CSLB C-53 Swimming Pool (Trade Exam) — All Questions
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340 questions
An electrician backfilled a pool pump trench before the inspection. Who bears the cost of uncovering the wiring?
- a.The inspector, as the cause of delay
- b.The homeowner, as the property owner
- c.The utility company serving the lot
- d.The person who concealed the wiring✓
Where wiring is concealed before inspection, the person responsible for concealing it bears the cost of uncovering and replacing the covering. The owner, inspector and utility are not the responsible party.City electrical handout (Menifee), 2022 CEC summary
A pool plumbing pipe must be buried at least 12 inches. From where is that depth measured?
- a.From the centerline of the pipe to grade
- b.From the bottom of the trench to grade
- c.From the bottom of the pipe to finished grade
- d.From the top of the pipe to finished grade✓
The guide measures burial from the top of the pipe to finished grade. The bottom, centerline and trench-bottom measures give a different depth.City builder guide (Menifee)
Shotcrete was placed at 4 p.m. Friday. When does the work edge become a joint more than 8 hours old?
- a.At 8 p.m. on Friday evening
- b.On Monday morning at the start
- c.After midnight Friday✓
- d.At 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon
Eight hours after 4 p.m. is midnight, and joints over 8 hours old are cleaned with air and water before more shotcrete goes on. At 8 p.m. only 4 hours have passed, and Saturday afternoon and Monday morning are well past the 8-hour mark.2025 CBC ch. 19 (shotcrete)
Which shotcrete mixing water does the association consider acceptable practice?
- a.Clean potable water✓
- b.Water from a stagnant pond
- c.Brackish well water
- d.Salt water from the coast
Brackish or salt water should not be used because chlorides cause rapid setting and later corrosion, so clean water is the practice. Stagnant pond water carries contaminants the mixing standards exclude.American Shotcrete Association Pool FAQ
What must an exit alarm on a home door to the pool do when the door opens?
- a.Send a message to the contractor
- b.A continuous alarm or verbal warning✓
- c.Lock the door behind the child
- d.Flash a light until the door is reset
The alarm sounds an audible continuous alarm or a repeating verbal warning, such as a notice that the door to the pool is open, when a door or window is opened or left ajar. A light, a message and a lock are not that feature.Health and Safety Code §115922(a)(4)
Which ASTM standard applies to removable mesh pool fencing used as an Act feature?
- a.ASTM F2387
- b.ASTM F2286✓
- c.ASTM F1346
- d.ASTM F2208
Removable mesh fencing meets ASTM F2286. F1346 is the safety cover standard, F2208 covers pool alarms, and F2387 covers a vacuum release system.Health and Safety Code §115922(a)(2)
Which ASTM standard applies to pool alarms placed in the water?
- a.ASTM F2286
- b.ASTM F2387
- c.ASTM F2208✓
- d.ASTM F1346
Pool alarms are independently certified to ASTM F2208. F2286 is mesh fencing, F1346 is safety covers, and F2387 is a vacuum release system.Health and Safety Code §115922(a)(6)
What else must a "no lifeguard" sign say on a public pool?
- a.Diving is permitted in the deep end
- b.Children need adult supervision✓
- c.Swim at your own risk after dark
- d.Pool hours end promptly at sunset
The sign states NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY and, in letters at least 1 inch high, that children should not use the pool without adult supervision. Permission to dive, a swim-at-your-own-risk line and closing hours are not required text.2025 CBC §3120B.4
A door latch on one door and an exit alarm on a separate door are proposed as two features. What is the result?
- a.The pair satisfies it for spas only
- b.The pair satisfies it if both are battery powered
- c.The pair does not satisfy the requirement✓
- d.The pair satisfies the requirement
The Act lists an exit alarm and a door latch on separate doors as not satisfying the requirement. The pair does not qualify for spas only, battery power does not change it, and it does not satisfy the requirement as proposed.Health and Safety Code §115922(b)
Where does the 10-minute cool-down rest every two hours at 95 degrees apply in the heat rule?
- a.To employees in agriculture✓
- b.To all outdoor work above 80 degrees
- c.To all construction workers
- d.To indoor work above 100 degrees
The ten-minute rest at 95 degrees is in the paragraph for employees employed in agriculture. It is not a construction requirement, and the shade threshold is 80 degrees.Title 8 §3395(e)(6)
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May a worker take a preventative cool-down rest in the shade before a scheduled break?
- a.Yes, when they feel the need✓
- b.No, shade rests are for agriculture
- c.No, only at scheduled breaks
- d.Yes, after the supervisor approves
Employees shall be allowed and encouraged to take a preventative cool-down rest in the shade when they feel the need, and access to shade is permitted at all times. A schedule, approval or an agriculture limit is not the rule.Title 8 §3395(d)(3)
Who may call for emergency services at a worksite under the high-heat procedures?
- a.The owner of the property only
- b.The building inspector only
- c.Designated employees, or others if none✓
- d.The site supervisor only
High-heat procedures designate one or more employees to call for emergency medical services and allow other employees to call when no designated employee is available. The owner, inspector or supervisor alone is too narrow.Title 8 §3395(e)(3)
One city's guide asks for how many stamped and signed engineered pool plans and how many scaled site plans?
- a.Two engineered plans and three site plans✓
- b.Two engineered plans and two site plans
- c.Three engineered plans and two site plans
- d.One engineered plan and one site plan
The guide asks for two stamped and signed engineered pool construction plans and three site plans drawn to scale. Swapping the counts, asking for one of each, or asking for only two site plans does not match the guide.City builder guide (Menifee) plan submittal
What does the enforcing agent retain once public pool plans are approved?
- a.One copy of the approved plans and later changes✓
- b.The contractor's complete license and bond file
- c.Every material invoice and delivery ticket
- d.The owner's loan documents and credit report
The enforcing agent retains one copy of the approved plans and specifications and any subsequent changes or modifications. The contractor's license file, the owner's loan papers and material invoices are not part of what the code has the agent keep.2025 CBC §3103B.4
Besides the electrical conduit, which line does one city's site-plan list ask to be shown by size, location and material?
- a.The gas line, if provided✓
- b.The doorbell wiring
- c.The irrigation controller wire
- d.The cable television drop
The site plan shows the size, location and type of material of the gas line, if there is one, and of the electrical conduit. Cable television, irrigation wire and doorbell wiring are not on the guide's list.City builder guide (Menifee) plan submittal
A pool dig is planned within 10 feet of a high pressure natural gas pipeline. What must be arranged before the legal start?
- a.A written note left at the neighbor's door
- b.An onsite meeting with the owner's representative✓
- c.A phone call to the homeowner's insurer
- d.Nothing beyond the normal notice to the center
When excavation is proposed within 10 feet of a high priority subsurface installation, the owner or operator notifies the excavator and an onsite meeting is scheduled to determine how the installation will be verified. An insurer call, a note to a neighbor and the normal notice alone do not meet that.Title 8 §1541(b)(1)(B)
A crew nicks a buried gas line while digging. What does Title 8 require right after?
- a.Backfill the damage and report it at the end of the shift
- b.Notify the facility owner or the notification center immediately✓
- c.Record it in the daily log and keep digging
- d.Tape the nick and tell the homeowner only
An excavator that causes damage to a subsurface installation immediately notifies the facility owner or operator, or contacts the regional notification center to reach the operator. Hiding the damage, telling only the homeowner or logging it and continuing leaves the operator unaware.Title 8 §1541(b)(5)
Under the general clearance table, how close may an employee's body or a hand tool come to an energized 20,000-volt overhead line?
- a.No closer than 3 feet
- b.No closer than 6 feet✓
- c.No closer than 2 feet
- d.No closer than 15 feet
Table 1 sets a minimum clearance of 6 feet for lines from 600 to 50,000 volts, and any activity that brings a body or tool closer is prohibited. Two and 3 feet are too close, and 15 feet is more than the table gives for this voltage.Title 8 §2946(b)(2), Table 1
When does one city's guide say an inspection must be requested?
- a.One week ahead, by letter
- b.The same morning, by 7:00 a.m.
- c.The day prior, by 2:00 p.m.✓
- d.Two weeks ahead, in person
Inspections are requested the day prior by 2:00 p.m., by email. A same-morning request, a week's notice by letter and two weeks' notice in person do not match the guide.City builder guide (Menifee)
A permit applicant is neither the property owner nor a licensed contractor. What does one city require?
- a.A verbal approval from the owner's next-door neighbor
- b.A copy of the applicant's most recent tax return
- c.A signed and notarized letter of authorization✓
- d.A letter of recommendation from the equipment supplier
The guide requires a signed notarized authorization letter from the property owner or a California licensed contractor that names the authorized persons. A neighbor's word, a tax return and a supplier's letter do not authorize anyone to pull the permit.City builder guide (Menifee)
Where should the permit card and approved plans be kept during an inspection?
- a.At the contractor's main office downtown
- b.With the homeowner's attorney for safekeeping
- c.On site, where the inspector can find them✓
- d.In the supplier's delivery truck
The permit card and approved plans must be on site for the inspection, in a location easily found by the inspector, preferably at the pool equipment location. The contractor's office, an attorney's file and a delivery truck are all away from the site.City builder guide (Menifee)
Before the pre-plaster inspection, what access must the owner plan to give the inspector?
- a.Entry to the house to test door alarms✓
- b.Entry to the neighbor's yard to view the fence
- c.Access to the roof to check the gutters
- d.A key to the equipment trailer
The pre-plaster inspection verifies the required alarms on the doors of the home, and the inspector needs access inside the house to verify them. The neighbor's yard, a trailer key and the roof are not part of that check.City builder guide (Menifee)
While an excavation is open, what must be done with subsurface installations that could endanger employees?
- a.Protect, support or remove them as necessary✓
- b.Cover them with loose soil to hide them
- c.Ignore them if the owner has responded
- d.Mark them once and leave them exposed
While the excavation is open, subsurface installations are protected, supported or removed as necessary to safeguard employees. Marking once, covering them with loose soil, or ignoring them after the owner responds does not protect anyone.Title 8 §1541(b)(4)
A pool hole near stored solvents is 6 feet deep and a hazardous atmosphere is possible. What must happen before workers enter?
- a.The crew judges the air by smell
- b.A sign is posted at the top
- c.The atmosphere is tested✓
- d.The excavation is left open overnight
Where oxygen deficiency or a hazardous atmosphere exists or could reasonably be expected, the atmosphere is tested before employees enter excavations greater than 4 feet deep. A sign, a smell test and an overnight airing do not measure the air.Title 8 §1541(g)(1)(A)
A worker at a pool hole beside a public street is exposed to public vehicular traffic. What must the worker wear?
- a.A rubber apron over the clothes
- b.A dust mask with a face shield
- c.A leather tool belt with a safety clip
- d.A reflective or high-visibility warning vest✓
Employees exposed to public vehicular traffic wear warning vests or other garments marked with or made of reflectorized or high-visibility material. A dust mask with a face shield, a rubber apron and a tool belt do not make a worker visible to drivers.Title 8 §1541(d)
A loader operator cannot see the edge of the excavation directly. What does Title 8 call for?
- a.A reminder in the next safety talk
- b.A warning system such as barricades or signals✓
- c.A faster work pace along the edge
- d.A louder back-up horn on the loader
When the operator does not have a clear and direct view of the edge, a warning system such as barricades, hand or mechanical signals or stop logs is used. A louder horn, a faster pace and a reminder talk do not mark where the edge is.Title 8 §1541(f)
A crew checks a corner with a 3-4-5 triangle scaled up to a 9-foot leg and a 12-foot leg. What must the diagonal measure?
- a.21 feet
- b.18 feet
- c.225 feet
- d.15 feet✓
The 3-4-5 triangle scaled by 3 is 9-12-15, and the diagonal is the square root of (81 + 144) = the square root of 225 = 15 feet. The figure 21 adds the legs, 18 doubles the short leg, and 225 forgets the square root.CSLB C-53 study guide 13E-53 (computation questions)
At pre-deck in one city, how are the four deck bonding wires brought from pre-gunite handled?
- a.Cut off once the shell is bonded
- b.Left coiled at the equipment pad
- c.Welded together at one corner of the deck
- d.Connected to the bonding grid at four locations✓
The four deck bonding wires provided at pre-gunite are connected in four locations to the bonding grid with approved clamps or other approved methods. Joining them at one corner, coiling them or cutting them off leaves the grid unbonded.City builder guide (Menifee)
Which object must get a #8 copper bond wire to the shell at the pre-deck inspection?
- a.A plastic planter 4 feet from the water
- b.A metal patio cover 4 feet from the water✓
- c.A metal shed 20 feet from the water
- d.A wooden bench 3 feet from the water
Metal objects within 5 feet of the water's edge, such as handrails, slides, diving boards, metal patio covers and metal fencing, are bonded with a minimum #8 copper wire to the pool shell. A plastic planter and a wooden bench are not metal, and a shed 20 feet away is outside the 5-foot zone.City builder guide (Menifee)
How must fittings and damaged areas on factory-coated black iron gas pipe be treated underground?
- a.Wrapped to a minimum of 40 mil✓
- b.Left bare so leaks show up
- c.Covered with a layer of loose sand
- d.Painted with ordinary house paint
Fittings, couplers, joints, elbows and damaged areas on the factory coating are wrapped with a minimum 40 mil. Leaving them bare, house paint and loose sand do not protect against corrosion.City builder guide (Menifee)
What rating must outdoor electrical wiring for a pool have in one city's guide?
