EXAC EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
When reviewing and awarding construction contracts what should the architect do if the
lowest bona fide bid exceeds the construction cost estimate by 15%? - Answer- CHOP
2.3.3 p.15 & RAIC Doc Six, General Conditions 3.4
1. Obtain approval from the client for an increase in the construction budget
2. Re-bid or negotiate
3. Modify the construction documents to reduce the construction cost (for no additional
fee if the increased bid is not due to extraordinary market conditions or other factors not
reasonably foreseeable by or under control of the architect).
4. Terminate the contract if the project is abandoned
How is the fire resistance rating of an assembly calculated? - Answer- NBC Appendix D,
D-2.3.4.
Add the fire resistant rating of the material on the fire-exposed side plus the time
assigned for the framing members and additional protective measures such as
insulation. For example, if you have a wood frame wall with studs spaced at 400mm o.c.
(20 min) and a layer of 12.7mm Type X gypsum wallboard (25 min) on each side, the
fire-resistance rating of that assembly is 45 minutes, not 70 minutes
Describe the relationship between Objectives and Functional Statements in the National
Building Code - Answer- NBC Volume 1, Preface, viii and Division A, 2.2. & 3.2.
Objectives state the goals that the code is trying to achieve. Functional Statements
support and further articulate the objectives.
Describe the difference between Intent Statements and Application Statements. Where
can these be found? - Answer- NBC Volume 1, Preface, ix
Intent Statements explain, in plain language, the basic thinking behind each Code
provision contained in Division B. They explain how requirement help to achieve their
attributed objectives and functional statements. Intent Statements can be found
throughout all the Parts of Division B.
Application Statements summarize what each Code provision does and does not apply
to. They provide greater detail than the application information found in the body of the
Code. The application statements serve explanatory purposes only and do not form an
integral part of the Code provisions: as such, they are similar in function to appendix
notes. Application Statements can be found in Part 1 of each Division (A,B, & C).
, How much liability insurance is an architect required to have? - Answer- Depends on
the province, In Alberta there is no requirement.
What resources are available to an architect to produce a project cost estimate? -
Answer- Quantity Surveyors
Construction Managers
Construction Price Index
Publications - from gov, companies, interest groups
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the Economic and Political factors that can influence construction costs? -
Answer- • Inflation
• Market conditions
• Interest rates
• Flux in supply and demand
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the Environmental factors that can influence construction costs? - Answer- •
Site characteristic
• Weather
• Location
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the Owner/Client characteristics that can influence construction costs? -
Answer- design requiring high standards of quality or
rigorous quality control procedures
(especially long life cycle, redundancies in
spaces);
complex bidding procedures;
insurance requirements above the norm;
extensive bonding requirements;
poorly written, sometimes inequitable,
non-standard contract wording;
long delays in issuing payments to contractors.
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the 4 methods of construction cost estimation? - Answer- Elemental
Area (Cost per m2/per ft2)
Volume (Cost per m3)
Unit Use - (Cost per bed, cost per seat, etc.)
What does a progressive releasing of hold backs mean? - Answer- It means that certain
subcontractor hold backs may be released in advance of substantial performance,
certifying them as complete.
AND ANSWERS
When reviewing and awarding construction contracts what should the architect do if the
lowest bona fide bid exceeds the construction cost estimate by 15%? - Answer- CHOP
2.3.3 p.15 & RAIC Doc Six, General Conditions 3.4
1. Obtain approval from the client for an increase in the construction budget
2. Re-bid or negotiate
3. Modify the construction documents to reduce the construction cost (for no additional
fee if the increased bid is not due to extraordinary market conditions or other factors not
reasonably foreseeable by or under control of the architect).
4. Terminate the contract if the project is abandoned
How is the fire resistance rating of an assembly calculated? - Answer- NBC Appendix D,
D-2.3.4.
Add the fire resistant rating of the material on the fire-exposed side plus the time
assigned for the framing members and additional protective measures such as
insulation. For example, if you have a wood frame wall with studs spaced at 400mm o.c.
(20 min) and a layer of 12.7mm Type X gypsum wallboard (25 min) on each side, the
fire-resistance rating of that assembly is 45 minutes, not 70 minutes
Describe the relationship between Objectives and Functional Statements in the National
Building Code - Answer- NBC Volume 1, Preface, viii and Division A, 2.2. & 3.2.
Objectives state the goals that the code is trying to achieve. Functional Statements
support and further articulate the objectives.
Describe the difference between Intent Statements and Application Statements. Where
can these be found? - Answer- NBC Volume 1, Preface, ix
Intent Statements explain, in plain language, the basic thinking behind each Code
provision contained in Division B. They explain how requirement help to achieve their
attributed objectives and functional statements. Intent Statements can be found
throughout all the Parts of Division B.
Application Statements summarize what each Code provision does and does not apply
to. They provide greater detail than the application information found in the body of the
Code. The application statements serve explanatory purposes only and do not form an
integral part of the Code provisions: as such, they are similar in function to appendix
notes. Application Statements can be found in Part 1 of each Division (A,B, & C).
, How much liability insurance is an architect required to have? - Answer- Depends on
the province, In Alberta there is no requirement.
What resources are available to an architect to produce a project cost estimate? -
Answer- Quantity Surveyors
Construction Managers
Construction Price Index
Publications - from gov, companies, interest groups
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the Economic and Political factors that can influence construction costs? -
Answer- • Inflation
• Market conditions
• Interest rates
• Flux in supply and demand
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the Environmental factors that can influence construction costs? - Answer- •
Site characteristic
• Weather
• Location
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the Owner/Client characteristics that can influence construction costs? -
Answer- design requiring high standards of quality or
rigorous quality control procedures
(especially long life cycle, redundancies in
spaces);
complex bidding procedures;
insurance requirements above the norm;
extensive bonding requirements;
poorly written, sometimes inequitable,
non-standard contract wording;
long delays in issuing payments to contractors.
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the 4 methods of construction cost estimation? - Answer- Elemental
Area (Cost per m2/per ft2)
Volume (Cost per m3)
Unit Use - (Cost per bed, cost per seat, etc.)
What does a progressive releasing of hold backs mean? - Answer- It means that certain
subcontractor hold backs may be released in advance of substantial performance,
certifying them as complete.
