FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
1. Where you have found evidence of footing settlement, how can you predict whether there
will be further settlement?
(a) You can count the number of planes of movement.
(b) You can determine the type of foundation material.
(c) You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection.
(d) You can determine the depth of the footing. - correct answer You cannot predict
settlement from a single inspection
2. You typically identify a Freon leak
(a) As an oil stain
(b) As refrigerant coming out of the Freon line in the form of a cold mist.
(c) By the strong odor.
(d) By looking for evidence of ice along the refrigerant lines - correct answer As an oil stain
3. Typical wood frame wall assemblies include all of the following components EXCEPT.
(a) Studs
(b) Bridging
(c) Sheathing
(d) Siding - correct answer Bridging
4. All of the following are common approaches to improving chimney draft EXCEPT
(a) Adding a draft inducer fan.
(b) Adding a rain cap.
(c) Extending the chimney upward.
(d) Resloping the cap. - correct answer Resloping the cap
5. All of the following statements are true of shrinkage cracks EXCEPT that
(a) Shrinkage cracks do not typically go into the footings.
,FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
(b) Shrinkage cracks do not necessarily have corresponding cracks
elsewhere in the building.
(c) Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks.
(d) Shrinkage cracks are common with poured concrete foundation
walls. - correct answer Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks
6. Which of the following is NOT typically a component of a private water supply system?
(a) Foot valve
(b) Pump
(c) Pressure regulator
(d) Pressure tank - correct answer Pressure regulator
7. Split-system, air-cooled, central air-conditioning systems have how many fans?
(a) None
(b) One
(c) Two
(d) Four - correct answer Two
8. Insulated metal exterior doors with storm doors should be avoided because they may
(a) Increase heat loss.
(b) Increase air leakage.
(c) Overheat.
(d) Have poor architectural appeal. - correct answer Overheat
9. You plug your circuit tester into an outlet that has a washing machine plugged into it. Your
tester shows that the outlet is properly wired and grounded. How could you improve this
inspection process?
(a) Use a voltage tester
,FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
(b) Use a circuit tester with a GFI test button
(c) Unplug the washing machine
(d) Turn the washing machine on before doing your test. - correct answer Unplug the washing
machine
10. Given a foundation wall that is cracked due to horizontal force
(a) You will not be able to determine whether the wall has also moved
inward.
(b) If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside face.
(c) If the wall has moved inward, cracks will typically be wider on the outside face.
(d) You should not be concerned unless the crack is at least ¼ in width. - correct answer If the
wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside face
11. On most steep roofs, exposed fasteners are
(a) Used for anchorage against wind.
(b) A sign of poor installation.
(c) A sign of good installation.
(d) Used to prevent ice dams. - correct answer A sign of poor installation
12. All of the following are slab-on-grade-construction techniques EXCEPT
(a) Monolithic slab.
(b) Floating slab.
(c) Inverted slab.
(d) Reinforced slab. - correct answer Inverted slab
13. Masonry chimneys should have a clearance from combustible framing members of
(a) 1 inch.
(b) 2 inches.
, FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
(c) 4 inches.
(d) 12 inches. - correct answer 2 inches
14. Efflorescence
(a) Is associated with water moving through masonry walls.
(b) Can only appear on the cold side of a wall.
(c) Only occurs in freezing climates.
(d) Is an organic growth. - correct answer Is associated with water moving through masonry
walls
15. On a conventional split-system air-conditioning system, the high-pressure side is the portion
of the refrigerant line from the
(a) Compressor to the expansion device.
(b) Metering device to the evaporator coil.
(c) Expansion device to the compressor.
(d) Evaporator to the compressor. - correct answer Compressor to the expansion device.
16. The presence of step flashing on an asphalt shingle roof can typically be verified by
(a) Looking at the counter flashing.
(b) Knowing the age of the shingles on the roof.
(c) Knowing the number of layers of shingles on the roof.
(d) Lifting the shingles adjacent to the chimney or wall - correct answer Lifting the shingles
adjacent to the chimney or wall
17. Why are you more likely to see a house with a full basement in cold northern climates than
in warm southern climates?
(a) People in cold climates have snow removal equipment to store.
(b) Having to excavate below the frost line for the footings makes a basement cost effective.
