Self Test questions B3 / B4 Flashcards
What is seen as being a downside to installing an automatic sprinkler system rather than water manully?
Cost of installation
What style of irrigation system is installed to water small, specific areas such as planters and hanging baskets?
drip
What is the service known as in BC that will send iinformation on any buried utilities to interested parties at no cost?
BC call 1
What is not need to be plotted on a site plan for a proposed irrigation system?
Gutter downspouts
What is the term given to the water that is used by the plant and lost into both air / soil?
Evapotranspiration
What can easily be used to determine the soil’s texture?
Jar test
What soil type is considered best for water absorption / retention?
Loam
What is most likely the result of applying water too fast to sloping ground?
runoff and erosion
If a 3-gallon pail take 18 seconds to fill, what would this be in GPM?
10
Would proximity to the house water supply be a consideration in the choice of location for mounting a residential timer/controller?
No
What type of sprinkler nozzle has almost no spray radius?
Bubbler
What type of sprinkler is best suited for small areas that may require many heads?
Fixed spray
What type of sprinkler is used in areas where there may be conflict with foot or vehicular traffic?
pop-up
What type of sprinkler has a paddle that “slaps” the water stream to cause the head to rotate?
Impact
What type of sprinkler is best for slopes / tight soils where lower precipitation rates are preferred?
Rotating
Is the ability to serve small areas an advantage of a rotating sprinkler over a spray sprinkler?
No
When plotting sprinklers on the site plan, what design aspect saves water / ensures its uniform application?
Use head-to-head coverage
According to industry standards, how much extra length should be added to the measured length to allow for friction loss through fittings in an irrigation system?
25%
What is the body size of most residential irrigation zone valves?
3/4” - 1”
What is the manufactures rule-of-thumb flow rate for 1” PVC SCH 40 pipe?
13GPM
What type of sprinkler system has its own backflow preventer built into it?
an anti-siphon zone valve
What 2 backflow preventers are normally specified by AHJ for installation on irrigation systems because of their ability to be in-line tested?
RPBAs and DCVAs
What is not an in0line testable backflow preventer?
DCAP
What is not a good location for a zone manifold?
driveway
What type of irrigation pipe has the most pressure drop, fewer fittings and required the least amount of trade knowledge to install but is most difficult to keep in alignment?
Polyethylene (PE)
What factors determine the number of zone valves needed?
Available GPM and sprinkler flow rates
What is the industry standard max velocity for pvc pipe used for irrigation systems so the friction loss is kept to a min?
5ft/sec (1.5m /sec)
Why does class 200 PVC allow more flow than SCH 40 PVC?
because of wall thickness difference
Electrical cables for irrigation zone valves must be?
acceptable for direct earth burial
What is the most common gauge of wire used for residential sprinkler systems?
18 AWG
What does Toro call their composite pipe used on barb fittings at sprinkler locations
funny pipe
When trenching through an existing lawn, what is a good way to min the amount of final cleanup required on the lawn?
Place the removed sod on plastic on one side of the trench, spoils on the other side also on plastic
What is a relatively easy way to get a pipe under an existing concrete sidewalk?
by jetting it
What type of connectors are used for writing at the zone valve locations?
waterproof twist on
What is the recommended method of flushing the zone piping (zone valve to sprinklers)?
Install all but the furthest head, open the valve and flush through the open end
How many stations should a controller by capable of operating?
at least 2 or more than are currently installed
If a lawn has sandy soil, what would be the most logical approach to programming the controller?
Set longer run times, decrease the number of cycles / day and increase watering days
If a well is used only for irrigation purposes, what feat does the controller need?
pump start relay
What characteristic of water that contains calcium / magnesium may cause the sprinklers to become plugged over time?
Hard water
Where in the system should a blowout connection for winterizing be installed?
Downstream of the backflow preventer
How should any ball valve be left after winterizing?
Half open
What is the most important aspect of the air supply used to winterize a system?
it’s volume
What are the only acceptable uses for non-potable water systems?
toilet flushing / underground irrigation
a harvested rainwater system is categorized in the plumbing codes as what type of system?
Auxiliary
What is the code requirement for interconnecting a potable water system with a non-potable water system?
They cannot be connected
Why is rainwater considered to be non-potable
It hasn’t been treated to acceptable certified standards
What section of the plumbing code talks about harvesting rainwater?
Division B part2
What is an acceptable catchment area for RWH system?
an asphalt shingle roof
What is the max suggested slope on a gutter?
2.0%
What type of pipe is preferred for underground conveyance piping?
PVC sch 40
What is the preferred method for keeping underground conveyance piping from freezing?
Polystyrene foam insulation + adequate burial depth
What is the horizontal conveyance pipe at the bottom of a leader known as?
a storm building drain
Why is ABS pipe not suggested material for exposed conveyance piping?
Because it is not UV rated
What tank placement options would require the approval of an engineer?
Forming a concrete tank as a component of the house foundation
What tank material choices would provide the most strength and likely last the longest?
Concrete
Who or what should be consulted when attempting to accurately determine an appropriate tank size for RWH system?
