TEXAS IRRIGATION TECHNICIAN EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Who composes the Irrigator Council?: 6 Irrigators, 3 Public members, all
from the same state
2. What is the purpose of the Irrigator Council?: Provide advice on matters
concerning irrigation
3. Possible consequence of installing a system w/o a license?: Being
charged with a Class C misdemeanor
4. Absorption Rate: How fast a rate at which the soil will accept water
5. Actual Head Pressure: The operating pressure measured at the base of a
sprinkler head
6. How to CALCULATE Actual head pressure?: subtract all pressure losses
from static pressure
7. air gap: A complete physical separation between the free flowing discharge
end of a potable water supply pipeline and an open or non-pressure recieveing
vessel
8. Application Rate: Rate that a head applies water to the area it's spraying
9. What term is Application rate synonymous with?: Precipitation Rate
10. Arc: The surface area of the landscape that the head will provide water (half,
full, 90, 25)
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, .
11. as-built plans: A corrected or redrawn plan, showing location of all major
components of a system
12. A.W.W.A.: American Water Works Association
13. Backflow: The UNDESIREABLE reverse flow of water in a piping system
14. Back pressure: Condition that can happen due to elevation pumps, pressure
15. Back siphonage: backflow due to a sub atomic pressure (break in city
main, fire hydrant being used
16. Backflow prevention: A mechanical means to prevent a backflow
17. A backflow device: Any approved device that prevents an undesireable
reversal of flow of water
18. 1 column foot of water: .443 psi (pretty close to 5 ft.
19. 1 psi: requires a column of water 2.31 feet tall (or 3 ft.) (or 27.75 in.)
20. max flowrate for 1/2 in pipe (to stay below 5 fps): 5 gpm
21. max flowrate for 3/4 in pipe (to stay below 5 fps): 10 gpm
22. max flowrate for 1 in pipe (to stay below 5 fps): 15 gpm
23. max flowrate 1 1/4 in. pipe (to stay below 5 fps): 25 gpm
24. max flowrate for 1 1/2 in pipe (to stay below 5 fps): 35 gpm
25. Key requirement for RPZ backflow: minimum of 12" above grade
26. Key requirement for Double Check backflow (DCVA): If installed below
grade,
Test cocks must be plugged with non-ferrous (non-magnetic) material
27. Key requirements for PVB and SVB: Must be 12" above highest head,
valve, pipe, fitting, or fixture
28 Key requirements for Air Gap: The recieving pipe must be 1" wider or 2 times
bigger than the discharge pipe
29. zone flow: how many gallons go through a zone
30. Backflow Prevention Assembly: Any assembly used to prevent backflow
into a potable water system. The type of assembly used is based on the
existing or potential degree of health hazard and backflow condition.
31. booster pump: increases operating pressure
32. Bushing: The method of adapting a fitting to either a larger or smaller size.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Who composes the Irrigator Council?: 6 Irrigators, 3 Public members, all
from the same state
2. What is the purpose of the Irrigator Council?: Provide advice on matters
concerning irrigation
3. Possible consequence of installing a system w/o a license?: Being
charged with a Class C misdemeanor
4. Absorption Rate: How fast a rate at which the soil will accept water
5. Actual Head Pressure: The operating pressure measured at the base of a
sprinkler head
6. How to CALCULATE Actual head pressure?: subtract all pressure losses
from static pressure
7. air gap: A complete physical separation between the free flowing discharge
end of a potable water supply pipeline and an open or non-pressure recieveing
vessel
8. Application Rate: Rate that a head applies water to the area it's spraying
9. What term is Application rate synonymous with?: Precipitation Rate
10. Arc: The surface area of the landscape that the head will provide water (half,
full, 90, 25)
1/6
, .
11. as-built plans: A corrected or redrawn plan, showing location of all major
components of a system
12. A.W.W.A.: American Water Works Association
13. Backflow: The UNDESIREABLE reverse flow of water in a piping system
14. Back pressure: Condition that can happen due to elevation pumps, pressure
15. Back siphonage: backflow due to a sub atomic pressure (break in city
main, fire hydrant being used
16. Backflow prevention: A mechanical means to prevent a backflow
17. A backflow device: Any approved device that prevents an undesireable
reversal of flow of water
18. 1 column foot of water: .443 psi (pretty close to 5 ft.
19. 1 psi: requires a column of water 2.31 feet tall (or 3 ft.) (or 27.75 in.)
20. max flowrate for 1/2 in pipe (to stay below 5 fps): 5 gpm
21. max flowrate for 3/4 in pipe (to stay below 5 fps): 10 gpm
22. max flowrate for 1 in pipe (to stay below 5 fps): 15 gpm
23. max flowrate 1 1/4 in. pipe (to stay below 5 fps): 25 gpm
24. max flowrate for 1 1/2 in pipe (to stay below 5 fps): 35 gpm
25. Key requirement for RPZ backflow: minimum of 12" above grade
26. Key requirement for Double Check backflow (DCVA): If installed below
grade,
Test cocks must be plugged with non-ferrous (non-magnetic) material
27. Key requirements for PVB and SVB: Must be 12" above highest head,
valve, pipe, fitting, or fixture
28 Key requirements for Air Gap: The recieving pipe must be 1" wider or 2 times
bigger than the discharge pipe
29. zone flow: how many gallons go through a zone
30. Backflow Prevention Assembly: Any assembly used to prevent backflow
into a potable water system. The type of assembly used is based on the
existing or potential degree of health hazard and backflow condition.
31. booster pump: increases operating pressure
32. Bushing: The method of adapting a fitting to either a larger or smaller size.
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