NCIDQ IDFX || EXAM-READY QUESTIONS WITH
ACCURATE ANSWERS.
Advantages of Gypsum Drywall correct answers low install cost, quick & easy installation, fire
resistance, sound control capability, easy availability, versatility, ease of finishing & decorating,
ease of installation of doors/other openings
Gypsum Drywall Edges correct answers Tapered: Most common; tapered on face side along the
long dimension of the panel & square edges at the end; allows for application of reinforcing tape
& joint compound without causing bulges at joints
Square: used where appearance is NOT a factor, for basic layers of 2-layer applications & for
veneer plaster work
Levels of Gypsum Drywall correct answers 1: plenums above ceilings & other areas not
normally open to view (tape embedded in joint compound w/ surface free of excess compound
2. water resistant backing board (all joints & angles have tape embedded in joint & one separate
coat of compound
3. heavy or medium textured finishes/heavy-grade wallcovering ( 2 coats of compound)
4. Light textured or wallcoverings & where economy is concerned (3 layers)
5. all paints, severe lighting conditions (4 layers)
Studs are spaced how far apart? correct answers residential: 16" O.C.
commercial: 24" O.C.
Slip Joint correct answers prevent wall from being damaged if the structural floor deflects
Plaster Construction correct answers 1. Scratch Coat
2. Brown Coat (level surface)
3. Finish Coat (Leveling & desired texture)
*Add Trim
Masonry Block Dimensions correct answers 8"x8"x16" (-3/8" for mortar joints)
Demountable Partitions correct answers Consists of a system of individual components that can
be quickly assembled, disassembled & reused with nearly total salvageability
consists of floor runners, ceiling runners, stud sections with clips to hold panels, & prefinished
gyp. wallboard panels
uses aluminum for framing
Definition: Hinges correct answers Consist of 2 leaves with an odd number of knuckles on one
leaf and an even number of knuckles on the other
,knuckles are attached with a pin
knuckle + pin = barrel (finished with tip)
Types of Hinge Tips correct answers -flat button (most common; typical)
-hospital
-oval head (typical)
-steeple
-flush
Butt Hinge correct answers MOST COMMON; has both leaves fully mortised into the frame and
the edge of the door so the hinge is flush with the surface of the frame and door
raised barrel hinge correct answers used when there is not room for the barrel to extend past the
door trim; OFFSET to allow one leaf to be mortised into the frame (kind of has an L shape on
each side)
swing clear hinges correct answers has a special shape that allows the door to swing 90 degrees
or 95 degrees so the full opening of the doorway is available
definition: latches & locksets correct answers device to operate a door, hold in position & lock it
latchset correct answers ONLY holds door in place; NO lock (i.e. restroom partitions)
lockset correct answers special mechanism that allows the door to be locked with a KEY or
THUMBTURN
mortise lockset correct answers installed in rectangular area cut out of door; more SECURE than
cylindrical and offers wider variety of locking options
cylindrical correct answers most common; simple to install in holes drilled into door, relatively
inexpensive, most common in residential (like doors in home bedroom)
pre-assembled correct answers rectangular box that fits within a notch cut in the edge of the
door; easier to install than mortise; door knob OR lever can be used
center hung pivot correct answers allow door to swing in either direction & is completely
concealed
pivots CANNOT be used with a door stop (instead use a flexible strip of wool pile or synthetic
stripping can be rabbeted into the edge of the door) on the same side of the door with both jambs
because it makes it difficult to seal the door against sound or light transmission on the hinge and
strike sides
closers correct answers automatically return a door to its closed position after it is opened
,control the DISTANCE a door can be OPENED & thereby protect the door and the surrounding
construction from damage
door coordinator correct answers device that coordinates the closing sequence of the two doors
so that they close completely, rather than having the leaf with the astagral close first and prevent
the other leaf from closing
intumescent gasketing correct answers cannot be used alone; expands upon exposure to heat and
forms a tight, fire-resistant seal against the passage of smoke, gases, and heat
Fire rated glazing correct answers -wired: mesh of wire embedded in the middle of the sheet;
NOT tempered & doesn't qualify as safety glazing for hazardous locations
-tempered, fire protective glass
-glass block
glazing beads correct answers used to hold the glass in place
framing glass correct answers glass set in small channel or angle frames at the top and bottom
and simply butt-joined on sides
Fire Rated Doors correct answers 1-hr rated exit access corridor or where a smoke & draft
assembly is acquired: 20 minutes door rated
occupancy separation: 3/4-hr door rated
1 hr rated exit stair enclosure: 1 hr door rated
2 hr rated exit stair enclosure: 1 1/2 hr door rated
integrated ceilings correct answers suspended ceiling system specifically designed to
accommodate acoustical ceiling tile, light fixtures, supply & return air grilles, fire sprinklers and
partition attachment in a CONSISTENT, UNIFIED way
all proprietary systems intended to be used in commercial applications where the partition lights
& other elements connected to the ceiling change FREQUENTLY
all components designed for max. REUSABILITY & FLEXIBILITY
stainless steel correct answers used for its corrosion resistance, strength & appearance
brass & bronze correct answers predominantly copper
in practical use, many alloys that are really brass are referred to as bronze
although corrosion resistant, it changes color with age & exposure to moisture in the air
, finish carpentry correct answers exposed wood construction assembled AT THE JOB SITE (i.e.
