Florida Certified Pollutant Storage Systems Contractor Exam

Before installing a regulated underground storage tank system in Florida, the contractor must register the tank system with which agency?

• AFlorida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
• BFlorida DBPR Bureau of Education and Testing
• CU.S. EPA Region 4 directly
• DThe local fire marshal only

During pre-installation site preparation, what must be verified to confirm a storage tank system is sited an adequate distance from a public drinking water well?

• AConsult the approved site plan and FDEP setback requirements before excavation
• BMeasure only the distance shown on the delivery ticket
• CRely on the manufacturer's tank drawing for clearances
• DUse the property line setback required for building fences

Under Florida's storage tank rules, an underground storage tank (UST) becomes regulated when its storage capacity exceeds which threshold?

• A110 gallons
• B550 gallons
• C1,000 gallons
• D5,000 gallons

A 12,000-gallon underground storage tank is 8 feet in diameter. What is the minimum length of a cylindrical tank of this diameter needed to hold this volume?

• AAbout 31.8 feet
• BAbout 47.7 feet
• CAbout 23.9 feet
• DAbout 16.0 feet

Which substance, when stored, makes a tank system a regulated pollutant storage system under Florida statute?

• AAny regulated substance as defined in F.A.C. Chapter 62-761, including petroleum products
• BOnly potable water for domestic use
• COnly liquid food-grade products
• DOnly compressed natural gas in cylinders

When planning an underground storage tank installation, what determines whether the system must be designed and installed under the direction of a Corrosion Professional?

• AUse of corrosion protection systems with vapor corrosion inhibitors registered under Rule…
• BThe contractor's preference based on cost
• CWhether the tank color matches the site
• DThe size of the dispensers

What is the minimum experience generally required to qualify for Florida certification as a pollutant storage systems contractor without board review?

• A4 years of experience, including at least 1 year as a foreman
• B1 year of experience with no foreman requirement
• C10 years of experience as a journeyman
• DA 4-year college degree in any field with no trade experience

When unloading a fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) underground storage tank from a delivery truck, what handling practice is required?

• AUse the manufacturer-designated lift points or a spreader bar; do not wrap chains around…
• BWrap a chain around the tank middle and lift from a single point
• CDrag the tank off the truck onto the ground to save time
• DLift only by the fitting openings on the top of the tank

Upon receiving a new steel underground storage tank at the job site, what must the contractor do before lowering it into the excavation?

• AInspect the tank and its coating for shipping damage and verify the cathodic protection c…
• BApply a fresh coat of field paint over the manufacturer's coating
• CFill the tank with water to confirm it is watertight
• DRemove the factory-applied cathodic protection anodes to inspect the shell

When lifting a steel underground storage tank equipped with factory-installed sacrificial anodes, what precaution protects the cathodic protection system during the lift?

• ADo not use anodes or continuity wires as lifting points, and avoid striking them with rig…
• BLift the tank by looping slings around the anode connecting wires
• CLift the tank using the test station terminal box as a hoist point
• DRemove the anodes before lifting and reinstall them after placement

If a fiberglass underground storage tank cannot be installed immediately after delivery, how should it be stored on site?

• APlace it on smooth, padded supports spaced per the manufacturer's instructions, away from…
• BRest it directly on uneven concrete blocks
• CStack it on top of another tank to save space
• DLeave it on the truck trailer with no chocks or tie-downs

When maneuvering a coated steel tank near rigid equipment, which contact risk is most critical to avoid because it compromises the corrosion barrier?

• AAbrasion or impact that gouges the shop-applied exterior coating down to bare steel
• BMinor dust accumulation on the outer surface
• CBrief contact with shade fabric during hot weather
• DContact with the contractor's gloves during hand positioning

Before excavation for an underground storage tank in Florida, which utility notification service must be contacted to mark underground lines?

• ASunshine 811, at least two business days before digging
• BThe Florida Department of Transportation only
• CThe equipment rental company
• DNo notification is required on private commercial property

According to OSHA, what is the primary means of protecting workers in an excavation deeper than 5 feet from a cave-in?

• ASloping, shoring, shielding, or other approved protective system
• BPosting warning signs at the trench edge
• CRequiring hard hats only
• DLimiting time in the trench to 15 minutes

When the excavation for an underground tank extends below the seasonal high water table, what must the contractor plan for before placing the tank?

• ADewatering and anti-flotation anchoring to prevent the empty tank from floating
• BFlooding the excavation to equalize hydrostatic pressure during placement
• CAdding steel reinforcement to the tank shell
• DInstalling a larger diameter tank to displace more water

What is the function of a shoring system such as trench boxes or hydraulic shores during tank excavation?

• APrevent the excavation walls from collapsing onto workers inside the trench
• BKeep the excavation dry by sealing out groundwater
• CProvide a path for cathodic protection current to reach the tank
• DSupport the tank's weight after installation

Why is the bearing capacity of the soil at the bottom of the excavation critical before placing a tank and backfill?

