Facility Operations & Maintenance Flashcards
7 cards from real NASCO practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Facility Operations & Maintenance flashcards as text
A pool operator smells a strong chlorine odor near an indoor pool with high bather load. The most likely explanation is:
Answer: Elevated chloramine formation from swimmer waste
A strong 'chlorine smell' almost always indicates chloramines (combined chlorine) reacting with nitrogen from urine, sweat, and other organic matter — not excess free chlorine.
What is breakpoint chlorination?
Answer: Adding enough chlorine to destroy all combined chlorine and reach a free residual
Breakpoint chlorination requires adding approximately 10 times the combined chlorine level in free chlorine to oxidize all chloramines and establish a free residual.
Which type of pool drain cover is required under the Virginia Graeme Baker Act for public pools?
Answer: ANSI/APSP-16 certified anti-entrapment drain covers
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act mandates ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-certified anti-entrapment drain covers on all public pools and spas.
How should pool chemicals be stored at an aquatic facility?
Answer: Oxidizers and chlorine compounds stored separately in ventilated, dry areas
Oxidizers and chlorine compounds can react violently if mixed; they must be stored separately in cool, dry, ventilated areas away from ignition sources.
What does a multiport valve set to 'recirculate' do on a sand filter system?
Answer: Bypasses the filter and sends water directly through the pump and back to the pool
The recirculate setting bypasses the filter media, circulating pool water through the pump without filtration — used when adding chemicals for mixing.
What is the recommended total alkalinity range for swimming pool water?
Answer: 80–120 ppm
Total alkalinity of 80–120 ppm provides a buffer that stabilizes pH and prevents rapid swings from chemical additions or environmental factors.
An aquatic facility's pool heater is cycling on and off rapidly (short-cycling). What is the most likely cause?
Answer: Inadequate water flow through the heater
Short-cycling in pool heaters is most commonly caused by insufficient water flow, which triggers the flow switch to shut down the heater before the set temperature is reached.