IL SEPTIC INSTALLERS EXAMINATION |164
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Public Sewer Connection - -Private residence must connect if w/in 300' or for any
commercial bldg. w/in 300' that has flows less than 1500 gpd. Commercial w/ flows = to or
greater than 1500 gpd must connect if sewer is w/in 1000'.
Unless physical barrier, ordinance, or cannot be done w/ individual line (4" line)-then PSD
system is OK.
-Acceptable Pipe Materials - -Vitrified clay, ductile iron, or plastic.
Anything after the tank or from distribution box has to be vitrified clay or plastic.
-Schedule 40 or Greater - -under roads, driveways, or parking areas
-Gravity Slope - -Diameter: 4" pipe + min. slope of 12" per 100'
-Building sewers in excess of 50' should have what? - -A C/O @ least every 50' from
building to tank, distribution box, or ATU
-Creviced Limestone Formation - -SS system cannot be installed where bottom of system
is less than 4' from top of limestone
If limestone is known to be present a soil test must be done @ least 4' deeper than where
the bottom of the trench will be
-How far away can quick disconnect be? - -no more than 50' away from the device & w/in
sight of
-Experimental Use Permits - -min. of 10 experimental systems installed b4 unconditional
approval granted. Permit valid for 2 yrs & evaluated @ end of 2 yrs.
-2 options for garbage grinders - -1. solids retention tank btwn WW source & septic tk. for
kitchen waste only. Needs to be 50% of the size of the designed septic tank w/ a min. of 500
gals.
2. A septic tank receiving all flows sized as 50% of the septic tank size + septic tank size. i.e.,
septic tk = 1500 gals. /2 = 750 + 1500 = 2250 (would need 2500 gal tk)
-How long should a homeowner keep maint. records for their system? - -the life of the
system
-When should the 1st maintenance of a septic tank after installation be completed for a
residence? - -Prior to or within 3 yrs. After initial inspection it can be done once every 5
yrs. Can be done by everyone + homeowner
, -If sludge layer /suspended solids are greater than 33% . . . - -Must pump tank and
perform maintenance
-When should a septic system be evaluated initially after installation for a non-residential
bldg? - -prior to or w/in 3 yrs. After that it should be done @ least every 3 yrs.
Owner cannot do. has to be engineer, env. health practitioner, member of dept, HD, or
septic contractor
-Aerobic Treatment Unit Evaluations - -1 every 6 mos @ least (same ppl) + HOMEOWNER
as long as they follow manufacturer's requirements & proper maintenance
-What is the maint. schedule for SFs & WSPs w/ surface discharges? - -@ least 1 per yr. +
H.O. if rules r followed. Pumped when solids & scum greater than 33%
-Can a H.O. install & maintain a septic system on his/her property? - -Yes
-Who can perform the excavation for a septic system? - -A licensed installer (employee
while supervised) or the property owner.
-What is the min. size tank for flows UP TO 500 gpd? - -750 gals.
-If flows are greater than 500 gpd, how do you size the tank? - -Tank size should be = to @
least 1.5x the estimated sewage flow
-How do you size a tank(s) for flows greater than 1350 gpd? - -U must use multiple tks. in
a series or multiple compartment tks. where the 1st tank or the 1st comp. in a multicomp.
tk. is 1/2-2/3 of the total required capacity. of the tank(s)
-How do you size the tank for a raised filter bed for a residence? - -It has to be an NSF 40
batch treatment system. The aeration tank has to be 2x the daily flow
-How do you size the tank for a RFB for a commercial bldg? - -The aeration tk. has to be 3x
the daily flow.
Multiple tanks in a series connected @ btm for flow equalization can be used
-How are RFB sidewalls sized? - -3:1 ratio
-How are distribution lines for RFBs? - -4" perforated pipe on 15" centers
-Describe a RFB mantle - -Mantle must go in 6" deep to original soil. Torpedo sand depth is
12" ttl. (0.5-2.0). Sand filter media depth is 30".
