OWNER BUILDER EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
At=what=depth=of=trench=is=shoring=require=/
=At=what=depth=of=an=excavation=is=shoring=required?=-=ans-✔✔1.2=M=or=4=Feet
How=can=shoring=be=done=past=4=feet?=-=ans-✔✔This=can=be=done=with=purpose-
built=shoring,=or,=it=is=acceptable=to
use=plywood=if=it=is=properly=constructed.
Which=of=the=following=is=not=an=acceptable=method=for=determining=the=correct=gradi
ng=for=a=trench?=-=ans-✔✔experienced=contractor=says=it's=ok
Before=a=worker=enters=any=excavation=over=1.2=m=(4=ft)=in=depth=or,=while=in=the=exc
avation,
approaches=closer=to=the=side=or=bank=than=a=distance=equal=to=the=depth=of=the=exc
avation,=the=employer=must=ensure=that=the
sides=of=the=excavation=are=-=ans-
✔✔(a)=sloped=as=specified=in=writing=by=a=qualified=registered=professional,
(b)=sloped=at=angles,=dependent=on=soil=conditions,=which=will=ensure=stable=faces,=bu
t=in=no=case,=may=the=slope=or=combination
of=vertical=cut=and=slope=exceed=that=shown=in=Figure=20-1,
(c)=benched=as=shown=in=Figure=20-2,
(d)=supported=as=specified=in=writing=by=a=professional=engineer,
(e)=supported=in=accordance=with=the=minimum=requirements=of=section=20.85,=or
(f)=supported=by=manufactured=or=prefabricated=trench=boxes=or=shoring=cages,=or=oth
er=effective=means.
Which=best=describes=the=design=principle=of=rain=water=deflection?=-=ans-
✔✔Design=and=construction=which=stops=water=from=ever=entering
What=lighting=certifications=are=required=in=Canada?=-=ans-✔✔CSA=safety=certification
What=grit=of=sandpaper=would=get=smoothest=result?=150-180=etc.=-=ans-
✔✔The=higher=the=grade,=the=smoother=the=finish.=When=finishing=a=surface,=you=typi
cally=start=with=a=low=grit=and
work=up=to=a=high=grit.
,What=is=the=maximum=rise=in=a=flight=of=stairs?
a.=The=vertical=height=any=flight=stairs=-=ans-
✔✔The=vertical=height=shall=not=exceed=3.7=M
What=is=the=minimum=distance=that=a=ladder=must=extend=above=a=parapet=wall=or=lan
ding?=-=ans-✔✔3=feet
If=you=have=a=4m=ladder,=how=far=from=the=wall=does=the=base=of=the=ladder=have=to=
be?=-=ans-✔✔74=degrees=or=4:1=ratio.=So=4=m=ladder,=needs=to=be=1=m=away.
What=heights=are=end=dams=to=be=on=window=and=door=flashings?=-=ans-
✔✔25=mm=/=1=inch=(from=BCBC)
When=to=call=for=inspections=and=how=to=make=them=efficient=as=possible?=-=ans-
✔✔Group=together=when=possible=and=call=when=work=is=complete
When=is=an=HRV=required?=-=ans-✔✔Almost=always:
"Effective=December=ϭε,=ϮϬϭκ=residential=dwelling=units,=such=as=houses,=apartments=
and=secondary=suites=will=be=required=to=have
a=principal=ventilation=system=that=exhausts=air=from=bathrooms=and=kitchens=and=sup
plies=fresh=air=to=bedrooms=and=living=areas
[ε.ϯϮ.ϯ.ϯ."
"Some=small=dwelling=units=in=mild=climates=are=permitted=to=supply=fresh=air=through=
passive=vents=[9.32.3.4.(6)],=but=for=most
dwelling=units=exhaust=and=supply=will=require=a=mechanical=fan"
What=can=you=build=under=the=owner-builder=HPO=process?=-=ans-
✔✔Single=detached=home=under=a=single=title.=One=single=dwelling=unit=in=or=attached
=to=a=pre-existing=building=older=than=10=years=(includes
the=addition=of=a=unit=to=convert=a=detached=home=to=a=duplex,=or=conversion=of=a=du
plex=to=triplex,=or=conversion=of=non=-residential=space
to=a=dwelling=unit).=One=single=dwelling=unit=in=or=attached=to=a=new=non-
residential=building=(one=only=per=building,=such=as=a=caretaker=suite
or=home=built=above=a=family-run=store).
12.=Who=issues=permits=for=a=gas=fireplace?
Which=of=the=following=is=not=allowed=under=the=HPO=owner-builder=program?=-=ans-
✔✔A=new=dwelling=unit=attached=to=building=*newer*
than=10=years=old
Who=issues=permits=for=a=gas=fireplace?=-=ans-✔✔The=Safety=Authority=-
=Now=called=Technical=Safety=BC
Can=an=owner=builder=take=out=his=or=her=own=electrical=permit?=-=ans-✔✔Yes=-
work=up=to=200A=is=allowed.
