Ace the Virginia HIC Exam – Detailed
Study Resource
What is directly affected by the surface and subsurface conditions of the building site? -
Answer- ✔✔Foundations - While the type and size of a structure will partly determine
the type of foundation, the foundation itself is very much affected by the surface and
subsurface conditions of the building site.
What term is used to describe the act of removing air pockets from setting concrete? -
Answer- ✔✔Vibrating Concrete - Consolidation is a process that removes air pockets
and forces the concrete into all parts of the forms.
Which of the following is not a part of a masonry arch? - Answer- ✔✔Radius
Anchor bolts should be spaced no more than __' apart and no more than __" from the
ends of any plate section or wall corner. Each bolt must extend at least __" into the
concrete. - Answer- ✔✔6, 12, 7
In Southern Coastal areas, where should the vapor barrier be placed? - Answer-
✔✔The exterior of the wall.
If butt joints occur when applying gypsum panels to wood and steel framing stagger and
locate them as far from the ___ of walls and ceilings as possible. - Answer- ✔✔Center
A minimum temperature of ___ should be maintained during gypsum board application.
- Answer- ✔✔50°F
What is the maximum allowable span for cold-formed steel joists size 800S162-43
loaded with a live load of 40 PSF and spaced 16 inches OC? - Answer- ✔✔13′-5″
What is the recommended spacing at all panel edge and end joints when positioning
plywood subfloor? - Answer- ✔✔1/8"
Which of the following is NOT a purpose of wall sheathing? - Answer- ✔✔It helps
distribute structural loads that do not fall directly over studs.
What is the minimum clearance between the stopping point of a built-up girder and the
masonry pocket? - Answer- ✔✔1/2"
A deck attached to the back of a house is framed with southern pine 2x10s. The joists
are 16 inches OC. What is the maximum allowable clear span for the joists supporting
this deck? - Answer- ✔✔14 feet 0 inches
, Openings which provide access to all under-floor spaces through a perimeter wall shall
be not less than inches. - Answer- ✔✔16 X 24
Which type of building material allows water vapor to pass through but not water? -
Answer- ✔✔Housewrap
Opening for under-floor space vents must be covered with material with a least
dimension of? - Answer- ✔✔1/4"
The triangular openings formed by the riser, tread and bottom rail of a guard at the open
side of a stairway are permitted to be of such a size that a sphere inches cannot pass
through. - Answer- ✔✔6
What is the typical height of a regular base kitchen cabinet? - Answer- ✔✔34-1/2"
Handrails on a ramp adjacent to a wall must have a space of not less than inches
between the wall and the handrails. - Answer- ✔✔1.5
A nosing projection not less than inch(es) but not more than inch(es) must be provided
on stairways with solid risers. - Answer- ✔✔3/4, 1-1/4
The height of handrails shall be ____ minimum and ____ maximum vertically above
stair nosings, ramp and walking surfaces. - Answer- ✔✔34" minimum, 38" maximum
Two or more layers of felt cemented together and surfaced with a cap sheet, mineral
aggregate, smooth coating or similar surfacing material is: - Answer- ✔✔Built-up roof
covering
Asphalt shingles shall only be used on roof slopes of units vertical in 12 units horizontal
or greater. - Answer- ✔✔2
If the length of a piece of gutter is 22 ft 6 inches, what is the max slope that can be
provided? - Answer- ✔✔1-3/8", Metal gutters on a house appear to be level. However,
they actually slope at least 1" every 16' toward the downspouts (1/16 per foot). 22'-6" -
16'-0" = 1 inch 22'-6" - 16' = 6' 6 6'-6" x 1/16 = 6/16 = 3/8" Total Max Pitch = 1-3/8"
What is the emittance value of steel? - Answer- ✔✔0.12
Which would not be considered an overlooked location to install insulation? - Answer-
✔✔Open attic space.
This type of insulation installation adheres the flange outside edge to the face of the
framing. - Answer- ✔✔Inset stapling.
