Florida Certified Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor Exam

Under Florida's Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act (Chapter 556), who must contact Sunshine 811 before beginning subsurface excavation?

• AOnly the property owner on whose land the work occurs
• BAny excavator performing covered digging operations, including augering, boring, trenchin…
• COnly licensed underground utility contractors; homeowners are exempt
• DOnly general contractors with projects exceeding $25,000 in value

How far in advance of a planned dig must an excavator notify Sunshine 811 under Chapter 556, Florida Statutes?

• AAt least 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays
• BTwo full business days, not including the date of the request
• CFive calendar days in all circumstances
• DTwelve hours for emergency repairs only

What is the tolerance zone established under Chapter 556, Florida Statutes, for excavation near a marked underground facility?

• A12 inches measured horizontally from the centerline of the mark
• B24 inches measured from the outside edge of the facility on either side
• C36 inches measured from the locate flag placed at the surface
• D6 inches measured from the painted line regardless of pipe size

On a utility locate marking plan, what does the color white indicate under the APWA uniform color code?

• AProposed excavation route or limits
• BPotable water lines
• CCommunication, alarm, or signal lines
• DReclaimed or irrigation water lines

Which APWA uniform color code marks a buried sanitary sewer line?

• AGreen
• BYellow
• CRed
• DPink

Before earthwork begins, who is responsible for classifying the soil on an excavation site for the purpose of selecting an OSHA protective system?

• AThe site geotechnical engineer listed on the soils report
• BA competent person on site who is trained to identify soil types and excavation hazards
• CThe project building official at permit issuance
• DThe equipment operator based on the first bucket of material removed

On a utility plan set, the term "invert elevation" refers to which of the following?

• AThe top of pipe elevation at the upstream end of a run
• BThe inside bottom elevation of a pipe at a given station, used to establish flow line and…
• CThe outside diameter of the pipe at its deepest point
• DThe finished ground elevation directly above the pipe crown

A trench is to be excavated 400 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 5 feet deep in firm, dry soil. Approximately how many cubic yards of soil will be removed, ignoring swell?

• AAbout 66 cubic yards
• BAbout 222 cubic yards
• CAbout 600 cubic yards
• DAbout 2,000 cubic yards

Which erosion-control measure is most appropriate to slow runoff and trap sediment along the downslope edge of a disturbed trench right-of-way before a rain event?

• AA solid concrete curb poured at the trench edge
• BA silt fence installed on the contour along the toe of the disturbed area
• CA permanent asphalt berm placed over the trench line
• DA perimeter chain-link fence wrapped in polyethylene sheeting

When groundwater is encountered in a trench at or above the bottom of the excavation, what is the primary reason to maintain dewatering during pipe installation?

• AIt reduces the labor cost of placing bedding material
• BIt prevents washout of bedding, maintains a stable bearing surface for the pipe, and allo…
• CIt allows the crew to skip the hydrostatic test because the trench is already saturated
• DIt eliminates the need for shoring because the soil is fully saturated and self-supporting

A shop drawing submitted by a pipe supplier differs from the project plan invert at a manhole connection. What is the correct action before installation proceeds?

• AInstall per the shop drawing because the supplier's fabrication takes precedence
• BResolve the discrepancy with the engineer of record and install only after an approved re…
• CAverage the two elevations and proceed to maintain the schedule
• DInstall per the plan and ignore the shop drawing discrepancy

Which pre-installation step is the most direct way to confirm the location and depth of an existing utility crossing the proposed trench alignment when the One-Call marks are within the tolerance zone?

• AProbe with a steel bar at the marked line until contact is felt
• BHand-excavate or vacuum excavate test holes, known as potholing, to physically expose the…
• CRely on the inspector's memory of prior installations on the street
• DAdvance the trencher slowly and stop if the operator hears contact

Which reference is the primary code source for plumbing-related provisions that crossover onto the Florida Underground Utility Trade Knowledge exam?

• AFlorida Building Code, Plumbing, 2023
• BInternational Plumbing Code 2021 as adopted without amendments
• CAWWA M9 Manual for Concrete Pressure Pipe
• DNFPA 70 National Electrical Code

When storing PVC pipe on the job site before installation, which practice protects the pipe from damage and UV degradation?

• AStacking it in direct sunlight without cover to allow UV hardening
• BStoring on flat, well-drained ground, away from heat sources and ideally shaded or tarped…
• CBurying it temporarily in the trench spoil pile to keep it cool
• DLeaning it vertically against heavy equipment for support

What does a Proctor test determine for the purposes of trench backfill compaction?

• AThe maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of a given soil at which compaction…
• BThe minimum cover required over a flexible pipe to handle traffic loads
• CThe pipe deflection percentage under dead load alone
• DThe California bearing ratio of the subgrade beneath the pipe bedding

OSHA requires that excavated spoil and other material be kept a minimum horizontal distance from the edge of a trench. What is that minimum, and why is it required?

