions at a facility
B. should include a check of the main drain cover
C. will ensure proper deck clearance is maintained around the pool edge
D. all of the above
22. You can become sick from ingesting water infected with Legionella bacteria
A. true
B. false
C. maybe
D. depends on the pH of the water
23. Channeling of filters occurs when:
A. there is a leak in the filter
B. the FMR is exceeded, and water cuts a channel through the media
C. the water overflows in a filter
D. all of the above
24. The only physical factor that affects water balance is:
A. pH
B. TDS
C. temperature
D. calcium hardness
25. To be classified as a disinfectant, a compound must kill or inactivate 99.9% of contaminants as well as:
A. maintaining proper water balance
B. leave a measurable residual in the water
C. have a NFPA classification of
D. have a sweet smelling aroma
26. Pools using chlorine gas as a disinfectant produce hydrochloric acid, which can be neutralized with:
A. sodium thiosulfate
B. cyanuric acid
C. caustic soda or soda ash
D. carbon dioxide
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 6
27. When balancing swimming pool water, the following should be adjusted first:
A. pH
B. calcium
C. total alkalinity
D. temperature
28. A spa with water tested as pH 7.2, temperature 103, calcium hardness 600, total alkalinity 120, and tds of
1,500 will be:
A. scale forming
B. balanced
C. corrosive
D. sanitized
29. When performing a water test, sample water should be collected:
A. at the water surface
B. 18 inches below the surface, near a return line
C. from the filter tank
D. 18 inches below the surface, away from return line
30. Swimming pool circulation systems should be adjusted to remove:
A. 75% from the main drain
B. 75% from the surface
C. 50% from the main drain and 50% from the surface
D. 100% from the surface
31. Vaccuming of the pool bottom should be done:
A. after foreign matter has settled
B. as time permits
C. weekly
D. between noon and 2 p.m.
32. You are a service tech and have gotten a contract to maintain a small motel pool. Upon examining the
operational records, you find that the number of gallons in the pool is not listed in the records. You visit the
pool and observe that it is a fairly rectangular concrete pool, with the following dimensions: length = 40 feet;
width = 20 feet. The pool bottom slope is constant from the shallow end, which is 3 feet deep, to the deep end,
which is 8 feet deep.
A). What is the total number of gallons of water in this pool?
A. 33,000 gallons
B. 60,000 gallons
C. 44,500 gallons
D. 330,000 gallons
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 7
B). To achieve a 6 hour TOR in this pool, what flow rate would be needed?
A. 192 gpm
B. 92 gpm
C. 920 gpm
D. 75 gpm
C). You notice a clear greenish tint to the water. What could be the problem?
A. free-floating green algae
B. presence of iron
C. presence of copper
D. all of the above
33. You are the aquatics manager at a very busy local gym that is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. This
gym has a 1,850 gallon spa. This spa is in almost constant use with about 100 bathers per day using the spa (on
average). You begin to get complaints from the bathers that their eyes are burning and their skin itches after
soaking.
A). What is the suggested replacement interval for the water in this spa?
A. 60 days
B. 6 days
C. once monthly
D. daily
B). You drain the water from the spa and refill. Your main sanitizer is calcium hypochlorite. One morning your
testing indicates that the free chlorine level is very high, at 15 ppm FAC, and there is no combined chlorine in
the water. You are not allowed to drain again, and are under pressure from the gym owner to get the spa open
for his clients. You realize that by using a chlorine neutralizer such as sodium thiosulfate, you can lower the
chlorine to a more normal level. How much sodium thiosulfate should you add to the water to lower the FAC
level to 6 ppm?
A. 43 ounces
B. 4.3 lbs
C.4.3 ounces
D.14.3 lbs
34. When performing a color matching water test, when using the comparator, you should:
A. hold the comparator up to the direct sunlight
B. be in a dimly lighted room
C. wear sunglasses and hold the comparator up to the sunlight
D. hold the sample up to the northern hoizon or a daylight illuminator
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 8
35. Which of the following would not be considered an acceptable ADA access method?
A. a pool ramp
B. zero depth entry level
C. corner steps with a vertical rise of less than 11 inches
D. a portable lift
36. According to the Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, which of the following should result in the
immediate closure of a pool or spa?