Study Resource
What is directly affected by the surface and subsurface conditions of the building site? -
Answer- ✔✔Foundations - While the type and size of a structure will partly determine
the type of foundation, the foundation itself is very much affected by the surface and
subsurface conditions of the building site.
What term is used to describe the act of removing air pockets from setting concrete? -
Answer- ✔✔Vibrating Concrete - Consolidation is a process that removes air pockets
and forces the concrete into all parts of the forms.
Which of the following is not a part of a masonry arch? - Answer- ✔✔Radius
Anchor bolts should be spaced no more than __' apart and no more than __" from the
ends of any plate section or wall corner. Each bolt must extend at least __" into the
concrete. - Answer- ✔✔6, 12, 7
In Southern Coastal areas, where should the vapor barrier be placed? - Answer-
✔✔The exterior of the wall.
If butt joints occur when applying gypsum panels to wood and steel framing stagger and
locate them as far from the ___ of walls and ceilings as possible. - Answer- ✔✔Center
A minimum temperature of ___ should be maintained during gypsum board application.
- Answer- ✔✔50°F
What is the maximum allowable span for cold-formed steel joists size 800S162-43
loaded with a live load of 40 PSF and spaced 16 inches OC? - Answer- ✔✔13′-5″
What is the recommended spacing at all panel edge and end joints when positioning
plywood subfloor? - Answer- ✔✔1/8"
Which of the following is NOT a purpose of wall sheathing? - Answer- ✔✔It helps
distribute structural loads that do not fall directly over studs.
What is the minimum clearance between the stopping point of a built-up girder and the
masonry pocket? - Answer- ✔✔1/2"
A deck attached to the back of a house is framed with southern pine 2x10s. The joists
are 16 inches OC. What is the maximum allowable clear span for the joists supporting
this deck? - Answer- ✔✔14 feet 0 inches
, Openings which provide access to all under-floor spaces through a perimeter wall shall
be not less than inches. - Answer- ✔✔16 X 24
Which type of building material allows water vapor to pass through but not water? -
Answer- ✔✔Housewrap
Opening for under-floor space vents must be covered with material with a least
dimension of? - Answer- ✔✔1/4"
The triangular openings formed by the riser, tread and bottom rail of a guard at the open
side of a stairway are permitted to be of such a size that a sphere inches cannot pass
through. - Answer- ✔✔6
What is the typical height of a regular base kitchen cabinet? - Answer- ✔✔34-1/2"
Handrails on a ramp adjacent to a wall must have a space of not less than inches
between the wall and the handrails. - Answer- ✔✔1.5
A nosing projection not less than inch(es) but not more than inch(es) must be provided
on stairways with solid risers. - Answer- ✔✔3/4, 1-1/4
The height of handrails shall be ____ minimum and ____ maximum vertically above
stair nosings, ramp and walking surfaces. - Answer- ✔✔34" minimum, 38" maximum
Two or more layers of felt cemented together and surfaced with a cap sheet, mineral
aggregate, smooth coating or similar surfacing material is: - Answer- ✔✔Built-up roof
covering
Asphalt shingles shall only be used on roof slopes of units vertical in 12 units horizontal
or greater. - Answer- ✔✔2
If the length of a piece of gutter is 22 ft 6 inches, what is the max slope that can be
provided? - Answer- ✔✔1-3/8", Metal gutters on a house appear to be level. However,
they actually slope at least 1" every 16' toward the downspouts (1/16 per foot). 22'-6" -
16'-0" = 1 inch 22'-6" - 16' = 6' 6 6'-6" x 1/16 = 6/16 = 3/8" Total Max Pitch = 1-3/8"
What is the emittance value of steel? - Answer- ✔✔0.12
Which would not be considered an overlooked location to install insulation? - Answer-
✔✔Open attic space.
This type of insulation installation adheres the flange outside edge to the face of the
framing. - Answer- ✔✔Inset stapling.
