Sewage System Installers Exam

Sewage System Installer's Test

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Section I: Multiple Choice

For problems 1 through 23 select the letter of the best response from the radio buttons (1 point each).
1.The subsurface water occupying the zone of saturation, permanently or seasonally is called:
	a. Ground water	c. Wastewater
	b. Surface water	d. None of the above
2. Acceptable soil material that is placed over the subsurface disposal system is:
	a. Fill	c. Straw
	b. Cover	d. Filter fabric
3. The Benton-Franklin Health District shall mean all the area within:
	a. The boundaries of Benton and Franklin Counties	c. The counties, except, land within the city limits.
	b. The boundaries of Benton and Franklin Counties exclusive of the Hanford Reservation.	d. None of the above.
4. A system consisting of trenches three feet in width or beds more than three feet in width, together with the piping and gravel, designed and installed in original undisturbed soil for the purpose of receiving effluent from a septic tank and transmitting it into the soil is called a:
	a. Distribution box	c. Subsurface soil absorption system
	b. Soil log	d. Septic tank
5. A term meaning acceptable by the Health Officer or department as stated in writing:
	a. OK	c. Red tagged
	b. Rejected	d. Approved
6. A body of water which flows or is contained in natural or artificial depressions, for significant periods of time:
	a. Ground water	c. Surface water
	b. Second aquifer	d. None of the above
7. The written document issued by the Health Department which is necessary to obtain prior to installation, repair or alteration of a sewage disposal system:
	a. Verbal approval	c. Permit
	b. As-built construction plan	d. Final inspection
8. Something that impedes the movement of water, air and growth of plant roots - examples of which are ground water, hardpan, caliche and clay:
	a. Restrictive layer	c. Type 1 soils
	b. Sewage	d. Inertia
9. If you are installing a system with a permit and the owner asks you to move the tank to another location other than that which is shown on the plot plan attached to the permit, you should:
	a. Health District notification is not necessary for moving a tank.	c. Obtain permission from the Health District prior to placing the tank in the new location.
	b. Notify the Heath District on the Request for Final Inspection Form that the tank has been moved.	d. Contact your supervisor to verify the moving of the tank.
10. The depth of unsaturated soil that exists between the bottom of a Sub Surface Absorption System (SSAS) and a restrictive layer is called:
	a. The soil displacement area	c. The soil placement area
	b. The horizontal separation	d. The vertical separation
11. The replacement of, addition to, or alteration of a septic tank, distribution box, tight line or other appurtenances, or replacement of all or a portion of the original disposal field is known as:
	a. A proprietary device	c. A repair
	b. Illegal	d. A mound system
12. Sewage which is partially or completely treated which flows out the outlet of the second compartment of a septic tank:
	a. Solids	c. Effluent
	b. Sludge	d. Suspended solids
13. Risers must be properly affixed to the top of a septic tank when:
	a. The septic tank is more than 6” inches below existing surface grade	c. There is a component in the tank that requires routine maintenance
	b. A polyethylene tank is being used	d. All of the above
14. The ease of which liquids penetrate or pass through soil is:
	a. Permeability	c. Siphon
	b. pH	d. Pressure distribution
15. The movement of water in a soil which is not filled to capacity with water is:
	a. Water table	c. Unsaturated soil
	b. Tight soil	d. Aquifer
16. A water tight pretreatment receptacle which receives a discharge of sewage from a building sewer and is designed and constructed so as to permit separation of settleable and floating solids, etc., is a:
	a. Distribution box	c. Dosing chamber
	b. Diversion box	d. Septic tank
17. A soil which is classified as having a porous well developed structure in silt and silt loam is a Type _____________ soil.
	a. 1	c. 4
	b. 2	d. 5
18. The waste treatment process which occurs in the presence of oxygen in the drainfield is:
	a. percolation	c. Aerobic
	b. Sieve Testing	d. Filtration
19. The waste treatment process that occurs in the absence of oxygen in the septic tank is called:
	a. Absorption	c. Chlorine Process
	b. Anaerobic	d. Evaporation
20. Liquid and solid human body waste and the carriage waters generated through toilet usage is called:
	a. Effluent	c. Grey water
	b. Black water	d. All of the above.

21. Prior to leaving the site, the most important thing to verify is:
	a. The keys to any machinery are properly stored.	c. The lids to the septic tank are secure – concrete lids in place, plastic lids/covers screwed in place.
	b. The residence and other structures are locked.	d. All open holes or trenches must be surrounded by caution tape.
22. The depth of unsaturated, original undisturbed soil of types 1 - 6 between the bottom of a disposal component and the seasonal water table or restrictive layer is:
	a. Type 1 soil	c. Unacceptable for construction
	b. Distance from the well	d. Vertical separation
23. From the list below the smallest septic tank size for a five bedroom home is:
	a. 500 gallons	c. 1250 gallons
	b. 1000 gallons	d. a and b combined in series

Section II: True-False

For problems 1 through 24, decide if the statement is true or false. If the statement is true, select True from the drop down; if the statement is false, select False from the drop down. (1 point each).