A. chlorine level reads 3.5 ppm
B. ph level is 8.0
C. total bromine reading is 5 ppm
D. water circulation system is operating at the proper rate
37. One cubic foot of water contains gallons.
A. 7 48
B. 8.33
C. 62.4
D. 64.2
38. One cubic foot of water weighs pounds.
A. 7 48
B. 8.33
C. 62.4
D. 64.2
39. One gallon of water weighs pounds.
A. 7.48
B 8.33
C 62.4
D. 64.2
40. How many ppm of combined chlorine (CC) must be added to a 32,000 gallon pool with a total chlorine (TC)
of 2.4 and free chlorine (FC) of 1.3 to achieve breakpoint chlorination?
A. 9 ppm
B. 10 ppm
C. 11 ppm
D. 12 ppm
41. What effect does gas chlorine have on pH in water?
A. raises
B. lowers
C.neutralizes
D. none
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 9
42. A round pool with a 25' diameter contains square feet of surface area.
A. 39.25
B. 78.50
C. 490.63
D 1.962 50
43. A round pool with a 20' diameter and a water depth of 5'-4" contains gallons of water.
A. less than 12,400
B. between 12.400 and 12,500
C. between 12,501 and 12,600
D. more than 12,600
44. A rectangular swimming pool measuring 30' long by 15' wide with a water depth of 3' on the shallow end
and 6' on the deep end will contain gallons of water .
A. less than 15.000
B. between 15,000 and 15,100
C. between 15.101 and 15,200
D more than 15.200
45. A spa with an 8' diameter having a water depth of 2'-8" will contain pounds of water.
A. 1.003.37
B. 1,117.39
C. 8,307.49
D. 8,370 39
46. What is the ideal range for total alkalinity?
A 60 to 180 ppm
B. 80 to 100 ppm
C. 80 to 120 ppm
D. 100 to 120 ppm
47. The amount of unfiltered water is reduced to after four turnovers.
A. 2%
B. 5%
C. 16%
D. 58%
48. What is considered the necessary backwash rate to achieve proper agitation when backwashing sand filters?
A. 8 gpm/sf
B. 10 gpm/sf
C. 15 gpm/sf
D. 20 gpm/sf
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 10
49. A diatomaceous earth filter containing six diatomaceous earth leaf elements each measuring 4' x 2.5' will
provide for a filter area of .
A. 8' x 8'
B. 11'x 11'
C. 16' x 16'
D. 20' x 20'
50. A circular filter tank with a 3 foot diameter and a height of 4 feet, using a sand filter, will require a filter
surface area of square feet. Select the closest answer.
A. 4.71
B. 7.07
C. 9.42
D. 28.26
51. A rectangular swimming pool measuring 32' x 30', with an average water depth of 5' and a turnover rate of 6
hours, will have a flow rate of gallons per minute.
A. 100. 00
B. 114.00
C. 387.14
D. 598.40
52. A 32 foot diameter public swimming pool with a pump flow rate of 80 gpm and a 6' water depth will have a
turnover rate of hours. Select the closest answer.
A. 7.5
B. 8.2
C. 8.9
D. 10.0
53. How many square inches does a filtering system with six 10" diameter diatomaceous earth filter leaf
elements contain?
A. 471 square inches
B. 942 square inches
C. 1,884 square inches
D. 3,768 square inches
54. A public swimming pool with a filter area of 48 square feet and filter media rate of 2-1/2 gpm per square
foot of filter area will have a filter capacity of gallons. The required turnover rate for the pool is 6 hours.
A. 24.000
B. 36,000
C. 43,200
D. 44,400
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 11
55. A 34,000 gallon public swimming pool with a filter media rate of 2 gpm per square foot of filter area will
require a filter area of square feet. The required pool turnover rate is 6 hours.
A. 45 84
B. 47 22
C. 49.17
D. 51.04
56. According to the Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, what percentage of energy loss is caused by
evaporation?
A. 5%
B. 15 to 25%
C. 20 to 30%
D. 50%
57. According to the Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, a swimming pool with a pool capacity of 80,000
gallons and a required 8 hour turnover will have a flow rate of gpm.
A. 156
B. 167
C. 208
D. 222
58. In general, the finer the filter media is the more successful the filtering process. Sand filters, for example,
are than diatomaceous earth filters.
A. less effective
B. more effective
C. the same
D. 50% more effective
59. A rapid sand filter is designed with a filtering rate of 3 gpm per square foot. The square feet of filter surface
area required for a 40,000 gallon pool with an 8 hour turnover rate is:
A. 21.54 square feet
B. 24 47 square feet
C. 27 78 square feet
D. 37 04 square feet
60. According to the Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, to provide proper building protection and
comfort to users the humidity levels for indoor pools and spas should be maintained between
A. 20 to 40%
B. 30 to 50%
C. 40 to 60%
D. 50 to 70%
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 12
61. What is the process of replacing used diatomaceous earth powder with fresh powder called?
A. slurrying
B. backwashing
C. pre.coating
D. downwashing
62. Surface-type cartridges have a single layer of filter media made of attached in pleats to a
cylindrical or oval core.
