Building Codes and Materials Quiz

Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings

• Maximum sill height: No higher than 44 inches above the floor.

Underlayment for Ice Barrier

• At least two layers cemented together are needed in ice-prone areas along eaves.

Window Well Dimensions

• Horizontal area: At least 9 square feet.
• Minimum horizontal projection and width: 36 inches.

Ground Slope Around Building

• Minimum slope within the first 10 feet of the building perimeter: 6 inches.

Caulking Materials for Exterior Building Envelope

• Best performance: Silicone rubber and urethane caulks.

Basement Vapor Retarders

• Avoid low permeability vapor retarders (like polyethylene sheets and vinyl wallpaper) on the interior side of basement finishes in some climates. They trap moisture vapor moving through foundation walls.

Carpet and Wood Floor Application to Slabs on Grade

• Carpet and wood-based finishes can be applied directly to slabs on grade if the slab or finish surface temperature is raised near room temperature.

Composition Shingle Roof Slope

• Minimum slope: 2:12 (2 inches vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal run).

Deck Load Distribution

• Deck load is carried and distributed by posts and the deck-to-house connection, distributing weight between supporting posts and the attachment point to the house.

Deck Post Dimensions

• Minimum dimensions: 6 inches by 6 inches.
• Maximum height without cross-bracing: 12 feet.
• Maximum height with cross-bracing: 14 feet.

Air Conditioner Temperature Drop

• Temperature drop across evaporator coil: Around 20 degrees.

Gas Piping Material

• Common material: Black iron.

Dew Point

• Dew point: Temperature at which air must be cooled to reach saturation with water vapor, resulting in condensation.

Intermediate Rail/Baluster Load Capacity

• Load capacity: 50 pounds concentrated load on a 1 square foot area.

Residential Frame Construction

• Most common method: Platform framing.

Roof Types

• Roof without a gable: Hip roof.

InterNACHI Member Repair Restrictions

• 12-month restriction on performing repairs on inspected structures.

Chimney Storm Collar Function

• Directs rainwater away from the chimney flue onto the flashing to prevent water entry.

Chimney Height Requirements (3-2-10 Rule)

• Minimum height: 3 feet above the highest point where the chimney passes through the roof, and 2 feet above any part of the building within 10 feet horizontally.

Chimney Flue Cross-Sectional Area

• Determined by fireplace opening area.

Air Conditioning System Operation Temperature Limit

• Do not operate below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dishwasher, Food Grinder, and Kitchen Sink Drainage

• Can use a common 1 1/2-inch waste drain pipe.

Flat Roof Venting

• Recommended venting: Passive venting systems.
• Common problem: Ponding (water accumulation).

Sloped Roof Venting

• Effective venting: Combination of soffit vents (intake) and ridge vent (exhaust).

Mid-Efficiency Furnace Rating

• AFUE rating: 78 to 82%.
• Distinguishing characteristic: Intermittent pilot.

Plumb Bob Use

• Creates a vertical reference line, ensuring something is straight.

Egress Door Dimensions

• Minimum dimensions: 3 feet wide by 6 feet 8 inches tall.

Slab Barrier

• Required barrier below slabs for habitable space: Vapor barrier (6-mil poly or equivalent) or approved moisture barrier.

Basement Insulation Cover

• Combustible semi-permeable rigid foam insulation in basements should be covered with a fire-resistant layer (like gypsum) for safety.

Roof Deck Ventilation in Hot Weather

• Purpose: Reduces roof deck temperature and improves shingle durability.

Notches in Lumber Members

• Maximum notch length in solid lumber joists, rafters, and beams: No longer than one-third the depth of the member.
• Notches are allowed in the middle third of a floor joist.

Truss Uplift Cause

• Truss uplift: Occurs when the bottom chord of roofing trusses is exposed to different moisture or temperature conditions than the rest of the truss.

Header Function

• Header: Horizontally placed wooden framing member supporting loads when openings are made in load-bearing walls.

Shower Compartment Area

• Minimum interior cross-sectional area: At least 900 square inches.

Drainage Pipe Cleanout Spacing

• Maximum spacing: Not more than 100 feet apart.

PVC Drainage Pipe Support Spacing

• Maximum horizontal spacing: 4 feet.

Recessed Ceiling Light Insulation Rating

• Required rating: IC (Insulation Contact) rated.

Main Bonding Jumper Connection

• Purpose: Connects grounding bus to electrical enclosure.

Electricity and Water Pipe Analogy

• Voltage: Water pressure.
• Current: Flow rate.
• Resistance: Pipe size.

Grounded Electrical System Conductor Sharing

• Common bus: Grounded and grounding conductors can share a common bus in a grounded electrical system at the main service panel.

Service Entrance Conductors

• Four connected conductors: Indicates a 3-phase supply (three live wires, one neutral/ground).

Guardrail Design Strength

• Design strength to resist a 200-pound concentrated load applied at any point along the handrail.

Insulation and Roof Deck Airflow

• Minimum space between insulation and roof deck sheathing: 1 inch.

Gas Furnace Ignition System

• Crossover igniter: Simultaneously ignites all burners.

Casement Window Operation

• Casement window sash: Hinged on one side, swings in or out.

Three-Coat Stucco System Layers

• Layers: 3/8-inch scratch coat, 3/8-inch brown coat, and 1/8-inch finish coat.

Ledger Board Support Restrictions

• Ledger boards should not be supported by stone, brick veneer, or attached directly to stucco/EIFS (surface-mounted).

Ladder Duty Rating

• Type IA ladder duty rating: 300 pounds. Recommended for extra-heavy-duty industrial use.

Rafter Support

• After ties and collar ties resist outward thrust and wind suction at the ridge.

GFCI Receptacle Protection

• GFCI receptacle protects downstream receptacles, not upstream.

Test your knowledge on essential building codes and materials related to construction and safety. This quiz covers topics like emergency escape openings, underlayment for ice barriers, and basement vapor retarders. Assess your understanding of best practices in building design and material application.