1. Concrete pipe (tees, elbows, etc.), is approved for use inside the septic tank.

2. The permit number must appear on all applications for inspection requests.

3. The septic system can be backfilled only after final inspection and written approval by the Health Officer.

4. A header line can be used with an odd number of drainfield lines and still get equal distribution.

5. Plywood 5/8" thick or greater may be substituted for septic tank lids.

6. There must be an air gap or space between the top of the tee or baffle and the tank compartmental ceiling.

7. When measuring the setback from the edge of a building to the edge of the drainfield, measure from the center of the perforated pipe in the trench to the building, not the edge of the trench to the building.

8. Sandy clay or silty clay is an acceptable soil for the installation of a drainfield.

9. It is allowable to divert gray water away from the septic tank.

10. All septic tanks used must have prior approval from the Benton-Franklin Health Department.

11. Equal distribution of drainfield lines is not required.

12. It is required that all septic tanks be water tight.

13. Drainfield lines should be capped and the caps must be glued.

14. Metal septic tanks are approved for use within the Health District.

15. According to the Benton-Franklin District Board of Health Rules and Regulations No. 2, seepage pits may be used on initial system installations.

16. It is acceptable to install a 90° turn in the pipe between the building and the septic tank.

17. When installing a septic system, the permit from the Heath District is not required to be on the site.

18. Once you pass this test and are a licensed installer, you are the agent for your business and must be present on site anytime installation work is being done.

19. If the septic transport line between the structure and the septic tank is longer than 30 feet, the design must have prior approval from the Health District.

20. Prior to inspection, any septic tank with a mid-line seam must be filled with water to “working level” so that the inspector is able to check the tank for water tightness.

21. The distribution box is considered to be level when a torpedo level or a carpenter’s level placed in two directions across the box reads level.

22. The minimum distance between any component of a septic system and a pressurized water line is 5’.

23. The inlet line to the septic tank may be three inches in diameter to match the buildings sewer line, but the remainder of the pipes must be four inches in diameter.

24. Neoprene or other compression fittings are allowed any time glued fittings may be difficult to install.

Section III: Fill In The Blank
For problems 1 through 55, enter the best response (1 point each).
1. The Health Department recommends the pumping of septic tanks every three to years.
2. The minimum allowable wall thickness for concrete septic tanks is inches.
3. The minimum sized septic tank shall be gallons.
4. The Health Department may at any time, require any or all septic tanks to be checked for leaks by requiring tanks to be (2 words).
5. The inlet baffle should extend approximately inches below the liquid surfaces.
6. The outlet invert of the septic tank must have a minimum of inches of fall from the tank inlet invert.
7. will be the likely outcome of a drainfield, should sludge be allowed to travel freely into it.
8. areas of the tank contain a scum layer.
9. Generally, the area of the tank contains sludge.
10. For each additional bedroom in a residence, exceeding four bedrooms, the tank size should be increased by gallons.
11. The outlet baffle to the drainfield should extend (%) percent into the liquid level of the tank.
12. The outlet pipe between the septic tank and the distribution box must be a solid pipe having a pound crush strength.
13. All tanks must be covered by at least inches of soil.
14. Risers must be installed on all septic tanks which are more than inches below the finished grade.
15. The septic tank contains compartments.
16. Separate the distribution box from the graveled drainfield trench by a minimum of feet of solid pipe.
17. Sewage systems are not allowed where slopes exceed %.
18. A sewage system cannot be backfilled until it has been inspected by the Health Department and tagged.
19. If a distribution box is placed so that there is a direct flow from the distribution box inlet to any drain line, a must be installed.
20. Header lines must be constructed of solid line and should be laid at a grade.
21. The minimum crush strength of drainfield pipe is pounds crush strength.
22. The maximum drainfield trench depth shall not exceed inches.
23. The minimum depth of drainfield cover is inches.
24. The minimum separation between two drainfield trenches shall be feet, edge to edge.
25. All joints of pipe and fittings should be to hold them in place.
26. What is the square footage of a drainfield that has 4 drainfield lines, each line is 67’ long and 3’ wide? sq feet.
27. Drainfield gravel must be and be free of fines.
28. All sewer lines should have a in- stalled to clear lines of potential clogs.
29. When crossing a road with a tight line the type of pipe required should be equal to or greater than strength of pipe.
30. The size of the drainfield rock must be inches to inches at the longest dimension.
31. Distribution boxes must be tested.
32. In a four line drainfield, each line should receive % of the total flow.
33. If there is public sewer within feet of the dwelling, you may be required to connect to sewer.
34. The covering over the drainfield trench gravel to prevent soil from entering the gravel is called
35. The grade of the drainfield line shall not exceed in feet, while lines are preferred.
36. What is the maximum width of a drain field trench that is allowed? feet.
37. distribution of drainfield lines is required.
38. The maximum length of each gravity flow drainfield line shall not exceed feet.
39. The maximum depth of cover over a drainfield line shall not exceed inches.
40. The minimum distance between drainfield gravel and the distribution box is inches.
41. If a permit requires 900 square feet of absorption area, and you use a 3' (three feet) wide trench, 4 (four) line system, each drainfield line will be long.
42. The non perforated pipe from the building to the septic tank should be laid at grade.
43. A conventional gravity flow drainfield system requires feet of separation between the trench bottom and a restrictive or impermeable layer or ground water.
44. feet is the minimum distance from the septic tank to the absorption system.
45. feet is the widest drainfield trench that can be used in computation of the trench absorption area.
46. There shall be a minimum of disposal lines in a sewage waste disposal system.
47. An system must be provided on an electrical circuit separate from the pump to indicate a pump failure.
48. A minimum inches separation between the bottom of the pump chamber and the pump intake is required.
49. A disconnect union that is accessible when the pump chamber is flooded and a valve immediately on the discharge side of the pump chamber and the pump intake is required.
50. If a riser is used on a pump chamber, the effluent discharge line shall exit through the wall.
51. The lid of the pump chamber shall be located inches from the surface grade.
52. The minimum riser diameter for pump chambers is inches.
53. The effluent pump chamber shall provide additional storage volume of gallons multiplied by the number of bedrooms.
54. The dosing volume shall be delivered to the drainfield within minutes from the beginning of each cycle.
55. The minimum size of a residential on-site sewage system shall not be less than bedrooms in size nor have less than square feet of drainfield.

