Florida Certified Commercial Pool/Spa Contractor Exam

A commercial pool shell interior is 40 ft by 75 ft with an average depth of 5 ft. What is the approximate water volume in gallons?

• A112,200 gal
• B150,000 gal
• C93,750 gal
• D112,500 gal

Per Florida Administrative Code 64E-9, a public pool must be immediately closed by the department when the pool water pH falls below which level?

• A7.0
• B7.2
• C6.8
• D7.4

Which NEC Article governs the installation of electric wiring and equipment in or adjacent to swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs?

• ANEC Article 430
• BNEC Article 680
• CNEC Article 250
• DNEC Article 514

A pump must turn over a 90,000-gallon commercial pool in 6 hours. What minimum flow rate is required?

• A250 gpm
• B150 gpm
• C300 gpm
• D540 gpm

Under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which device is mandated on all public pool suction outlets to prevent drain entrapment?

• AAnti-entrapment drain cover
• BSkimmer equalizer line
• CSkimmer weir
• DMain drain plug

A public pool has clouded to the point that the main drain grate can no longer be seen from the deck. Under Chapter 64E-9, F.A.C., what must the operator do?

• AClose the pool to bathers until filtration and treatment restore clarity, because losing…
• BKeep the pool open and post a sign advising bathers that visibility is reduced
• CKeep the pool open and station an additional lifeguard until the filter clears the water
• DKeep the pool open but restrict bathers to the shallow end where the bottom is still visi…

When sizing the bonding grid for a commercial pool, which component must be bonded to form a common equipotential plane under NEC 680.26?

• AAll metallic pool components, reinforcing steel, and the perimeter surface within 3 ft of…
• BOnly the pump motor frame
• COnly the underwater light fixtures
• DOnly the main drain cover

A rectangular commercial pool is 25 m long and 12 m wide with an average depth of 1.4 m. What is the surface area in square meters?

• A37 m²
• B300 m²
• C420 m²
• D178 m²

Which shotcrete placement method is most commonly specified for commercial pool shell construction to achieve the required structural strength?

• ADry-mix shotcrete (gunite)
• BWet-mix shotcrete
• CHand-applied mortar
• DCast-in-place concrete

On a commercial pool plan, the invert elevation of the main drain piping is shown as -4.50 ft and the hydraulic grade line at the pump is -2.00 ft. What is the static suction head in feet?

• A2.50 ft of head
• B6.50 ft of head
• C4.50 ft of head
• D2.00 ft of head

Per Florida Building Code, what is the maximum user load for a Class B public swimming pool when the deck area is at least twice the water surface area, in the deep area?

• A10 sq ft per user
• B15 sq ft per user
• C5 sq ft per user
• D20 sq ft per user

What is the required free chlorine residual range for a public swimming pool under Florida Administrative Code 64E-9?

• A1.0–10.0 ppm
• B0.5–2.0 ppm
• C2.0–10.0 ppm
• D3.0–5.0 ppm

A commercial pool requires 2.0 ppm of free chlorine and currently has 0.5 ppm. The pool holds 100,000 gallons. How many fluid ounces of 10% sodium hypochlorite are needed to raise chlorine to target? (1 fl oz of 10% bleach in 10,000 gal ≈ 6.5 ppm)

• A~23 fl oz
• B~46 fl oz
• C~12 fl oz
• D~230 fl oz

Per NEC Article 680, what is the maximum voltage between conductors at which an underwater luminaire in a permanently installed pool may operate?

• A120 volts
• B150 volts
• C300 volts
• D240 volts

When preparing a site for a commercial pool excavation, which document establishes the existing grade elevations and underground utility locations before digging?

• ASite survey and utility locate report
• BPool shop drawings only
• CPump performance curve
• DChemical feed chart

A 2-inch PVC return line runs 200 ft from the pump to the pool. If friction loss is roughly 2.4 ft of head per 100 ft at the design flow, what is the total friction head loss in that line?

• A4.8 ft
• B2.4 ft
• C24 ft
• D0.48 ft

What is the minimum concrete cover required over reinforcing steel in a shotcrete pool shell exposed to fresh water and placed against earth, per ACI standards adopted by reference?

• A1.5 in
• B2 in
• C3 in
• D0.75 in

Per Florida Building Code, deck slopes on a commercial pool deck shall drain away from the pool and shall not exceed which maximum slope?

• A1/4 in per foot (2%)
• B1/8 in per foot (1%)
• C1/2 in per foot (4%)
• D1 in per foot (8%)

After the cessation of water addition to a pool deck, no standing water shall remain deeper than which depth per ANSI/APSP-1, as referenced by the FBC?

• A1/4 in
• B1/2 in
• C1 in
• DNo limit

Which type of pump is most appropriate for a large commercial public pool requiring high flow at moderate head with energy efficiency?

• AVariable-speed pump
• BSingle-speed pump
• CBooster pump
• DSubmersible sump pump

When waste water from a public pool is discharged to a public sewer, which fitting is required on the lower terminus of the building drain per the Florida Building Code?

• A3-inch P-trap
• B2-inch cleanout
• C4-inch air gap
• D6-inch backwater valve

For a public spa with a non-adjustable surface skimming system, what is the maximum construction tolerance for the designed waterline at completion per ANSI/APSP-2?

• A± 1/8 in
• B± 1/4 in
• C± 1/2 in
• D± 1 in

The walls of a public wading pool shall not extend more than how many inches above the water line at any point per ANSI/APSP-1?

• A6 in
• B12 in
• C2 in
• D18 in

Which factor most directly raises total dynamic head (TDH) on a pool pump's suction side and must be accounted for in pump sizing?