, What=types=of=Buildings=that=Can=be=Wired=by=Homeowners?=-=ans-
✔✔You=are=entitled=to=do=electrical=work=in=a=fully=detached=residential=dwelling=that=
you=occupy=or=intend=to=occupy.=Your
dwelling=may=not=contain=a=suite.=Fully=detached=dwellings=are=buildings=that=are=desi
gned=for=single=family=use=only.
You=are=not=allowed=to=do=electrical=work=in=or=on=any=buildings=if:
ͻ=you=do=not=live=in=or=intend=to=live=in=the=dwelling,
ͻ=any=part=of=the=building=includes=a=separate=self-contained=suite=or=occupancy,
ͻ=the=building,=or=any=part=of=the=building=is=being=used=to=provide=rental=income,=or
ͻ=the=building,=or=any=part=of=the=building=is=used=for=commercial=purposes.
What=is=the=best=practice=to=apply=asphalt=waterproofing=on=a=foundation?=-=ans-
✔✔Spray-on=or=roll=on=dry=foundation=with=2inch=(max)=below=grade
What=is=best=practice=for=waterproofing=on=foundation?=-=ans-
✔✔Spray=or=roll=12=inch=above=grade=on=dry=surface
When=is=the=appropriate=time=to=backfill=a=foundation?=-=ans-✔✔After=Damp-proofing
Where=does=one=apply=Damp-proofing=Material=-=ans-✔✔Exterior=damp-
proofing=shall=be=applied=from=finished=ground=level=to=the=top=of=the=exterior=of=the=f
ooting.
What=do=you=need=to=do=when=applying=a=peel=and=stick=waterproof=membrane=found
ation?=-=ans-✔✔Use=an=approved=primer=before=installing
The=distance=from=the=gas=vent=to=the=roof=must=be...=-=ans-
✔✔...greater=than=the=overhang=of=the=roof.=Nothing=(no=gas=appliance=exhaust=vents
)=within
1m=either=side=and=4.5=meters=above.=Any=powered=air=intake=must=not=be=within=3=
meters.
When=do=you=need=to=install=a=handrail,=or=have=worker=wear=fall=protection?=-=ans-
✔✔10=feet=above=grade
If=a=worker=has=no=fall=protection,=at=what=height=must=a=handrail=be=provided?=-=ans-
✔✔4=feet
How=high=does=a=construction=fence=around=a=site=needs=to=be?=-=ans-✔✔6=feet
When=installing=the=footer,=it=was=dug=down=2=inches=deeper=then=what=the=elevation=
should=be.=What=needs=to=happen?=-=ans-
✔✔Install=the=footing=form=at=proper=elevation=and=fill=with=extra=concrete
AND ANSWERS
At=what=depth=of=trench=is=shoring=require=/
=At=what=depth=of=an=excavation=is=shoring=required?=-=ans-✔✔1.2=M=or=4=Feet
How=can=shoring=be=done=past=4=feet?=-=ans-✔✔This=can=be=done=with=purpose-
built=shoring,=or,=it=is=acceptable=to
use=plywood=if=it=is=properly=constructed.
Which=of=the=following=is=not=an=acceptable=method=for=determining=the=correct=gradi
ng=for=a=trench?=-=ans-✔✔experienced=contractor=says=it's=ok
Before=a=worker=enters=any=excavation=over=1.2=m=(4=ft)=in=depth=or,=while=in=the=exc
avation,
approaches=closer=to=the=side=or=bank=than=a=distance=equal=to=the=depth=of=the=exc
avation,=the=employer=must=ensure=that=the
sides=of=the=excavation=are=-=ans-
✔✔(a)=sloped=as=specified=in=writing=by=a=qualified=registered=professional,
(b)=sloped=at=angles,=dependent=on=soil=conditions,=which=will=ensure=stable=faces,=bu
t=in=no=case,=may=the=slope=or=combination
of=vertical=cut=and=slope=exceed=that=shown=in=Figure=20-1,
(c)=benched=as=shown=in=Figure=20-2,
(d)=supported=as=specified=in=writing=by=a=professional=engineer,
(e)=supported=in=accordance=with=the=minimum=requirements=of=section=20.85,=or
(f)=supported=by=manufactured=or=prefabricated=trench=boxes=or=shoring=cages,=or=oth
er=effective=means.
Which=best=describes=the=design=principle=of=rain=water=deflection?=-=ans-
✔✔Design=and=construction=which=stops=water=from=ever=entering
What=lighting=certifications=are=required=in=Canada?=-=ans-✔✔CSA=safety=certification
What=grit=of=sandpaper=would=get=smoothest=result?=150-180=etc.=-=ans-
✔✔The=higher=the=grade,=the=smoother=the=finish.=When=finishing=a=surface,=you=typi
cally=start=with=a=low=grit=and
work=up=to=a=high=grit.
,What=is=the=maximum=rise=in=a=flight=of=stairs?
a.=The=vertical=height=any=flight=stairs=-=ans-
✔✔The=vertical=height=shall=not=exceed=3.7=M
What=is=the=minimum=distance=that=a=ladder=must=extend=above=a=parapet=wall=or=lan
ding?=-=ans-✔✔3=feet
If=you=have=a=4m=ladder,=how=far=from=the=wall=does=the=base=of=the=ladder=have=to=
be?=-=ans-✔✔74=degrees=or=4:1=ratio.=So=4=m=ladder,=needs=to=be=1=m=away.
