BC OWNER BUILDER STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS MARKED A+
✔✔When installing the footer, it was dug down 2 inches deeper then what the elevation
should be. What needs to happen? - ✔✔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 it? - ✔✔6 inches
✔✔What would cause a Blister on a flat roof? - ✔✔Moisture trapped under roof
✔✔Water is backing up in a skylight what do you do to fix it? - ✔✔Clear drainage
✔✔What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? -
✔✔Install eve protection
✔✔What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that had been treated with chromated
copper arsenate (pressure treated wood)? - ✔✔Lumber manufacturer approved
fastener
✔✔When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - ✔✔When there is in-floor
heating or above the frost line
✔✔How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? - ✔✔1/4 of the slab
✔✔What can be done to eliminate differential shrinkage? - ✔✔Control joints
✔✔How can you apply a control joint in concrete without a plastic tool something etc? -
✔✔Saw cut
✔✔What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? - ✔✔XPS
✔✔Kind of insulation types has the least moisture permeability? - ✔✔XPS extruded poly
styrene
✔✔When framing a header of a staircase, the framer needs to know the nailing pattern.
Where does he get it? - ✔✔Use the BC code section 9 nailing pattern for the header
✔✔When framing an engineered flooring system for a residential house, what
information is required to fasten the two double joists
carrying the stair headers? - ✔✔Check the specs on the manufacturer's drawings and
fasten accordingly
,✔✔What document must the owner submit to WorkSafe BC prior to starting
construction? - ✔✔Notice of Project
✔✔What is the nailing/screw pattern for backer board? - ✔✔Manufacturer approved
pattern
✔✔When installing a bi-fold door, the door binds at the side jamb on the top what can
be done? - ✔✔Adjust the top pivot point
✔✔What should be done when joist and beams have contact with bare concrete wall? -
✔✔Use pressure treated wood and leave 12 mm air space
✔✔Protection for joists and beams that touch concrete? - ✔✔Pressure treated wood, air
space or poly barrier
✔✔What is the minimum depth for a beam support? (beam pocket in foundation wall) -
✔✔Not less than 89mm, 3-inch
✔✔When is a footing needed? - ✔✔Footings shall be provided under walls, pilasters,
columns, piers, fireplaces and chimneys that bear on soil or rock, whereas footings may
be omitted under piers and monolithic concrete walls if the safe loadbearing capacity is
not exceeded
✔✔When is a footing inspection conducted? - ✔✔When the forms and steel reinforcing,
if used, for the footings are complete but prior to placing any concrete
✔✔When fitting a casement window, the window will not close all the way what do you
do? - ✔✔Ensure casement is plump and square
✔✔Sash hinged windows are called what? - ✔✔Casement
✔✔What is the moisture permeability of 6mil poly? - ✔✔0.03 US perm (1.7 SI perm) or
1.7 ng
✔✔New fire places come with an air box around the fire box what is it for? - ✔✔they are
referring to the air heating chamber, where cold air is drawn in near the bottom (interior)
of the fireplace, circulates around
the firebox, and then are vented out the top. Sometimes there is a blower installed to
control the airflow. This provides more controlled
distribution of heat.
✔✔When can BC Work Safe authority come to your construction site? - ✔✔Anytime
, ✔✔The moisture content of framing lumber at the time of installation must not exceed
what percentage? - ✔✔19 %
✔✔What is your liability for subcontractor on your site? - ✔✔If you are acting as the
prime contractor in the construction of your own home, you are subject to the health and
safety provisions of the
Workers Compensation Act and may be required to register with Work Safe BC. Learn
about rights and responsibilities for workplace health
and safety. Be sure to get a clearance letter for each contractor to make sure they're in
good standing with Work Safe BC; otherwise you
could be held jointly liable for any unpaid Work Safe BC insurance premiums if the
contractor you hire does not pay their premiums during
the period they worked for you. Learn about responsibilities for contractors and
subcontractors.
✔✔What is a diverting flashing and where is it used? - ✔✔At the end of an intersection
between a roof and wall, to direct water away from the vertical wall.
✔✔What is the best way to build a water tight wall? - ✔✔Use a rain screen
✔✔When can you sell an owner-built house? - ✔✔After the first year of occupancy with
special permission from HPO & a defects report
✔✔Can you transfer you owner-built house to a family member in the first year? -
✔✔No. Unless you get permission and can prove undue hardship.
