CERTIFIED POOL OPERATOR EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ANSI - Answer-American National Standards Institute
ASME - Answer-American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Certified lifeguard - Answer-A person who possesses current certification at the Senior
Lifesaving level or its equivalent. Established by the American Red Cross, YMCA or
equivalent.
Certified Pool Operator - Answer-Responsible for daily operation of a public swimming
pool or public spa/hot tub. Successful completion of course in pool operation and
maintenance. Approved by Director of Public Health
Coping - Answer-The cap on the pool or spa/tub that provides finishing edge around the
perimeter of the pool or hot tub.
disinfectant - Answer-a chemical substance that kills harmful bacteria or viruses
Exercise spa/swim spa - Answer-Variant of a spa that allows for exercises using water
resistance
Fences - Answer-Must be 4 feet in height above ground. Must prevent children from
getting through(chain link, picket, solid board)
Free Chlorine Residual - Answer-The portion of total chlorine remaining in water that is
not combined with ammonia or nitrogen compounds, so is able to react chemically to
pathogens.
Hazard - Answer-Any situation that poses a risk of injury or harm to patrons of pool
Hydrostatic relief valve - Answer-A valve that relieves underground water pressure
caused by high water table under pool.
Lifeguard - Answer-A competent adult, 18 or older, currently certified in CPR and first
aid
Lifeline - Answer-Coarse rope or line with attached buoys used to separate where a
pool suddenly increases in depth. Must be securely attached to both sides of the pool.
Make-Up Water - Answer-Water used to fill or refill pool water
, Maximum Load - Answer-Maximum number of bathers permitted in pool. Total water
surface area in sq ft/27 sq ft.
Operator or Manager - Answer-Person responsible for operation and management of a
pool
Pool Area - Answer-The area immediately surrounding and adjacent to the swimming
pool including but not limited to all areas within the fence, if required, or the walls(if
indoor).
Pool Management Company - Answer-Any person or entity contracting to manage or
operate two or more public swimming pools.
private swimming pool - Answer-Any pool over 24 inches in depth used for swimming or
recreational bathing. Inground or above ground. Limited to residential occupancies.
Public swimming pool - Answer-Any swimming pool other than a private residential pool
that is intended to be used collectively by numbers of persons. Apartment communities,
condo, hotels, marina, private clubs.
Public spa - Answer-Any public spa/hot tub not used for private residential use. Used
commonly by collective. Hotels, apartment communities, condo, private clubs.
Turnover Rate - Answer-The amount of time required by filtration system to filter the
equivalent of the entire volume of the pool or spa
Wading Pool - Answer-Pool designed for wading, less than 24 inches. Must be
completely separate from any pool
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code - Answer-All pools, spas must conform to
VUSBC or can be closed by the health department. A certificate of occupancy is
required to operate a pool issued by Director of public health.
When can a pool be closed? - Answer-When a condition exists that would endanger the
health, safety, or life of any person, the Director of health may close the pool until such
condition is corrected.
Permit to Operate - Answer-Required to operate. It will be unlawful for any person to
operate, maintain, or manage any public pool without obtaining a permit to operate from
Director of public health.
Posting of permit - Answer-Permit to operate must be posted in view of the public at all
public swimming pools, spas.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ANSI - Answer-American National Standards Institute
ASME - Answer-American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Certified lifeguard - Answer-A person who possesses current certification at the Senior
Lifesaving level or its equivalent. Established by the American Red Cross, YMCA or
equivalent.
Certified Pool Operator - Answer-Responsible for daily operation of a public swimming
pool or public spa/hot tub. Successful completion of course in pool operation and
maintenance. Approved by Director of Public Health
Coping - Answer-The cap on the pool or spa/tub that provides finishing edge around the
perimeter of the pool or hot tub.
disinfectant - Answer-a chemical substance that kills harmful bacteria or viruses
Exercise spa/swim spa - Answer-Variant of a spa that allows for exercises using water
resistance
Fences - Answer-Must be 4 feet in height above ground. Must prevent children from
getting through(chain link, picket, solid board)
Free Chlorine Residual - Answer-The portion of total chlorine remaining in water that is
not combined with ammonia or nitrogen compounds, so is able to react chemically to
pathogens.
Hazard - Answer-Any situation that poses a risk of injury or harm to patrons of pool
Hydrostatic relief valve - Answer-A valve that relieves underground water pressure
caused by high water table under pool.
Lifeguard - Answer-A competent adult, 18 or older, currently certified in CPR and first
aid
Lifeline - Answer-Coarse rope or line with attached buoys used to separate where a
pool suddenly increases in depth. Must be securely attached to both sides of the pool.
Make-Up Water - Answer-Water used to fill or refill pool water
, Maximum Load - Answer-Maximum number of bathers permitted in pool. Total water
surface area in sq ft/27 sq ft.
Operator or Manager - Answer-Person responsible for operation and management of a
pool
Pool Area - Answer-The area immediately surrounding and adjacent to the swimming
pool including but not limited to all areas within the fence, if required, or the walls(if
indoor).
Pool Management Company - Answer-Any person or entity contracting to manage or
operate two or more public swimming pools.
private swimming pool - Answer-Any pool over 24 inches in depth used for swimming or
recreational bathing. Inground or above ground. Limited to residential occupancies.
Public swimming pool - Answer-Any swimming pool other than a private residential pool
that is intended to be used collectively by numbers of persons. Apartment communities,
condo, hotels, marina, private clubs.
Public spa - Answer-Any public spa/hot tub not used for private residential use. Used
commonly by collective. Hotels, apartment communities, condo, private clubs.
Turnover Rate - Answer-The amount of time required by filtration system to filter the
equivalent of the entire volume of the pool or spa
Wading Pool - Answer-Pool designed for wading, less than 24 inches. Must be
completely separate from any pool
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code - Answer-All pools, spas must conform to
VUSBC or can be closed by the health department. A certificate of occupancy is
required to operate a pool issued by Director of public health.
When can a pool be closed? - Answer-When a condition exists that would endanger the
health, safety, or life of any person, the Director of health may close the pool until such
condition is corrected.
Permit to Operate - Answer-Required to operate. It will be unlawful for any person to
operate, maintain, or manage any public pool without obtaining a permit to operate from
Director of public health.
Posting of permit - Answer-Permit to operate must be posted in view of the public at all
public swimming pools, spas.
