CIT - Certified Irrigation Technician Safety, Tools, and Documentation 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Before excavating for an irrigation installation, the technician is required to:

Begin digging and look for utilities as they go
Contact 811 (Call Before You Dig) to have underground utilities marked (Correct answer)
Rely on the property owner's knowledge of utility locations
Only check for gas lines since other utilities are not at risk

Correct answer: Contact 811 (Call Before You Dig) to have underground utilities marked

Calling 811 before any excavation is required by law in all 50 US states. Utility companies will mark the approximate location of underground gas, electric, water, sewer, cable, and phone lines, typically within 48-72 hours of the request.

The 811 'Call Before You Dig' system is mandated by federal and state law. Failure to call can result in fines, liability for repair costs, and personal injury. After calling, utilities are typically marked with color-coded paint or flags: red=electric, yellow=gas, orange=communications, blue=water, green=sewer, purple=reclaimed water, white=proposed excavation. The marks show approximate location — the technician must hand-dig within 18-24 inches (varies by state) of any marking. Note that 811 only marks utility company-owned lines; private lines (sprinkler pipes, landscape lighting, invisible fence, private gas lines) are not marked and require other detection methods.

Question 2: When using a pipe and tubing cutter on PVC pipe, the technician should:

Cut at an angle for better glue adhesion
Make a straight, square cut perpendicular to the pipe and deburr the edges before cementing (Correct answer)
Cut quickly with a sawing motion regardless of angle
Heat the pipe first to soften it for cutting

Correct answer: Make a straight, square cut perpendicular to the pipe and deburr the edges before cementing

PVC pipe must be cut squarely (perpendicular to the pipe length) and deburred to ensure a proper cement joint. An angled cut reduces the bonding surface area, and burrs can interfere with proper fitting insertion and create turbulence.

A proper PVC cut and joint involves: (1) Mark the cut line squarely using a fitting or speed square. (2) Cut with a ratchet cutter, miter box, or wheel cutter — never a hacksaw without a guide. (3) Remove all burrs from inside and outside edges with a deburring tool or knife. (4) Wipe the pipe end and fitting socket with a clean cloth. (5) Apply primer (purple) to both surfaces to soften the PVC. (6) Apply cement to both surfaces and immediately push and twist the joint together, holding for 15-30 seconds. A poorly cut or unprimed joint can fail under pressure, sometimes months after installation when the joint gradually weakens.

Question 3: An as-built drawing of an irrigation system should include:

Only the valve locations
The actual locations of all mainlines, laterals, valves, heads, wiring, and point of connection as installed — including any deviations from the original design (Correct answer)
Only the information from the original design plan
Only the areas that were changed during installation

Correct answer: The actual locations of all mainlines, laterals, valves, heads, wiring, and point of connection as installed — including any deviations from the original design

An as-built drawing documents the actual installed system, including all changes from the original design. This is essential for future maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and system modifications by any technician who services the system.

As-built drawings are updated throughout construction to reflect changes from the original plan. They should include: all pipe routing and sizes, valve locations with zone numbers, head locations with nozzle sizes and types, wire routing and splice locations, point of connection details, backflow preventer type and location, controller location, and any sleeves under hardscape. Measurements should be taken from permanent reference points (building corners, curbs, property markers). Digital as-builts using GPS or measuring apps are increasingly common. Without accurate as-builts, future repairs become excavation guesswork, and modifications risk damaging existing components.

Question 4: When using PVC primer and solvent cement, what personal protective equipment (PPE) should a technician wear?

No PPE is necessary for these products
Safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves, and work in a ventilated area (Correct answer)
Only a hard hat
Only steel-toed boots

Correct answer: Safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves, and work in a ventilated area

PVC primer and cement contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and solvents that can irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory systems. Safety glasses protect eyes from splashes, chemical-resistant gloves prevent skin absorption, and adequate ventilation prevents inhalation of fumes.

PVC primer (typically containing acetone, MEK, or tetrahydrofuran) and solvent cement are classified as hazardous materials. The Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for these products specify: eye protection (safety glasses or goggles), skin protection (chemical-resistant gloves — nitrile recommended), respiratory protection (adequate ventilation or respiratory protection in confined spaces), and fire prevention (no smoking or open flames — these products are flammable). Prolonged skin contact can cause dermatitis, and chronic inhalation exposure can damage the liver and nervous system. In trench work with poor ventilation, fumes can accumulate rapidly. Always keep SDS sheets accessible on the job site.

Question 5: A trenching machine used for irrigation installation should not be operated near trees without first:

Removing the tree
Identifying the tree's root zone and planning the trench route to minimize root damage, or using boring/tunneling methods (Correct answer)
Watering the tree heavily to soften the roots
Increasing the trenching speed to cut through roots quickly

Correct answer: Identifying the tree's root zone and planning the trench route to minimize root damage, or using boring/tunneling methods

Tree roots extend well beyond the canopy (drip line) and trenching through the root zone can severely damage or kill valuable trees. The technician should identify the critical root zone, route the trench to avoid major roots, or use boring/directional drilling under the root zone.

The critical root zone (CRZ) extends from the trunk to at least the drip line (outer canopy edge), and often 2-3 times beyond. Most absorbing roots are in the top 12-18 inches of soil. Trenching through the CRZ can sever major structural roots (risking tree stability) and absorbing roots (risking tree health). Best practices include: routing around the CRZ, boring or tunneling under roots when crossing is unavoidable, hand-digging near known root locations, and avoiding cutting roots larger than 2 inches in diameter. Some municipalities have tree protection ordinances with fines for root damage. Replacement cost of a mature tree can be $10,000-$50,000+.

Question 6: What tool is used to measure the static water pressure at a point of connection before designing an irrigation system?

Flow meter
Pressure gauge (with hose bib adapter) (Correct answer)
Pipe wrench
Soil probe

Correct answer: Pressure gauge (with hose bib adapter)

A pressure gauge with a hose bib adapter (also called a water pressure test gauge) is threaded onto an outdoor hose bib to measure the static water pressure. This reading, taken with no water flowing, establishes the maximum available pressure for system design.

A pressure test gauge typically has a 0-200 PSI dial face with a hose thread connection and a lazy hand (maximum pointer) that retains the highest reading. To get accurate readings: (1) Ensure no other water is running in the building. (2) Thread the gauge onto the hose bib closest to the water meter. (3) Open the hose bib fully. (4) Record the static pressure. (5) Take readings at different times of day (pressure varies with neighborhood demand — typically lowest in early morning during peak irrigation hours and highest in midday). The static pressure reading, minus estimated friction losses and elevation changes, determines the available working pressure at sprinkler heads.

CIT - Certified Irrigation Technician Safety, Tools, and Documentation 2

Before excavating for an irrigation installation, the technician is required to: