Pool Operator Licensing Study Guide

Vocabulary and key concepts based on the Alexandria and Fairfax County Pool Operator Exam study guide.

Certified Pool Operator

A person who has satisfactorily completed a training course in pool operations approved by the local jurisdiction and is responsible for maintaining the daily pool operation log.

Safety Equipment for Chemical Handling

Protective gear that includes gloves, goggles, and an apron.

Turnover Rate

The amount of time it takes for the total volume of pool water to pass through the circulation system, typically every $6$ hours in most jurisdictions.

Hair/Lint Strainer Lid

If not secure or if the gasket is damaged, it can cause air bubbles to come from the pool returns.

Pump Cavitations

A condition most likely caused by clogged skimmer baskets and a full hair/lint strainer.

Skimmer Weir

A component that provides $75$ percent of the pool’s recirculation and prevents floating debris from re-entering the pool.

Black Algae

A type of algae that can penetrate into the plaster of the pool surface and cause damage.

Main Drain

Located at the deep end of the pool, it is the strongest point of suction and can lead to entrapment and drowning if the cover is broken.

Iron

The mineral usually responsible for causing stains on the interior pool surfaces.

Filtration

The physical process of removing suspended particles from the pool water.

Cartridge Filters

Paper filters that are cleaned by soaking in a degreaser and hosing off.

Channeling

A damaging condition in sand filters where water creates channels through sand grains, causing ineffective filtration.

Backwashing

The process of reversing water flow to remove accumulated particles from inside a sand filter; it is complete when the water in the sight glass appears clear.

Flocculent

A chemical aid used for removing small particles from the pool water.

Gallons Per Minute (GPM)

The unit of measurement for the volume of water going through a filter system.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filter

The filter type that removes the smallest particle size from the water.

Sodium Hypochlorite

The chemical name for liquid chlorine.

Free Chlorine (Acceptable Level)

A concentration between $1$ to $3$ parts per million ($\text{ppm}$) in a swimming pool.

Free Chlorine (Recommended Level)

A concentration between $1$ to $5$ parts per million ($\text{ppm}$) in a swimming pool.

Sodium Thiosulfate

A chemical added to the pool water to reduce the level of free chlorine if it is too high.

Chlorine Gas

A disinfectant that is heavier than air, requires special handling, and must be stored in well-ventilated rooms.

Breakpoint Chlorination

Also known as shocking the pool, this is the process of adding chlorine to remove chlorine odors and chloramines.

Chloramines

A combination of chlorine and ammonia in pool water that acts as a weak disinfectant and is irritating to the body.

Bromine

A disinfectant used because its combined form is still a sanitizer and it is more stable at high temperatures than chlorine.

Calcium Hypochlorite

The chemical name for dry chlorine.

Hypochlorous Acid

The active disinfectant formed when chlorine reacts with water.

pH Recommended Range

The range of $7.2$ to $7.8$ required to maintain pool water balance.

Soda Ash

A chemical added to swimming pool water to raise the pH.

Muriatic Acid

A chemical added to swimming pool water to lower the pH.

Phenol Red

A test reagent used to check pH; a bright yellow color indicates that the pH is low.

Calcium Hardness

A measure of certain dissolved minerals in the water, recommended to be maintained between $200$ and $400$ parts per million ($\text{ppm}$).

Calcium Chloride

The chemical added to raise calcium hardness levels in pool water.

Sodium Bicarbonate

The chemical added to pool water to raise total alkalinity levels.

pH Bounce

A condition where pH is unstable (moving up and down) resulting from low total alkalinity.

Cyanuric Acid

A chemical used as a stabilizer in pool water that must never exceed $50$ parts per million ($\text{ppm}$).

Combined Chlorine (CC) Calculation

Calculated by the formula: $\text{CC} = \text{TC} - \text{FC}$, where TC is Total Chlorine and FC is Free Chlorine.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFIs)

Electrical safety devices required for the protection of pool operators and bathers.

Depth Markers

Fittings provided on horizontal and vertical surfaces, at a minimum of every $20$ feet, to prevent shallow water diving.

Maximum Safe SPA Temperature

The highest temperature allowed for spa water, which is $104$ degrees Fahrenheit.

Sequestering Agent

A chemical used in a pool to prevent the precipitation of minerals on pool surfaces.