MARYLAND POOL OPERATOR EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
Operational public pool - answer-open for general admission; open to the public.
Semi-public pool - answer-a pool at a facility that has pool use restricted to individuals.
Usually members
How often do you need to fill out daily/weekly operation form - answer-every two hours
or more (operation form)
How often do you need to fill out pool and spa entrapment hazard checklist - answer-
daily
How long do you need to keep your records for? What's an exception? - answer-3
years. Exception: minor gets injured. They can file until they turn 18. Ex: 8 y/o has 10
years to file.
9 possible immediate closure items: - answer-1. Staff has improper credentials
2. Disinfection levels aren't in legal ranges
3. Ph isn't in legal range
4. Poor clarity
5. Loose, damaged, or missing suction outlet covers
6. Fecal, vomit, or blood
7. Recirculation/ disinfection systems not properly working
8. High/low water temp.
9. Dangers
Staffing requirements for public pool (operator and lifeguard) - answer-operator- on site
at all times
Lifeguard- always
Staffing requirements for semi-public pool (operator and lifeguard) - answer-operator-
on site/within 15 minutes call
Lifeguard- not required
If your pool needs repairs when must you contact the health department? - answer-
always. Except for identical replacement.
How long do you have to file injury and illness report form - answer-within 24 hours
, How long do you have to file resuces - answer-every 3 months or at the seasonal
change, whichever is more frequent
Suction entrapment - answer-condition where the bather is trapped by the flow/suction
created by rapid water flow and/or turbulence around a main drain or other suction
outlets.
5 types of entrapment - answer-1. Hair
2. Limb
3. Body suction
4. Mechanical
5. Eciseration
Rwi? - answer-recreational water illness
What is ct value - answer--ct value: the amount of sanitizing chemical and contact time
needed to kill specific organisms c (concentration) x t (time)
Most common cause of swimmers ear? - answer-bacteria
Steps for dealing with a solid fecal,vomit, and blood accident? - answer--close pool
-remove as much matter as possible
-raise free cl to 2 ppm and ph to 7.5 or less, 77 degree pool temp or more.
-maintain above levels and close for at least 25 min
-reopen
Steps for dealing with a loose fecal accident - answer--close
-remove matter
Disinfect equipment used.
-raise free cl to 20 ppm; ph 7.5 or less
-close for approx. 12 hours
-backwash
What happens if main drain isn't secure? - answer--immediate closure
-shut down pumps
-repair or replace
Most natural and municipally treated water tends to be - answer-either corrosive or
scale-producing
Langelier saturation index? - answer-the most common index used to determine if
pool/spa water is balanced
Ph? - answer-the measure of how acidic or basic the water is.
Ph legal range - answer-legal- 7.2-7.8
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
Operational public pool - answer-open for general admission; open to the public.
Semi-public pool - answer-a pool at a facility that has pool use restricted to individuals.
Usually members
How often do you need to fill out daily/weekly operation form - answer-every two hours
or more (operation form)
How often do you need to fill out pool and spa entrapment hazard checklist - answer-
daily
How long do you need to keep your records for? What's an exception? - answer-3
years. Exception: minor gets injured. They can file until they turn 18. Ex: 8 y/o has 10
years to file.
9 possible immediate closure items: - answer-1. Staff has improper credentials
2. Disinfection levels aren't in legal ranges
3. Ph isn't in legal range
4. Poor clarity
5. Loose, damaged, or missing suction outlet covers
6. Fecal, vomit, or blood
7. Recirculation/ disinfection systems not properly working
8. High/low water temp.
9. Dangers
Staffing requirements for public pool (operator and lifeguard) - answer-operator- on site
at all times
Lifeguard- always
Staffing requirements for semi-public pool (operator and lifeguard) - answer-operator-
on site/within 15 minutes call
Lifeguard- not required
If your pool needs repairs when must you contact the health department? - answer-
always. Except for identical replacement.
How long do you have to file injury and illness report form - answer-within 24 hours
, How long do you have to file resuces - answer-every 3 months or at the seasonal
change, whichever is more frequent
Suction entrapment - answer-condition where the bather is trapped by the flow/suction
created by rapid water flow and/or turbulence around a main drain or other suction
outlets.
5 types of entrapment - answer-1. Hair
2. Limb
3. Body suction
4. Mechanical
5. Eciseration
Rwi? - answer-recreational water illness
What is ct value - answer--ct value: the amount of sanitizing chemical and contact time
needed to kill specific organisms c (concentration) x t (time)
Most common cause of swimmers ear? - answer-bacteria
Steps for dealing with a solid fecal,vomit, and blood accident? - answer--close pool
-remove as much matter as possible
-raise free cl to 2 ppm and ph to 7.5 or less, 77 degree pool temp or more.
-maintain above levels and close for at least 25 min
-reopen
Steps for dealing with a loose fecal accident - answer--close
-remove matter
Disinfect equipment used.
-raise free cl to 20 ppm; ph 7.5 or less
-close for approx. 12 hours
-backwash
What happens if main drain isn't secure? - answer--immediate closure
-shut down pumps
-repair or replace
Most natural and municipally treated water tends to be - answer-either corrosive or
scale-producing
Langelier saturation index? - answer-the most common index used to determine if
pool/spa water is balanced
Ph? - answer-the measure of how acidic or basic the water is.
Ph legal range - answer-legal- 7.2-7.8