-What is the maximum size a RFB can be? - -A RFB cannot exceed 600 sq. ft. If more area is
needed you must use multiple beds sharing a common mantle separated by 15'
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Public Sewer Connection - -Private residence must connect if w/in 300' or for any
commercial bldg. w/in 300' that has flows less than 1500 gpd. Commercial w/ flows = to or
greater than 1500 gpd must connect if sewer is w/in 1000'.
Unless physical barrier, ordinance, or cannot be done w/ individual line (4" line)-then PSD
system is OK.
-Acceptable Pipe Materials - -Vitrified clay, ductile iron, or plastic.
Anything after the tank or from distribution box has to be vitrified clay or plastic.
-Schedule 40 or Greater - -under roads, driveways, or parking areas
-Gravity Slope - -Diameter: 4" pipe + min. slope of 12" per 100'
-Building sewers in excess of 50' should have what? - -A C/O @ least every 50' from
building to tank, distribution box, or ATU
-Creviced Limestone Formation - -SS system cannot be installed where bottom of system
is less than 4' from top of limestone
If limestone is known to be present a soil test must be done @ least 4' deeper than where
the bottom of the trench will be
-How far away can quick disconnect be? - -no more than 50' away from the device & w/in
sight of
-Experimental Use Permits - -min. of 10 experimental systems installed b4 unconditional
approval granted. Permit valid for 2 yrs & evaluated @ end of 2 yrs.
-2 options for garbage grinders - -1. solids retention tank btwn WW source & septic tk. for
kitchen waste only. Needs to be 50% of the size of the designed septic tank w/ a min. of 500
gals.
2. A septic tank receiving all flows sized as 50% of the septic tank size + septic tank size. i.e.,
septic tk = 1500 gals. /2 = 750 + 1500 = 2250 (would need 2500 gal tk)
-How long should a homeowner keep maint. records for their system? - -the life of the
system
-When should the 1st maintenance of a septic tank after installation be completed for a
residence? - -Prior to or within 3 yrs. After initial inspection it can be done once every 5
yrs. Can be done by everyone + homeowner
, -If sludge layer /suspended solids are greater than 33% . . . - -Must pump tank and
perform maintenance
-When should a septic system be evaluated initially after installation for a non-residential
bldg? - -prior to or w/in 3 yrs. After that it should be done @ least every 3 yrs.
Owner cannot do. has to be engineer, env. health practitioner, member of dept, HD, or
septic contractor
-Aerobic Treatment Unit Evaluations - -1 every 6 mos @ least (same ppl) + HOMEOWNER
as long as they follow manufacturer's requirements & proper maintenance
-What is the maint. schedule for SFs & WSPs w/ surface discharges? - -@ least 1 per yr. +
H.O. if rules r followed. Pumped when solids & scum greater than 33%
-Can a H.O. install & maintain a septic system on his/her property? - -Yes
-Who can perform the excavation for a septic system? - -A licensed installer (employee
while supervised) or the property owner.
-What is the min. size tank for flows UP TO 500 gpd? - -750 gals.
-If flows are greater than 500 gpd, how do you size the tank? - -Tank size should be = to @
least 1.5x the estimated sewage flow
-How do you size a tank(s) for flows greater than 1350 gpd? - -U must use multiple tks. in
a series or multiple compartment tks. where the 1st tank or the 1st comp. in a multicomp.
tk. is 1/2-2/3 of the total required capacity. of the tank(s)
-How do you size the tank for a raised filter bed for a residence? - -It has to be an NSF 40
batch treatment system. The aeration tank has to be 2x the daily flow
-How do you size the tank for a RFB for a commercial bldg? - -The aeration tk. has to be 3x
the daily flow.
Multiple tanks in a series connected @ btm for flow equalization can be used
-How are RFB sidewalls sized? - -3:1 ratio
-How are distribution lines for RFBs? - -4" perforated pipe on 15" centers
-Describe a RFB mantle - -Mantle must go in 6" deep to original soil. Torpedo sand depth is
12" ttl. (0.5-2.0). Sand filter media depth is 30".
-What is the maximum size a RFB can be? - -A RFB cannot exceed 600 sq. ft. If more area is
needed you must use multiple beds sharing a common mantle separated by 15'
