BC OWNER BUILDER ACTUAL EXAM
SOLVED QUESTIONS COMPLETE
PREPARATION RESOURCE
●● Which of the following is not an acceptable method for determining
the correct grading for a trench?
Answer: An experienced excavator says it's ok
●● Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection?
Answer: Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
●● What lighting certifications are required in Canada?
Answer: CSA safety certification
●● What grit of sandpaper would get smoothest result? (/etc.)
Answer: The higher the grit, the finer/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?
Answer: The vertical height any flight stairs shall not exceed 3.7 m
(from the BCBC)
,●● What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a
parapet wall or landing?
Answer: 3 ft.
●● What heights are end dams to be on window and door flashings?
Answer: 25 mm / 1 inch (from BCBC)
●● When is an HRV required?
Answer: Almost always: "Effective December 19, 2014 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 [9.32.3.3.]" "Some small dwelling units in mild climates are
permitted to supply fresh air through passive vents [9.32.3.4.(6)], but for
most dwelling units exhaust and supply will require a mechanical fan"
●● What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? Which of
the following is not allowed under the HPO owner-builder program?
Answer: New dwelling unit attached to building *newer* than 10 years
old
●● Who issues permits for a gas fireplace?
Answer: Safety Authority → now call Technical Safety BC
,●● Can an owner builder take out his or her own electrical permit?
Answer: Yes -work up to 200A is allowed
●● What is the best practice to apply asphalt waterproofing on a
foundation?
Answer: 2inch (max) below grade
●● What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof
membrane foundation?
Answer: Use an approved primer before installing
●● What distances can a gas exhaust vents not be installed near a gas
regulator?
Answer: 1m left and right and 4.5, above
●● When do you need to install a handrail, or have worker wear fall
protection?
Answer: 10 ft. above grade
●● What height must a handrail be provided?
Answer: 4 feet
●● How high does a construction fence around a site needs to be
, Answer: 6 feet
●● When installing the footer, it was dug down 2 inches deeper then
what the elevation should be. What needs to happen?
Answer: Install the footing form at proper elevation and fill with extra
concrete.
●● When installing flashing for a roof valley how much do the asphalt
shingles need to overlap it?
Answer: 6 inches
●● What would cause a Blister on a flat roof?
Answer: Moisture trapped under roof
●● Water is backing up in a skylight what do you do to fix it?
Answer: Clear drainage
●● What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles
on a roof?
Answer: Install eve protection
●● What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that had been treated
with chromated copper arsenate (pressure treated wood)?
SOLVED QUESTIONS COMPLETE
PREPARATION RESOURCE
●● Which of the following is not an acceptable method for determining
the correct grading for a trench?
Answer: An experienced excavator says it's ok
●● Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection?
Answer: Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
●● What lighting certifications are required in Canada?
Answer: CSA safety certification
●● What grit of sandpaper would get smoothest result? (/etc.)
Answer: The higher the grit, the finer/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?
Answer: The vertical height any flight stairs shall not exceed 3.7 m
(from the BCBC)
,●● What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a
parapet wall or landing?
Answer: 3 ft.
●● What heights are end dams to be on window and door flashings?
Answer: 25 mm / 1 inch (from BCBC)
●● When is an HRV required?
Answer: Almost always: "Effective December 19, 2014 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 [9.32.3.3.]" "Some small dwelling units in mild climates are
permitted to supply fresh air through passive vents [9.32.3.4.(6)], but for
most dwelling units exhaust and supply will require a mechanical fan"
●● What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? Which of
the following is not allowed under the HPO owner-builder program?
Answer: New dwelling unit attached to building *newer* than 10 years
old
●● Who issues permits for a gas fireplace?
Answer: Safety Authority → now call Technical Safety BC
,●● Can an owner builder take out his or her own electrical permit?
Answer: Yes -work up to 200A is allowed
●● What is the best practice to apply asphalt waterproofing on a
foundation?
Answer: 2inch (max) below grade
●● What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof
membrane foundation?
Answer: Use an approved primer before installing
●● What distances can a gas exhaust vents not be installed near a gas
regulator?
Answer: 1m left and right and 4.5, above
●● When do you need to install a handrail, or have worker wear fall
protection?
Answer: 10 ft. above grade
●● What height must a handrail be provided?
Answer: 4 feet
●● How high does a construction fence around a site needs to be
, Answer: 6 feet
●● When installing the footer, it was dug down 2 inches deeper then
what the elevation should be. What needs to happen?
Answer: Install the footing form at proper elevation and fill with extra
concrete.
●● When installing flashing for a roof valley how much do the asphalt
shingles need to overlap it?
Answer: 6 inches
●● What would cause a Blister on a flat roof?
Answer: Moisture trapped under roof
●● Water is backing up in a skylight what do you do to fix it?
Answer: Clear drainage
●● What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles
on a roof?
Answer: Install eve protection
●● What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that had been treated
with chromated copper arsenate (pressure treated wood)?