• AAt least 1 foot, to keep spoil off the trench padding
• BAt least 2 feet, to prevent spoil from falling or rolling back into the trench onto worke…
• CAt least 6 feet, to allow equipment access along both sides
• DAt least 10 feet, to reduce vibration loading on the trench walls

A proposed sewer lateral runs 250 feet between two manholes with an invert drop of 1.25 feet from upstream to downstream. What is the slope of the line in percent?

• A0.20 percent
• B0.50 percent
• C1.25 percent
• D5.00 percent

A contractor is laying out a new water main and needs to transfer a known elevation from a project benchmark to the trench. What surveying instrument is most commonly used to establish the pipe inverts from the benchmark?

• AA theodolite set on a tribrach over the benchmark
• BAn automatic or laser level with a graduated rod
• CA metal detector swept along the proposed alignment
• DA magnetic compass referenced to the plan north arrow

A batter board and string line are set up across a trench. What is the primary purpose of this layout tool during pipe installation?

• ATo brace the trench walls against cave-in while the pipe is placed
• BTo provide a reference line at a known offset and elevation so the crew can check alignme…
• CTo suspend the pipe in midair while joints are made
• DTo mark the location of buried utilities crossing the trench

On a project plan, a benchmark is described with a known elevation and location. What is the benchmark's role during underground utility installation?

• AIt is the reference point of known elevation from which all pipe inverts and structure to…
• BIt is the required depth at which all utility lines must be buried
• CIt is the test section of pipe used to verify joint integrity before mainline installation
• DIt is the maximum allowable slope of any trench wall on the project

At what trench depth does OSHA 1926.652 generally require a protective system such as sloping, shoring, or shielding, absent stable rock?

• AAt any depth, including shallow utility trenches under 2 feet
• BAt 5 feet or greater in depth, unless a competent person determines a shallower trench pr…
• CAt 8 feet or greater in depth, when worker entry is required
• DOnly at 10 feet or greater, regardless of soil type

A trench is excavated in Type B soil to a depth of 12 feet using a simple sloped configuration. What is the maximum allowable slope ratio (horizontal to vertical) under OSHA Appendix B?

• A3/4 H : 1 V
• B1 H : 1 V
• C1-1/2 H : 1 V
• D2 H : 1 V

What is the maximum allowable slope for a simple sloped excavation in Type C soil less than 20 feet deep under OSHA Appendix B?

• AVertical (90 degrees)
• B3/4 H : 1 V (53 degrees)
• C1 H : 1 V (45 degrees)
• D1-1/2 H : 1 V (34 degrees)

A trench is 8 feet deep with Type B soil and a shield is used. How far below the bottom of the shield may the excavation extend without an engineered design, per OSHA 1926.652(g)?

• ANot more than 2 feet, provided the shield is rated for the full depth and there is no sig…
• BUp to 5 feet below the shield at any time
• CAny depth, because the shield protects the worker from above
• DUp to the shield's manufacturer-stamped depth regardless of soil conditions

Why does OSHA prohibit benching in Type C soil?

• ABecause benching requires more equipment than sloping and is cost-prohibitive
• BBecause granular, saturated, or otherwise unstable Type C soil cannot reliably hold a ver…
• CBecause Type C soil is always shallow, so benching is unnecessary
• DBecause benching is only allowed in stable rock, never in any soil

OSHA 1926.651(k) requires inspection of trench excavations by a competent person. When must these inspections occur?

• AOnce, at the start of the project, and only if a hazard is suspected
• BDaily, before any employee enters the excavation, after any hazard-increasing occurrence…
• CWeekly, with a written report filed with OSHA
• DOnly after a near-miss or accident has been reported

A trench 6 feet deep, 4 feet wide, and 200 feet long is cut in soil with a 25 percent swell factor. Approximately how many cubic yards of loose material must be hauled?

• AAbout 178 cubic yards
• BAbout 222 cubic yards
• CAbout 278 cubic yards
• DAbout 333 cubic yards

A wellpoint dewatering system is deployed on a trench running below the water table. What is the basic operating principle of a wellpoint?

• AIt pumps air into the ground to displace water out of the trench
• BIt lowers the groundwater table by drawing water through screened points and pumping it a…
• CIt freezes the surrounding soil to create a temporary ice wall
• DIt injects a chemical grout that seals the trench walls from seepage

For a flexible pipe installation, what is the typical maximum loose lift thickness for hand-directed compaction of the initial backfill around the pipe haunches?

• A4 to 6 inches, to allow the material to be worked under the haunches and compacted withou…
• B12 to 18 inches, to keep production moving quickly
• C24 inches, to match the trench width in one lift
• D36 inches, since flexible pipe tolerates high lift weights

A field density test on trench backfill returns 119 lb/ft^3 dry density. The Proctor maximum for that soil is 125 lb/ft^3. What percent of maximum Proctor density has been achieved?

• A84 percent
• B90.0 percent
• C95.2 percent
• D105 percent

What backfill material is generally required immediately around a flexible pipe, from the bedding up to a point above the pipe crown, to protect the pipe from damage and provide uniform support?

