BC Owner Builder UPDATED Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Order of inspections - CORRECT ANSWER- 1: forms, basement and crawlspace
2: Plumbing, dampproofing, foundation drainage , sanitary sewer, storm sewer, sump, water
service
3: plumbing, electrical, mechanical, gas
4: framing inspection
5: insulation and vapour barrier
6: rainscreen/exterior finishs, drywall
7: building envelop inspection
8: final inspection
Which is not an acceptable method for determining the correct grading for a trench? -
CORRECT ANSWER- An experienced excavator says it's ok
At what depth is shoring required? - CORRECT ANSWER- 1.2m/4ft
Which best describes the principle of rain waterterm-0 deflection? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
What lighting safety certifications are required in Canada? - CORRECT ANSWER- CSA
safety certification
What grit of sandpaper would get the smoothest result? - CORRECT ANSWER- Higher grit
with get a smoother finish
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? - CORRECT ANSWER- The vertical height
of any flight of stairs should not exceed 3.7m
What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or landing? -
CORRECT ANSWER- 3ft
,What heights are end dams to be on windows and door flashings? - CORRECT ANSWER-
25mm/1 inch
End dam use - CORRECT ANSWER- Stop water from coming in
When should you call for inspectors to make them efficient as possible? - CORRECT
ANSWER- Group inspectors together when possible and call when work is complete
When is an HRV required? - CORRECT ANSWER- Almost always
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - CORRECT ANSWER- Single
detached home under a single title. Single dwelling attached to pre-existing building older
than 10 years. Single dwelling attached to a new non-residential building.
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - CORRECT ANSWER- Safety Authority (call
Technical Safe BC)
Can an owner builder take out their own electrical permit? - CORRECT ANSWER- Yes, up
to 200A
What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - CORRECT
ANSWER- Spray-on or roll on dry foundation with 2in. below grade
When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? - CORRECT ANSWER- After damp-
proofing
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane foundation? -
CORRECT ANSWER- Use an approved primer before installing
What are gas meter installation requirements? - CORRECT ANSWER- The distance from the
gas vent to the roof must be greater than the overhang of the roof, nothing can be with in 1m
either side or 4.5m above a gas meter
, When do you need to install a handrail or have fall protection? - CORRECT ANSWER- 10ft,
4ft if no fall protection
How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? - CORRECT ANSWER- 6ft
When installing the footer, it was dug down 2in. deeper than what the elevation should be.
What needs to happen? - CORRECT ANSWER- Install the footing form at proper elevation
and fill with extra concrete
When installing flashing for a roof valley how much do the asphalt shingles need to overlap?
- CORRECT ANSWER- 6in.
What would cause a blister on a flat roof? - CORRECT ANSWER- Moisture trapped under
roof
Water is backing up in a skylight, what do you do to fix it? - CORRECT ANSWER- Clear
drainage
What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? - CORRECT
ANSWER- Install eve protection
What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that has been treated with chromated copper
arsenate? - CORRECT ANSWER- Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - CORRECT ANSWER- When there
is in floor heating
How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? - CORRECT ANSWER- 1/4 of the
slab
What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? - CORRECT ANSWER- XPS
What kind of insulation has the least moisture permeability? - CORRECT ANSWER- XPS
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Order of inspections - CORRECT ANSWER- 1: forms, basement and crawlspace
2: Plumbing, dampproofing, foundation drainage , sanitary sewer, storm sewer, sump, water
service
3: plumbing, electrical, mechanical, gas
4: framing inspection
5: insulation and vapour barrier
6: rainscreen/exterior finishs, drywall
7: building envelop inspection
8: final inspection
Which is not an acceptable method for determining the correct grading for a trench? -
CORRECT ANSWER- An experienced excavator says it's ok
At what depth is shoring required? - CORRECT ANSWER- 1.2m/4ft
Which best describes the principle of rain waterterm-0 deflection? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
What lighting safety certifications are required in Canada? - CORRECT ANSWER- CSA
safety certification
What grit of sandpaper would get the smoothest result? - CORRECT ANSWER- Higher grit
with get a smoother finish
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? - CORRECT ANSWER- The vertical height
of any flight of stairs should not exceed 3.7m
What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or landing? -
CORRECT ANSWER- 3ft
,What heights are end dams to be on windows and door flashings? - CORRECT ANSWER-
25mm/1 inch
End dam use - CORRECT ANSWER- Stop water from coming in
When should you call for inspectors to make them efficient as possible? - CORRECT
ANSWER- Group inspectors together when possible and call when work is complete
When is an HRV required? - CORRECT ANSWER- Almost always
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - CORRECT ANSWER- Single
detached home under a single title. Single dwelling attached to pre-existing building older
than 10 years. Single dwelling attached to a new non-residential building.
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - CORRECT ANSWER- Safety Authority (call
Technical Safe BC)
Can an owner builder take out their own electrical permit? - CORRECT ANSWER- Yes, up
to 200A
What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - CORRECT
ANSWER- Spray-on or roll on dry foundation with 2in. below grade
When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? - CORRECT ANSWER- After damp-
proofing
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane foundation? -
CORRECT ANSWER- Use an approved primer before installing
What are gas meter installation requirements? - CORRECT ANSWER- The distance from the
gas vent to the roof must be greater than the overhang of the roof, nothing can be with in 1m
either side or 4.5m above a gas meter
, When do you need to install a handrail or have fall protection? - CORRECT ANSWER- 10ft,
4ft if no fall protection
How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? - CORRECT ANSWER- 6ft
When installing the footer, it was dug down 2in. deeper than what the elevation should be.
What needs to happen? - CORRECT ANSWER- Install the footing form at proper elevation
and fill with extra concrete
When installing flashing for a roof valley how much do the asphalt shingles need to overlap?
- CORRECT ANSWER- 6in.
What would cause a blister on a flat roof? - CORRECT ANSWER- Moisture trapped under
roof
Water is backing up in a skylight, what do you do to fix it? - CORRECT ANSWER- Clear
drainage
What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? - CORRECT
ANSWER- Install eve protection
What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that has been treated with chromated copper
arsenate? - CORRECT ANSWER- Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - CORRECT ANSWER- When there
is in floor heating
How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? - CORRECT ANSWER- 1/4 of the
slab
What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? - CORRECT ANSWER- XPS
What kind of insulation has the least moisture permeability? - CORRECT ANSWER- XPS
