Solution and Answer Guide Electrical Wiring
Commercial 18th Edition by Phil Simmons,
Ray C. Mullin, Mark Ode
Chapter 1: Commercial Building Plans and Specifications (Questions 1–33)
1. Allowing metal shavings from drilling switchboard busing to fall onto energized parts
generally results in a(n) ____, which can cause deadly burns.
A) Overcurrent
B) Short circuit
C) Ground fault
D) Arc flash
Answer: D
Explanation: Metal shavings on energized parts can cause an arc flash, a dangerous
release of energy leading to burns or fires (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1;).
2. The NEC® defines a(n) ____ as one who has skills and knowledge related to electrical
installations and safety training to avoid hazards.
A) Apprentice
B) Journeyman
C) Qualified person
D) Inspector
Answer: C
Explanation: The NEC defines a qualified person as someone with skills, knowledge,
and safety training to recognize and avoid electrical hazards (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch.
1;).
3. What is the SI unit equivalent of a 4 ft luminaire length, as per NEC standards?
A) 1.22 m
B) 1.50 m
C) 1.00 m
D) 1.83 m
Answer: A
Explanation: Convert 4 ft × 0.3048 m/ft = 1.2192 m ≈ 1.22 m, as specified for
luminaires (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1;).
4. The gross area of a drugstore basement is 1395 sq. ft. What is the area in square meters?
A) 129.7 sq. m
B) 150.2 sq. m
C) 120.5 sq. m
D) 140.0 sq. m
Answer: A
Explanation: 1395 sq. ft × 0.093 sq. m/sq. ft = 129.7 sq. m, per building plans (Simmons
et al., 2025, Ch. 1;).
,5. What is the distance from the exterior block wall to the block wall separating the
drugstore from the bakery, per Sheet A2?
A) 18 ft 6 in. (5.64 m)
B) 21 ft 7 in. (6.58 m)
C) 25 ft 0 in. (7.62 m)
D) 20 ft 0 in. (6.10 m)
Answer: B
Explanation: Sheet A2 specifies 21 ft 7 in. (6.58 m) for blueprint accuracy (Simmons et
al., 2025, Ch. 1;).
6. What is the finished floor to finished ceiling height on the second floor, per Sheet A6?
A) 7 ft 6 in. (2.29 m)
B) 8 ft 6 in. (2.59 m)
C) 9 ft 0 in. (2.74 m)
D) 10 ft 0 in. (3.05 m)
Answer: B
Explanation: Sheet A6 and elevations A41–2 indicate 8 ft 6 in. (2.59 m) (Simmons et al.,
2025, Ch. 1;).
7. OSHA recognizes organizations meeting 29 CFR 1910.7 as:
A) USMCA
B) QETL
C) NRTL
D) NAFTA
Answer: C
Explanation: Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) meet OSHA’s safety
standards (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1;).
8. What is the purpose of a site plan in commercial electrical projects?
A) To detail interior wiring
B) To show building exterior and utility connections
C) To calculate conductor sizes
D) To specify lighting fixtures
Answer: B
Explanation: A site plan shows the building’s exterior layout and utility connections,
critical for planning (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
9. Convert a 15 ft conduit length to SI units.
A) 4.57 m
B) 5.00 m
C) 3.50 m
D) 6.10 m
Answer: A
Explanation: 15 ft × 0.3048 m/ft = 4.572 m ≈ 4.57 m (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
10. What does the NEC require for emergency lighting in commercial buildings?
A) Battery backup for 30 minutes
B) Illumination for egress for at least 90 minutes
C) Manual override only
D) Connection to main power only
Answer: B
, Explanation: NEC 2023 requires emergency lighting to illuminate egress paths for at
least 90 minutes (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
11. What is the SI equivalent of a 2000 sq. ft commercial space?
A) 185.8 sq. m
B) 200.0 sq. m
C) 150.0 sq. m
D) 220.5 sq. m
Answer: A
Explanation: 2000 sq. ft × 0.0929 sq. m/sq. ft = 185.8 sq. m (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch.
1).
12. Per NEC 2023, what is the minimum clearance in front of electrical equipment?
A) 2 ft (0.61 m)
B) 3 ft (0.91 m)
C) 4 ft (1.22 m)
D) 5 ft (1.52 m)
Answer: B
Explanation: NEC 110.26 requires a minimum 3 ft clearance for safe access (Simmons
et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
13. What is the purpose of a riser diagram in building plans?
A) To show structural supports
B) To illustrate vertical electrical distribution
C) To detail lighting schedules
D) To specify conduit materials
Answer: B
Explanation: Riser diagrams show vertical electrical distribution, such as feeders
(Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
14. A commercial building’s exterior wall is 30 ft long. What is this in meters?
A) 9.14 m
B) 10.00 m
C) 8.50 m
D) 7.62 m
Answer: A
Explanation: 30 ft × 0.3048 m/ft = 9.144 m ≈ 9.14 m (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
15. What does NEC 2023 require for arc flash hazard warnings?
A) Labels on all outlets
B) Labels on equipment with arc flash risk
C) Signs only in residential settings
D) No labeling required
Answer: B
Explanation: NEC 110.16 requires arc flash hazard warning labels on equipment
(Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
16. The NEC term for a room with electrical equipment is:
A) Service area
B) Electrical closet
C) Equipment room
D) Utility space
Commercial 18th Edition by Phil Simmons,
Ray C. Mullin, Mark Ode
Chapter 1: Commercial Building Plans and Specifications (Questions 1–33)
1. Allowing metal shavings from drilling switchboard busing to fall onto energized parts
generally results in a(n) ____, which can cause deadly burns.