• ALength and diameter of suction piping plus fittings
• BPool water temperature
• CChemical feeder flow rate
• DDepth of the deep end

On a pool plan, what does the symbol 'WL' inside a circle at the pool edge typically denote?

• AWaterline elevation
• BWet line location
• CWall light
• DWaste line

Which pool finish material provides the longest service life in a heavily used commercial public pool with high chemical demand?

• APebble or aggregate finish
• BWhite marcite
• CFiberglass gel coat
• DEpoxy paint

What is the primary function of a skimmer weir in a commercial pool circulation system?

• ARegulate flow of surface water into the skimmer
• BPrevent backflow from the pump to the pool
• CAdd chlorine automatically
• DFilter fine particulates

A commercial pool deck is 1,200 sq ft and the specified concrete yield is 80 sq ft per cubic yard at the placed thickness. How many cubic yards of concrete are required?

• A15 cu yd
• B12 cu yd
• C20 cu yd
• D8 cu yd

Under NEC 680.23(A)(3), branch circuits supplying underwater pool luminaires must be GFCI protected when the luminaires operate above what threshold?

• AThe low-voltage contact limit, which is 15 volts for sinusoidal alternating current
• B50 volts for sinusoidal alternating current
• CAny voltage at all, including listed 12-volt luminaires
• D120 volts only

When using a DE (diatomaceous earth) filter on a commercial pool, what is the correct procedure when backwashing is insufficient to restore flow?

• AOpen the filter, remove and clean the grids, and recharge with fresh DE
• BAdd more DE directly to the skimmer without cleaning
• CIncrease the pump speed to push through the clog
• DAdd a clarifier and ignore the filter

A pool's combined chlorine level reads 0.6 ppm and the free chlorine reads 2.0 ppm. What action is required to address the combined chlorine?

• ABreakpoint chlorinate to roughly 10× the combined chlorine level
• BDrain the pool completely
• CLower the pH below 7.0
• DIncrease the cyanuric acid to 100 ppm

Per OSHA 29 CFR 1926, what is the maximum allowable distance between a fixed ladder's rungs on a commercial pool construction site?

• A12 in
• B14 in
• C18 in
• D24 in

When installing tile at a commercial pool waterline, what is the minimum thinset or setting-bed bond strength typically required to resist chemical and thermal cycling?

• AA modified latex or polymer thinset meeting ANSI A118.4
• BPlain sand-cement mortar
• CMastic adhesive
• DConstruction adhesive

When setting a pool coping stone on a commercial pool beam, what minimum bearing on the bond beam is typically required for structural integrity?

• AFull bearing across the beam width
• B1 in of bearing only
• CNo bearing required
• DBearing on the tile only

Per NEC 680.21, what protection is required for branch-circuit conductors that supply a pool pump motor?

• AGFCI protection
• BTime-delay fuse only
• CSurge protector
• DNo special protection

Which backfill material is most appropriate around a commercial pool shell to maintain drainage and avoid hydrostatic pressure against the wall?

• AClean crushed stone or gravel
• BClay
• CSilty soil
• DConcrete fill

Per ANSI/APSP-1, what is the recommended water turnover period for a Class A public swimming pool?

• A6 hours or less
• B8 hours
• C4 hours
• D12 hours

A pool's main drain cover is rated for a maximum flow of 75 gpm. The pump's design flow is 90 gpm through that single drain. What is the correct response?

• AInstall a second drain cover or split the flow to keep drain velocity within rating
• BIncrease pump speed to push past the rating
• CRemove the drain cover to reduce resistance
• DIgnore the rating because the cover is VGB-compliant

A pool's deep end is 8 ft and the shallow end is 3 ft, both rectangular in profile 50 ft long. What is the average depth used for volume calculations?

• A5.5 ft
• B4 ft
• C6.5 ft
• D11 ft

Under NEC 680.10, where may underground wiring that does not serve pool equipment be routed relative to a permanently installed pool?

• ANot under the pool and not within 5 ft horizontally of the inside wall of the pool
• BAnywhere, provided the conductors are installed in PVC conduit
• CDirectly beneath the pool shell if buried at least 12 in deep
• DWithin 1 ft of the pool wall as long as the circuit is GFCI protected

Which filter type achieves the finest filtration of particulates in a commercial pool system?

• ADiatomaceous earth (DE) filter
• BHigh-rate sand filter
• CCartridge filter
• DLeaf strainer

A 1.5 HP pump operates at 3,450 rpm with an impeller sized for 80 gpm. If the impeller is trimmed to reduce flow by 20%, what is the new approximate flow rate?

• A64 gpm
• B80 gpm
• C96 gpm
• D40 gpm

What is the function of a hydrostatic relief valve installed in a commercial pool shell?

• AAllow groundwater pressure under the shell to equalize and prevent uplift
• BDrain the pool water during closure
• CAdd chlorine automatically
• DRelieve excess filter pressure

What total alkalinity range is generally recommended for a commercial pool to buffer pH changes?

• A80–120 ppm
• B20–40 ppm
• C200–300 ppm
• D500–1000 ppm

Per Florida Building Code, what is the minimum depth of water required in a public pool before a diving board or platform may be installed?

• APer NSPI-3 / ANSI diving envelope, typically 8 ft+ at the diving point
• B5 ft anywhere
• C4 ft anywhere
• DNo depth requirement

Which code references the minimum dimensions and construction of a public pool's recirculation, filtration, and disinfection systems in Florida?

• AFlorida Administrative Code 64E-9
• BNEC Article 680
• CFlorida Statute 489
• DANSI/APSP-3

Freeboard is the vertical distance between the operating waterline and the deck elevation. If a commercial pool is designed with the waterline set 3 in below the deck, what is the freeboard?

• A3 in
• B6 in
• C1 in
• D12 in