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FLORIDA PUMP OPS TEST 2026|250+
EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A+
Q1. Which type of pump is most commonly used in water and
wastewater systems for transferring large volumes of liquid at
low to moderate pressure?
a) Centrifugal pump
b) Reciprocating piston pump
c) Diaphragm pump
d) Gear pump
Correct Answer: a) Centrifugal pump
Rationale: Centrifugal pumps are the workhorses of
water/wastewater due to their simplicity, high flow capacity, and
ability to handle suspended solids (with appropriate impeller
design).
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Q2. In a centrifugal pump, the rotating component that imparts
velocity to the liquid is called the:
a) Volute casing
b) Impeller
c) Diffuser
d) Shaft sleeve
Correct Answer: b) Impeller
Rationale: The impeller spins, adding kinetic energy (velocity) to
the fluid. The volute or diffuser converts velocity to pressure.
Q3. A pump that traps a fixed amount of fluid and then forces it
into the discharge pipe is known as a:
a) Centrifugal pump
b) Positive displacement pump
c) Mixed-flow pump
d) Axial-flow pump
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Correct Answer: b) Positive displacement pump
Rationale: Positive displacement pumps (e.g., piston, gear, lobe,
screw) move a fixed volume per revolution, providing constant flow
regardless of pressure (within limits).
Q4. The device used to prevent backflow through a pump when
it is shut off is called a:
a) Gate valve
b) Relief valve
c) Check valve
d) Butterfly valve
Correct Answer: c) Check valve
Rationale: Check valves allow flow in one direction only, preventing
reverse flow and protecting the pump from backspin or water
hammer.
Q5. A pump operating with a fully open discharge valve is
running at shut-off head. This occurs when:
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a) The pump is cavitating
b) The discharge is blocked or closed
c) The pump is running dry
d) The suction pressure is too high
Correct Answer: b) The discharge is blocked or closed
Rationale: Shut-off head is the pressure at zero flow (discharge
valve closed). Running at shut-off head for prolonged periods can
cause overheating and damage.
Q6. The part of a centrifugal pump that converts velocity energy
into pressure energy is the:
a) Impeller
b) Volute casing or diffuser
c) Shaft
d) Mechanical seal
Correct Answer: b) Volute casing or diffuser
Rationale: As fluid exits the impeller at high velocity, the
FLORIDA PUMP OPS TEST 2026|250+
EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A+
Q1. Which type of pump is most commonly used in water and
wastewater systems for transferring large volumes of liquid at
low to moderate pressure?
a) Centrifugal pump
b) Reciprocating piston pump
c) Diaphragm pump
d) Gear pump
Correct Answer: a) Centrifugal pump
Rationale: Centrifugal pumps are the workhorses of
water/wastewater due to their simplicity, high flow capacity, and
ability to handle suspended solids (with appropriate impeller
design).
,Page 2 of 83
Q2. In a centrifugal pump, the rotating component that imparts
velocity to the liquid is called the:
a) Volute casing
b) Impeller
c) Diffuser
d) Shaft sleeve
Correct Answer: b) Impeller
Rationale: The impeller spins, adding kinetic energy (velocity) to
the fluid. The volute or diffuser converts velocity to pressure.
Q3. A pump that traps a fixed amount of fluid and then forces it
into the discharge pipe is known as a:
a) Centrifugal pump
b) Positive displacement pump
c) Mixed-flow pump
d) Axial-flow pump
,Page 3 of 83
Correct Answer: b) Positive displacement pump
Rationale: Positive displacement pumps (e.g., piston, gear, lobe,
screw) move a fixed volume per revolution, providing constant flow
regardless of pressure (within limits).
Q4. The device used to prevent backflow through a pump when
it is shut off is called a:
a) Gate valve
b) Relief valve
c) Check valve
d) Butterfly valve
Correct Answer: c) Check valve
Rationale: Check valves allow flow in one direction only, preventing
reverse flow and protecting the pump from backspin or water
hammer.
Q5. A pump operating with a fully open discharge valve is
running at shut-off head. This occurs when:
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a) The pump is cavitating
b) The discharge is blocked or closed
c) The pump is running dry
d) The suction pressure is too high
Correct Answer: b) The discharge is blocked or closed
Rationale: Shut-off head is the pressure at zero flow (discharge
valve closed). Running at shut-off head for prolonged periods can
cause overheating and damage.
Q6. The part of a centrifugal pump that converts velocity energy
into pressure energy is the:
a) Impeller
b) Volute casing or diffuser
c) Shaft
d) Mechanical seal
Correct Answer: b) Volute casing or diffuser
Rationale: As fluid exits the impeller at high velocity, the
