BC Owner Builder Exam Frequently Tested
Questions & Verified Answers
When is an HRV required? - ANS Almost always
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - ANS Single detached home under a
single title. Single dwelling attached to pre-existing building older than 10 years. Single dwelling
attached to a new non-residential building.
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - ANS Safety Authority (call Technical Safe BC)
Can an owner builder take out their own electrical permit? - ANS Yes, up to 200A
What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - ANS Spray-on or roll on
dry foundation with 2in. below grade
When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? - ANS After damp-proofing (after
foundation, and floor installed)
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane foundation? -
ANS Use an approved primer before installing
What are gas meter installation requirements? - ANS The distance from the gas vent to the roof
must be greater than the overhang of the roof, nothing can be with in 1m either side or 4.5m
above a gas meter
When do you need to install a handrail or have fall protection? - ANS 10ft, 4ft if no fall
protection
How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? - ANS 6ft
,When installing the footer, it was dug down 2in. deeper than what the elevation should be.
What needs to happen? - ANS 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? -
ANS 6in.
What would cause a blister on a flat roof? - ANS Moisture trapped under roof
Water is backing up in a skylight, what do you do to fix it? - ANS Clear drainage
What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? - ANS Install eve
protection
What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that has been treated with chromated copper
arsenate? - ANS Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - ANS When there is in floor heating
How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? - ANS 1/4 of the slab
What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? - ANS XPS
What kind of insulation has the least moisture permeability? - ANS XPS
When framing a header of a staircase where does the framer get the nailing pattern? - ANS Use
the BC code section 9 nailing pattern
, What document must the owner submit to WorkSafe BC prior to starting construction? - ANS
Notice of project
What is the nailing/screw pattern for backer board? - ANS Manufacturer approved pattern
When installing a bi-fold door the door bings at the side jamb on the top. What can be done to
fix this? - ANS Adjust the top pivot point
What should be done when joist and beams have contact with bare concrete walls? - ANS Use
pressure treated wood and leave 12mm air space
What is the minimum depth for a beam support? - ANS Not less than 89mm
When is a footing required? - ANS Under walls, pilasters, columns, piers, fireplaces and
chimneys that bear on soil or rock
When is a footing inspection conducted? - ANS When the forms and steel reinforcing are
complete, but prior to placing any concrete
What is the moisture permeability of 6mm poly? - ANS 0.06 US permit
When can WorkSafe BC come to your construction site? - ANS Anytime
What is the maximum moisture percentage you can have in framing lumber? - ANS 19%
What is your liability for you subcontractor on your site? - ANS You must abide by the Workers
Compensation Act and obtain a clearance letter from each contractor to ensure they are in
good standing with WorkSafe BC
Questions & Verified Answers
When is an HRV required? - ANS Almost always
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - ANS Single detached home under a
single title. Single dwelling attached to pre-existing building older than 10 years. Single dwelling
attached to a new non-residential building.
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - ANS Safety Authority (call Technical Safe BC)
Can an owner builder take out their own electrical permit? - ANS Yes, up to 200A
What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - ANS Spray-on or roll on
dry foundation with 2in. below grade
When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? - ANS After damp-proofing (after
foundation, and floor installed)
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane foundation? -
ANS Use an approved primer before installing
What are gas meter installation requirements? - ANS The distance from the gas vent to the roof
must be greater than the overhang of the roof, nothing can be with in 1m either side or 4.5m
above a gas meter
When do you need to install a handrail or have fall protection? - ANS 10ft, 4ft if no fall
protection
How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? - ANS 6ft
,When installing the footer, it was dug down 2in. deeper than what the elevation should be.
What needs to happen? - ANS 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? -
ANS 6in.
What would cause a blister on a flat roof? - ANS Moisture trapped under roof
Water is backing up in a skylight, what do you do to fix it? - ANS Clear drainage
What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? - ANS Install eve
protection
What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that has been treated with chromated copper
arsenate? - ANS Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - ANS When there is in floor heating
How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? - ANS 1/4 of the slab
What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? - ANS XPS
What kind of insulation has the least moisture permeability? - ANS XPS
When framing a header of a staircase where does the framer get the nailing pattern? - ANS Use
the BC code section 9 nailing pattern
, What document must the owner submit to WorkSafe BC prior to starting construction? - ANS
Notice of project
What is the nailing/screw pattern for backer board? - ANS Manufacturer approved pattern
When installing a bi-fold door the door bings at the side jamb on the top. What can be done to
fix this? - ANS Adjust the top pivot point
What should be done when joist and beams have contact with bare concrete walls? - ANS Use
pressure treated wood and leave 12mm air space
What is the minimum depth for a beam support? - ANS Not less than 89mm
When is a footing required? - ANS Under walls, pilasters, columns, piers, fireplaces and
chimneys that bear on soil or rock
When is a footing inspection conducted? - ANS When the forms and steel reinforcing are
complete, but prior to placing any concrete
What is the moisture permeability of 6mm poly? - ANS 0.06 US permit
When can WorkSafe BC come to your construction site? - ANS Anytime
What is the maximum moisture percentage you can have in framing lumber? - ANS 19%
What is your liability for you subcontractor on your site? - ANS You must abide by the Workers
Compensation Act and obtain a clearance letter from each contractor to ensure they are in
good standing with WorkSafe BC
