AGMT Architectural Glass & Metal
Technician Knowledge-Based Test (KBT)
Questions & Correct Answers Verified
Plus Rationales 2026 | Instant Download
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1. What is the primary purpose of a weep hole in a curtain wall system?
A) To allow for thermal expansion of the mullions
B) To provide a path for water drainage and pressure equalization
C) To serve as an attachment point for scaffolding
D) To allow for the injection of sealant after installation
Answer: B
Explanation: Weep holes are critical for draining incidental water that enters the
system and for equalizing air pressure across the gasket, preventing water from
being drawn into the building.
2. Which type of glass is manufactured by rapidly cooling the surface to create a
compressive stress layer?
A) Annealed glass
B) Laminated glass
C) Tempered glass
D) Wired glass
Answer: C
Explanation: Tempered glass is heat-strengthened through a process of rapid
cooling (quenching), which puts the outer surfaces into compression and the
inner core into tension, making it significantly stronger than annealed glass.
,3. When installing a structural silicone sealant, what is the most critical surface
preparation step?
A) Abrading the surface with sandpaper
B) Cleaning with a specialized solvent and allowing it to flash off
C) Priming the surface with a water-based primer
D) Wiping the surface with a damp cloth
Answer: B
Explanation: Proper surface preparation requires cleaning with a specific solvent
(like isopropyl alcohol or MEK) to remove all dirt, oil, and moisture. The solvent
must be allowed to flash off (evaporate) completely before sealant application to
ensure adhesion.
4. In a unitized curtain wall system, what is the function of the interlock?
A) To connect the vertical mullions to the structural slab
B) To provide a weather-tight seal between adjacent units
C) To anchor the glass lite into the frame
D) To lift the unit from the delivery truck
Answer: B
Explanation: The interlock is the engineered male/female connection between
unitized panels that provides the primary weather seal and structural continuity
across the vertical joints.
5. Which of the following is the most common aluminum alloy used for extruded
window frames?
A) 1100 series
B) 2024 series
C) 6061 series
D) 6063 series
Answer: D
Explanation: 6063 aluminum alloy is most commonly used for architectural
extrusions due to its excellent extrudability, good corrosion resistance, and ability
to achieve a high-quality anodized or painted finish.
,6. What does the "U-factor" measure in a glazing system?
A) The rate of solar heat gain through the glass
B) The resistance to thermal conduction
C) The rate of heat transfer through the entire assembly
D) The amount of visible light transmitted through the glass
Answer: C
Explanation: The U-factor is the measure of the overall rate of heat transfer
(thermal transmittance) through a building assembly, including the glass, frame,
and spacers. A lower U-factor means better insulation.
7. What safety device is mandatory on all hydraulic aerial work platforms (scissor
lifts and boom lifts)?
A) A secondary braking system
B) An audible backup alarm
C) A pothole protection system
D) A fall arrest harness attachment point
Answer: D
Explanation: OSHA and ANSI require that aerial lifts have designated anchor
points for lanyards and harnesses to protect workers from falls. The worker must
be tied off at all times while in the basket.
8. What is the primary cause of "stress cracks" in tempered glass?
A) Wind load exceeding the design pressure
B) Thermal shock from sudden temperature changes
C) Inclusions of nickel sulfide (NiS) in the glass
D) Impact from a hard object on the edge or corner
Answer: C
Explanation: Nickel sulfide inclusions can expand over time, causing spontaneous
breakage in tempered glass. This is often referred to as a "spontaneous fracture"
or "stone," and the characteristic "butterfly" pattern is visible at the fracture
origin.
, 9. When reading blueprints, a dashed line with a "G" in a circle typically represents:
A) A concealed electrical conduit
B) The centerline of a mullion
C) A glazing line or glazing reference
D) A grade beam in the foundation
Answer: C
Explanation: In architectural glazing drawings, a "G" in a circle is a common
notation for a glazing line, indicating the outer face of the glass or the plane of
the glazing system.
10. A "wet seal" in a curtain wall refers to:
A) A seal that is applied underwater
B) A seal created with a pre-formed gasket
C) A seal created with a field-applied liquid sealant
D) A seal that is designed to be submerged in rain
Answer: C
Explanation: A wet seal is a field-applied liquid sealant (like silicone) that cures to
form a weathertight barrier. It is contrasted with a "dry seal," which uses pre-
formed gaskets or tape.
11. Which type of glass is composed of two or more lites bonded together with an
interlayer of PVB or SentryGlas?
A) Insulating glass
B) Laminated glass
C) Tempered glass
D) Heat-strengthened glass
Answer: B
Explanation: Laminated glass is a sandwich of glass and an interlayer. The
interlayer, when broken, holds the glass fragments in place, providing safety,
security, and sound attenuation.
