FLORIDA UNDERGROUND UTILITY
CONTRACTOR PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE
1. According to Florida Statute 556, what is the minimum timeframe for notifying the
Sunshine State One Call center before beginning excavation?
A. 24 hours excluding weekends and holidays
B. 5 business days
C. 72 hours including weekends
D. 2 full business days, not including the day of the call
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Florida law requires excavators to provide at least 2 full
business days’ notice before starting work, excluding the day the call is placed, weekends,
and holidays.
2. In OSHA Subpart P, what is the maximum allowable slope for an excavation in Type C soil
that is less than 20 feet deep?
A. 3/4:1 (53 degrees)
B. 1:1 (45 degrees)
,C. Vertical (90 degrees)
D. 1 1/2:1 (34 degrees)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Type C soil is the least stable and requires the shallowest slope
of 1.5 horizontal to 1 vertical (34 degrees).
3. When installing a water main near a sewer line in Florida, what is the minimum required
horizontal separation distance?
A. 3 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 10 feet
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Standard Florida environmental regulations require a 10-foot
horizontal separation between water mains and sewers to prevent contamination.
4. A trench is 4 feet wide, 6 feet deep, and 100 feet long. How many cubic yards of soil are
removed (bank measure)?
A. 66.67 cubic yards
B. 2,400 cubic yards
C. 24.00 cubic yards
, D. 88.89 cubic yards
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Volume = (4 * 6 * 100) / 27 = = 88.888… rounded to
88.89 cubic yards.
5. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a thrust block in a pressurized piping
system?
A. To prevent the pipe from leaking at the joints
B. To protect the pipe from electrolysis
C. To provide a level base for the pipe
D. To transfer the hydraulic force of the water into the surrounding soil
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Thrust blocks are used at bends and tees to prevent the pressure
of the water from pushing the joints apart by transferring that force to the undisturbed soil.
6. According to OSHA, at what depth is a protective system (shoring, shielding, or sloping)
required in a trench unless it is in stable rock?
A. 3 feet
B. 4 feet
C. 5 feet
D. 6 feet
CONTRACTOR PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE
1. According to Florida Statute 556, what is the minimum timeframe for notifying the
Sunshine State One Call center before beginning excavation?
A. 24 hours excluding weekends and holidays
B. 5 business days
C. 72 hours including weekends
D. 2 full business days, not including the day of the call
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Florida law requires excavators to provide at least 2 full
business days’ notice before starting work, excluding the day the call is placed, weekends,
and holidays.
2. In OSHA Subpart P, what is the maximum allowable slope for an excavation in Type C soil
that is less than 20 feet deep?
A. 3/4:1 (53 degrees)
B. 1:1 (45 degrees)
,C. Vertical (90 degrees)
D. 1 1/2:1 (34 degrees)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Type C soil is the least stable and requires the shallowest slope
of 1.5 horizontal to 1 vertical (34 degrees).
3. When installing a water main near a sewer line in Florida, what is the minimum required
horizontal separation distance?
A. 3 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 10 feet
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Standard Florida environmental regulations require a 10-foot
horizontal separation between water mains and sewers to prevent contamination.
4. A trench is 4 feet wide, 6 feet deep, and 100 feet long. How many cubic yards of soil are
removed (bank measure)?
A. 66.67 cubic yards
B. 2,400 cubic yards
C. 24.00 cubic yards
, D. 88.89 cubic yards
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Volume = (4 * 6 * 100) / 27 = = 88.888… rounded to
88.89 cubic yards.
5. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a thrust block in a pressurized piping
system?
A. To prevent the pipe from leaking at the joints
B. To protect the pipe from electrolysis
C. To provide a level base for the pipe
D. To transfer the hydraulic force of the water into the surrounding soil
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Thrust blocks are used at bends and tees to prevent the pressure
of the water from pushing the joints apart by transferring that force to the undisturbed soil.
6. According to OSHA, at what depth is a protective system (shoring, shielding, or sloping)
required in a trench unless it is in stable rock?
A. 3 feet
B. 4 feet
C. 5 feet
D. 6 feet