A. synthetic fabrics
B. sand particles
C. natural fabrics
D. diatomaceous
63. According to the Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook. the sizing of pump piping should not exceed a
velocity of feet per second on the suction end.
A. 4
B. 6
C. 8
D. 10
64. is the most common disinfectant used in the treatment and sanitation of swimming pool
water.
A Chlorine
B. Bromine
C. Hypochlorous acid
D. Munatic acid
65. According to the Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, chlorine remaining or added after breakpoint is
reached exists as , and all the combined residual is oxidized.
A. breakpoint chlorine
B. oxidized chlorine
C. free residual chlorine
D. foul chlorine
66. According to the Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, the acceptable pH reading is:
A. 7 2 to 7 6
B. 7 0 to 7 8
C. 7 2 to 7 8
D. 7.2 to 8.0
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 13
67. When determining the degree of saturation and pool water the constant (12.1) includes a factor for Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS), assuming a value of less than 1,000 ppm TDS. When the TDS is found to be higher
(1,000-2,000 ppm) a value of should be used for the constant.
A. 12.2
B. 12 3
C. 12.4
D. 12.5
68. Given: a swimming pool has the following water analysis:
pH 7.2
Total alkalinity 50 ppm
Temperatute 94 F
Calcium hardness 150 ppm
Total dissolved solids less than 1,000 ppm
According to the Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, the pool water is:
A perfectly balanced
B. scale forming
C. corrosive
D. acidic
69. Water with a pH of less than 7.0 is said to be:
A. alkaline
B. saturated
C. acidic
D. lionized
70. According to the Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, the ideal level for total water alkalinity
is ppm
A. 80-120
B. 100-125
C. 125-150
D. 140-165
71. Spas and hot tubs require a higher level of chlorine than in swimming pools. The free available chlorine
concentration should be maintained at ppm with hourly checks during heavy use.
A. 2 0-4 0
B. 3 0-5.0
C. 4 0-6.0
D. 5 0-7.0
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 14
72. According to the Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, filtration and recirculation pumps should
operate hours continuously for public spas and therapy pools.
A. 8
B. 12
C. 18
D. 24
73. According to the Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, a spa with an 8' diameter, a water depth of 3 feet
and an average of 32 bathers per 24 hours, will have days before dumping.
A. 11 to 12
B. 13 to 14
C. 15 to 16
D. 17 to 18
74. A spa with a 10' diameter and a water depth of 2'-8" with a water temperature of 55 F will
require btu's of heat to raise the water temperature to 102'f
A. 230,502
B. 395,173
C. 430,642
D. 615,439
75. According to The Certified Pool Spa Operator Handbook, the amount of chlorine gas required to treat a
7,500 gallon swimming pool is ounces, using a chlorine gas dosage of 3. 5 ppm.
A. 1.0
B. 1.3
C. 34
D. 4 2
76. According to The Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, a pool blanket can reduce heating costs by:
A. 20% to 40%
B. 30% to 50%
C. 40% to 60%
D. 50% to 70%
77. A pool with a surface area of 1,800 sf closes at 9:30pm on Friday night. When it reopens on Tuesday
morning at 8:00am the water surface is 2.25" lower than it was when the pool dosed. Assuming all water lost
was through leakage, what is the loss to the pool in gallons per hour?
A. less than 28 gallons per hour
B. between 28 and 32 gallons per hour
C. between 32 and 36 gallons per hour
D. greater than 36 gallons per hour
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 15
78. The addition of Trichlor Tables to a swimming pool has what effect of the pH level?
A. raises pH
B. lowers pH
C. neutralizes pH
D. does not effect pH
79. Heat loss to the ground from a pool through its sides, bottom, pipes and filters is called .
A. radiation
B. conduction
C. convection
D. evaporation
80. Water clarity is measured in units of .
A. filter rates
B. mineral residue
C. turbidity
D. pH level
81. A valve has a vertical disc or wedge attached to a long threaded stem that when rotated
either seals or unblocks the flow of water.
