Summarized Exam Michigan Roofing Core Exam
Covers: OSHA fall protection (1926.501), ladder safety, material handling, underlayment & ice
dam protection, flashing techniques, low-slope (BUR, modified bitumen, single-ply) and steep-
slope (asphalt shingle, wood, metal) systems, ventilation requirements, fire ratings, wind
resistance, Michigan building code amendments for snow loads and ice barriers, tool safety,
crane signals, and disposal regulations.
1. A crew is installing asphalt shingles on a 9:12 pitch roof. The leading edge is 18 feet above
ground. What fall protection is required?
A) Safety monitor only
B) Warning line 6 feet from edge
C) Guardrail, safety net, or personal fall arrest system
D) Body belt with lanyard
OSHA 1926.501(b)(11) requires fall protection at 6 feet for construction; roof slope >8:12 needs
guardrails, nets, or PFAS regardless of distance.
2. During a low-slope built-up roof tear-off, you find wet insulation. What is the correct action?
A) Cover with new insulation
B) Leave to dry naturally
C) Remove and replace affected insulation
D) Apply hot asphalt over it
Wet insulation compromises adhesion and accelerates deck rot; Michigan code requires removal
to prevent future leaks.
3. You are using an extension ladder to access a 25-foot-high roof edge. How far should the
ladder extend above the roof contact point?
A) 1 foot
B) 2 feet
C) 3 feet
D) 4 feet
OSHA 1926.1053(b)(1): ladder must extend at least 3 feet above upper landing to provide
handhold.
,4. A modified bitumen torch application near a vinyl siding wall. What minimum safety measure
is required before torch lighting?
A) Wet the siding
B) Fire-resistant blanket and fire extinguisher
C) Increase roof venting
D) Use only cold adhesive
Torch fires cause 20% of roofing burns; Michigan requires extinguisher within 25 feet and
protective shielding near combustibles.
5. Which underlayment is mandatory on all asphalt shingle roofs in Michigan’s southern Lower
Peninsula?
A) 30 lb felt
B) ASTM D226 Type II felt or synthetic
C) Self-adhering ice & water only
D) Perforated plastic
Michigan Residential Code R905.2.5 permits ASTM D226 Type II or synthetic underlayment for
slopes ≥4:12; ice barrier only required in snow belts.
6. On a 3:12 slope metal seam roof, ice dam protection must extend from the eave to at least how
far inside the exterior wall line?
A) 12 inches
B) 18 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 36 inches
Michigan Building Code (based on IRC 2021) requires ice barrier 24 inches past interior wall
line when mean January temp <25°F.
7. A roofer sees a spark from an electrical box while handling aluminum flashing near power
lines. First step?
A) Continue working faster
B) Stop work and notify supervisor
C) Spray with water
D) Wrap the flashing in rubber
Immediate stop prevents electrocution; CFR 1926.416 requires staying at least 10 feet from
energized lines.
,8. What is the minimum number of nails per strip shingle for a roof with design wind speed of
110 mph in Michigan?
A) 2 nails
B) 4 nails
C) 6 nails
D) 8 nails
*Shingle manufacturers and IRC R905.2.6 require 4 nails (6 in high-wind zones); 110 mph is
standard for most MI counties.*
9. A worker on a steep slope drops a hammer. The safest way to retrieve tools from the ground is:
A) Lean over the eave
B) Use a rope and bucket system
C) Slide down on a ladder
D) Ask someone to throw it up
Prevents fall hazard; OSHA prohibits reaching beyond guardrails; tool tethering is
recommended.
10. You are installing TPO membrane using a hot-air welder. What safety device must be on the
welder?
A) Automatic shutoff if tipped >15°
B) Temperature gauge with auto cool-down
C) Halogen light
D) Ground fault indicator
Hot-air welders can ignite debris; Michigan adopts ANSI standards requiring overheat
protection.
11. A roofing crew finds bird nests under old shingles. Which law applies?
A) Michigan Construction Code
B) Migratory Bird Treaty Act
C) EPA lead-safe rule
D) OSHA bloodborne pathogens
Nests of migratory birds are federally protected; work must stop if active nests are present.
12. What is the maximum allowable slope for a walking-working surface when using a safety
monitoring system only?
A) 4:12
, B) *8:12*
C) 12:12
D) 2:12
OSHA 1926.501(b)(11) allows safety monitors solo only on roofs ≤8:12; steeper requires PFAS
or guardrails.
13. A roofer is diagnosed with heat exhaustion. Which immediate action is incorrect?
A) Move to shade
B) Give caffeinated sports drink
C) Remove outer clothing
D) Apply cool wet cloths
Caffeine increases dehydration; water or electrolyte drink without caffeine is correct.
14. You are sealing a metal valley with butyl sealant in 40°F weather. The sealant tube says apply
above 50°F. What should you do?
A) Use anyway – it’s close enough
B) Postpone until warming or use low-temp sealant
C) Heat the tube with a torch
D) Add mineral spirits
Cold application prevents adhesion; Michigan winter roofing requires low-temp formulations.
15. How many inches of vertical rise per 12 inches of run corresponds to a 6:12 pitch roof?
A) 3 inches rise
B) 6 inches rise
C) 9 inches rise
D) 12 inches rise
*Pitch = rise / run; 6:12 means 6 inches vertical per 12 inches horizontal.*
16. A dump truck bed is raised to unload old shingles. What prevents accidental lowering?
A) Hydraulic lock
B) Prop rod or mechanical lock
C) Parking brake only
D) Wheel chocks
OSHA 1926.1101 requires mechanical positive locking device on dump bodies to prevent
crushing.
