INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
What is the minimum specified compressive strength in psi of concrete in a basement
wall exposed to weather? - ANSWER-3000 psi
What is the minimum depth of a footing? - ANSWER-12"
What is the maximum spacing of screws securing 5/8" thick gypsum board installed on
a ceiling oriented perpendicular to the supports 24" on center and adhesive is used? -
ANSWER-16"
What is the maximum span for a No. 2 Southern Pine, 2 X 10 wood floor joist in a
kitchen with a dead load of 20psf, spaced 19.2" on center? - ANSWER-11'8"
What is the maximum span for a No. 2 Southern Pine, 2 X 10 wood floor joist in a
kitchen with a dead load of 20psf, spaced 16" on center? - ANSWER-14' 1"
(IRC 2015 - page 127)
What is the dimension of the air space between masonry veneer and the wall
sheathing? - ANSWER-1"
What is the minimum number of anchor bolts required for a wall section? - ANSWER-2
bolts
What type of fastener is required in a wood foundation knee wall? - ANSWER-Type 304
or 316 Stainless Steel
What is the nominal thickness of a ridge board? - ANSWER-Not less than 1"
How many jack studs will be required for a 2 - 2X12 header in an interior bearing wall
supporting one floor only, building width of 28', and a span of 7'0"? - ANSWER-2 jack
studs supporting each end
What is the maximum hole that may be cut in a 2 X 12 nominal floor joist? - ANSWER-
4" (1/3rd the width)
What size strap is required if a top plate is notched more than 50% of its width? -
ANSWER-16 gauge thick and 1 1/2" wide
, The end of a wood joist must bear on a wood beam by at least __________ inches? -
ANSWER-Not less than 1 1/2"
Concrete gains most of its strength in how many days? - ANSWER-28 days
In what section of the span of a floor joist is it NOT permitted to cut a notch? -
ANSWER-Center 1/3rd
What material is required for the door of an ash dump cleanout? - ANSWER-Ferrous
Metal or Masonry
A cricket is required when the width of a chimney is greater than __________ inches? -
ANSWER-30" (and does not intersect the ridgeline)
What is the minimum ceiling height above a bathtub? - ANSWER-6'8"
What is the maximum unsupported height of a pier consisting of 12"X16" hollow core
blocks filled with Type "S" mortar? - ANSWER-10 times their least dimension (10 X 12"
= 120")
What is the least outside circular diameter of a handrail? - ANSWER-not less than 1
1/4" (not greater than 2")
Insulation shall have a smoke-developed index not to exceed? - ANSWER-450
From where must a smoke alarm draw its primary power? - ANSWER-From the building
wiring
What is the live load of an attic with habitable space? - ANSWER-30 psi
What is required width and height of the egress door? - ANSWER-Not less than 32" X
Not less than 78"
How far into concrete must anchor bolts extend? - ANSWER-7"
What is the maximum height of the backfill for a plain masonry foundation wall, 8' high
and 8" thick, and is constructed in type GW soil? - ANSWER-5'
If a footing is 18" wide, what is the maximum width of a foundation wall placed on this
footing? - ANSWER-14" (2" shelf on both sides)
What is the presumptive load bearing value of sand? - ANSWER-2,000 psf
What is the slope allowance for the bottom of a footing? - ANSWER-1 in 10 (10%)
How far most foundation gravel extend above the footing drain? - ANSWER-6"
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
What is the minimum specified compressive strength in psi of concrete in a basement
wall exposed to weather? - ANSWER-3000 psi
What is the minimum depth of a footing? - ANSWER-12"
What is the maximum spacing of screws securing 5/8" thick gypsum board installed on
a ceiling oriented perpendicular to the supports 24" on center and adhesive is used? -
ANSWER-16"
What is the maximum span for a No. 2 Southern Pine, 2 X 10 wood floor joist in a
kitchen with a dead load of 20psf, spaced 19.2" on center? - ANSWER-11'8"
What is the maximum span for a No. 2 Southern Pine, 2 X 10 wood floor joist in a
kitchen with a dead load of 20psf, spaced 16" on center? - ANSWER-14' 1"
(IRC 2015 - page 127)
What is the dimension of the air space between masonry veneer and the wall
sheathing? - ANSWER-1"
What is the minimum number of anchor bolts required for a wall section? - ANSWER-2
bolts
What type of fastener is required in a wood foundation knee wall? - ANSWER-Type 304
or 316 Stainless Steel
What is the nominal thickness of a ridge board? - ANSWER-Not less than 1"
How many jack studs will be required for a 2 - 2X12 header in an interior bearing wall
supporting one floor only, building width of 28', and a span of 7'0"? - ANSWER-2 jack
studs supporting each end
What is the maximum hole that may be cut in a 2 X 12 nominal floor joist? - ANSWER-
4" (1/3rd the width)
What size strap is required if a top plate is notched more than 50% of its width? -
ANSWER-16 gauge thick and 1 1/2" wide
, The end of a wood joist must bear on a wood beam by at least __________ inches? -
ANSWER-Not less than 1 1/2"
Concrete gains most of its strength in how many days? - ANSWER-28 days
In what section of the span of a floor joist is it NOT permitted to cut a notch? -
ANSWER-Center 1/3rd
What material is required for the door of an ash dump cleanout? - ANSWER-Ferrous
Metal or Masonry
A cricket is required when the width of a chimney is greater than __________ inches? -
ANSWER-30" (and does not intersect the ridgeline)
What is the minimum ceiling height above a bathtub? - ANSWER-6'8"
What is the maximum unsupported height of a pier consisting of 12"X16" hollow core
blocks filled with Type "S" mortar? - ANSWER-10 times their least dimension (10 X 12"
= 120")
What is the least outside circular diameter of a handrail? - ANSWER-not less than 1
1/4" (not greater than 2")
Insulation shall have a smoke-developed index not to exceed? - ANSWER-450
From where must a smoke alarm draw its primary power? - ANSWER-From the building
wiring
What is the live load of an attic with habitable space? - ANSWER-30 psi
What is required width and height of the egress door? - ANSWER-Not less than 32" X
Not less than 78"
How far into concrete must anchor bolts extend? - ANSWER-7"
What is the maximum height of the backfill for a plain masonry foundation wall, 8' high
and 8" thick, and is constructed in type GW soil? - ANSWER-5'
If a footing is 18" wide, what is the maximum width of a foundation wall placed on this
footing? - ANSWER-14" (2" shelf on both sides)
What is the presumptive load bearing value of sand? - ANSWER-2,000 psf
What is the slope allowance for the bottom of a footing? - ANSWER-1 in 10 (10%)
How far most foundation gravel extend above the footing drain? - ANSWER-6"