A. gate
B. globe
C. check
D. butterfly
82. The maximum acceptable level of cyanuric-acid is .
A. 50 ppm
B. 100 ppm
C. 200 ppm
D. 300 ppm
83. What is the name of the area of a centrifugal pump that converts water energy from velocity to pressure?
A. piston
B. impeller
C. vacuum
D. volute
84. How much sodium bicarbonate should be added to a 2,000 gallon spa to increase the total alkalinity by
14ppm?
A. 392 oz
B. 3.92 oz
C. 6 27 oz
D. 52.7 oz
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 16
85. Pools of similar surface area located in the same geographical region, but with differing water depths will
have the same .
A. filtering system
B. chemical dosages
C. pumps
D. surface heat loss
86. A spa holds 900 gallons of 65 F water, Btu's will he required to heat the water to 105 F. Do
not include heat loss while bringing the spa up to temperature.
A. 300,000
B. 277,350
C. 225,000
D. 245,000
87. According to The Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, pressure head is calculated by multiplying the
psi by .
A. 2.31
B. 4.32
C. .231
D. .453
88. 1 pound per square inch (psi) is the pressure created by a column of water feet high.
A. 2.31
B. 1.131
C. .833
D. .432
89. In a pool containing 35,000 gallons which is 15 x 40 ft with the temp of 65 degrees F, BTU’s
would be required to raise the water temperature to 75 degrees F if the air temp is 65 degrees F.
A. 2,915,500
B. 2,921,000
C. 2,932,000
D. 2,943,000
90. To raise FC in a 20,000 gallon pool by 2.0 ppm would require ounces of calcium
hypochlorite.
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 17
91. Pool surface area accounts for percent of heat loss.
A. 50
B. 60
C. 75
D. 95
92. Green water that is transparent is usually due to .
A. copper ions in the water
B. precipitated ions
C. mustard algae
D. dissolved solids
93. If there are 5 bathers per day in a 700 gallon spa, in how many days will it be necessary to replace
the water?
A. 46
B. 180
C. 365
D. 234
94. You are hired as a contractor for a pool that is 200 feet long by 65 feet wide. The pool is divided into 2
sections, a swimming area & diving well. The swimming area is 65 feet wide and is 150 feet long. It has a depth
ranging from 3 ft to 5 ft. The remaining 50 feet has a constant depth of 18 feet. How many gallons are in this
pool?
A. 1,023.750
B. 731,250
C. 788.50
D. 8,675,309
95. A coagulation is the process of separating or precipitating in water.
A. solids suspended
B stains and scale
C. algae
D. phosphates
96. Pool water a temp of 75 degrees F is equal to Celsius.
A. 22.1
B. 23.1
C. 23.9
D. 24.5
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 18
97. Pool water a temp of degrees F is equal to 22 degrees Celsius.
A. 71.6
B. 72.8
C. 73.4
D. 74.1
98. A pool containing 18,500 gallons has an equal metric volume of liters.
A. 55,667
B. 64,444
C. 70,022
D. 86,140
99. The most widely accepted flow rate for rapid rate sand filters in a public pool is per sq. ft.
A. 1.5 gpm
B. 3 gpm
C. 4 gpm
D. 20 gpm
100. The flow requirement of a rapid rate sand filter during backwashing is gpm per sq. ft.
A. 5-8
B. 8-12
C. 12-15
D. 15-18
101. The backwash ratio for high rate sand filters is .
A. 1:1
B. 1:2
C. 1:3
D. 1:1/2
102. is the maximum flow rate per sq. ft. for both pressure and vacuum type DE filters in
public pools without slurry.
A. 1 gpm
B. 2 gpm
C. 2.5 gpm
D. 3 gpm
103. DE filters require pounds per each sq. ft. of surface area as a precoat.
A. 1
B. 1.5
C. .125
D. .15
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 19
104. To destroy harmful organisms in pool water, very often, local codes will specify a FC residual
of ppm.
A. 3-8
B. 3-3.5
C. 3.8-4.5
D.4.7-6.1
105. With an incident of diarrhea discharge in a pool, the free available chlorine should be raised to
____________ ppm.
A. 8
B. 10
C. 15
D. 20
106. Chlorine added after the breakpoint is reached will exist as .
A. free chlorine
B. chloramines
C. combined chlorine residual
D. hypochlorites
107. Sodium hypochlorite in its commercial form contains percent available chlorine.
A. 8-10
B. 10-12
C. 12-15
D. 15-20
108. Calcium hypochlorite contains percent available chlorine by weight.
A. 65
B. 60
C. 80
D. 95
109. Bromine is similar in many respects to chlorine, however, bromine cannot be used for .
A. stabilization
B. sanitation
C. cleaning
D. disinfectant
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 20
110. The solid chlorine compound which is used when a slow release of chlorine over time is desired is
called .
