BC OWNER BUILDER PAST EXAMS QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS MARKED A+
✔✔Decribe vapour barriers - ✔✔Vapour barriers, which go on the warm side of the wall,
should
have a low permeability (1.7 SI perms). A typical VB is poly.
✔✔Which product is used before applying latex paint to new drywall? - ✔✔Water based
primer sealer
✔✔Some high efficiency windows have a gas injected between the panes. What is the
gas? - ✔✔Argon
✔✔Storage of materials that are hazardous, are combustible, corrosive, toxic etc.
should be safely stored. Where can they be stored? - ✔✔In their approved containers
inside a locked room
✔✔What is used to prevent mitre joints from opening? - ✔✔Biscuits and sillicone
✔✔Where a roof structure requires ventilation, where can a vent for air flow NOT be
placed? - ✔✔Fascia
✔✔The owner-builder's brother in law is a licensed builder. What are the restrictions
regarding his involvement? - ✔✔The brother in law cannot fulfil any general contractor
duties
✔✔What barrier must be placed between concrete form and base plate? - ✔✔Sill
gasket
✔✔What is the primary reason to use a pre-manufactured cap shingle? - ✔✔Better wind
resistance
✔✔When roof trusses turn up, how do you know what order they go? - ✔✔A
chart/pictogram is delivered with them which shows where they go (and they are also
individually labelled)
✔✔The most heat loss is through? - ✔✔Windows
✔✔Having a big range hood, might cause problems with pressurization, heating...and? -
✔✔Depressurization
✔✔What is the risk of a 600cfm or larger fan? - ✔✔heat loss,
condensation, (negative pressure was not an answer
available)
, ✔✔Best kind of paint for your kitchen? - ✔✔Water based
✔✔What would you do if your plumbing inspection failed? - ✔✔Stop work, fix issues and
call for inspection again
✔✔What documents are required from WCB when hiring a sub-contractor? -
✔✔Clearance letters
✔✔How do you dry concrete if there is a sudden drop in temperature? Or to help it
cure? - ✔✔Cover with tarp
✔✔What are the requirements for a hand rail? - ✔✔Must be continuous on one side and
ended in a way that won't impede usage
✔✔What is the required headroom over stairs? - ✔✔1950 mm or 6'4/6'6
✔✔When using spray foam insulation as a vapour barrier - ✔✔It must be thick enough
to meet vapour barrier requirements
✔✔Convert mm to inches - ✔✔1 inch = 25.4 mm
✔✔Convert feet to meters - ✔✔1 foot = 0.3048 m
✔✔Convert mm to m - ✔✔1000 mm = 1 m
✔✔Why is clay tile roof not a good option for the west coast? - ✔✔Heavy tiles are
dangerous in an earthquake
✔✔When balcony membrane is used, what is the minimum slope percentage? - ✔✔2 %
✔✔By properly spacing decking, some allowance for wood movement, drainage, and
drying is provided. What is the minimum spacing of deck
boards? - ✔✔1/8 inch
✔✔Most efficient insulation for framed walls? - ✔✔Batt insulation
✔✔How many jobs can a sole sub-contractor do before they must be licensed builder
and provide home warranty insurance? - ✔✔Maximum 2 jobs
✔✔What is the "live load" capacity on a floor? - ✔✔2.4 kPa
SOLUTIONS MARKED A+
✔✔Decribe vapour barriers - ✔✔Vapour barriers, which go on the warm side of the wall,
should
have a low permeability (1.7 SI perms). A typical VB is poly.
✔✔Which product is used before applying latex paint to new drywall? - ✔✔Water based
primer sealer
✔✔Some high efficiency windows have a gas injected between the panes. What is the
gas? - ✔✔Argon
✔✔Storage of materials that are hazardous, are combustible, corrosive, toxic etc.
should be safely stored. Where can they be stored? - ✔✔In their approved containers
inside a locked room
✔✔What is used to prevent mitre joints from opening? - ✔✔Biscuits and sillicone
✔✔Where a roof structure requires ventilation, where can a vent for air flow NOT be
placed? - ✔✔Fascia
✔✔The owner-builder's brother in law is a licensed builder. What are the restrictions
regarding his involvement? - ✔✔The brother in law cannot fulfil any general contractor
duties
✔✔What barrier must be placed between concrete form and base plate? - ✔✔Sill
gasket
✔✔What is the primary reason to use a pre-manufactured cap shingle? - ✔✔Better wind
resistance
✔✔When roof trusses turn up, how do you know what order they go? - ✔✔A
chart/pictogram is delivered with them which shows where they go (and they are also
individually labelled)
✔✔The most heat loss is through? - ✔✔Windows
✔✔Having a big range hood, might cause problems with pressurization, heating...and? -
✔✔Depressurization
✔✔What is the risk of a 600cfm or larger fan? - ✔✔heat loss,
condensation, (negative pressure was not an answer
available)
, ✔✔Best kind of paint for your kitchen? - ✔✔Water based
✔✔What would you do if your plumbing inspection failed? - ✔✔Stop work, fix issues and
call for inspection again
✔✔What documents are required from WCB when hiring a sub-contractor? -
✔✔Clearance letters
✔✔How do you dry concrete if there is a sudden drop in temperature? Or to help it
cure? - ✔✔Cover with tarp
✔✔What are the requirements for a hand rail? - ✔✔Must be continuous on one side and
ended in a way that won't impede usage
✔✔What is the required headroom over stairs? - ✔✔1950 mm or 6'4/6'6
✔✔When using spray foam insulation as a vapour barrier - ✔✔It must be thick enough
to meet vapour barrier requirements
✔✔Convert mm to inches - ✔✔1 inch = 25.4 mm
✔✔Convert feet to meters - ✔✔1 foot = 0.3048 m
✔✔Convert mm to m - ✔✔1000 mm = 1 m
✔✔Why is clay tile roof not a good option for the west coast? - ✔✔Heavy tiles are
dangerous in an earthquake
✔✔When balcony membrane is used, what is the minimum slope percentage? - ✔✔2 %
✔✔By properly spacing decking, some allowance for wood movement, drainage, and
drying is provided. What is the minimum spacing of deck
boards? - ✔✔1/8 inch
✔✔Most efficient insulation for framed walls? - ✔✔Batt insulation
✔✔How many jobs can a sole sub-contractor do before they must be licensed builder
and provide home warranty insurance? - ✔✔Maximum 2 jobs
✔✔What is the "live load" capacity on a floor? - ✔✔2.4 kPa
