FLORIDA UNDERGROUND UTILITY
CONTRACTOR EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
1. According to OSHA 1926 Subpart P, what is the minimum distance that a spoil pile must be
placed from the edge of an excavation?
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet
D. 4 feet
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: OSHA regulations require that excavated materials (spoil) be
kept at least 2 feet back from the edge of the trench to prevent materials from falling back
into the hole and to reduce the risk of cave-ins.
2. Under the Sunshine State One Call Act (Chapter 556, F.S.), how many full business days
must a contractor wait after providing notification before beginning excavation?
A. 1 full business day
B. 2 full business days
C. 3 full business days
,D. 5 full business days
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Florida law requires excavators to notify the 811 system at least
2 full business days prior to beginning any excavation or demolition work.
3. For Type C soil, what is the maximum allowable slope for an excavation less than 20 feet
deep?
A. 3/4:1 (53 degrees)
B. 1:1 (45 degrees)
C. Vertical (90 degrees)
D. 1.5:1 (34 degrees)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Type C soil is the least stable (granular or submerged) and
requires a slope of 1.5 feet horizontal for every 1 foot of vertical depth.
4. What is the minimum horizontal separation required between a new water main and a
parallel existing sanitary sewer in Florida (F.A.C. 62-555)?
A. 3 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 6 feet
D. 12 feet
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Standard Florida environmental regulations require a 10-foot
horizontal separation between water mains and sanitary sewers to prevent contamination.
5. In a trench deeper than 4 feet, a means of egress (like a ladder) must be located so that a
worker does not have to travel more than how many feet laterally?
A. 25 feet
B. 15 feet
C. 50 feet
D. 100 feet
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: OSHA mandates that a means of egress must be within 25 feet of
lateral travel for employees in trench excavations.
6. Which ASTM standard is commonly referenced for the installation of thermoplastic gravity
flow sewer pipe?
A. ASTM C12
B. ASTM D2321
C. ASTM A746
D. ASTM D1785
Answer: B
CONTRACTOR EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
1. According to OSHA 1926 Subpart P, what is the minimum distance that a spoil pile must be
placed from the edge of an excavation?
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet
D. 4 feet
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: OSHA regulations require that excavated materials (spoil) be
kept at least 2 feet back from the edge of the trench to prevent materials from falling back
into the hole and to reduce the risk of cave-ins.
2. Under the Sunshine State One Call Act (Chapter 556, F.S.), how many full business days
must a contractor wait after providing notification before beginning excavation?
A. 1 full business day
B. 2 full business days
C. 3 full business days
,D. 5 full business days
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Florida law requires excavators to notify the 811 system at least
2 full business days prior to beginning any excavation or demolition work.
3. For Type C soil, what is the maximum allowable slope for an excavation less than 20 feet
deep?
A. 3/4:1 (53 degrees)
B. 1:1 (45 degrees)
C. Vertical (90 degrees)
D. 1.5:1 (34 degrees)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Type C soil is the least stable (granular or submerged) and
requires a slope of 1.5 feet horizontal for every 1 foot of vertical depth.
4. What is the minimum horizontal separation required between a new water main and a
parallel existing sanitary sewer in Florida (F.A.C. 62-555)?
A. 3 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 6 feet
D. 12 feet
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Standard Florida environmental regulations require a 10-foot
horizontal separation between water mains and sanitary sewers to prevent contamination.
5. In a trench deeper than 4 feet, a means of egress (like a ladder) must be located so that a
worker does not have to travel more than how many feet laterally?
A. 25 feet
B. 15 feet
C. 50 feet
D. 100 feet
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: OSHA mandates that a means of egress must be within 25 feet of
lateral travel for employees in trench excavations.
6. Which ASTM standard is commonly referenced for the installation of thermoplastic gravity
flow sewer pipe?
A. ASTM C12
B. ASTM D2321
C. ASTM A746
D. ASTM D1785
Answer: B