• AThe native trench spoil, placed in thick lifts and compacted with heavy vibratory rollers
• BA granular, homogeneous backfill such as clean sand or crushed stone placed and compacted…
• CConcrete poured monolithically around the pipe
• DLarge angular riprap to lock the pipe in place

When removing existing asphalt pavement over a trench alignment, which sequence best protects the underlying utility structures and the surrounding pavement?

• ASaw-cut full-depth straight lines at the trench limits before excavation, then remove the…
• BRip the pavement with a dozer along the trench line and backfill the ragged edges later
• CSaw-cut only after the pipe is installed and the trench has been backfilled
• DRemove the pavement with a jackhammer across the full lane without any saw cutting

OSHA 1926.651(c) requires a means of egress from a trench. What is the maximum lateral travel distance an employee may have to reach a ladder, ramp, or other safe means of egress in a trench 4 feet or more deep?

• A10 feet
• B25 feet
• C50 feet
• D100 feet

A 12-foot-deep trench in Type A soil is excavated using a simple sloped configuration per OSHA Appendix B. What is the minimum horizontal distance from the edge of the trench bottom to the top of the slope on each side?

• A6 feet
• B9 feet
• C12 feet
• D18 feet

A 10-foot-deep trench in Type B soil has a 4-foot bottom width and is sloped on both sides per OSHA Appendix B. What is the total width of the trench at the top of the excavation?

• A14 feet
• B20 feet
• C24 feet
• D34 feet

Water is seeping from the trench wall on a previously dry cut classified as Type B. What must the competent person do under OSHA 1926 Subpart P?

• AContinue work; seepage is normal in Type B and does not change the classification
• BRe-evaluate the soil as a potentially less stable type and select a protective system for…
• CAdd a sump pump at the bottom and keep working in the trench without changing the protect…
• DWait 24 hours for the wall to dry, then resume without re-inspection

Which of the following is a recognized warning sign of potential trench failure that a competent person should treat as an indication of hazard?

• ATension cracks appearing near the top of the trench walls
• BA steady, even grade on the trench bottom
• CCompact, dry spoil stockpiled 2 feet back from the edge
• DProperly installed ladder access at the trench end

Which type of compaction equipment is generally most effective for compacting granular backfill materials such as clean sand or crushed stone around the trench?

• AA sheepsfoot roller designed for cohesive clay soils
• BA vibratory plate compactor or vibratory roller that uses vibration to densify granular p…
• CA smooth-drum static roller relying only on static weight
• DHand tamping with a wooden tamper pole for full trench width

A trench is 5 feet wide and 8 feet deep for a 24-inch (2-foot) diameter pipe. What is the net backfill volume, in cubic yards, per 100 feet of trench, neglecting bedding and assuming no swell?

• AAbout 111 cubic yards
• BAbout 148 cubic yards
• CAbout 159 cubic yards
• DAbout 178 cubic yards

Once a wellpoint dewatering system is operating and the trench is opened, what is the required practice regarding the pumps during pipe installation and initial backfill?

• ATurn pumps off as soon as the trench is excavated to save fuel
• BKeep the system running continuously so the water table stays below the trench bottom unt…
• CCycle the pumps on and off hourly to let water intermittently fill the trench
• DShut the pumps off immediately after pipe joint assembly, even if backfill is incomplete

Which joint type is most commonly used for buried ductile iron water main installed by push-on assembly in the field?

• AFlanged joint with machined bolt circle
• BPush-on (bell and spigot with rubber gasket) joint such as TYTON
• CThreaded and coupled joint
• DSoldered copper joint

AWWA C900 covers PVC pressure pipe and fabricated fittings. Which of the following is a recognized pressure class designation for AWWA C900 PVC pipe?

• APressure Class 165 psi
• BSchedule 80 pipe
• CClass 50 cast iron
• DDR 0 wall pipe

What is the primary purpose of pipe bedding in a buried flexible pipe installation?

• ATo add weight to the pipe and prevent flotation
• BTo provide uniform, continuous support under the pipe haunches and along the barrel so th…
• CTo act as a secondary, redundant water seal inside the joint
• DTo raise the pipe above the trench bottom for visual inspection

When assembling a push-on PVC bell-and-spigot joint, what is the correct procedure for applying lubricant?

• AApply the manufacturer-approved lubricant to the spigot end and bevel, then push the spig…
• BApply lubricant to the inside of the bell gasket only and pull the bell onto the spigot w…
• CNo lubricant is used on PVC push-on joints; they install dry
• DApply a general-purpose grease to the spigot to seat the joint faster

Which of the following is a trenchless installation method commonly used to install utility pipe under highways, railways, and existing structures without opening the full surface?

• AOpen-cut trenching with sloped walls
• BHorizontal directional drilling
• CHand-excavated tunneling with shoring
• DPavement saw-cutting and full-depth removal

In horizontal directional drilling, how does the operator steer the bore head along the planned alignment and grade?

• ABy tilting the entire drill rig up or down at the entry pit
• BBy rotating and pushing a slanted drill head, with the toolface orientation controlled fr…
• CBy hand-guiding the drill string from a shallow pilot tunnel
• DBy using a laser level to align the drill string from the exit side