BC Owner Builder Exam UPDATED Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Order of inspections - CORRECT ANSWER - 1: forms, basement and crawlspace
2: Plumbing, dampproofing, foundation drainage , sanitary sewer, storm sewer, sump, water
service
3: plumbing, electrical, mechanical, gas
4: framing inspection
5: insulation and vapour barrier
6: rainscreen/exterior finishs, drywall
7: building envelop inspection
8: final inspection
Which is not an acceptable method for determining the correct grading for a trench? -
CORRECT ANSWER - An experienced excavator says it's ok
At what depth is shoring required? - CORRECT ANSWER - 1.2m/4ft
Which best describes the principle of rain waterterm-0 deflection? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
What lighting safety certifications are required in Canada? - CORRECT ANSWER - CSA
safety certification
What grit of sandpaper would get the smoothest result? - CORRECT ANSWER - Higher
grit with get a smoother finish
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? - CORRECT ANSWER - The vertical
height of any flight of stairs should not exceed 3.7m
,What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or landing? -
CORRECT ANSWER - 3ft
What heights are end dams to be on windows and door flashings? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 25mm/1 inch
End dam use - CORRECT ANSWER - Stop water from coming in
When should you call for inspectors to make them efficient as possible? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Group inspectors together when possible and call when work is complete
When is an HRV required? - CORRECT ANSWER - Almost always
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - CORRECT ANSWER -
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? - CORRECT ANSWER - Safety Authority (call
Technical Safe BC)
Can an owner builder take out their own electrical permit? - CORRECT ANSWER - Yes,
up to 200A
What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Spray-on or roll on dry foundation with 2in. below grade
When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? - CORRECT ANSWER - After
damp-proofing
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane foundation? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Use an approved primer before installing
, What are gas meter installation requirements? - CORRECT ANSWER - 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? - CORRECT ANSWER -
10ft, 4ft if no fall protection
How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? - CORRECT ANSWER - 6ft
When installing the footer, it was dug down 2in. deeper than what the elevation should be. What
needs to happen? - CORRECT ANSWER - 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? -
CORRECT ANSWER - 6in.
What would cause a blister on a flat roof? - CORRECT ANSWER - Moisture trapped
under roof
Water is backing up in a skylight, what do you do to fix it? - CORRECT ANSWER - Clear
drainage
What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Install eve protection
What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that has been treated with chromated copper
arsenate? - CORRECT ANSWER - Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - CORRECT ANSWER - When
there is in floor heating
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Order of inspections - CORRECT ANSWER - 1: forms, basement and crawlspace
2: Plumbing, dampproofing, foundation drainage , sanitary sewer, storm sewer, sump, water
service
3: plumbing, electrical, mechanical, gas
4: framing inspection
5: insulation and vapour barrier
6: rainscreen/exterior finishs, drywall
7: building envelop inspection
8: final inspection
Which is not an acceptable method for determining the correct grading for a trench? -
CORRECT ANSWER - An experienced excavator says it's ok
At what depth is shoring required? - CORRECT ANSWER - 1.2m/4ft
Which best describes the principle of rain waterterm-0 deflection? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
What lighting safety certifications are required in Canada? - CORRECT ANSWER - CSA
safety certification
What grit of sandpaper would get the smoothest result? - CORRECT ANSWER - Higher
grit with get a smoother finish
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? - CORRECT ANSWER - The vertical
height of any flight of stairs should not exceed 3.7m
,What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or landing? -
CORRECT ANSWER - 3ft
What heights are end dams to be on windows and door flashings? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 25mm/1 inch
End dam use - CORRECT ANSWER - Stop water from coming in
When should you call for inspectors to make them efficient as possible? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Group inspectors together when possible and call when work is complete
When is an HRV required? - CORRECT ANSWER - Almost always
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - CORRECT ANSWER -
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? - CORRECT ANSWER - Safety Authority (call
Technical Safe BC)
Can an owner builder take out their own electrical permit? - CORRECT ANSWER - Yes,
up to 200A
What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Spray-on or roll on dry foundation with 2in. below grade
When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? - CORRECT ANSWER - After
damp-proofing
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane foundation? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Use an approved primer before installing
, What are gas meter installation requirements? - CORRECT ANSWER - 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? - CORRECT ANSWER -
10ft, 4ft if no fall protection
How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? - CORRECT ANSWER - 6ft
When installing the footer, it was dug down 2in. deeper than what the elevation should be. What
needs to happen? - CORRECT ANSWER - 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? -
CORRECT ANSWER - 6in.
What would cause a blister on a flat roof? - CORRECT ANSWER - Moisture trapped
under roof
Water is backing up in a skylight, what do you do to fix it? - CORRECT ANSWER - Clear
drainage
What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Install eve protection
What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that has been treated with chromated copper
arsenate? - CORRECT ANSWER - Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - CORRECT ANSWER - When
there is in floor heating
