Owner Builder Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
At what depth of trench is shoring require / At what depth of an excavation is
shoring required? - Correct Answer-1.2 M or 4 Feet
How can shoring be done past 4 feet? - Correct Answer-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
grading for a trench? - Correct Answer-experienced contractor says it's ok
Before a worker enters any excavation over 1.2 m (4 ft) in depth or, while in the
excavation,
approaches closer to the side or bank than a distance equal to the depth of the
excavation, the employer must ensure that the
sides of the excavation are - Correct Answer-(a) sloped as specified in writing by a
qualified registered professional,
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,(b) sloped at angles, dependent on soil conditions, which will ensure stable faces,
but 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
other effective means.
Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection? - Correct
Answer-Design and construction which stops water from ever entering
What lighting certifications are required in Canada? - Correct Answer-CSA safety
certification
What grit of sandpaper would get smoothest result? 150-180 etc. - Correct Answer-
The higher the grade, the smoother the finish. When finishing a surface, you
typically start with a low grit and
work up to a high grit.
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs?
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,a. The vertical height any flight stairs - Correct Answer-The vertical height shall
not exceed 3.7 M
What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or
landing? - Correct Answer-3 feet
If you have a 4m ladder, how far from the wall does the base of the ladder have to
be? - Correct Answer-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? - Correct Answer-
25 mm / 1 inch (from BCBC)
When to call for inspections and how to make them efficient as possible? - Correct
Answer-Group together when possible and call when work is complete
When is an HRV required? - Correct Answer-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
supplies 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
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, dwelling units exhaust and supply will require a mechanical fan"
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - Correct Answer-
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
duplex 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? -
Correct Answer-A new dwelling unit attached to building *newer*
than 10 years old
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - Correct Answer-The Safety Authority -
Now called Technical Safety BC
Can an owner builder take out his or her own electrical permit? - Correct Answer-
Yes -work up to 200A is allowed.
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
Answers
At what depth of trench is shoring require / At what depth of an excavation is
shoring required? - Correct Answer-1.2 M or 4 Feet
How can shoring be done past 4 feet? - Correct Answer-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
grading for a trench? - Correct Answer-experienced contractor says it's ok
Before a worker enters any excavation over 1.2 m (4 ft) in depth or, while in the
excavation,
approaches closer to the side or bank than a distance equal to the depth of the
excavation, the employer must ensure that the
sides of the excavation are - Correct Answer-(a) sloped as specified in writing by a
qualified registered professional,
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,(b) sloped at angles, dependent on soil conditions, which will ensure stable faces,
but 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
other effective means.
Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection? - Correct
Answer-Design and construction which stops water from ever entering
What lighting certifications are required in Canada? - Correct Answer-CSA safety
certification
What grit of sandpaper would get smoothest result? 150-180 etc. - Correct Answer-
The higher the grade, the smoother the finish. When finishing a surface, you
typically start with a low grit and
work up to a high grit.
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs?
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,a. The vertical height any flight stairs - Correct Answer-The vertical height shall
not exceed 3.7 M
What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or
landing? - Correct Answer-3 feet
If you have a 4m ladder, how far from the wall does the base of the ladder have to
be? - Correct Answer-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? - Correct Answer-
25 mm / 1 inch (from BCBC)
When to call for inspections and how to make them efficient as possible? - Correct
Answer-Group together when possible and call when work is complete
When is an HRV required? - Correct Answer-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
supplies 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
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, dwelling units exhaust and supply will require a mechanical fan"
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - Correct Answer-
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
duplex 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? -
Correct Answer-A new dwelling unit attached to building *newer*
than 10 years old
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - Correct Answer-The Safety Authority -
Now called Technical Safety BC
Can an owner builder take out his or her own electrical permit? - Correct Answer-
Yes -work up to 200A is allowed.
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