• AInsufficient bearing capacity can cause the tank to settle, stressing piping and potentia…
• BBearing capacity determines the tank's storage volume
• CBearing capacity sets the required cathodic protection current
• DBearing capacity controls the tank's vapor pressure

A rectangular excavation for an underground tank is 12 feet wide, 14 feet deep, and 40 feet long. What is the excavation volume in cubic yards?

• AAbout 249 cubic yards
• BAbout 747 cubic yards
• CAbout 83 cubic yards
• DAbout 31 cubic yards

When excavating near existing underground utilities, what separation practice protects both the utility and the new tank system?

• AMaintain required clearance and hand-dig within the utility tolerance zone
• BUse a backhoe to within 6 inches of the marked utility line
• CInstall the tank directly over the utility to share the trench
• DIgnore markings older than 30 days

Spoil from a tank excavation should be kept back from the excavation edge primarily to:

• AAvoid surcharging the trench wall and reduce the risk of a cave-in
• BProvide room to park the delivery truck
• CSpeed up evaporation of groundwater
• DImprove the appearance of the job site

An empty 10,000-gallon cylindrical steel tank is 8 feet in diameter and 32 feet long, fully submerged in a saturated excavation. Using water at 62.4 lb/ft³, what is the approximate buoyant force resisting uplift?

• AAbout 100,500 lb
• BAbout 62,400 lb
• CAbout 31,200 lb
• DAbout 6,240 lb

What purpose does a clean, compacted bedding layer at the bottom of the excavation serve for an underground tank?

• AProvides a uniform, cushioned surface that supports the tank and protects the coating fro…
• BProvides cathodic protection current to the tank shell
• CSeals the excavation from all groundwater
• DMeasures the tank's leak rate

What is the primary purpose of anchoring an underground storage tank with hold-down straps and deadmen?

• AResist hydrostatic uplift so the empty tank does not float out of the excavation
• BIncrease the tank's storage capacity
• CSpeed the flow of product through dispensers
• DImprove cathodic protection current distribution

Which type of anchor is commonly embedded in the excavation bottom or walls and used with tie-down straps to resist tank uplift?

• AReinforced concrete deadmen cast or placed in the excavation
• BAluminum sheet piling left in place permanently
• CWood timbers wired to the tank shell
• DPlastic cable ties looped through fittings

When installing hold-down straps over a coated steel tank, what must be placed between the strap and the tank shell?

• ADielectric or cushioning material to protect the coating and prevent metal-to-metal conta…
• BA thin film of lubricant to allow the strap to slide
• CNothing; bare steel straps are acceptable
• DA layer of backfill soil

What is the function of a thrust block at a directional change in underground piping?

• AResist the hydraulic thrust that can move fittings and cause a release at bends and tees
• BProvide cathodic protection to the fitting
• CDetect leaks in the pipe segment
• DMeasure the flow rate through the fitting

What type of foundation is typically required for an aboveground storage tank to support its full liquid load?

• AA reinforced concrete pad or engineered ringwall designed for the tank's loaded weight an…
• BA loose bed of uncompacted sand
• CWooden cribbing stacked under the tank
• DNo foundation; the tank rests directly on the native soil

An empty cylindrical steel tank is 6 feet in diameter and 24 feet long, buried in saturated soil. Neglecting the tank's own weight, what minimum uplift resistance must the anchorage provide to prevent flotation? (Use water at 62.4 lb/ft³.)

• AAbout 42,300 lb
• BAbout 21,200 lb
• CAbout 10,600 lb
• DAbout 84,700 lb

What is the purpose of neoprene or rubber isolation pads placed between an aboveground tank and its steel support saddles?

• APrevent abrasion and crevice corrosion between the tank shell and the support
• BProvide electrical grounding of the tank
• CDetect leaks under the tank
• DReduce the tank's surface area exposed to weather

What type of backfill material is generally required around an underground storage tank?

• AClean, well-graded granular material such as sand or pea gravel placed and compacted in l…
• BNative clay excavated from the hole, placed in one lift
• CCrushed concrete rubble with sharp edges
• DOrganic topsoil compacted around the shell

Why is backfill placed and compacted in lifts rather than dumped in a single pour around the tank?

• ALift placement achieves uniform density and prevents voids that could settle and damage p…
• BIt allows the contractor to charge more for labor time
• CLifts reduce the total volume of backfill needed
• DSingle-pour placement produces a higher final density

What backfill problem is most likely to cause frost heave damage to a shallow underground tank system in a cold exposure?