✔✔If you are building a room 12' by 9' and you draw a diagonal line between 2 corners
to see if the room is square how long wou ld the line
be? - ✔✔15 = Sq Root of (L sq + W sq)
✔✔How far above the chimney can the flue liner protrude? - ✔✔A minimum of 50 mm
✔✔What is the correct chimney clearance? - ✔✔2' above the highest point within 10'
✔✔New bathroom fan code for ventilation? - ✔✔Every dwelling unit shall be equipped
with
a. a principal ventilation exhaust fan or ducted central ventilation system providing a
minimum ventilation
b. an exhaust fan with a minimum ventilation rate in
1. every kitchen and
2. every bathroom or water-closet room, unless the bathroom or water-closet room is
served
ventilation exhaust fan or ducted central ventilation system providing a minimum
ventilation rate
SOLUTIONS MARKED A+
✔✔When installing the footer, it was dug down 2 inches deeper then what the elevation
should be. What needs to happen? - ✔✔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 it? - ✔✔6 inches
✔✔What would cause a Blister on a flat roof? - ✔✔Moisture trapped under roof
✔✔Water is backing up in a skylight what do you do to fix it? - ✔✔Clear drainage
✔✔What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? -
✔✔Install eve protection
✔✔What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that had been treated with chromated
copper arsenate (pressure treated wood)? - ✔✔Lumber manufacturer approved
fastener
✔✔When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - ✔✔When there is in-floor
heating or above the frost line
✔✔How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? - ✔✔1/4 of the slab
✔✔What can be done to eliminate differential shrinkage? - ✔✔Control joints
✔✔How can you apply a control joint in concrete without a plastic tool something etc? -
✔✔Saw cut
✔✔What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? - ✔✔XPS
✔✔Kind of insulation types has the least moisture permeability? - ✔✔XPS extruded poly
styrene
✔✔When framing a header of a staircase, the framer needs to know the nailing pattern.
Where does he get it? - ✔✔Use the BC code section 9 nailing pattern for the header
✔✔When framing an engineered flooring system for a residential house, what
information is required to fasten the two double joists
carrying the stair headers? - ✔✔Check the specs on the manufacturer's drawings and
fasten accordingly
,✔✔What document must the owner submit to WorkSafe BC prior to starting
construction? - ✔✔Notice of Project
✔✔What is the nailing/screw pattern for backer board? - ✔✔Manufacturer approved
pattern
✔✔When installing a bi-fold door, the door binds at the side jamb on the top what can
be done? - ✔✔Adjust the top pivot point
✔✔What should be done when joist and beams have contact with bare concrete wall? -
✔✔Use pressure treated wood and leave 12 mm air space
✔✔Protection for joists and beams that touch concrete? - ✔✔Pressure treated wood, air
space or poly barrier
✔✔What is the minimum depth for a beam support? (beam pocket in foundation wall) -
✔✔Not less than 89mm, 3-inch
✔✔When is a footing needed? - ✔✔Footings shall be provided under walls, pilasters,
columns, piers, fireplaces and chimneys that bear on soil or rock, whereas footings may
be omitted under piers and monolithic concrete walls if the safe loadbearing capacity is
not exceeded
✔✔When is a footing inspection conducted? - ✔✔When the forms and steel reinforcing,
if used, for the footings are complete but prior to placing any concrete
✔✔When fitting a casement window, the window will not close all the way what do you
do? - ✔✔Ensure casement is plump and square
✔✔Sash hinged windows are called what? - ✔✔Casement
✔✔What is the moisture permeability of 6mil poly? - ✔✔0.03 US perm (1.7 SI perm) or
1.7 ng
✔✔New fire places come with an air box around the fire box what is it for? - ✔✔they are
referring to the air heating chamber, where cold air is drawn in near the bottom (interior)
of the fireplace, circulates around
the firebox, and then are vented out the top. Sometimes there is a blower installed to
control the airflow. This provides more controlled
distribution of heat.
✔✔When can BC Work Safe authority come to your construction site? - ✔✔Anytime
, ✔✔The moisture content of framing lumber at the time of installation must not exceed
what percentage? - ✔✔19 %
✔✔What is your liability for subcontractor on your site? - ✔✔If you are acting as the
prime contractor in the construction of your own home, you are subject to the health and
safety provisions of the
Workers Compensation Act and may be required to register with Work Safe BC. Learn
about rights and responsibilities for workplace health
and safety. Be sure to get a clearance letter for each contractor to make sure they're in
good standing with Work Safe BC; otherwise you
could be held jointly liable for any unpaid Work Safe BC insurance premiums if the
contractor you hire does not pay their premiums during
the period they worked for you. Learn about responsibilities for contractors and
subcontractors.
✔✔What is a diverting flashing and where is it used? - ✔✔At the end of an intersection
between a roof and wall, to direct water away from the vertical wall.
✔✔What is the best way to build a water tight wall? - ✔✔Use a rain screen
✔✔When can you sell an owner-built house? - ✔✔After the first year of occupancy with
special permission from HPO & a defects report
✔✔Can you transfer you owner-built house to a family member in the first year? -
✔✔No. Unless you get permission and can prove undue hardship.
✔✔If you are building a room 12' by 9' and you draw a diagonal line between 2 corners
to see if the room is square how long wou ld the line
be? - ✔✔15 = Sq Root of (L sq + W sq)
✔✔How far above the chimney can the flue liner protrude? - ✔✔A minimum of 50 mm
✔✔What is the correct chimney clearance? - ✔✔2' above the highest point within 10'
✔✔New bathroom fan code for ventilation? - ✔✔Every dwelling unit shall be equipped
with
a. a principal ventilation exhaust fan or ducted central ventilation system providing a
minimum ventilation
b. an exhaust fan with a minimum ventilation rate in
1. every kitchen and
2. every bathroom or water-closet room, unless the bathroom or water-closet room is
served
ventilation exhaust fan or ducted central ventilation system providing a minimum
ventilation rate