doors & windows, door & window trim, standard wood base & other molding, site-built stairs &
handrails)
architectural woodwork correct answers CUSTOM, SHOP-fabricated millwork built of lumber,
finished wood & other materials
Finish carpentry grade correct answers determines the type & number of allowable defects
-B & better: excellent for natural finishes/paint (supply limited)
-C select: slightly more defects & usually best grade to specify for painting & some natural
finishes
vertical grain: tends to warp less, more abrasion resistant, stain more uniformly, cut so annual
growth rings are PERPENDICULAR to face of board
plywood correct answers -made from an odd # of layers of thin veneer glued together under heat
& pressure
-used in FINISH carpentry (door trims, etc.)
particleboard correct answers -composed of small wood particles, fibers, and CHIPS of various
sizes mixed together in a binder and formed under pressure into a panel
-commonly used as a SUBSTRATE for natural and laminate veneers in architectural woodwork
construction (i.e. casework not built on site)
-most common, dimensionally stable; smooth surface; impact resistance
MDF correct answers -made from wood particles REDUCED to fibers (fluff) in a moderate-
pressure stream vessel and then combined with a resin and bonded together under heat and
pressure
-most DIMENSIONALLY STABLE
-used for painting, thin overlay materials, veneers and high pressure decorative laminate,
shelving, molding, and furniture
Stairs correct answers -step: portion of egress achieving a change in elevation by means of a
SINGLE riser
-stairway: a change in elevation having 2 OR MORE risers
winding vs. curved stairway correct answers -winding: tapered treads that are wider at one end
than the other
-curved: SIDES whose SHAPE is a curve (inside smaller arc cannot be less than twice the
required width of the stair or it is winding)
ACCURATE ANSWERS.
Advantages of Gypsum Drywall correct answers low install cost, quick & easy installation, fire
resistance, sound control capability, easy availability, versatility, ease of finishing & decorating,
ease of installation of doors/other openings
Gypsum Drywall Edges correct answers Tapered: Most common; tapered on face side along the
long dimension of the panel & square edges at the end; allows for application of reinforcing tape
& joint compound without causing bulges at joints
Square: used where appearance is NOT a factor, for basic layers of 2-layer applications & for
veneer plaster work
Levels of Gypsum Drywall correct answers 1: plenums above ceilings & other areas not
normally open to view (tape embedded in joint compound w/ surface free of excess compound
2. water resistant backing board (all joints & angles have tape embedded in joint & one separate
coat of compound
3. heavy or medium textured finishes/heavy-grade wallcovering ( 2 coats of compound)
4. Light textured or wallcoverings & where economy is concerned (3 layers)
5. all paints, severe lighting conditions (4 layers)
Studs are spaced how far apart? correct answers residential: 16" O.C.
commercial: 24" O.C.