• AFine-grained, moisture-retentive backfill that freezes and expands against the tank and p…
• BFree-draining granular backfill that does not hold water
• CBackfill compacted to the specified Proctor density
• DBackfill placed in uniform lifts

A backfill specification requires 95% of the maximum standard Proctor density. A field test reports 118.5 lb/ft³ at the moisture content, and the lab maximum Proctor density is 124.0 lb/ft³. Does the field density meet the specification?

• AYes, the relative compaction is about 95.6%, which meets the 95% requirement
• BNo, the relative compaction is about 92.5%, which fails the 95% requirement
• CYes, the relative compaction is about 100%, which exceeds the requirement
• DNo, the relative compaction is about 90.0%, which fails the requirement

When backfilling around an underground tank, why must material be placed and compacted evenly on both sides of the tank in roughly equal lifts?

• ATo keep the tank from rolling or shifting laterally as one side is loaded more than the o…
• BTo reduce the total backfill quantity required
• CBecause uneven compaction improves drainage
• DTo allow the tank to expand under product load

What is the recommended minimum depth of clean backfill cover over the top of an underground storage tank and piping to provide protection from surface loads, unless otherwise engineered?

• ATypically about 24 to 36 inches of compacted backfill over the tank crown
• BNo cover is needed if the tank is fiberglass
• CSix inches of any soil is sufficient
• DOnly the asphalt pavement layer, with no subgrade

What practice is required when backfilling the haunch area (the curved underside of the tank) to ensure full support?

• AWork the granular material under the haunches by hand or vibration to eliminate voids
• BLeave the haunch area open for drainage
• CFill the haunch only with native clay to save material
• DSkip haunch compaction because the tank weight will settle the soil

What must be excluded from the backfill placed around a coated steel or fiberglass tank?

• ARocks, debris, frozen clods, organic matter, and construction trash
• BClean sand and pea gravel only
• CCompacted lifts meeting Proctor density
• DMaterial placed in uniform layers

A 1,000-foot run of 3-inch inner-diameter pressurized product piping holds product. What is the approximate volume of product in the line, in gallons? (1 ft³ = 7.48 gal.)

• AAbout 366 gallons
• BAbout 122 gallons
• CAbout 48 gallons
• DAbout 1,830 gallons

In a cold-climate installation, what backfill detail helps prevent frost heave from lifting shallow product piping?

• ABury piping below the frost line and use free-draining granular backfill that does not re…
• BUse native clay backfill to hold the pipe in place
• CPlace the piping as shallow as possible to keep it warm
• DAdd water to the backfill to freeze it solid around the pipe

After lowering an underground storage tank into the excavation, what must be verified before any backfill is placed?

• AThe tank is level within the manufacturer's tolerance and at the correct elevation and or…
• BThe tank has been painted the final site color
• CThe dispensers are already installed and energized
• DThe backfill has been completely delivered to the edge of the excavation

When connecting underground piping to the tank entry fitting, what sealing component is typically installed between the pipe and the tank manway?

• AAn elastomeric boot or bellow secured with clamps and sealant per the manufacturer
• BA rigid steel nipple welded directly to the manway
• CAn unsealed slip-fit coupling
• DA threaded steel bushing sealed with pipe dope

What is the purpose of the spill containment manhole (sump) installed at the tank fill connection?

• ACapture small spills that occur during delivery connect/disconnect at the fill connection
• BProvide primary containment for the entire tank contents
• CDetect leaks from the tank bottom
• DPressurize the tank for tightness testing

When installing a drop tube inside a tank fill riser, what is the drop tube's primary function?

• ADeliver product below the tank's normal liquid level to reduce static-generation and spla…
• BVent vapors from the tank headspace to atmosphere
• CMeasure the tank's product level
• DProvide cathodic protection to the tank bottom

What must be verified when installing a liquid-tight interstitial monitoring sump on a double-wall tank?

• AThe sump is sealed to the tank manway with no breaches that would allow surface water to…
• BThe sump must be left open at the top for ventilation
• CThe sump must be filled with product to detect leaks
• DThe sump should be omitted on double-wall tanks

What is the maximum allowable pitch or tilt of a set underground storage tank relative to manufacturer specifications, beyond which the installation must be corrected?

• AGenerally about 1 inch over the tank length, or as the manufacturer specifies, to keep su…
• BUp to 12 inches in any direction
• CAny pitch is acceptable if the tank holds product
• DUp to 6 inches per foot of tank length

Where should an interstitial monitoring probe be installed in a double-wall underground tank?

• AIn the lowest point of the interstice, where a released liquid would first collect
• BAt the highest point of the interstice
• COutside the tank in the dispenser sump only
• DIn the vent line

Before backfilling and connecting dispensers, what test is typically performed on a new underground storage tank to confirm it is structurally sound and leak-free?

• AA hydrostatic or pneumatic tightness test to the manufacturer's specified test pressure,…
• BAn electrical continuity test of the cathodic protection wiring
• CA 30-day product fill with monitored dispensing
• DA visual inspection only