Covers: OSHA fall protection (1926.501), ladder safety, material handling, underlayment & ice
dam protection, flashing techniques, low-slope (BUR, modified bitumen, single-ply) and steep-
slope (asphalt shingle, wood, metal) systems, ventilation requirements, fire ratings, wind
resistance, Michigan building code amendments for snow loads and ice barriers, tool safety,
crane signals, and disposal regulations.
1. A crew is installing asphalt shingles on a 9:12 pitch roof. The leading edge is 18 feet above
ground. What fall protection is required?
A) Safety monitor only
B) Warning line 6 feet from edge
C) Guardrail, safety net, or personal fall arrest system
D) Body belt with lanyard
OSHA 1926.501(b)(11) requires fall protection at 6 feet for construction; roof slope >8:12 needs
guardrails, nets, or PFAS regardless of distance.
2. During a low-slope built-up roof tear-off, you find wet insulation. What is the correct action?
A) Cover with new insulation
B) Leave to dry naturally
C) Remove and replace affected insulation
D) Apply hot asphalt over it
Wet insulation compromises adhesion and accelerates deck rot; Michigan code requires removal
to prevent future leaks.
3. You are using an extension ladder to access a 25-foot-high roof edge. How far should the
ladder extend above the roof contact point?
A) 1 foot
B) 2 feet
C) 3 feet
D) 4 feet
OSHA 1926.1053(b)(1): ladder must extend at least 3 feet above upper landing to provide
handhold.
,4. A modified bitumen torch application near a vinyl siding wall. What minimum safety measure
is required before torch lighting?
A) Wet the siding
B) Fire-resistant blanket and fire extinguisher
C) Increase roof venting
D) Use only cold adhesive
Torch fires cause 20% of roofing burns; Michigan requires extinguisher within 25 feet and
protective shielding near combustibles.
5. Which underlayment is mandatory on all asphalt shingle roofs in Michigan’s southern Lower
Peninsula?
A) 30 lb felt
B) ASTM D226 Type II felt or synthetic
C) Self-adhering ice & water only
D) Perforated plastic
Michigan Residential Code R905.2.5 permits ASTM D226 Type II or synthetic underlayment for
slopes ≥4:12; ice barrier only required in snow belts.
6. On a 3:12 slope metal seam roof, ice dam protection must extend from the eave to at least how
far inside the exterior wall line?
A) 12 inches
B) 18 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 36 inches
Michigan Building Code (based on IRC 2021) requires ice barrier 24 inches past interior wall
line when mean January temp <25°F.
7. A roofer sees a spark from an electrical box while handling aluminum flashing near power
lines. First step?
A) Continue working faster
B) Stop work and notify supervisor
C) Spray with water
D) Wrap the flashing in rubber
Immediate stop prevents electrocution; CFR 1926.416 requires staying at least 10 feet from
energized lines.
,8. What is the minimum number of nails per strip shingle for a roof with design wind speed of
110 mph in Michigan?
A) 2 nails
B) 4 nails
C) 6 nails
D) 8 nails
*Shingle manufacturers and IRC R905.2.6 require 4 nails (6 in high-wind zones); 110 mph is
standard for most MI counties.*
9. A worker on a steep slope drops a hammer. The safest way to retrieve tools from the ground is:
A) Lean over the eave
B) Use a rope and bucket system
C) Slide down on a ladder
D) Ask someone to throw it up
Prevents fall hazard; OSHA prohibits reaching beyond guardrails; tool tethering is
recommended.
10. You are installing TPO membrane using a hot-air welder. What safety device must be on the
welder?
A) Automatic shutoff if tipped >15°
B) Temperature gauge with auto cool-down
C) Halogen light
D) Ground fault indicator
Hot-air welders can ignite debris; Michigan adopts ANSI standards requiring overheat
protection.
11. A roofing crew finds bird nests under old shingles. Which law applies?
A) Michigan Construction Code
B) Migratory Bird Treaty Act
C) EPA lead-safe rule
D) OSHA bloodborne pathogens
Nests of migratory birds are federally protected; work must stop if active nests are present.
12. What is the maximum allowable slope for a walking-working surface when using a safety
monitoring system only?
A) 4:12
, B) *8:12*
C) 12:12
D) 2:12
OSHA 1926.501(b)(11) allows safety monitors solo only on roofs ≤8:12; steeper requires PFAS
or guardrails.
13. A roofer is diagnosed with heat exhaustion. Which immediate action is incorrect?
A) Move to shade
B) Give caffeinated sports drink
C) Remove outer clothing
D) Apply cool wet cloths
Caffeine increases dehydration; water or electrolyte drink without caffeine is correct.
14. You are sealing a metal valley with butyl sealant in 40°F weather. The sealant tube says apply
above 50°F. What should you do?
A) Use anyway – it’s close enough
B) Postpone until warming or use low-temp sealant
C) Heat the tube with a torch
D) Add mineral spirits
Cold application prevents adhesion; Michigan winter roofing requires low-temp formulations.
15. How many inches of vertical rise per 12 inches of run corresponds to a 6:12 pitch roof?
A) 3 inches rise
B) 6 inches rise
C) 9 inches rise
D) 12 inches rise
*Pitch = rise / run; 6:12 means 6 inches vertical per 12 inches horizontal.*
16. A dump truck bed is raised to unload old shingles. What prevents accidental lowering?
A) Hydraulic lock
B) Prop rod or mechanical lock
C) Parking brake only
D) Wheel chocks
OSHA 1926.1101 requires mechanical positive locking device on dump bodies to prevent
crushing.