What=heights=are=end=dams=to=be=on=window=and=door=flashings?=-=ans-
✔✔25=mm=/=1=inch=(from=BCBC)
When=to=call=for=inspections=and=how=to=make=them=efficient=as=possible?=-=ans-
✔✔Group=together=when=possible=and=call=when=work=is=complete
When=is=an=HRV=required?=-=ans-✔✔Almost=always:
"Effective=December=ϭε,=ϮϬϭκ=residential=dwelling=units,=such=as=houses,=apartments=
and=secondary=suites=will=be=required=to=have
a=principal=ventilation=system=that=exhausts=air=from=bathrooms=and=kitchens=and=sup
plies=fresh=air=to=bedrooms=and=living=areas
[ε.ϯϮ.ϯ.ϯ."
"Some=small=dwelling=units=in=mild=climates=are=permitted=to=supply=fresh=air=through=
passive=vents=[9.32.3.4.(6)],=but=for=most
dwelling=units=exhaust=and=supply=will=require=a=mechanical=fan"
What=can=you=build=under=the=owner-builder=HPO=process?=-=ans-
✔✔Single=detached=home=under=a=single=title.=One=single=dwelling=unit=in=or=attached
=to=a=pre-existing=building=older=than=10=years=(includes
the=addition=of=a=unit=to=convert=a=detached=home=to=a=duplex,=or=conversion=of=a=du
plex=to=triplex,=or=conversion=of=non=-residential=space
to=a=dwelling=unit).=One=single=dwelling=unit=in=or=attached=to=a=new=non-
residential=building=(one=only=per=building,=such=as=a=caretaker=suite
or=home=built=above=a=family-run=store).
12.=Who=issues=permits=for=a=gas=fireplace?
Which=of=the=following=is=not=allowed=under=the=HPO=owner-builder=program?=-=ans-
✔✔A=new=dwelling=unit=attached=to=building=*newer*
than=10=years=old
Who=issues=permits=for=a=gas=fireplace?=-=ans-✔✔The=Safety=Authority=-
=Now=called=Technical=Safety=BC
Can=an=owner=builder=take=out=his=or=her=own=electrical=permit?=-=ans-✔✔Yes=-
work=up=to=200A=is=allowed.
, What=types=of=Buildings=that=Can=be=Wired=by=Homeowners?=-=ans-
✔✔You=are=entitled=to=do=electrical=work=in=a=fully=detached=residential=dwelling=that=
you=occupy=or=intend=to=occupy.=Your
dwelling=may=not=contain=a=suite.=Fully=detached=dwellings=are=buildings=that=are=desi
gned=for=single=family=use=only.
You=are=not=allowed=to=do=electrical=work=in=or=on=any=buildings=if:
ͻ=you=do=not=live=in=or=intend=to=live=in=the=dwelling,
ͻ=any=part=of=the=building=includes=a=separate=self-contained=suite=or=occupancy,
ͻ=the=building,=or=any=part=of=the=building=is=being=used=to=provide=rental=income,=or
ͻ=the=building,=or=any=part=of=the=building=is=used=for=commercial=purposes.
What=is=the=best=practice=to=apply=asphalt=waterproofing=on=a=foundation?=-=ans-
✔✔Spray-on=or=roll=on=dry=foundation=with=2inch=(max)=below=grade
What=is=best=practice=for=waterproofing=on=foundation?=-=ans-
✔✔Spray=or=roll=12=inch=above=grade=on=dry=surface
When=is=the=appropriate=time=to=backfill=a=foundation?=-=ans-✔✔After=Damp-proofing
Where=does=one=apply=Damp-proofing=Material=-=ans-✔✔Exterior=damp-
proofing=shall=be=applied=from=finished=ground=level=to=the=top=of=the=exterior=of=the=f
ooting.
What=do=you=need=to=do=when=applying=a=peel=and=stick=waterproof=membrane=found
ation?=-=ans-✔✔Use=an=approved=primer=before=installing
The=distance=from=the=gas=vent=to=the=roof=must=be...=-=ans-
✔✔...greater=than=the=overhang=of=the=roof.=Nothing=(no=gas=appliance=exhaust=vents
)=within
1m=either=side=and=4.5=meters=above.=Any=powered=air=intake=must=not=be=within=3=
meters.
When=do=you=need=to=install=a=handrail,=or=have=worker=wear=fall=protection?=-=ans-
✔✔10=feet=above=grade
If=a=worker=has=no=fall=protection,=at=what=height=must=a=handrail=be=provided?=-=ans-
✔✔4=feet
How=high=does=a=construction=fence=around=a=site=needs=to=be?=-=ans-✔✔6=feet
When=installing=the=footer,=it=was=dug=down=2=inches=deeper=then=what=the=elevation=
should=be.=What=needs=to=happen?=-=ans-
✔✔Install=the=footing=form=at=proper=elevation=and=fill=with=extra=concrete
