Michigan Builders License Exam Questions With Correct Answers

Created to serve as a complete, comprehensive code regulating the construction of single-family, two-family and buildings consisting of three or more townhouse units. - Answer IRC (International Residential Code) Administrative - Answer First 2 chapters of code book are True - Answer Plans or supporting documents are almost always required by the controlling authority prior to issuing a permit. T or F Yes - Answer Does the building official have the authority to render interpretations of the code? 8 foot fence. - Answer None of the following require a permit, EXCEPT: sidewalks and driveways tiling an 8 foot fence playground equipment False - Answer Tables and illustrations are always supported by information found in the written code and footnotes. T or F Live load. - Answer The amount of evenly distributed weight imposed by inhabitants, goods and removable objects on a floor or roof system is referred to as True. - Answer If a code requirement is in the book, it is both acceptable and enforceable by the code official. T or F Figures. - Answer Illustrations are typically referred to as Determine that buildings are built to the minimum enforceable standard. - Answer Generally speaking, the building official's job is to True. - Answer It is required that all manufacturer instructions be at the jobsite at the time of inspection. T or F Kitchen. - Answer All of the following are not considered habitable spaces EXCEPT: bathrooms kitchens storage spaces closets 3. - Answer Bathrooms must be provided with an aggregate glazing area no less than _____ square feet, half of which must be openable. 44 inches. - Answer The maximum height of an egress window above the floor is 5.7 sq ft. - Answer A basement bedroom must have an egress window with a clear opening of at least ______ square feet. 3. - Answer At least one side-hinged exit door must be in each dwelling unit, and must be _____ feet wide. 30 inches. - Answer A porch more than _____ inches above grade must be provided with 36" guards. 200. - Answer Wall and ceiling finishes shall have a flame-spread classification of no more than ______ . 7 days. - Answer According to code, concrete must reach at least 70% of it's ability within ____________days. 40%. - Answer A stud used for a non-bearing partitions may not be notched more than ____% of the stud width. Additions, alterations, renovation and repairs. - Answer The Michigan Uniform Energy code applies to new buildings as well as U-factor. - Answer ___________ is a measure of how well the window or door assembly conducts heat. The lower the number, the better insulation the assembly will provide. 50%. - Answer Energy losses from recessed lighting fixtures can often reach ___% of the total thermal loss of a ceiling. R-3. - Answer Michigan requires a minimum thermal resistance of ____________for mechanical system piping. True. - Answer Oversized HVAC equipment has a higher initial cost, a higher operating cost, provides less comfort, and shorter life expectancy. T or F Prescriptive Path. - Answer _______ is the compliance route that applies Table 402.1.1 to building envelope components, and is considered the most simple. Area weighted averages. - Answer ___________ can be used to satisfy U-factor and SHGC requirements. IC (Insulation Contact) - Answer Recessed lights must be _____ rated. True. - Answer Up to 15 square feet of glazing per dwelling unit is exempted from U-value requirements. T or F Registered design professional. - Answer The 2009 IECC requires a permanent certificate posted on the electrical distribution panel. The certificate shall be completed by the builder or State energy code requirements. - Answer One hurdle contractors face when bidding for an energy efficient project is choosing materials that fit the design, and also meet False. - Answer Historically significant buildings are not exempt from code changes. T or F R-value Settled thickness Manufacturer name - Answer Insulation products (blown and sprayed) must be documented with: March 2011. - Answer The new Michigan codes took effect in 10. - Answer Below grade walls are insulated from the top of the basement wall down to _____ below grade, or the basement floor, whichever is less. Area weighted average. - Answer The _______ is the combined Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of all the glazed fenestration products in the building. Thermal insulation R-values Design criteria Equipment systems - Answer Plans and specifications must be detailed in regards to: 2009. - Answer In Michigan, the residential energy code is based on the _____ IECC, with certain amendments. Air leakage. - Answer ___________ is the rate of air infiltration in the presence of a specific pressure differential. Windows Attic access hatches Recessed lights - Answer Air leakage is the random movement of air into and out of ________ through cracks and holes. Table 402.1.1 2009 IECC - Answer R-values for insulation and fenestration requirements by component can be found in International Energy Conservation Code - Answer IECC U-factor and UA alternatives. - Answer The _____________ compliance method allows for more innovative construction techniques like SIPs or Advanced Framing. 