Florida Certified Swimming Pool/Spa Servicing Contractor Exam

What is the accepted ideal pH range for a swimming pool as published in the Pool & Spa Operator Handbook?

• A7.2 to 7.4
• B7.4 to 7.6
• C7.6 to 7.8
• D7.8 to 8.0

Which range is the recommended total alkalinity (TA) for a plaster-surfaced pool?

• A60 to 80 ppm
• B80 to 120 ppm
• C120 to 150 ppm
• D150 to 200 ppm

The recommended calcium hardness range for a typical plaster pool is:

• A100 to 200 ppm
• B200 to 400 ppm
• C400 to 600 ppm
• D600 to 800 ppm

What is the commonly recommended cyanuric acid (stabilizer) range for outdoor chlorine pools?

• A10 to 20 ppm
• B30 to 50 ppm
• C80 to 100 ppm
• D120 to 150 ppm

Which chlorine species is the active sanitizer formed when chlorine dissolves in pool water?

• ASodium chloride
• BCalcium hypochlorite
• CHypochlorous acid
• DCyanuric acid

Combined chlorine is best described as:

• AFree chlorine plus total chlorine
• BChlorine that has reacted with ammonia or nitrogen compounds to form chloramines
• CChlorine bound to calcium in hard water
• DChlorine stabilized by cyanuric acid

The strong chlorine odor and bather eye irritation commonly blamed on "too much chlorine" are actually caused by:

• AFree chlorine levels above 3 ppm
• BChloramines (combined chlorine) in the water and air
• CCyanuric acid above 50 ppm
• DTotal alkalinity above 120 ppm

A servicing contractor tests a pool at 3.0 ppm total chlorine and 1.2 ppm free chlorine. What should the operator do, and why?

• ASuperchlorinate past breakpoint, because the 1.8 ppm gap is combined chlorine that has to…
• BTake no action, because total chlorine of 3.0 ppm confirms the pool is adequately sanitiz…
• CAdd cyanuric acid, because combined chlorine shows the stabilizer level has fallen too low
• DLower total alkalinity, because chloramines form when the water is over-buffered

Which chemical is added to raise pH without significantly raising total alkalinity?

• ASodium bicarbonate
• BSodium carbonate (soda ash)
• CCalcium chloride
• DCyanuric acid

To lower both pH and total alkalinity, the standard service chemical is:

• ASodium bisulfate or muriatic acid
• BSoda ash
• CSodium bicarbonate
• DCalcium hypochlorite

A service tech needs to raise total alkalinity with minimal pH change. The correct choice is:

• ASodium bicarbonate
• BSodium carbonate
• CMuriatic acid
• DCalcium chloride

Which chemical is used to raise calcium hardness?

• ASodium bicarbonate
• BCalcium chloride
• CSoda ash
• DSodium bisulfate

Cyanuric acid in an outdoor chlorine pool functions primarily to:

• ARaise the pH
• BIncrease total alkalinity
• CProtect free chlorine from UV degradation
• DConvert combined chlorine to free chlorine

Using standard saturation index chemistry, a pool with pH 7.6, TA 100 ppm, CH 250 ppm, TDS 1000 ppm, and water temperature 80 F is most likely to:

• ACorrode metal and etch plaster
• BBe in balance (near-zero LSI)
• CDeposit calcium scale
• DDrop free chlorine to zero

A rectangular pool is 30 ft long, 15 ft wide, and averages 5 ft deep. Approximately how many gallons does it hold?

• A8,438 gal
• B16,875 gal
• C33,750 gal
• D67,500 gal

A pool holds 20,000 gal and the service target is to raise free chlorine by 5 ppm using sodium hypochlorite (10% available chlorine). About how many fluid ounces are needed? (1 ppm in 10,000 gal needs about 13 fl oz of 10% bleach.)

• A13 fl oz
• B26 fl oz
• C52 fl oz
• D130 fl oz

A pump delivers 60 gpm to a 24,000-gal pool. What is the turnover time?

• A2 hours
• B4 hours
• C6.7 hours
• D10 hours

Bromine is preferred over chlorine in hot spas largely because bromine:

• AHas no odor at any concentration
• BRemains effective at high pH and reactivates from bromamines
• CCannot form disinfection byproducts
• DIs unaffected by cyanuric acid

Which algae type appears as yellow-green dust on pool surfaces and is often mistaken for dirt or pollen?

• AGreen algae
• BMustard algae
• CBlack algae
• DPink algae

Black algae are difficult to eradicate because they:

• AFloat on the surface and evade chlorine
• BForm protective layers with roots penetrating plaster
• CCannot be brushed off the surface
• DThrive only in cold water

Which test reagent is used for pH in standard pool test kits?

• ADPD
• BPhenol red
• COTO
• DCyanuric acid

Which test method differentiates free and combined chlorine by titration or colorimetry?

• AOTO
• BDPD
• CPhenol red
• DTDS meter

Reagent test kits should be stored:

• AIn a truck toolbox exposed to sun and heat
• BCool, dark, and away from chlorine and other chemicals
• CIn the pool equipment room next to the chlorinator
• DIn a freezer to extend shelf life

Mixing two pool chemicals directly, especially chlorine and acid, can produce:

• AIncreased free chlorine residual
• BA violent reaction releasing toxic chlorine gas
• CSodium bicarbonate
• DCyanuric acid

Which sanitizer is a stabilized, slow-dissolving solid typically fed in an in-line erosion feeder?