A) Overcurrent
B) Short circuit
C) Ground fault
D) Arc flash
Answer: D
Explanation: Metal shavings on energized parts can cause an arc flash, a dangerous
release of energy leading to burns or fires (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1;).
2. The NEC® defines a(n) ____ as one who has skills and knowledge related to electrical
installations and safety training to avoid hazards.
A) Apprentice
B) Journeyman
C) Qualified person
D) Inspector
Answer: C
Explanation: The NEC defines a qualified person as someone with skills, knowledge,
and safety training to recognize and avoid electrical hazards (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch.
1;).
3. What is the SI unit equivalent of a 4 ft luminaire length, as per NEC standards?
A) 1.22 m
B) 1.50 m
C) 1.00 m
D) 1.83 m
Answer: A
Explanation: Convert 4 ft × 0.3048 m/ft = 1.2192 m ≈ 1.22 m, as specified for
luminaires (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1;).
4. The gross area of a drugstore basement is 1395 sq. ft. What is the area in square meters?
A) 129.7 sq. m
B) 150.2 sq. m
C) 120.5 sq. m
D) 140.0 sq. m
Answer: A
Explanation: 1395 sq. ft × 0.093 sq. m/sq. ft = 129.7 sq. m, per building plans (Simmons
et al., 2025, Ch. 1;).
,5. What is the distance from the exterior block wall to the block wall separating the
drugstore from the bakery, per Sheet A2?
A) 18 ft 6 in. (5.64 m)
B) 21 ft 7 in. (6.58 m)
C) 25 ft 0 in. (7.62 m)
D) 20 ft 0 in. (6.10 m)
Answer: B
Explanation: Sheet A2 specifies 21 ft 7 in. (6.58 m) for blueprint accuracy (Simmons et
al., 2025, Ch. 1;).
6. What is the finished floor to finished ceiling height on the second floor, per Sheet A6?
A) 7 ft 6 in. (2.29 m)
B) 8 ft 6 in. (2.59 m)
C) 9 ft 0 in. (2.74 m)
D) 10 ft 0 in. (3.05 m)
Answer: B
Explanation: Sheet A6 and elevations A41–2 indicate 8 ft 6 in. (2.59 m) (Simmons et al.,
2025, Ch. 1;).
7. OSHA recognizes organizations meeting 29 CFR 1910.7 as:
A) USMCA
B) QETL
C) NRTL
D) NAFTA
Answer: C
Explanation: Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) meet OSHA’s safety
standards (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1;).
8. What is the purpose of a site plan in commercial electrical projects?
A) To detail interior wiring
B) To show building exterior and utility connections
C) To calculate conductor sizes
D) To specify lighting fixtures
Answer: B
Explanation: A site plan shows the building’s exterior layout and utility connections,
critical for planning (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
9. Convert a 15 ft conduit length to SI units.
A) 4.57 m
B) 5.00 m
C) 3.50 m
D) 6.10 m
Answer: A
Explanation: 15 ft × 0.3048 m/ft = 4.572 m ≈ 4.57 m (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
10. What does the NEC require for emergency lighting in commercial buildings?
A) Battery backup for 30 minutes
B) Illumination for egress for at least 90 minutes
C) Manual override only
D) Connection to main power only
Answer: B
, Explanation: NEC 2023 requires emergency lighting to illuminate egress paths for at
least 90 minutes (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
11. What is the SI equivalent of a 2000 sq. ft commercial space?
A) 185.8 sq. m
B) 200.0 sq. m
C) 150.0 sq. m
D) 220.5 sq. m
Answer: A
Explanation: 2000 sq. ft × 0.0929 sq. m/sq. ft = 185.8 sq. m (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch.
1).
12. Per NEC 2023, what is the minimum clearance in front of electrical equipment?
A) 2 ft (0.61 m)
B) 3 ft (0.91 m)
C) 4 ft (1.22 m)
D) 5 ft (1.52 m)
Answer: B
Explanation: NEC 110.26 requires a minimum 3 ft clearance for safe access (Simmons
et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
13. What is the purpose of a riser diagram in building plans?
A) To show structural supports
B) To illustrate vertical electrical distribution
C) To detail lighting schedules
D) To specify conduit materials
Answer: B
Explanation: Riser diagrams show vertical electrical distribution, such as feeders
(Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
14. A commercial building’s exterior wall is 30 ft long. What is this in meters?
A) 9.14 m
B) 10.00 m
C) 8.50 m
D) 7.62 m
Answer: A
Explanation: 30 ft × 0.3048 m/ft = 9.144 m ≈ 9.14 m (Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
15. What does NEC 2023 require for arc flash hazard warnings?
A) Labels on all outlets
B) Labels on equipment with arc flash risk
C) Signs only in residential settings
D) No labeling required
Answer: B
Explanation: NEC 110.16 requires arc flash hazard warning labels on equipment
(Simmons et al., 2025, Ch. 1).
16. The NEC term for a room with electrical equipment is:
A) Service area
B) Electrical closet
C) Equipment room
D) Utility space