Slip Joint correct answers prevent wall from being damaged if the structural floor deflects
Plaster Construction correct answers 1. Scratch Coat
2. Brown Coat (level surface)
3. Finish Coat (Leveling & desired texture)
*Add Trim
Masonry Block Dimensions correct answers 8"x8"x16" (-3/8" for mortar joints)
Demountable Partitions correct answers Consists of a system of individual components that can
be quickly assembled, disassembled & reused with nearly total salvageability
consists of floor runners, ceiling runners, stud sections with clips to hold panels, & prefinished
gyp. wallboard panels
uses aluminum for framing
Definition: Hinges correct answers Consist of 2 leaves with an odd number of knuckles on one
leaf and an even number of knuckles on the other
,knuckles are attached with a pin
knuckle + pin = barrel (finished with tip)
Types of Hinge Tips correct answers -flat button (most common; typical)
-hospital
-oval head (typical)
-steeple
-flush
Butt Hinge correct answers MOST COMMON; has both leaves fully mortised into the frame and
the edge of the door so the hinge is flush with the surface of the frame and door
raised barrel hinge correct answers used when there is not room for the barrel to extend past the
door trim; OFFSET to allow one leaf to be mortised into the frame (kind of has an L shape on
each side)
swing clear hinges correct answers has a special shape that allows the door to swing 90 degrees
or 95 degrees so the full opening of the doorway is available
definition: latches & locksets correct answers device to operate a door, hold in position & lock it
latchset correct answers ONLY holds door in place; NO lock (i.e. restroom partitions)
lockset correct answers special mechanism that allows the door to be locked with a KEY or
THUMBTURN
mortise lockset correct answers installed in rectangular area cut out of door; more SECURE than
cylindrical and offers wider variety of locking options
cylindrical correct answers most common; simple to install in holes drilled into door, relatively
inexpensive, most common in residential (like doors in home bedroom)
pre-assembled correct answers rectangular box that fits within a notch cut in the edge of the
door; easier to install than mortise; door knob OR lever can be used
center hung pivot correct answers allow door to swing in either direction & is completely
concealed
pivots CANNOT be used with a door stop (instead use a flexible strip of wool pile or synthetic
stripping can be rabbeted into the edge of the door) on the same side of the door with both jambs
because it makes it difficult to seal the door against sound or light transmission on the hinge and
strike sides
closers correct answers automatically return a door to its closed position after it is opened
,control the DISTANCE a door can be OPENED & thereby protect the door and the surrounding
construction from damage
door coordinator correct answers device that coordinates the closing sequence of the two doors
so that they close completely, rather than having the leaf with the astagral close first and prevent
the other leaf from closing
intumescent gasketing correct answers cannot be used alone; expands upon exposure to heat and
forms a tight, fire-resistant seal against the passage of smoke, gases, and heat
Fire rated glazing correct answers -wired: mesh of wire embedded in the middle of the sheet;
NOT tempered & doesn't qualify as safety glazing for hazardous locations
-tempered, fire protective glass
-glass block
glazing beads correct answers used to hold the glass in place
framing glass correct answers glass set in small channel or angle frames at the top and bottom
and simply butt-joined on sides
Fire Rated Doors correct answers 1-hr rated exit access corridor or where a smoke & draft
assembly is acquired: 20 minutes door rated
occupancy separation: 3/4-hr door rated
1 hr rated exit stair enclosure: 1 hr door rated
2 hr rated exit stair enclosure: 1 1/2 hr door rated
integrated ceilings correct answers suspended ceiling system specifically designed to
accommodate acoustical ceiling tile, light fixtures, supply & return air grilles, fire sprinklers and
partition attachment in a CONSISTENT, UNIFIED way
all proprietary systems intended to be used in commercial applications where the partition lights
& other elements connected to the ceiling change FREQUENTLY
all components designed for max. REUSABILITY & FLEXIBILITY
stainless steel correct answers used for its corrosion resistance, strength & appearance
brass & bronze correct answers predominantly copper
in practical use, many alloys that are really brass are referred to as bronze
although corrosion resistant, it changes color with age & exposure to moisture in the air
, finish carpentry correct answers exposed wood construction assembled AT THE JOB SITE (i.e.
doors & windows, door & window trim, standard wood base & other molding, site-built stairs &
handrails)
architectural woodwork correct answers CUSTOM, SHOP-fabricated millwork built of lumber,
finished wood & other materials
Finish carpentry grade correct answers determines the type & number of allowable defects
-B & better: excellent for natural finishes/paint (supply limited)
-C select: slightly more defects & usually best grade to specify for painting & some natural
finishes
vertical grain: tends to warp less, more abrasion resistant, stain more uniformly, cut so annual
growth rings are PERPENDICULAR to face of board
plywood correct answers -made from an odd # of layers of thin veneer glued together under heat
& pressure
-used in FINISH carpentry (door trims, etc.)
particleboard correct answers -composed of small wood particles, fibers, and CHIPS of various
sizes mixed together in a binder and formed under pressure into a panel
-commonly used as a SUBSTRATE for natural and laminate veneers in architectural woodwork
construction (i.e. casework not built on site)
-most common, dimensionally stable; smooth surface; impact resistance
MDF correct answers -made from wood particles REDUCED to fibers (fluff) in a moderate-
pressure stream vessel and then combined with a resin and bonded together under heat and
pressure
-most DIMENSIONALLY STABLE
-used for painting, thin overlay materials, veneers and high pressure decorative laminate,
shelving, molding, and furniture
Stairs correct answers -step: portion of egress achieving a change in elevation by means of a
SINGLE riser
-stairway: a change in elevation having 2 OR MORE risers
winding vs. curved stairway correct answers -winding: tapered treads that are wider at one end
than the other
-curved: SIDES whose SHAPE is a curve (inside smaller arc cannot be less than twice the
required width of the stair or it is winding)
