Practice Test Geeks(CPI) Certified Pool & Spa Inspector Practice Test
← All CPI Flashcard Decks

Pool & Spa Systems Design & Operation Flashcards

7 cards from real CPI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Pool & Spa Systems Design & Operation flashcards as text

  1. Which pool heating system type uses a refrigerant cycle to extract heat from outdoor air?

    Answer: Heat pump

    Heat pumps use a compressor and refrigerant to extract ambient heat from the air and transfer it to the pool water, making them highly energy-efficient.

  2. What is the primary purpose of an equalizer line connected to the bottom of a skimmer?

    Answer: To allow the pump to draw water from the main drain if the water level drops below the skimmer weir

    The equalizer line prevents the pump from running dry or drawing air if the pool water level falls below the skimmer opening, by providing an alternate suction path from the main drain.

  3. A multiport valve set to the 'waste' position routes water:

    Answer: Directly from the pump to waste without passing through the filter

    The waste setting bypasses the filter entirely, sending water from the pump directly to the drain line, useful for lowering water level or vacuuming heavy debris.

  4. What type of valve is most appropriate for throttling (fine-tuning) water flow in a pool system?

    Answer: Globe valve

    Globe valves are designed for throttling because their internal disc can be precisely positioned to regulate flow, unlike ball or gate valves which are best for on/off service.

  5. What is the recommended maximum water velocity in pool suction piping to prevent cavitation?

    Answer: 3 ft/sec

    Suction piping should be sized to keep water velocity at or below approximately 3 ft/sec (some codes allow up to 6 on pressure side) to prevent cavitation and excessive head loss.

  6. An ultraviolet (UV) sanitization system installed on a pool primarily:

    Answer: Destroys chloramines and pathogens as water passes through the UV chamber

    UV systems expose water to UV-C light in a contact chamber, destroying chlorine-resistant pathogens like Cryptosporidium and breaking down combined chlorine (chloramines).

  7. Which condition would cause a pool pump to lose prime?

    Answer: Air leak on the suction side of the pump

    An air leak anywhere on the suction side allows air to enter the pump housing, displacing water and breaking the siphon that maintains prime.