South Carolina Swimming Pool Contractor Examination

According to the 2020 NEC Article 680, what is the PRIMARY purpose of the equipotential bonding required at a permanently installed swimming pool?

• ATo reduce voltage gradients in the pool and deck area
• BTo serve as the equipment grounding conductor for the pump motor
• CTo replace the grounding electrode system at the service
• DTo carry fault current back to the utility transformer

NEC 680.26 requires pool equipotential bonding conductors to be which of the following?

• AInsulated stranded copper not smaller than 6 AWG
• BSolid copper, insulated, covered, or bare, not smaller than 8 AWG
• CAluminum or copper-clad aluminum not smaller than 8 AWG
• DBare stranded copper not smaller than 10 AWG

For a permanently installed pool, NEC 680.22(A)(1) prohibits receptacles from being located less than which distance from the inside walls of the pool?

• A3 feet
• B5 feet
• C6 feet
• D10 feet

NEC 680.22(A)(3) requires at least one 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere receptacle on a general-purpose branch circuit to be located how far from the inside wall of a permanently installed pool?

• ANot less than 3 feet and not more than 10 feet
• BNot less than 6 feet and not more than 20 feet
• CNot less than 10 feet and not more than 25 feet
• DAnywhere outside the 5-foot bonding zone

Which fixed metal parts must be included in the pool equipotential bonding system under NEC 680.26(B)(7)?

• AOnly metal parts that carry electrical current
• BFixed metal parts within 5 feet horizontally of the inside walls of the pool, or within 1…
• CAll metal parts of the building, regardless of distance from the pool
• DOnly metal fences more than 10 feet from the water

The copper perimeter bonding required by NEC 680.26(B)(2) must extend what horizontal distance beyond the inside walls of the pool?

• A18 inches
• B3 feet
• C5 feet
• D6 feet

Under NEC 680.21(C), outlets supplying pool pump motors on branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground and 60 amperes or less must have which protection?

• AA lockable disconnect only, with no GFCI required
• BGround-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection
• CAn isolation transformer listed for signs
• DA 30-milliampere equipment-leakage circuit breaker only

An 8 AWG or larger solid copper conductor installed only to reduce voltage gradients in the pool area is required to be extended or attached to which of the following?

• AThe nearest remote panelboard equipment-grounding terminal
• BThe service grounding electrode conductor
• CIt is not required to be extended or attached to remote panelboards, service equipment, o…
• DThe utility transformer case

Per 2020 NEC Table 680.9(A), what is the minimum clearance in any direction from the maximum water level, edge of water surface, base of a diving platform, or permanently anchored raft to insulated overhead conductors rated 0–750 volts that are supported on and cabled together with an effectively grounded messenger or grounded neutral?

• A10.0 feet
• B14.5 feet
• C18.0 feet
• D22.5 feet

A 125-volt duplex receptacle is installed on a post 4 feet from the inside wall of a permanently installed pool, measured horizontally. Which statement is correct under NEC 680.22?

• AThe installation is acceptable if the receptacle is GFCI protected
• BThe installation is acceptable because it is outside the 3-foot perimeter bonding band
• CThe installation violates the 6-foot minimum receptacle setback, even if GFCI protected
• DThe installation is acceptable if a weatherproof cover is used

A wet-niche luminaire forming shell installed in a concrete pool wall must be provided with which bonding provision?

• AA listed provision for terminating an 8 AWG copper conductor
• BA 12 AWG equipment grounding conductor only, with no bonding terminal
• CA bare aluminum pigtail not smaller than 6 AWG
• DNo bonding if the luminaire is low-voltage

Which conductor material is NOT permitted for the solid bonding conductor used to interconnect the parts listed in NEC 680.26(B)?

• ABare solid copper
• BInsulated solid copper
• CCovered solid copper
• DSolid aluminum

In the ACI Guide to Shotcrete, dry-mix shotcrete is distinguished from wet-mix shotcrete primarily by which practice?

• AMost of the mixing water is added at the nozzle
• BAll mixing water is batched at the plant and no air is used
• CAggregates are omitted and only neat cement paste is gunned
• DThe mixture is placed by gravity chute instead of a hose

What does ACI shotcrete practice require for rebound (material that does not adhere and falls from the surface)?