12. What is the purpose of a "setting block" in a glazing pocket?
A) To hold the glass in the center of the frame
Technician Knowledge-Based Test (KBT)
Questions & Correct Answers Verified
Plus Rationales 2026 | Instant Download
1. What is the primary purpose of a weep hole in a curtain wall system?
A) To allow for thermal expansion of the mullions
B) To provide a path for water drainage and pressure equalization
C) To serve as an attachment point for scaffolding
D) To allow for the injection of sealant after installation
Answer: B
Explanation: Weep holes are critical for draining incidental water that enters the
system and for equalizing air pressure across the gasket, preventing water from
being drawn into the building.
2. Which type of glass is manufactured by rapidly cooling the surface to create a
compressive stress layer?
A) Annealed glass
B) Laminated glass
C) Tempered glass
D) Wired glass
Answer: C
Explanation: Tempered glass is heat-strengthened through a process of rapid
cooling (quenching), which puts the outer surfaces into compression and the
inner core into tension, making it significantly stronger than annealed glass.
,3. When installing a structural silicone sealant, what is the most critical surface
preparation step?
A) Abrading the surface with sandpaper
B) Cleaning with a specialized solvent and allowing it to flash off
C) Priming the surface with a water-based primer
D) Wiping the surface with a damp cloth
Answer: B
Explanation: Proper surface preparation requires cleaning with a specific solvent
(like isopropyl alcohol or MEK) to remove all dirt, oil, and moisture. The solvent
must be allowed to flash off (evaporate) completely before sealant application to
ensure adhesion.
4. In a unitized curtain wall system, what is the function of the interlock?
A) To connect the vertical mullions to the structural slab
B) To provide a weather-tight seal between adjacent units
C) To anchor the glass lite into the frame
D) To lift the unit from the delivery truck
Answer: B
Explanation: The interlock is the engineered male/female connection between
unitized panels that provides the primary weather seal and structural continuity
across the vertical joints.
5. Which of the following is the most common aluminum alloy used for extruded
window frames?
A) 1100 series
B) 2024 series
C) 6061 series
D) 6063 series
Answer: D
Explanation: 6063 aluminum alloy is most commonly used for architectural
extrusions due to its excellent extrudability, good corrosion resistance, and ability
to achieve a high-quality anodized or painted finish.
,6. What does the "U-factor" measure in a glazing system?
A) The rate of solar heat gain through the glass
B) The resistance to thermal conduction
C) The rate of heat transfer through the entire assembly
D) The amount of visible light transmitted through the glass
Answer: C
Explanation: The U-factor is the measure of the overall rate of heat transfer
(thermal transmittance) through a building assembly, including the glass, frame,
and spacers. A lower U-factor means better insulation.
7. What safety device is mandatory on all hydraulic aerial work platforms (scissor
lifts and boom lifts)?
A) A secondary braking system
B) An audible backup alarm
C) A pothole protection system
D) A fall arrest harness attachment point
Answer: D
Explanation: OSHA and ANSI require that aerial lifts have designated anchor
points for lanyards and harnesses to protect workers from falls. The worker must
be tied off at all times while in the basket.
8. What is the primary cause of "stress cracks" in tempered glass?
A) Wind load exceeding the design pressure
B) Thermal shock from sudden temperature changes
C) Inclusions of nickel sulfide (NiS) in the glass
D) Impact from a hard object on the edge or corner
Answer: C
Explanation: Nickel sulfide inclusions can expand over time, causing spontaneous
breakage in tempered glass. This is often referred to as a "spontaneous fracture"
or "stone," and the characteristic "butterfly" pattern is visible at the fracture
origin.
, 9. When reading blueprints, a dashed line with a "G" in a circle typically represents:
A) A concealed electrical conduit
B) The centerline of a mullion
C) A glazing line or glazing reference
D) A grade beam in the foundation
Answer: C
Explanation: In architectural glazing drawings, a "G" in a circle is a common
notation for a glazing line, indicating the outer face of the glass or the plane of
the glazing system.
10. A "wet seal" in a curtain wall refers to:
A) A seal that is applied underwater
B) A seal created with a pre-formed gasket
C) A seal created with a field-applied liquid sealant
D) A seal that is designed to be submerged in rain
Answer: C
Explanation: A wet seal is a field-applied liquid sealant (like silicone) that cures to
form a weathertight barrier. It is contrasted with a "dry seal," which uses pre-
formed gaskets or tape.
11. Which type of glass is composed of two or more lites bonded together with an
interlayer of PVB or SentryGlas?
A) Insulating glass
B) Laminated glass
C) Tempered glass
D) Heat-strengthened glass
Answer: B
Explanation: Laminated glass is a sandwich of glass and an interlayer. The
interlayer, when broken, holds the glass fragments in place, providing safety,
security, and sound attenuation.
12. What is the purpose of a "setting block" in a glazing pocket?
A) To hold the glass in the center of the frame