Tank manufacturers and suppliers
What would be the most objectionable if choosing to install a plastic above ground RWH tank in a front yard?
Aesthetics
What would likely incur little or no extra excavating costs?
an integrated tank
What determines the height of the “dead space” in the bottom of a RWH tank?
the placement of the pump on/off switch
What is the purpose of the “dead space” in a RWH storage tank?
to ensure the pump does not run dry
What would be considered the best approach to ensuring a RWH tank that has to operate year round is protected from freezing?
install it and all related components below the frost level
What is the strategy known as whereby potable water is added to the cistern to prevent the pump from running dry in times of little or no rain?
Make-up
What is the primary concern regarding make up?
creating a CC
What ensures there is enough water for use in a RHW system during periods of insufficient rainfall?
Top up
What would the use of an air gap in a top up system be considered?
Zone isolation
What protects the building occupants from the effects of a potential CC?
Zone isolation
What would not be considered for the install of a backflow preventer on a water service at the property line?
Aethetics
What is commonly used to operate a pump in a rainwater cistern?
a float switch
what part of a RWH storage system is normally used to automatically add municipal water to the cistern?
a solenoid valve
Where is the air gap for a make up water system located?
bn the solenoid valve / the cistern
In a make up water system, when does the solenoid valve close?
When a sensor of float switch is activated at the highest water level desired
What residential fixture is allowed to be connected to a RWH system?
a toilet
What is not considered a method of pre-storage tx?
disinfection
What water tx options involves the use of 2 compartment storage tank?
settling
What involves the use of an orifice and chamber that makes water back up / exit through an outlet to a cistern?
First flush diversion
What would only be used as a component of post-storage water tx?
disinfection
Post-storage tx is normally only considered if the rainwater is to be used for?
potable purposes
Why should overhanging branches or foliage be cleared away from above roof catchment areas?
It contributes to leaves / bird droppings contaminating the collected rainwater
What would gutter guards be considered as?
a form of pre-storage treatment
What is located in the basement of a home, draws water from the cistern / pressurizes it?
a jet pump
What is likely the most important consideration of the RWH system’s distribution piping?
That it is clearly identified
Pumps used in RWH systems are normally of what voltage values?
120/240 VAC
What would be required if a 24 VAC sensor was expected to turn on a 120 VAC pump?
a relay
What piece of equipment is installed to ensure that the pipe sizing doesn’t have to allow for enough flow for the toilets / sub-irrigation system to operate simultaneously?
a timer
What would not be a consideration when sizing a submersible pump for a RWH pressure system?
suction head
What type of pump is likely the most expensive, hardest for homeowner to understand the operation of and is therefore least likely to be chosen for a residential RWH?
A variable speed drive pump (has different flow rates at different pressures)
What is the min suggested “run time” for a pump, as determined by manufactures?
1 - 2 min
What is the mandated colour scheme for any piping or equipment that conveys non- potable?
purple
How much physical separation must be mandated between buried potable / non-potable pipes?
min 300mm (12”)
What is the practice of collecting / disposing of rainfall runoff in a responsible manner know as?
Storm water management
NPC prohibits the direct connection of a RWH overflow to a storm sewer system, it may be allowed by the AHJ provided there is what installed bn the 2 systemss?
a backwater valve
What is considered the easiest / most recommended option for a RWH system overflow?
Gravity drainage to grade
what is considered the least recommended option?
pumped discharge to grade
What is the only method of handling overflow from tank located in an underground parking garage?
pumped discharged to a storm sewer
What is another term for a soakaway pit?
a drywell
What type of soil is least suitable for the use of a soakaway pit?
Clay
What type of tank would make overflow handling easiest but would encounter issues stemming from freezing / aesthetics?
Above grade
What may a soakwaya pit required if the catchment area is very large and/or the soil is not sufficiently permeable
An overflow
What is the definition of greywater?
Used water from laundries, bathtubs, showers and bathroom basins
What are the permitted uses for greywater?
Flushing toilets, and urinals and subsurface irrigation
What is the only allowable way to discharge greywater above ground?
by bucketing onto gardens or lawns
If greywater is not intended to be stored and treated, it should be used for?
irrigation
What can greywater be used for it a permit is not required?
greywater comes from only the clothes washer
What would result is a permit is required for greywater
The greywater system uses a greywater tank
When using a mulch basin to irrigate, how much water delivered laterally to roots through the soil?
by capillary action
What test determines the infiltration capacity of soil where a permit is not required?
A soil ribbon test
What type of test determines how well water drains from the property?
a percolation test
What is the expected result of storing greywater for more than 24 hours?
a bad odour
What device allows for switching bn the greywater system and the sewer system?
a diverter valve
What type of greywater system usually needs no permits or inspections?
laundry to landscape
What type of system relies on gravity, capillary action and soil microbes to distribute / process greywater in the landsccape?
Gravity, branched drain
What type of self contained system would treat greywater so that it could be used for toilet flushing?
manufactured
What is listen in the literature as being a system that would only be used where the expected daily amounts of greywater are very high?
Sand filter