• ARemix rebound into the next batch to reduce waste
• BWork rebound into the finish coat as a sanded topping
• CDo not remix or reuse rebound in the work
• DSoak rebound overnight and use it as grout

In swimming-pool construction, the process commonly called gunite is which ACI shotcrete process?

• AWet-mix shotcrete with water batched at the plant
• BDry-mix shotcrete with water added at the nozzle
• CPumped conventional concrete consolidated with an internal vibrator
• DHand-placed mortar finished with a wood float

For best compaction and bond, the ACI Guide to Shotcrete generally directs the nozzleman to hold the nozzle in which orientation to the receiving surface?

• AApproximately perpendicular (about 90 degrees) to the surface
• BParallel to the surface so the stream skims the face
• CPointed downward at 20 degrees regardless of wall slope
• DAimed directly into the face of each reinforcing bar

When shooting shotcrete around reinforcing steel, what is the correct technique to fully encase the bars?

• AShoot from the sides at an angle so material flows and compacts behind the bars
• BShoot only from directly in front of each bar until a mound builds on the face
• CPlace the bars after the shotcrete has taken initial set
• DRely on hand-packing dry rebound behind each bar

Compared with wet-mix shotcrete, dry-mix shotcrete typically produces which result?

• ALower rebound and a more uniform water-cement ratio
• BHigher rebound, with water content controlled at the nozzle
• CNo need for a certified nozzleman
• DElimination of the need to cure the finished shell

Immediately before applying shotcrete to an existing concrete or masonry substrate, the receiving surface should generally be in which condition?

• ABone dry and coated with form oil
• BSaturated surface-dry (SSD), clean, and free of loose material
• CCovered with standing water at least 1/2 inch deep
• DPainted with a bituminous dampproofing

ACI shotcrete practice limits each applied layer to a thickness that will not cause which defect?

• AAir entrainment
• BSagging, sloughing, or dropout
• CA water-cement ratio below 0.50
• DFlash set of Type I cement

Properly applied shotcrete typically produces concrete with which combination of properties?

• AHigh water-cementitious material ratio and high permeability
• BLow water-cementitious material ratio, high density, and low permeability
• CZero cement content and gypsum binder
• DA slump of 8 to 10 inches as placed on the wall

After a pool shell is shot, what curing practice is required to develop strength and reduce plastic shrinkage cracking?

• AAllow the shell to dry as quickly as possible so finishing can start
• BBegin moist curing promptly and maintain moisture for the specified period
• CApply form oil to seal the surface
• DCure only the floor; walls do not require curing

A sand pocket discovered behind a reinforcing bar after shooting is MOST often caused by which error?

• AUsing wet-mix instead of dry-mix
• BShooting directly at the face of the bar so rebound and sand accumulate in the shadow
• CCuring the shell for seven days
• DUsing 8 AWG solid copper for bonding

ACI 506 identifies which individual as primarily responsible for in-place shotcrete quality at the point of placement?

• AThe ready-mix truck driver
• BA qualified (preferably ACI-certified) nozzleman
• CThe electrician installing the bonding grid
• DThe filter manufacturer

In wet-mix shotcrete, when is the mixing water introduced?

• AAt the nozzle by the nozzleman
• BWith the other ingredients before the mixture is pumped to the nozzle
• COnly after the material has been finished with a trowel
• DNever; wet-mix uses no water

A thin finish or flash coat of shotcrete is applied primarily to do which of the following?

• AReplace moist curing
• BFill minor surface irregularities and provide a surface that can be cut and troweled
• CBond the copper perimeter grid to the shell
• DReduce the required concrete cover over reinforcing steel

ACI 506.2 cautions against placing shotcrete when material temperature is excessively high. A commonly cited upper limit is approximately which pair of values?

• A50°F wet-mix and 40°F dry-mix
• B90°F for wet-mix and 100°F for dry-mix
• C120°F for both processes
• D32°F for both processes

Why is shotcrete projected at high velocity onto the receiving surface?

• ATo evaporate mixing water on impact
• BTo compact the mixture, drive out excess air, and develop bond
• CTo keep rebound in place as part of the structural section
• DTo eliminate the need for reinforcing steel

In Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, which single factor most strongly governs compressive strength and permeability of a given cement and aggregate combination?

