IRRIGATION TECHNICIAN EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2025/2026.
ABSORPTION RATE - ANS The rate at which a soil will accept water. Rate decreases as soil
'capacity' is reached.
ACTUAL HEAD PRESSURE - ANS Operating pressure at the base of the sprinkler head.
Calculated by subtracting all pressure losses from the static pressure.
AIR GAP - ANS A complete physical separation between the free flowing discharge end of a
potable water supply pipeline and an open or non-pressure receiving vessel.
ANTI-SIPHON DEVICE - ANS Any device that introduces air into the system to prevent 'back
siphonage'.
APPLICATION RATE - ANS Rate at which water is applied by the irrigation system, usually
measured in inches per hour or gallons per hour.
ARC - ANS The surface area of the landscape that the head will provide water, usually
described in degrees or part of a circle.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,AS-BUILT PLAN - ANS A corrected or redrawn plan showing the actual location of all major
components of the system.
ATMOSPHERIC VACUUM BREAKER (AVB) - ANS A backflow prevention device that introduces
air into the piping system to prevent back siphonage.
AUTOMATIC CONTROL VALVE - ANS An electric or hydraulic remote control valve in a
sprinkler system that is activated by an automatic controller.
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM - ANS An irrigation system that will automatically cycle water according
to a preset program.
AWWA - ANS Abbreviation for American Water Works Association.
BACK PRESSURE - ANS Any condition that could create pressure in the downstream piping
system that is greater than in the upstream system.
BACK SIPHONAGE - ANS A form of backflow due to a negative or sub-atmospheric pressure
within a water system.
BACKFLOW - ANS Reverse flow of water in a piping system.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION - ANS The mechanical prevention of reverse flow, or back
siphonage, of nonpotable water from an irrigation system into the potable water source.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE - ANS Any approved device that prevents an undesirable
reversal of flow of water.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY - ANS Any assembly used to prevent backflow into a
potable water system based on the existing or potential degree of health hazard.
BOOSTER PUMP - ANS A pump installed in the water supply line designed to raise the
operating pressure in the irrigation system.
BUSHING - ANS The method of adapting a fitting to either a larger or smaller size.
CHECK VALVE - ANS A valve that permits water to flow in one direction only.
COMPLETION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM INSTALLATION - ANS When the landscape irrigation
system has been installed, all minimum standards met, all tests performed, and the system is
operating correctly.
CONSULTING - ANS The act of providing advice, guidance, review, or recommendations
related to landscape irrigation systems.
CLASS PIPE - ANS A method which PVC groups pipe according to the working pressure, with
all sizes in the class having the same working pressure.
CONTOUR LINES - ANS A line of equal elevation drawn on a plan, usually accurate to +/- one
half of the contour interval.
CONTROL WIRES - ANS The wires that transmit signals to open and close from the automatic
controller to the automatic electric valves.
CONTROLLER - ANS An automatic timing device that signals the automatic valves to open or
close according to a prescribed program.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2025/2026.
ABSORPTION RATE - ANS The rate at which a soil will accept water. Rate decreases as soil
'capacity' is reached.
ACTUAL HEAD PRESSURE - ANS Operating pressure at the base of the sprinkler head.
Calculated by subtracting all pressure losses from the static pressure.
AIR GAP - ANS A complete physical separation between the free flowing discharge end of a
potable water supply pipeline and an open or non-pressure receiving vessel.
ANTI-SIPHON DEVICE - ANS Any device that introduces air into the system to prevent 'back
siphonage'.
APPLICATION RATE - ANS Rate at which water is applied by the irrigation system, usually
measured in inches per hour or gallons per hour.
ARC - ANS The surface area of the landscape that the head will provide water, usually
described in degrees or part of a circle.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,AS-BUILT PLAN - ANS A corrected or redrawn plan showing the actual location of all major
components of the system.
ATMOSPHERIC VACUUM BREAKER (AVB) - ANS A backflow prevention device that introduces
air into the piping system to prevent back siphonage.
AUTOMATIC CONTROL VALVE - ANS An electric or hydraulic remote control valve in a
sprinkler system that is activated by an automatic controller.
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM - ANS An irrigation system that will automatically cycle water according
to a preset program.
AWWA - ANS Abbreviation for American Water Works Association.
BACK PRESSURE - ANS Any condition that could create pressure in the downstream piping
system that is greater than in the upstream system.
BACK SIPHONAGE - ANS A form of backflow due to a negative or sub-atmospheric pressure
within a water system.
BACKFLOW - ANS Reverse flow of water in a piping system.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION - ANS The mechanical prevention of reverse flow, or back
siphonage, of nonpotable water from an irrigation system into the potable water source.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE - ANS Any approved device that prevents an undesirable
reversal of flow of water.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY - ANS Any assembly used to prevent backflow into a
potable water system based on the existing or potential degree of health hazard.
BOOSTER PUMP - ANS A pump installed in the water supply line designed to raise the
operating pressure in the irrigation system.
BUSHING - ANS The method of adapting a fitting to either a larger or smaller size.
CHECK VALVE - ANS A valve that permits water to flow in one direction only.
COMPLETION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM INSTALLATION - ANS When the landscape irrigation
system has been installed, all minimum standards met, all tests performed, and the system is
operating correctly.
CONSULTING - ANS The act of providing advice, guidance, review, or recommendations
related to landscape irrigation systems.
CLASS PIPE - ANS A method which PVC groups pipe according to the working pressure, with
all sizes in the class having the same working pressure.
CONTOUR LINES - ANS A line of equal elevation drawn on a plan, usually accurate to +/- one
half of the contour interval.
CONTROL WIRES - ANS The wires that transmit signals to open and close from the automatic
controller to the automatic electric valves.
CONTROLLER - ANS An automatic timing device that signals the automatic valves to open or
close according to a prescribed program.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