A. lithium hypochorite
B. sodium dichlor
C. dichlor
D. trichlor
111. Proper pH control of provides better chlorine efficiency.
A. 6.0-6.6
B. 6.6-7.2
C. 7.2-7.4
D. 7.6-8.4
112. Pool water with a TDS of 900 ppm, a temp of 75 degree F, a pH of 7.3, total alkalinity of 75 ppm, and
calcium hardness of 200 ppm will have a saturation index of .
A. -0.4
B. -0.3
C. 0.3
D. 0.4
113. It is essential to maintain total alkalinity at ppm in plaster pools.
A. 60-80
B. 80-120
C. 125-150
D. 150-200
114. To control scaling, pool water that exceeds ppm hardness should be diluted or replaced
with water of substantially lower hardness.
A. 200-400
B. 400-600
C. 600-800
D. 800-1000
115. According to the Certified Pool - Spa Operator Handbook, cyanuric acid levels shall not exceed local
health codes. In many cases the limit is ppm.
A. 30
B. 60
C. 40
D. 100
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 21
116. In determining cost for heating, it is best to size the heater to the number of gallons of water in the spa and
in the spa and to the desired temperature BTU will heat 1 gallon of water 1 degree F.
A. 7.48
B. 8.33
C. 8.94
D.9.84
117. A _________ is used to radiate the high temperature of the water and cool it enough to allow the remainder
of the circulation piping to the PVC. .
A. Heat sink
B. Bushing
C. Shaft seal
D. Bearing
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 22
ANSWER KEY
2012 2014
1. B 39 39
2. B 72 72
3. C 49 49
4. B 91 91
6. A) D 75 75
B) B 75 75
C) A 75 75
7. C 67 67
8. B 63 63
9. A 62 62
10. C 72 72
11. C 30 30
12. B 171 171
13. C 143 143
14. C 90 90
15. A 184 184
16. C 138 138
17. D 217 217
18. A 93 93
19. D 63 63
20. C 180 180
21. D 200 200
22. B 41 41
23. B 139 139
24. C 64 64
25. B 48 48
26. C 53 53
27. C 67 67
28. A 67 67
29. C 88 88
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 23
30. B 121 121
31. A 209 209
32. A) A 26 26
B) B 119 119
C) C 78 78
33. A) B 171 171
B) C 71 71
34. D 89 89
35. C 233 233
36. B 3 3
37. A 20 20
38. C 21 21
Solution: 7 48 x 8,33 = 62.31 (62.4)
39. B 21 21
40. C 42 42
Solution: 10 x CC where CC = TC - FC
10 x (2.4 - 1.3)
10 x 1.1 = 11 ppm
41. B 50, Table 5-2 50, Table 5-2
42. C 23 23
Solution: A= 3.14 x r x r
A = 3.14 x 12.5x 12.5 = 490.63
43 C 23 & 27 23&27
Solution: Volume (gals.) = 3.14 x r x r x depth x 7.50
Gals = 3 14 x 10x 10 x 5.33 x 7.50 = 12,552.15
44. C 22 22
Solution: Ave depth = 6 + 3 ÷ 2 = 4.5
vol.(gals )=LxWxDx 7.50
30 x 15 x 4 5 x 7.50 = 15,187.50
45. D 21, 23 & 27 21, 23 & 27
Solution.: Volume (lbs.) = 3 14 x r x r x depth x 62.4
lbs = 3 14 x 4 x 4 2.67 x 62.4 = 8,370.39
46. C 55 55
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 24
47. A 86 86
48. C 108 & 109 108 & 109
49. B 19 19
Solution: 4' x 2.5' x 6 elements x 2 sides -= 120 sq. ft of filter
surface area
120 = 10.95' = 11'
50. B 106 106
Solution: A=3.14 x r x r
A = 3.14 x 1 5 x 1.5 = 7.07 sq. ft
51. A 21 & 87 21 & 87
Solution: F. R = pool vol. (gals)
turnover time x 60
32 x 30 x 5 x 7.50 = 36 000 = 100.00 gpm
(6 x 60) 360
52. A 23 & 87 23 & 87
TR. = pool vol. (gals.) = 3.14 x 16x 16 x 6 x 7 50 =
F R. of pump x 60 80 gal. X 60
36, 172.8 = 7.54 hours
4,800
53. B 19 19
Solution: π x R x R x # sides x # leafs = Square inches
3.14 x 5 x 5 x 2 x 6= 942 square inches
54. C 87 & 105 87 & 105
Solution: Combine formula for Filter Area & Flow Rate, solving for Gallons (Volume)
Gallons = Turnover Rate x 60 x Filter Area x Filter Media Rate
Gallons = 6 x 60 x 48 x 2.5 = 43,200 gallons
55. B 87 & 105 87 & 105
Solution: Filter Area = volume (gals) + filter media + (Turnover Rate. x 60)
34,000 ÷ 2 ÷ (6 x 60)
34.000 ÷ 2 ÷ 360 = 47.22 sq. ft.