500 sq feet - Answer R-30 is permitted in vaulted ceilings, but is limited to True. - Answer Floor insulation must be installed to maintain permanent and continuous contact with the underside of the subfloor decking. T or F 5, 6 and 7. - Answer Michigan falls into climate zones False. - Answer It is permissible for supply ducts to be run through the framing cavities of a residential building. T or F IC rated (Insulation Contact) - Answer __________ means an electrical fixture has been tested and listed as suitable for installation in a cavity where the fixture may come in contact with insulation. 3%. - Answer According to the Dept. of Energy, improved energy codes could reduce CO2 emissions by 300 sq ft. - Answer Attic insulation markers must be installed every _____ square feet. True. - Answer Buildings that are exempted from the new regulations are those with very low energy use or ones that are neither heated or cooled. T or F Yes. - Answer A contractor needs to remove a non-load bearing wall, does he need to pull a permit? No. - Answer A concrete contractor has been hired by an owner to install a driveway and sidewalks. The lot is flat and the concrete is being place on undisturbed earth with a prepared base. Does the contractor need to pull a permit? Yes. - Answer A permit has been issued for a building project and there is a code infraction in the building plans that has been overlooked by the building official. Can the building official require a correction to a project that they previously overlooked? Health department. - Answer Who issues a well and septic permit? 200 sq. feet. IRC R105 - Answer Permits are not required for one story detached accessory structures not exceeding: The next business day. - Answer If work requiring a permit is provided in an emergency situation, the permit application must be submitted within: True. - Answer If an inspection official is refused entry to a building project, the official will have recourse to the remedies provided by law which include securing a warrant from the court and returning with an officer of the law. No. IRC R104.8 - Answer Can a building official be held liable for any damage occurring to persons or property as a result of their actions or inaction? Yes. - Answer An owner needs a foundation wall repaired, it has seriously buckled due to excessive lateral loading from soil pressure. Does the contractor need to pull a permit? 6 ft. IRC R105.2 - Answer Although contractors should check for restrictive covenants and local zoning requirements, a permit isn't required from the building official for installing a fence not over _______ tall. 180 days. - Answer If a permit is applied for but not yet approved and the applicant is not persueing approval after______ days the application will be considered abandoned. Yes. - Answer Can a building official revoke a Certificate of Occupancy? True. - Answer When a project requiring a permit has commenced prior to the issuance of a permit, the building official is authorized to charge an additional fee. T or F 450 - Answer Foam plastic is used as insulation. The flame spread index cannot exceed 75 and the smoke development index cannot exceed 8". - Answer Foam plastic used for interior trim shall have a maximum thickness of 1/2" and a maximum width of 10%. - Answer Foam plastic interior trim must not constitute more than __________ of the total wall and ceiling area of any room or space. 1/2". - Answer Foam plastic used as insulation in walls must be separated by an approved thermal barrier. What is the minimum thickness of gypsum wall board being used as a thermal barrier for spray foam insulated walls? Framing. - Answer Which of these inspections happens last? Mechanical rough Plumbing rough Framing Electrical rough Yes. - Answer A retaining wall will be five feet tall from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. Do you need to pull a permit? At the time of inspection. - Answer Your building is utilizing engineered products such as engineered floor joists. When do the installation instructions need to be available at the work site? 1 3/8" solid wood 1 3/8" honeycomb core 20 minute fire rated Any of the above - Answer A door directly between a garage and a residence shall never open directly into a sleeping room. The door must also be 1 1/4" - Answer The nosing for stairs shall not be less than 3/4" but not be more than No. - Answer A front porch is 25 inches above the grade below. Are guards required to be installed? False. - Answer If a smoke alarm is in a bedroom, it doesn't need to be right outside the bedroom also. 1/2" - Answer If spray foam insulation is used to insulate a wall, what is the minimum thickness of drywall needed to cover the foam plastic? 