PSI PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100%
VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the MINIMUM required compressive strength for concrete
that will be exposed to freeze-thaw conditions?
A) 2000 psi
B) 2500 psi
C) 3000 psi
D) 3500 psi
Correct Answer: C) 3000 psi
Rationale: The International Building Code (IBC) requires a minimum
compressive strength of 3000 psi for concrete exposed to freeze-thaw
conditions or deicing chemicals to ensure durability against cyclic
freezing and thawing.
2. A foundation drain tile should be placed at what location relative to
the footing?
A) On top of the footing
B) At the side of the footing
C) At the bottom of the footing
D) At least 6 inches above the footing
Correct Answer: C) At the bottom of the footing
Rationale: Foundation drains are placed at the bottom of the footing to
intercept groundwater before it rises and comes into contact with the
bottom of the footing.
3. What is the MAXIMUM distance from a ventilating opening to a
corner of the building for under-floor ventilation?
A) 2 feet
,B) 3 feet
C) 4 feet
D) 5 feet
Correct Answer: B) 3 feet
Rationale: The IRC requires that ventilating openings be located within 3
feet of each corner of the building to ensure proper airflow throughout
the entire crawlspace.
4. Which of the following is the PRIMARY purpose of a swale grading
away from a foundation?
A) To provide a level surface for landscaping
B) To channel surface water away from the structure
C) To support the weight of the foundation
D) To prevent soil erosion around the property
Correct Answer: B) To channel surface water away from the structure
Rationale: A swale is a shallow depression designed to direct surface
water runoff away from the foundation to prevent water intrusion and
hydrostatic pressure against the basement wall.
5. What is the MINIMUM lap for joints in polyethylene film used as a
vapor barrier on a crawlspace floor?
A) 4 inches
B) 6 inches
C) 8 inches
D) 12 inches
Correct Answer: B) 6 inches
Rationale: To create a continuous moisture barrier, the IRC requires a
minimum lap of 6 inches at all joints in the polyethylene film.
,6. When a trench is 5 feet deep, what is the MAXIMUM horizontal
distance a worker may be from a ladder or other escape device?
A) 10 feet
B) 15 feet
C) 25 feet
D) 50 feet
Correct Answer: C) 25 feet
Rationale: OSHA standard 1926.651(c)(2) requires that a ladder or other
means of egress be located within 25 feet of all workers in a trench 4
feet deep or greater.
7. What is the MINIMUM height for a handrail on a stairway?
A) 30 inches
B) 32 inches
C) 34 inches
D) 36 inches
Correct Answer: C) 34 inches
Rationale: The IRC and IBC require that handrails be installed at a height
between 34 and 38 inches, measured vertically from the stair nosing to
the top of the handrail.
8. What is the MAXIMUM allowable spacing of joists for 5/8-inch
drywall installed on a ceiling?
A) 12 inches
B) 16 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 32 inches
Correct Answer: B) 16 inches
Rationale: The IRC dictates that 5/8-inch drywall on ceilings must have a
, maximum framing spacing of 16 inches on center to prevent sagging
over time.
9. A contractor fails to pay a subcontractor for work performed. This is
MOST directly a violation of which type of law?
A) Criminal Law
B) Contract Law
C) Tort Law
D) Property Law
Correct Answer: B) Contract Law
Rationale: The agreement between a general contractor and a
subcontractor is a contract. Failure to pay for completed work
constitutes a breach of that contract.
10. What is the MINIMUM number of anchor bolts required for an 8-
foot section of sill plate on a foundation wall?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
Correct Answer: B) 2
Rationale: The IRC requires at least two anchor bolts per plate section,
with a maximum spacing of 6 feet on center, and a minimum of one bolt
within 12 inches of each end.
11. What is the MINIMUM distance from the bottom of a floor or
ceiling joist to the top of a suspended ceiling grid?
