, Question 1
A sign hanger is installing a 12 ft × 4 ft illuminated wall sign on a building in a
historic district. The sign projects 18 inches from the facade. Under NYC
Zoning Resolution, which additional approval is required beyond a standard
DOB sign permit?
A. Landmarks Preservation Commission permit
B. Board of Standards and Appeals variance
C. City Planning Commission special permit
D. Department of Transportation encroachment permit
Correct Answer: A - Landmarks Preservation Commission
permit
RATIONALE
In historic districts, the Landmarks Preservation Commission must
approve any exterior alteration, including signs, to preserve
architectural character. A BSA variance is for zoning bulk or use
relief, not historic review. CPC special permits apply to specific use or
bulk modifications, and DOT permits are for sidewalk or street
encroachments, not facade signs.
Question 2
Which factor most significantly increases the wind load on a rooftop sign
installed in an exposure category C area per ASCE 7-22?
A. The sign's color contrast with the background
B. The sign's height above ground and terrain roughness
C. The sign's electrical voltage requirements
D. The sign's font size and legibility
Correct Answer: B - The sign's height above ground and terrain
roughness
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Wind load depends on height, exposure category, and terrain
roughness; exposure C (open terrain) yields higher wind speeds and
pressures. Color, voltage, and font size do not affect structural wind
loading. Thus, height and terrain are critical for calculating design
wind pressure.
Question 3
During a DOB inspection, a sign hanger discovers that the existing building
facade has insufficient structural capacity for a proposed 500 lb sign. What is
the most appropriate immediate action?
A. Install the sign with additional anchors into the existing facade
B. Reduce the sign size to 250 lb without notifying DOB
C. Halt installation and submit revised structural drawings for approval
D. Proceed with installation and file an amendment later
Correct Answer: C - Halt installation and submit revised
structural drawings for approval
RATIONALE
Any change affecting structural integrity requires approved revised
plans; proceeding without approval violates NYC Construction Codes.
Reducing weight without notification is also non-compliant. Installing
with extra anchors does not address the underlying capacity issue and
could be unsafe.
Question 4
A sign hanger is using a suspended scaffold to install a sign on a 20-story
building. According to OSHA 1926 Subpart L, what is the minimum required
fall protection for the worker on the scaffold?
A. Safety net system below the scaffold
B. Personal fall arrest system with independent lifeline
C. Guardrail system with top rail at 42 inches
Page 3
, D. Positioning device system with body belt
Correct Answer: B - Personal fall arrest system with independent
lifeline
RATIONALE
OSHA requires a personal fall arrest system with an independent
lifeline for workers on suspended scaffolds. Safety nets are for fall
protection during construction, not scaffolds. Guardrails alone are
insufficient for suspended scaffolds, and body belts are prohibited for
fall arrest.
Question 5
An illuminated sign uses LED modules with a total connected load of 1200W
at 120V. The sign hanger must ensure the branch circuit meets NEC
requirements. What is the minimum ampacity of the overcurrent protection
device?
A. 10 A
B. 15 A
C. 20 A
D. 30 A
Correct Answer: B - 15 A
RATIONALE
Total current = 1200W / 120V = 10A. Per NEC 210.20(A),
overcurrent protection must be at least 125% of continuous load, so
10A × 1.25 = 12.5A, requiring a 15A breaker. A 10A device would be
too low; 20A and 30A exceed minimum but are not the smallest
standard size.
Question 6
When applying for a sign permit in NYC, which document is NOT typically
required for a simple flat wall sign under 10 sq ft in a non-historic district?
Page 4
A sign hanger is installing a 12 ft × 4 ft illuminated wall sign on a building in a
historic district. The sign projects 18 inches from the facade. Under NYC
Zoning Resolution, which additional approval is required beyond a standard
DOB sign permit?
A. Landmarks Preservation Commission permit
B. Board of Standards and Appeals variance
C. City Planning Commission special permit
D. Department of Transportation encroachment permit
Correct Answer: A - Landmarks Preservation Commission
permit
RATIONALE
In historic districts, the Landmarks Preservation Commission must
approve any exterior alteration, including signs, to preserve
architectural character. A BSA variance is for zoning bulk or use
relief, not historic review. CPC special permits apply to specific use or
bulk modifications, and DOT permits are for sidewalk or street
encroachments, not facade signs.
Question 2
Which factor most significantly increases the wind load on a rooftop sign
installed in an exposure category C area per ASCE 7-22?
A. The sign's color contrast with the background
B. The sign's height above ground and terrain roughness
C. The sign's electrical voltage requirements
D. The sign's font size and legibility
Correct Answer: B - The sign's height above ground and terrain
roughness
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Wind load depends on height, exposure category, and terrain
roughness; exposure C (open terrain) yields higher wind speeds and
pressures. Color, voltage, and font size do not affect structural wind
loading. Thus, height and terrain are critical for calculating design
wind pressure.
Question 3
During a DOB inspection, a sign hanger discovers that the existing building
facade has insufficient structural capacity for a proposed 500 lb sign. What is
the most appropriate immediate action?
A. Install the sign with additional anchors into the existing facade
B. Reduce the sign size to 250 lb without notifying DOB
C. Halt installation and submit revised structural drawings for approval
D. Proceed with installation and file an amendment later
Correct Answer: C - Halt installation and submit revised
structural drawings for approval
RATIONALE
Any change affecting structural integrity requires approved revised
plans; proceeding without approval violates NYC Construction Codes.
Reducing weight without notification is also non-compliant. Installing
with extra anchors does not address the underlying capacity issue and
could be unsafe.
Question 4
A sign hanger is using a suspended scaffold to install a sign on a 20-story
building. According to OSHA 1926 Subpart L, what is the minimum required
fall protection for the worker on the scaffold?
A. Safety net system below the scaffold
B. Personal fall arrest system with independent lifeline
C. Guardrail system with top rail at 42 inches
Page 3
, D. Positioning device system with body belt
Correct Answer: B - Personal fall arrest system with independent
lifeline
RATIONALE
OSHA requires a personal fall arrest system with an independent
lifeline for workers on suspended scaffolds. Safety nets are for fall
protection during construction, not scaffolds. Guardrails alone are
insufficient for suspended scaffolds, and body belts are prohibited for
fall arrest.
Question 5
An illuminated sign uses LED modules with a total connected load of 1200W
at 120V. The sign hanger must ensure the branch circuit meets NEC
requirements. What is the minimum ampacity of the overcurrent protection
device?
A. 10 A
B. 15 A
C. 20 A
D. 30 A
Correct Answer: B - 15 A
RATIONALE
Total current = 1200W / 120V = 10A. Per NEC 210.20(A),
overcurrent protection must be at least 125% of continuous load, so
10A × 1.25 = 12.5A, requiring a 15A breaker. A 10A device would be
too low; 20A and 30A exceed minimum but are not the smallest
standard size.
Question 6
When applying for a sign permit in NYC, which document is NOT typically
required for a simple flat wall sign under 10 sq ft in a non-historic district?
Page 4