200 - Answer Finishing materials used for walls and ceiling shall have a flame-spread index not to exceed No. - Answer Wood joists are 19" above exposed ground. Do they have to be preservative treated or naturally durable wood? True. - Answer You may bulldoze, grade and remove tree stumps in a wetland as long as you have a permit. True. - Answer Current code requires that the lowest floors in newly constructed buildings in flood hazard areas not located in designated Coastal A Zones, must have the lowest floors elevated to or above the 100-year design flood elevation. T or F Cohesive, granular, organic. - Answer What are the three basic soil types? Reduce settling Provide stability Increase load-bearing capacity - Answer The principal reasons to understand soil composition are to: 150 yards - Answer If a excavating company needs to haul away 125 yards of bank soil that will swell 20% how many yards of loose soil will they haul away? Setback. - Answer The exact location of property lines should be determined early in the design phase in order to comply with __________ requirements. True. - Answer A garden shed over 200 square feet will require a T or F Bulldozer. - Answer What tool would you use to peel back topsoil? Cutting into Piling soil over Compacting - Answer _________ the root system of a tree during construction can potentially kill it. Builders level. - Answer You would use a ________ to determine a floor is level, but this tool would not help determine if a wall is plumb. 1/2 inch. - Answer The condition of erosion control devices must be checked after a rainfall event of _______ or more within a 24 hour period. 15 feet from the property line. - Answer A side yard easement of 15 feet means your building structure must be: Who set the monument When was it set Where was it set - Answer You can identify survey monuments by the following Easements. - Answer Public _________ provide utilities access to run lines or pipes across or under your property. Fill. - Answer A deposit of earth material placed by artificial means is called True. - Answer Grading is changing the earth surface by either excavating or filling or a combination of both. T or F Rough grade. - Answer The stage at which the grade approximately conforms to approved plans is called: True. - Answer Water wells should be located on the opposite side or uphill side of the house from the drainfield. T or F Lifts. - Answer When back filling around the foundation the soil should be compacted in __________ of 6 inches at a time. True. - Answer The ablility to achieve maximum density when compacting soil requires that the soil has it's optimum moistute content. T or F True. - Answer The heavier the plates are on a vibratoty plate compactor the more compaction force it will generate. T or F False. - Answer All soil types have the same optimum moisture content for compaction. Plot plan and site plan. - Answer Which drawing shows the shape and boundary lines of a lot, as well as locating the building, driveway, sidewalks, well and septic system, elevation contours, etc. Plot Plan Site plan Elevation plan Both A and B Proctor test Sand cone test Nuclear density test - Answer What is a method of determining soil density? Without adequate moisture or containing too much water. - Answer It is virtually impossible to compact soil without adequate moisture containing too much water with optimum moisture content both A and B Point of reference or a benchmark. - Answer A basic starting point from which measurements in building layout can be made using a transit or builders level is called a All of the above. - Answer When building in a floodplain, special precaution must be made concerning: flood resistant construction. determining the design flood elevation. placing the lowest floor at the proper elevation. all of the above Parking vehicles , building access or storage. - Answer When building in a floodplain, enclosed areas below the design flood elevation will be used solely for True. - Answer Increasing the weight of the plates on vibratory plate compactors is the best way to increase their efficiency. T or F True. - Answer Rammers are the most efficient compactor to use in clay (cohesive) soils. T or F Avoid raising or lowering the grade around the trees Bore under the tree roots instead of trenching for Utility installations Barricade the area around the trees keeping heavy equipment off - Answer Special precautions should be taken with desirable trees on a building site to avoid injuring and even killing them such as: True. - Answer The optimum moisture content for soil compaction will depend on the type of soil being compacted. Moisture content. - Answer Proper _______________ is the most important factor in efficient soil compaction. Shoring up the side walls. - Answer Three methods of preparing an excavated hole to prevent cave-ins are: 1) providing the correct angle of repose for the specific soil type, 2) the benching method and 3)___________________________________. 5 feet. - Answer If an excavation is more than _____________, an adequate protective system from cave-ins must be utilized. True. - Answer Grading is changing the earth surface by either excavating or filling or a combination of both. Removing vegetation, noncomplying fill and topsoil. - Answer Before filling, the ground must be prepared to receive fill. An example of this would be: Final grade. - Answer Site vision GPS systems are installed on bulldozers to help establish : Lifts. - Answer When compacting soils, soils should be compacted in ____________________ of 6 inches. This will provide for proper compaction through all levels. Slope. - Answer A ground surface inclination expressed as a ratio of horizontal distance to vertical distance is called Hand shovel. - Answer How should the excavator remove excess soil from beneath a buried electrical line? Prevent evaporation. - Answer There are two ways to insure proper curing of concrete: apply water to make up for water lost due to evaporation, and