A) 1 inch
B) 2 inches
C) 3 inches
VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the MINIMUM required compressive strength for concrete
that will be exposed to freeze-thaw conditions?
A) 2000 psi
B) 2500 psi
C) 3000 psi
D) 3500 psi
Correct Answer: C) 3000 psi
Rationale: The International Building Code (IBC) requires a minimum
compressive strength of 3000 psi for concrete exposed to freeze-thaw
conditions or deicing chemicals to ensure durability against cyclic
freezing and thawing.
2. A foundation drain tile should be placed at what location relative to
the footing?
A) On top of the footing
B) At the side of the footing
C) At the bottom of the footing
D) At least 6 inches above the footing
Correct Answer: C) At the bottom of the footing
Rationale: Foundation drains are placed at the bottom of the footing to
intercept groundwater before it rises and comes into contact with the
bottom of the footing.
3. What is the MAXIMUM distance from a ventilating opening to a
corner of the building for under-floor ventilation?
A) 2 feet
,B) 3 feet
C) 4 feet
D) 5 feet
Correct Answer: B) 3 feet
Rationale: The IRC requires that ventilating openings be located within 3
feet of each corner of the building to ensure proper airflow throughout
the entire crawlspace.
4. Which of the following is the PRIMARY purpose of a swale grading
away from a foundation?
A) To provide a level surface for landscaping
B) To channel surface water away from the structure
C) To support the weight of the foundation
D) To prevent soil erosion around the property
Correct Answer: B) To channel surface water away from the structure
Rationale: A swale is a shallow depression designed to direct surface
water runoff away from the foundation to prevent water intrusion and
hydrostatic pressure against the basement wall.
5. What is the MINIMUM lap for joints in polyethylene film used as a
vapor barrier on a crawlspace floor?
A) 4 inches
B) 6 inches
C) 8 inches
D) 12 inches
Correct Answer: B) 6 inches
Rationale: To create a continuous moisture barrier, the IRC requires a
minimum lap of 6 inches at all joints in the polyethylene film.
,6. When a trench is 5 feet deep, what is the MAXIMUM horizontal
distance a worker may be from a ladder or other escape device?
A) 10 feet
B) 15 feet
C) 25 feet
D) 50 feet
Correct Answer: C) 25 feet
Rationale: OSHA standard 1926.651(c)(2) requires that a ladder or other
means of egress be located within 25 feet of all workers in a trench 4
feet deep or greater.
7. What is the MINIMUM height for a handrail on a stairway?
A) 30 inches
B) 32 inches
C) 34 inches
D) 36 inches
Correct Answer: C) 34 inches
Rationale: The IRC and IBC require that handrails be installed at a height
between 34 and 38 inches, measured vertically from the stair nosing to
the top of the handrail.
8. What is the MAXIMUM allowable spacing of joists for 5/8-inch
drywall installed on a ceiling?
A) 12 inches
B) 16 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 32 inches
Correct Answer: B) 16 inches
Rationale: The IRC dictates that 5/8-inch drywall on ceilings must have a
, maximum framing spacing of 16 inches on center to prevent sagging
over time.
9. A contractor fails to pay a subcontractor for work performed. This is
MOST directly a violation of which type of law?
A) Criminal Law
B) Contract Law
C) Tort Law
D) Property Law
Correct Answer: B) Contract Law
Rationale: The agreement between a general contractor and a
subcontractor is a contract. Failure to pay for completed work
constitutes a breach of that contract.
10. What is the MINIMUM number of anchor bolts required for an 8-
foot section of sill plate on a foundation wall?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
Correct Answer: B) 2
Rationale: The IRC requires at least two anchor bolts per plate section,
with a maximum spacing of 6 feet on center, and a minimum of one bolt
within 12 inches of each end.
11. What is the MINIMUM distance from the bottom of a floor or
ceiling joist to the top of a suspended ceiling grid?
A) 1 inch
B) 2 inches
C) 3 inches