• ACalcium hypochlorite
• BSodium hypochlorite
• CTrichlor (trichloroisocyanuric acid)
• DLithium hypochlorite

Which chlorine source is calcium-based, granular, and tends to raise both pH and calcium hardness?

• ASodium hypochlorite
• BCalcium hypochlorite
• CTrichlor
• DLithium hypochlorite

A salt chlorine generator produces chlorine by:

• ADissolving trichlor tablets in a brine chamber
• BElectrolysis of dissolved sodium chloride to produce hypochlorous acid
• CAdding muriatic acid to sodium hypochlorite
• DPassing current through calcium hypochlorite

High copper or iron levels in pool water most commonly cause:

• AGreen algae blooms
• BColored staining on surfaces and a tint to the water
• CHigh total alkalinity
• DReduced calcium hardness

Which condition most strongly indicates the need for a sequestering or chelating agent?

• AFree chlorine above 3 ppm
• BDiscolored water and metal stains after a low-pH episode
• CTotal alkalinity at 100 ppm
• DCyanuric acid at 40 ppm

Total dissolved solids (TDS) primarily matters in a service pool because:

• AIt raises pH directly
• BHigh TDS slows chlorine effectiveness and signals water replacement
• CIt controls calcium hardness
• DIt stabilizes cyanuric acid

When adding muriatic acid to a pool, the correct procedure is to:

• APour it quickly over the deck and rinse with a hose
• BDilute it and add slowly to deep water with the pump running
• CAdd it directly into the skimmer while the pump is off
• DBroadcast it across the surface from a height

Phenol red pH test results are interfered with when:

• ATotal alkalinity is at 100 ppm
• BBromine or high sanitizer levels are present, producing false color
• CCalcium hardness is between 200 and 400 ppm
• DCyanuric acid is 30 ppm

Which factor does NOT raise the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) toward scaling?

• AHigher pH
• BHigher calcium hardness
• CHigher water temperature
• DLower total alkalinity

Chlorine demand in pool water is best defined as:

• AThe amount of free chlorine currently in the water
• BThe amount of chlorine consumed by contaminants before a residual remains
• CThe cyanuric acid level that protects chlorine
• DThe combined chlorine residual

A 15,000-gal pool has TA 180 ppm. About how many fluid ounces of muriatic acid (31.45%) are needed to drop TA by 30 ppm? (Service rule: 25 fl oz of 31.45% acid in 10,000 gal lowers TA by about 10 ppm.)

• AAbout 38 fl oz
• BAbout 75 fl oz
• CAbout 112 fl oz
• DAbout 150 fl oz

Which PVC joining technique is required for pressurized pool return lines?

• AThreaded fittings only
• BSolvent welding with primer and cement
• CMechanical compression couplings
• DPush-fit connectors

A 2-inch PVC suction line carries 50 gpm. About what is the water velocity in ft/s? (2-in PVC ID ~2.07 in; area ~0.0231 sq ft; 1 gpm = 0.002228 cfs.)

• AAbout 2.4 ft/s
• BAbout 4.8 ft/s
• CAbout 6.0 ft/s
• DAbout 9.6 ft/s

When solvent-welding PVC, primer is applied before cement primarily to:

• ALubricate the joint for easier insertion
• BClean, soften, and prepare the pipe surface for the cement
• CSeal the joint against leaks
• DColor-code the joint for inspection

A check valve in a pool system is used to:

• ARegulate pump pressure
• BAllow flow in only one direction and prevent backflow
• CMix air into the return line
• DIncrease water velocity

VGB-compliant dual main drains must be installed so that:

• AThey are at least 3 ft apart and cannot be isolated independently
• BThey share one pipe with no separation
• CThey operate at a higher velocity than a single drain
• DThey are covered by a single large grate

Total dynamic head (TDH) on a pool pump is best described as:

• AThe water temperature at the pump inlet
• BThe sum of static lift and all friction losses in the system
• CThe pump's electrical draw
• DThe pump's horsepower rating

After a plumbing repair, the system should be pressure tested at approximately:

• A5 psi for 5 minutes
• B10-15 psi above normal operating pressure for at least 15-30 minutes
• C100 psi for 1 minute
• DThe pump's maximum pressure for 1 hour

A service pool requires a 6-hour turnover. The pool holds 18,000 gal. What minimum flow rate must the pump deliver?

• A30 gpm
• B50 gpm
• C60 gpm
• D100 gpm

A pump runs but produces little flow and the strainer basket remains full of air. The most likely cause is:

• AA closed return valve
• BAn air leak on the suction side of the pump
• CAn oversized impeller
• DHigh total alkalinity

Backwashing a sand filter is appropriate when:

• AFree chlorine reaches 3 ppm
• BThe pressure gauge rises 8-10 psi above clean operating pressure
• CTotal alkalinity is low
• DThe pump motor is hot

A pool deck section is 20 ft long and 10 ft wide. At 0.25 in per foot of slope for drainage, the drop across the 10-ft width is approximately:

• A0.25 in
• B2.5 in
• C5.0 in
• D25 in