True. - Answer When pouring concrete, the concrete should be placed near its required point. Excessive handling of the concrete weakens it. T or F Never acceptable. - Answer Pouring concrete on frozen earth is: 1/2" - Answer The diameter of a No. 4 deformed bar is: All of the above. - Answer Which of the following are true in regard to cold-weather construction? calcium chloride is added to concrete to help it set quickly. insulation of straw, hay, or polyethylene is placed around concrete footings. concrete block walls are usually laid with heated mortar. all of the above 1/4 the thickness. - Answer When sawing a control joint in a concrete slab, the joint must be a minimum of how deep? Middle one third. - Answer Rebar placement for a footing should be in the ________________________ of the footing depth. Chairs. - Answer The most precise way of positioning rebar for a slab is to use: True. - Answer Chairs are classified according to their degree of rust protection. Class #1 is the maximum protection, class #2 is moderate protection, and class #3 is no protection. T or F Curing. - Answer Proper __________________ prevents most problems in the finished concrete. Methods used to ensure a high quality, finished product, include a sprayed on membrane curing compound, polyethylene sheets, waterproof paper or wet burlap. Slump cone. - Answer A _________________ is a 12" high cone which determines the amount of water in the mix. 5% to 7% - Answer In cases of severe cold weather exposure, the air content in a concrete mix should be about: Scale or spall. - Answer If concrete is exposed to de-icers and it is not air entrained, it will: Scaling. - Answer When concrete becomes flaky and fragmented on the surface, this is called: One quarter the space between side forms Three quarters the space between reinforcing bars One third the depth of the slab on ground - Answer The maximum size aggregate is limited to the lesser of: 150 lbs. - Answer How much does one cubic foot of concrete weigh? 28 days. - Answer Concrete is considered to be fully cured or set after ______________days. True. - Answer Air entrainment protects concrete from frost damage, but also makes concrete more workable. For that reason, not as much water is necessary for the mix. T or F Retarders. - Answer On hot sunny days in the summertime, a contractor may decide to use ____________ to slow down the setting time of concrete. Cement, sand, water, and gravel. - Answer Concrete is made by mixing: Cause it to shrink more Weaken it Cause it to crack more - Answer Adding too much water to a concrete mix will _______________ it. Screeding - Answer _________________ concrete is the process of leveling the freshly poured concrete before it is floated. True - Answer Floating of the freshly screeded concrete is accomplished with a wood or magnesium bullfloat which smoothes out, levels, compacts and brings the small particles to the surface for finishing. T or F Power trowel. - Answer On large areas, it may be necessary to use a __________________ to finish the surface area. Non-slip surface. - Answer On sidewalk surfaces, it is necessary to broom the surface of concrete to provide a: Cure. - Answer It is necessary to maintain the temperature above 50 degrees in order for concrete to properly: 2" - Answer Welded wire mesh should be placed ___________ from the top of concrete slab surface. Efflorescence. - Answer The white salty powder that forms on the finished surface of concrete is called Slab. - Answer A concrete floor may also be called a: The top cures faster. - Answer Concrete slabs on grade have a tendency to curl because: Power screed. - Answer As concrete is placed in a form it needs to be leveled off. This can be done manually or mechanically with a Movement, expansion or contraction. - Answer A control joint allows for what? To slow down the setting time of concrete. - Answer What is the purpose of adding retarders to a concrete mixture? Water reducers. - Answer What is added to make concrete more workable with less water? 10' - Answer A one car driveway should have a minimum width of? 18' - Answer A two car wide driveway is usually how wide? 3" - Answer Where concrete is cast against and permanently exposed to the earth, reinforcement steel should be __________________ from the earth. Increase the slump to the level specified in the mix design. - Answer In most specifications, adding water to a batch of concrete is permitted only one time at the job site as long as the water/cement ratio is not exceeded. This would be done in order to: Lower the cement factor and increase the size of the aggregate. - Answer A method to prevent cast concrete from excessive shrinking is to: Control random cracking. - Answer Contraction joints, also known as control joints, in a slab are used to: Movement - Answer Isolation joints isolate differing parts of a structure to permit independent: Construction joints. - Answer ________________________ are a convenient way to limit the size of the placement of concrete to a manageable volume and are a stopping place for a day's work. Base. - Answer For a slab placed below grade, it is necessary to provide at least 4" of crushed gravel or stone. This should be compacted. It will prevent moisture from collecting under the slab. This 4" area is known as ________________________.