1. Where you have found evidence of footing settlement, how can you predict whether there
will be further settlement?
(a) You can count the number of planes of movement.
(b) You can determine the type of foundation material.
(c) You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection.
(d) You can determine the depth of the footing. - correct answer You cannot predict
settlement from a single inspection
2. You typically identify a Freon leak
(a) As an oil stain
(b) As refrigerant coming out of the Freon line in the form of a cold mist.
(c) By the strong odor.
(d) By looking for evidence of ice along the refrigerant lines - correct answer As an oil stain
3. Typical wood frame wall assemblies include all of the following components EXCEPT.
(a) Studs
(b) Bridging
(c) Sheathing
(d) Siding - correct answer Bridging
4. All of the following are common approaches to improving chimney draft EXCEPT
(a) Adding a draft inducer fan.
(b) Adding a rain cap.
(c) Extending the chimney upward.
(d) Resloping the cap. - correct answer Resloping the cap
5. All of the following statements are true of shrinkage cracks EXCEPT that
(a) Shrinkage cracks do not typically go into the footings.
,FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
(b) Shrinkage cracks do not necessarily have corresponding cracks
elsewhere in the building.
(c) Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks.
(d) Shrinkage cracks are common with poured concrete foundation
walls. - correct answer Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks
6. Which of the following is NOT typically a component of a private water supply system?
(a) Foot valve
(b) Pump
(c) Pressure regulator
(d) Pressure tank - correct answer Pressure regulator
7. Split-system, air-cooled, central air-conditioning systems have how many fans?
(a) None
(b) One
(c) Two
(d) Four - correct answer Two
8. Insulated metal exterior doors with storm doors should be avoided because they may
(a) Increase heat loss.
(b) Increase air leakage.
(c) Overheat.
(d) Have poor architectural appeal. - correct answer Overheat
9. You plug your circuit tester into an outlet that has a washing machine plugged into it. Your
tester shows that the outlet is properly wired and grounded. How could you improve this
inspection process?
(a) Use a voltage tester
,FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
(b) Use a circuit tester with a GFI test button
(c) Unplug the washing machine
(d) Turn the washing machine on before doing your test. - correct answer Unplug the washing
machine
10. Given a foundation wall that is cracked due to horizontal force
(a) You will not be able to determine whether the wall has also moved
inward.
(b) If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside face.
(c) If the wall has moved inward, cracks will typically be wider on the outside face.
(d) You should not be concerned unless the crack is at least ¼ in width. - correct answer If the
wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside face
11. On most steep roofs, exposed fasteners are
(a) Used for anchorage against wind.
(b) A sign of poor installation.
(c) A sign of good installation.
(d) Used to prevent ice dams. - correct answer A sign of poor installation
12. All of the following are slab-on-grade-construction techniques EXCEPT
(a) Monolithic slab.
(b) Floating slab.
(c) Inverted slab.
(d) Reinforced slab. - correct answer Inverted slab
13. Masonry chimneys should have a clearance from combustible framing members of
(a) 1 inch.
(b) 2 inches.
, FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
(c) 4 inches.
(d) 12 inches. - correct answer 2 inches
14. Efflorescence
(a) Is associated with water moving through masonry walls.
(b) Can only appear on the cold side of a wall.
(c) Only occurs in freezing climates.
(d) Is an organic growth. - correct answer Is associated with water moving through masonry
walls
15. On a conventional split-system air-conditioning system, the high-pressure side is the portion
of the refrigerant line from the
(a) Compressor to the expansion device.
(b) Metering device to the evaporator coil.
(c) Expansion device to the compressor.
(d) Evaporator to the compressor. - correct answer Compressor to the expansion device.
16. The presence of step flashing on an asphalt shingle roof can typically be verified by
(a) Looking at the counter flashing.
(b) Knowing the age of the shingles on the roof.
(c) Knowing the number of layers of shingles on the roof.
(d) Lifting the shingles adjacent to the chimney or wall - correct answer Lifting the shingles
adjacent to the chimney or wall
17. Why are you more likely to see a house with a full basement in cold northern climates than
in warm southern climates?
(a) People in cold climates have snow removal equipment to store.
(b) Having to excavate below the frost line for the footings makes a basement cost effective.