Section IV: System Design – Place the correct answer for each number.
For problems 1 through 13, enter the best response (1 point each).
1. to
2.
3. /
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. /

What is the calculated drainfield area of the diagram below in each of the following systems?
10. Trench width is 4 feet.
11. Trench width is 3 feet.
12. Trench width is 2.5 feet.
13. Trench width is 2 feet.

Section V: Sewage System Location
For problems 1 through 21, fill in blanks with the correct distances (1 point each).
*Minimum Horizontal Separations*
Items Requiring Setback	From edge of disposal component and reserve area	From septic tank, holding tank,containment vessel, pump chamber, and distribution box	From building sewer, collection, and non-perforated distribution line¹
1. Well or suction line
2. Public drinking water well
3. Irrigation well
4. Public drinking water spring
5. Spring or surface water used as drinking water source
6. Pressurized water supply line
7. Properly decommissioned well		N/A	N/A
8. Surface waterFresh water
9. Building foundation
10. Driveway/Road/Patio/Other impervious surfaces
11. Property or easement line
12. Interceptor / curtain drains/
Down-gradient			N/A
Up-gradient		N/A	N/A
13. Down-gradient cuts or banks with at least 5 ft. of original, undisturbed soil above a restrictive layer due to a structural or textural change		N/A	N/A
14. Down-gradient cuts or banks with less than 5 ft. of original, undisturbed, soil above a restrictive layer due to a structural or textural change		N/A	N/A
15. Trees			N/A
16. Natural Drainage			N/A
17. Irrigation Canals			N/A
18. Drainage Ditches			N/A
19. Pools			N/A
20. Utility Poles			N/A
21. Slopes in excess of 20%			N/A

Section VI: Matching
For problems 1 through 11, place the correct letter of the right column on the answer sheet which matches the numbered items in the left column (1 point each).
	1. Type 2 soils	A. 360 gallons per day
	2. Cover soil depth	B. 1000 gallons
	3. Type 5 soils	C. One foot
	4. Vertical separation	D. Absorption bed
	5. Three bedrooms	E. 100 feet
	6. Horizontal distance	F. Four feet
	7. Septic Tank	G. .40 gallons/square feet
Short answer.
8. Upon completion of the trench excavation there is no reason to precisely level the bottom of the trench with a shovel.
Why or Why Not.
9. Describe the process to properly decommission or abandon an old septic tank.

10. You are the sanitarian (inspector). A relatively level site that appears to be acceptable for the placement of an on-site sewage disposal system (has lots of room) has two test holes in the area of the proposed drainfield that revealed the following: Test Hole #1; 0 to 6'(72 inches) fine loam, No deeper because of basalt; Test Hole #2; 0 to 5'6" (66 inches) fine loam, No deeper because of basalt. You are working with the development of a new two bedroom home.
10a. How much total drainfield area is needed?
10b. How deep can the drainfield trenches be?
10c. Will any additional cover soil or site grading be needed over the drainfield area.
10d. If so how much?
11. After receiving approval on an on-site sewage system installation, you notice that the drainfield area is likely to be driven over or have vehicles parked on it as the building is constructed. What should you do and why should that action be taken?

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