- a.Rated for wet and damp areas, such as THWN✓
- b.Rated only for temporary use on site
- c.No rating, since the wiring is in conduit
- d.Rated for dry indoor use, such as NM cable
All outdoor installations of electrical wiring must be rated for use in wet and damp areas such as THWN. Dry-location cable, temporary-use wire and unrated wire in conduit do not meet it.City builder guide (Menifee)
What does the shotcrete association say helps roughen and clean an old surface before new shotcrete?
- a.A garden hose rinse followed by troweling
- b.A bonding agent brushed on first
- c.A coat of paint to seal the old surface
- d.A high-pressure water blaster or abrasive blasting✓
The FAQ says a high-pressure water blaster or abrasive blasting can help roughen and clean the surface. A hose rinse with troweling smooths rather than roughens, paint seals the surface, and a bonding agent interferes with the natural bond.American Shotcrete Association Pool FAQ
Whom does the association recommend to place the shotcrete?
- a.An ACI-certified nozzleman✓
- b.Any laborer who has handled a hose
- c.A tile setter between jobs
- d.The pool owner, under supervision
The FAQ recommends an ACI-certified shotcrete nozzleman. An untrained laborer, an owner and a tile setter lack that certification.American Shotcrete Association Pool FAQ
A self-contained spa has a listed safety cover. How does one city's checklist treat the barrier requirements for it?
- a.The spa needs a fence on three sides only
- b.The spa needs a barrier only at night
- c.The spa is exempt from the barrier requirements✓
- d.The spa needs the same fence as a swimming pool
A self-contained spa or hot tub equipped with a listed safety cover is exempted from the barrier requirements, and if no cover information is available the pool barrier rules apply. A full fence, a three-sided fence and a night-only barrier add requirements the checklist does not impose for a covered spa.City of Dublin checklist; Health and Safety Code §115925
In one city's checklist, what is verified at the final inspection together with working equipment?
- a.Equipment warranty cards mailed to the maker
- b.A cover storage rack beside the equipment
- c.An approved safety cover or other barrier✓
- d.A pool cover in the fabric color the owner chose
The final inspection lists an approved safety cover or other barrier installation, with all equipment operational. The cover's color, mailed warranty cards and a storage rack are not inspection items.City of Dublin checklist
At final in one city, what must fill the expansion joints between the deck, coping and pool?
- a.Loose sand swept into the gap
- b.An approved caulking or sealer✓
- c.A strip of untreated lumber
- d.Nothing, so the joint can breathe
Expansion joints between the deck, coping and pool or spa are filled with an approved caulking or sealer. Sand, an open gap and untreated lumber do not seal the joint.City builder guide (Menifee)
What equipment paperwork must be available for the final inspection in one city?
- a.The supplier's invoices for the equipment
- b.The crew's time cards for the job
- c.The homeowner's insurance policy
- d.The manufacturers' manuals for the equipment✓
All equipment manufacturer's manuals shall be provided for the inspection. Invoices, time cards and an insurance policy are not on the final inspection list.City builder guide (Menifee)
What does Title 8 say about employees and loads handled by lifting or digging equipment?
- a.No employee may be permitted underneath them✓
- b.Employees may stand under them for short periods
- c.Employees may stand under them with a spotter
- d.Employees may stand under them with a hard hat
No employee is permitted underneath loads handled by lifting or digging equipment. A hard hat, a short time or a spotter does not make the position safe.Title 8 §1541(e)
Where a hazardous atmosphere may develop during excavation work, what must be readily available?
- a.Rescue equipment such as a harness and line✓
- b.A spare shovel, a tarp and extra stakes
- c.A second battery charger for the radios
- d.A drinking-water cooler on a wheeled stand
Emergency rescue equipment, such as breathing apparatus, a safety harness and line, or a basket stretcher, is readily available where hazardous atmospheric conditions exist or may reasonably be expected to develop. A shovel, a water cooler and a battery charger do not rescue a worker.Title 8 §1541(g)(2)(A)
In one city's checklist, when must a fiberglass pool have its barriers and safety features in place?
- a.Only after the first month of use
- b.At the final inspection, after filling
- c.Before the pool is filled with water✓
- d.Whenever the owner finds it convenient
Fiberglass swimming pools must have all barriers and safety features in place prior to filling in with water. Waiting for the final inspection, a month of use or the owner's convenience leaves a filled pool unprotected.City of Dublin checklist