NC Building Inspector Level II Certification
Exam Practice Questions with Verified
Answers & Rationale | Study Guide
Question 1
In a SFD; when gypsum is used on the ceiling of a garage with an attic above it is _____
inches thick
Correct Answer
not less than 1/2" Gypsum
302.6
Question 2
the clear width above the handrail height and below the headroom height in a SFD is:
Correct Answer
36"
311.7.1
Question 3
The minimum crawl space access size for a standard, wall vented crawl space without
mechanical equipment is:
Correct Answer
18x24
R408.8
Question 4
The minimum nominal thickness of a curtain wall shall be not less than:
Correct Answer
4"
404.1.5.3
Page 1 of 77
,Question 5
If an automatic residential fire sprinkler is installed, a common 1-hr fire resistance
rated townhome wall needs to be in accordance with:
Correct Answer
ASTM E119 or UL 263
302.2
Question 6
Floor sheathing when run perpendicular to a joist, supported every 16" O.C., it must
be ____ Inches thick
Correct Answer
5/8"
503.1
Page 2 of 77
,Question 7
The maximum height of unbalanced fill for a solid masonry curtain wall is not to
exceed ____ inches
Correct Answer
24"
404.1.5.3
Question 1: Which of the following building components is primarily designed to
transfer the structural loads from a building's superstructure down to the underlying
soil or rock?
A. Roof truss
B. Foundation
C. Partition wall
D. Ceiling joist
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Foundation
Rationale: The foundation is the structural element that distributes the combined
dead and live loads of a building safely into the supporting earth below, preventing
excessive settlement or structural failure.
Question 2: According to standard building code provisions for means of egress, what
is the minimum clear width typically required for a standard exit stairway serving an
occupant load of more than 50 people?
A. 28 inches
B. 36 inches
C. 44 inches
D. 60 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 44 inches
Rationale: Standard building codes generally require exit stairways serving an
occupant load greater than 50 to maintain a minimum clear width of 44 inches to
ensure safe, unimpeded evacuation during an emergency.
Question 3: In residential wood-frame construction, what is the term used for the
horizontal framing member placed directly on top of a foundation wall to support
floor joists?
Page 3 of 77
, A. Header
B. Stud
C. Sill plate
D. Rafter
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Sill plate
Rationale: The sill plate is anchored directly to the top of the foundation wall and
serves as the foundational base to which floor joists and framing members are
attached.
Question 4: Which type of glass is specifically manufactured to break into small,
relatively harmless pebble-like pieces upon impact, thereby reducing the risk of severe
personal injury?
A. Laminated glass
B. Tempered glass
C. Wired glass
D. Annealed glass
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Tempered glass
Rationale: Tempered glass undergoes a thermal or chemical quenching process that
creates high internal stresses, causing it to shatter into tiny, blunt fragments rather
than sharp, jagged shards when broken.
Question 5: When inspecting a masonry cavity wall, what is the primary function of
the weepholes located at the bottom of the wall assembly?
A. To provide ventilation for the interior framing
B. To allow moisture that penetrates the outer wythe to drain back to the exterior
C. To permit electrical wiring to pass through the masonry barrier
D. To equalize air pressure between the cavity and the interior conditioned space
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To allow moisture that penetrates the outer wythe to drain
back to the exterior
Rationale: Weepholes act as drainage outlets at the base of a cavity wall, ensuring
that any rainwater or condensation trapped within the air cavity escapes rather than
accumulating and causing structural damage.
Page 4 of 77
Exam Practice Questions with Verified
Answers & Rationale | Study Guide
Question 1
In a SFD; when gypsum is used on the ceiling of a garage with an attic above it is _____
inches thick
Correct Answer
not less than 1/2" Gypsum
302.6
Question 2
the clear width above the handrail height and below the headroom height in a SFD is:
Correct Answer
36"
311.7.1
Question 3
The minimum crawl space access size for a standard, wall vented crawl space without
mechanical equipment is:
Correct Answer
18x24
R408.8
Question 4
The minimum nominal thickness of a curtain wall shall be not less than:
Correct Answer
4"
404.1.5.3
Page 1 of 77
,Question 5
If an automatic residential fire sprinkler is installed, a common 1-hr fire resistance
rated townhome wall needs to be in accordance with:
Correct Answer
ASTM E119 or UL 263
302.2
Question 6
Floor sheathing when run perpendicular to a joist, supported every 16" O.C., it must
be ____ Inches thick
Correct Answer
5/8"
503.1
Page 2 of 77
,Question 7
The maximum height of unbalanced fill for a solid masonry curtain wall is not to
exceed ____ inches
Correct Answer
24"
404.1.5.3
Question 1: Which of the following building components is primarily designed to
transfer the structural loads from a building's superstructure down to the underlying
soil or rock?
A. Roof truss
B. Foundation
C. Partition wall
D. Ceiling joist
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Foundation
Rationale: The foundation is the structural element that distributes the combined
dead and live loads of a building safely into the supporting earth below, preventing
excessive settlement or structural failure.
Question 2: According to standard building code provisions for means of egress, what
is the minimum clear width typically required for a standard exit stairway serving an
occupant load of more than 50 people?
A. 28 inches
B. 36 inches
C. 44 inches
D. 60 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 44 inches
Rationale: Standard building codes generally require exit stairways serving an
occupant load greater than 50 to maintain a minimum clear width of 44 inches to
ensure safe, unimpeded evacuation during an emergency.
Question 3: In residential wood-frame construction, what is the term used for the
horizontal framing member placed directly on top of a foundation wall to support
floor joists?
Page 3 of 77
, A. Header
B. Stud
C. Sill plate
D. Rafter
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Sill plate
Rationale: The sill plate is anchored directly to the top of the foundation wall and
serves as the foundational base to which floor joists and framing members are
attached.
Question 4: Which type of glass is specifically manufactured to break into small,
relatively harmless pebble-like pieces upon impact, thereby reducing the risk of severe
personal injury?
A. Laminated glass
B. Tempered glass
C. Wired glass
D. Annealed glass
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Tempered glass
Rationale: Tempered glass undergoes a thermal or chemical quenching process that
creates high internal stresses, causing it to shatter into tiny, blunt fragments rather
than sharp, jagged shards when broken.
Question 5: When inspecting a masonry cavity wall, what is the primary function of
the weepholes located at the bottom of the wall assembly?
A. To provide ventilation for the interior framing
B. To allow moisture that penetrates the outer wythe to drain back to the exterior
C. To permit electrical wiring to pass through the masonry barrier
D. To equalize air pressure between the cavity and the interior conditioned space
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To allow moisture that penetrates the outer wythe to drain
back to the exterior
Rationale: Weepholes act as drainage outlets at the base of a cavity wall, ensuring
that any rainwater or condensation trapped within the air cavity escapes rather than
accumulating and causing structural damage.
Page 4 of 77
