CIT - Certified Irrigation Technician Certified Irrigation Technician Safety, Tools, and Documentation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document must a Certified Irrigation Technician consult before trenching near a building foundation to avoid damaging underground utilities?
- The local zoning variance report
- The utility locate (811 call) ticket confirming all underground utilities have been marked (Correct answer)
- The property deed and survey plat only
- The manufacturer's installation manual for the irrigation controller
Correct answer: The utility locate (811 call) ticket confirming all underground utilities have been marked
Calling 811 (or the local one-call center) and receiving a utility locate ticket confirming all underground utilities are marked is a legal requirement before any digging. This protects workers from electrocution, gas leaks, and other hazards.
Question 2: When a technician needs to make a threaded connection on a galvanized steel pipe, the correct tool to use is a:
- Slip-joint pliers adjusted to the pipe diameter
- Pipe wrench sized appropriately for the fitting (Correct answer)
- Channel-lock pliers with rubber jaw covers
- Tubing bender with a steel back plate
Correct answer: Pipe wrench sized appropriately for the fitting
A pipe wrench is specifically designed to grip and turn threaded pipe and fittings securely without slipping. Using improper tools like slip-joint or channel-lock pliers risks rounding off fittings and causing leaks or injuries.
Question 3: An irrigation system work order should document which of the following upon job completion?
- The technician's personal contact information for future client calls
- Parts used, time on site, repairs made, and any system anomalies observed (Correct answer)
- Only the total invoice amount and payment method
- The customer's irrigation schedule preferences for the next season
Correct answer: Parts used, time on site, repairs made, and any system anomalies observed
A complete work order serves as a legal and operational record. It should capture all parts consumed, labor time, work performed, and any issues noted so that future technicians and the client have an accurate service history.
Question 4: When working in a trench deeper than 5 feet, OSHA regulations generally require that the trench be:
- Covered with steel plating when unattended
- Sloped, shored, or otherwise protected against cave-in (Correct answer)
- Inspected by the property owner before work begins
- Filled with gravel to stabilize the walls before entry
Correct answer: Sloped, shored, or otherwise protected against cave-in
OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P requires that excavations 5 feet or deeper be protected from cave-in by sloping, shoring, or using a trench box. Cave-ins are one of the leading causes of fatalities in excavation work.
Question 5: A maintenance log for an irrigation system should be updated:
- Only when a warranty claim needs to be filed with the manufacturer
- After every service visit to record changes, repairs, and system performance (Correct answer)
- Once per year during the winterization service call
- Only when the customer requests a written record of service
Correct answer: After every service visit to record changes, repairs, and system performance
Updating the maintenance log after every service visit creates a chronological record that helps diagnose recurring problems, tracks component life, supports warranty claims, and demonstrates professional due diligence to the client.
Question 6: When pressure-testing a newly installed irrigation mainline, which safety precaution is most important?
- Ensuring all zone valves are fully open to equalize pressure across the system
- Standing clear of end caps, fittings, and couplings while the system is under pressure (Correct answer)
- Running the test at twice the system's design operating pressure to verify strength
- Leaving air in the line to cushion pressure spikes during the test
Correct answer: Standing clear of end caps, fittings, and couplings while the system is under pressure
Fittings, end caps, and recently glued joints can fail under test pressure and become dangerous projectiles. Technicians must stand clear of these points and never lean over pressurized components during a hydrostatic or operational pressure test.
CIT - Certified Irrigation Technician Certified Irrigation Technician Safety, Tools, and Documentation 1
Which document must a Certified Irrigation Technician consult before trenching near a building foundation to avoid damaging underground utilities?