56. D 115 115
57. B 87 87
Solution: 80,000 - (8 x 60) = gpm
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 25
80,000 ÷ 480 = 166.67 gpm
58. A Trade Knowledge (137 -138) Trade Knowledge (137-138)
59. C 87 & 105 87 & 105
Solution: Filter Area = volume (gals) + filter media ÷ (Turnover Rate. x 60)
40,000 ÷ 3 ÷ (8 x 60)
40.000 ÷ 3 ÷ 480 = 27.78 sq. ft.
60. C 121 121
61. C 112 112
62. A 111 111
63. B 97 97
64. A 40 40
65. C 41 & 42 41 & 42
66. C 3 & 53 3 & 53
67. A 67, Illustration 6-7 67, Illustration 6-7
68. C 67, Illustration 6-8 67, Illustration 6-8
Solution: Formula = pH + TF + CF + AF - 12. 1
7.2 + .8 + 1.8+ 1,7 - 12.1 = -0.6
-0.6 = corrosive
69. C 234 234
70. A 55 55
71. B 169 169
72. D 168 168
73. A 23 & 172 23 & 172
Solution: Formula = volume (gals.) - 3
# of users/24 hours
3.14 x r x r x 3 x 7 50 ÷3= 3.14 x 4 x 4 x 3 x 7.50 ÷3= 11.78 days
32 32
74. D 21 & 23 21 & 23
Solution: Heater btu = volume (gals.) x 8.33 x temp. difference
3.14 x 5 x 5 x 2.67 x 7.50 x 8.33 x 47 = 615,439.04
75. C 224 224
1.3 oz x 3 5 ppm ÷ 10,000 gals. x 7,500 gals. = 3.41 oz .
76. D 116, 117 116, 117
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 26
77. B 23 23
Solution: 1,800sf x 2.25”÷ 12 = 337.50 cf x 7,50 gal/cf = 2,531.25 gallons
9:30pm Friday to 8:00am Tuesday = 82.50 hours
2,531 25 gallons - 82.50 hours = 30.68 gal/hr
78. B 46 46
79. B 116 116
80. C 104 104
81. A Trade Knowledge Trade Knowledge
82. B 45 45
83. D 93 93
84. C 224 & 227 224 & 227
Solution: 1.4 lbs to increase 10 ppm in 10,000 gal
1.4 lbs x 14 ppm ÷ 10ppm x 2,000 gal ÷ 10,000 gal = .392 lbs x 16 oz /lbs = 6.272 oz
85. D Trade Knowledge Trade Knowledge
86. A 157 157
Solution: BTU’s = Gallons x 8.33 x temp rise
900 x 8.33 x 40 = 299,880
87. A 127 & 267 127 & 267
88. A 25 25
89. A 157 157
90. D 72 72
91. A 152 152
92. A 78 78
93. A 171 171
Solution: Replacement Interval (days) = spa gals ÷ 3 ÷ users per day
700 ÷ 3 ÷ 5 = 46.6
94. B 28 28
Solution: 65 x 150(area) x 4(avg. depth) x 7.5 = 292,500
65 x 50 x 18 x 7.5= 438,750
292,500 + 438,750 = 731,250
95. A 283 283
96. C 25
1 Exam Prep – Certified Pool Operator Handbook 27
Solution: 0.5555555 X (75 -32) = 23.9 25
97. A 25 25
Solution: 1.8 x 22 + 32 = 71.6
98. C 25 25
Solution: 18,500 x 3.785 = 70,022.5
99. B 144 144
100. C 144 144
101. A 142 142
102. B 139 139
103. C 147 147
104. A 49 49
105. B 39 39
106. A 76 76
107. B 50 50
108. A 50 50
109. A 56 56
110. D 54 54
111. C 61 61
112. A 67 67
113. B 63 63
114. D 63-64 63-64
115. D 3 3
116. B 156-158 156-158
117. A