• AThe brand of the ready-mix truck
• BThe water-cementitious materials ratio
• CThe color of the form liner
• DThe time of day the concrete is batched

One cubic foot of water contains approximately how many gallons?

• A5.5 gallons
• B7.48 gallons
• C8.34 gallons
• D27 gallons

ASTM C150 Type I portland cement is BEST described as which cement?

• AHigh-early-strength cement
• BGeneral-purpose cement
• CLow-heat-of-hydration cement
• DHigh-sulfate-resistance cement

Entrained air is specified in concrete exposed to freezing and thawing primarily to do which of the following?

• AIncrease the water-cement ratio
• BProvide microscopic voids that relieve ice-expansion pressure
• CDarken the concrete for faster solar heating
• DReplace the need for reinforcing steel

When high early strength is required so forms or a pool deck can be put into service quickly, which ASTM C150 cement type is specified?

• AType I
• BType III
• CType IV
• DType V

The slump test (ASTM C143) is used on plastic concrete to measure which property?

• A28-day compressive strength
• BConsistency (workability) of the fresh mixture
• CAir content
• DSulfate resistance of the cement

For concrete made with Type I cement, PCA generally recommends moist curing for about how long under moderate temperatures?

• A2 hours
• B7 days
• C28 weeks
• DCuring is unnecessary if the slump is low

Hot-weather concreting of a pool deck typically causes which combination of problems?

• ASlower set, higher slump retention, and less evaporation
• BFaster slump loss, more rapid setting, and increased plastic-shrinkage cracking
• CComplete immunity to curing requirements
• DA permanent increase in 28-day strength if extra water is added

Concrete that will be in contact with soils or water containing severe sulfate concentrations should use which ASTM C150 cement type?

• AType I only
• BType III only
• CType IV only
• DType V

A broom-finished pool deck measures 12 feet by 18 feet and is 5 inches thick. How many cubic yards of concrete are required, ignoring waste?

• A2.00 cubic yards
• B3.33 cubic yards
• C9.00 cubic yards
• D27.00 cubic yards

Internal vibration of cast-in-place concrete is performed primarily to do which of the following?

• AAdd extra mixing water
• BConsolidate the mixture by expelling entrapped air and filling around reinforcement
• CEntrain freeze-thaw air bubbles
• DReplace the need for curing

Reducing the water-cementitious materials ratio of a pool-deck mixture, while keeping it placeable, will generally do which of the following?

• AIncrease permeability and reduce compressive strength
• BDecrease permeability and increase compressive strength
• CHave no effect on either property
• DPrevent the concrete from ever setting

Concrete cover over reinforcing bars is provided primarily to do which of the following?

• AReduce the required lap-splice length to zero
• BProtect the steel from corrosion and fire and develop bond
• CAllow the bars to be placed directly on the soil
• DEliminate the need for bar supports

A No. 4 reinforcing bar has which nominal diameter?

• A1/4 inch
• B3/8 inch
• C1/2 inch
• D5/8 inch

In CRSI placing practice, annealed tie wire is used at bar intersections primarily to do which of the following?

• AReplace the concrete as the structural bond to the steel
• BHold bars in the designed position until the concrete is placed
• CServe as the NEC 680.26 bonding conductor
• DIncrease the specified yield strength of the bars

Which CRSI accessories are used to hold reinforcing bars at the specified cover above the subgrade or form?

• AExpansion anchors and wedge bolts
• BHigh chairs, slab bolsters, and precast-concrete dobies
• CElectrical locknuts and plastic bushings
• DForm-release oil and bond breaker

A lap splice is used in reinforcing-bar placing to do which of the following?

• AJoin two bars so force can be transferred through the surrounding concrete
• BCut the required development length in half in all cases
• CReplace concrete cover at the pool waterline
• DServe as the only permitted splice for No. 14 and No. 18 bars

When three reinforcing bars are bundled, CRSI states that the tension lap-splice length should be increased by which amount?

• ANo increase is required
• B20 percent
• C33 percent
• D100 percent

Where bar supports will be exposed on a finished pool-deck soffit or other architectural concrete surface, CRSI practice favors which support?

• APlain black steel chairs with no protection
• BPlastic-tipped or stainless-steel chairs, or plastic supports
• CWood blocks left in the pour
• DEmpty soda cans as spacers