2024 Residential Building Inspector

Residential Building Inspector (B1)

60 Questions

2 Hours

1 / 60

1. How must wood deck beam plies be fastened together according to the IRC?

A) By using lag screws spaced every 32 inches along the beam

B) With 8d nails spaced every 24 inches along each edge

C) With two rows of 10d nails (3-inch × 0.128-inch) at 16 inches on center along each edge

D) By bolting them together with a minimum of two bolts per span

2 / 60

2. In openings in roof and ceiling framing, what is required when the header joist span exceeds 4 feet?

A) They must be notched at the bearing ends

B) The joists must be reduced in size to accommodate insulation

C) The trimmer and header joists must be doubled and have sufficient cross section

D) They must be glued and nailed

3 / 60

3. In buildings assigned to Seismic Design Category D0, D1, or D2, what is the minimum nominal thickness required for plain masonry foundation walls?

A) 8 inches (203 mm)

B) 12 inches (305 mm)

C) 10 inches (254 mm)

D) 6 inches (152 mm)

4 / 60

4. What is the minimum required design live load for living areas in residential structures according to the IRC?

A) 50 pounds per square foot (2.40 kPa)

B) 40 pounds per square foot (1.92 kPa)

C) 30 pounds per square foot (1.44 kPa)

D) 20 pounds per square foot (0.96 kPa)

5 / 60

5. For a 8-inch nominal flat concrete basement wall with 8 feet of unsupported wall height, 4 feet of unbalanced backfill, and GP soil, what is the minimum required vertical reinforcement?

A) No. 5 bars at 24 inches o.c.

B) No reinforcement required

C) No. 4 bars at 60 inches o.c.

D) No. 4 bars at 48 inches o.c.

6 / 60

6. What is the maximum allowable offset between opposing rafters framed to a ridge board?

A) 3 inches

B) 2 inches

C) 1½ inches

D) 1 inch

7 / 60

7. What must be ensured regarding the continuity of vertical reinforcement in concrete walls between stories?

A) It must align with corners only

B) It may terminate at floor level without overlap

C) It must be connected with welded wire mesh

D) It must be continuous between stories or properly lap-spliced with dowels

8 / 60

8. What is the presumptive load bearing capacity of Sandy Gravel?

A) 2000 psf

B) 2500 psf

C) 1500 psf

D) 3000 psf

9 / 60

9. What is required between exterior masonry veneer supported by wood and veneer supported by the foundation?

A) No special requirement

B) A movement joint

C) Flashing with sealant

D) Continuous weep screed

10 / 60

10. What is the required fire rating for common walls separating townhouses without sprinklers?

A) No fire rating required

B) 1 hour

C) 1 hour with a fire-resistance joint

D) 2 hours

11 / 60

11. What is the required fastener type and spacing for continuous headers to studs?

A) 4-8d box nails, face nailed

B) 3-16d box nails, side nailed

C) 5-8d box nails or 4-8d common nails, toe nailed

D) 6-10d common nails, end nailed

12 / 60

12. If the depth-to-thickness ratio exceeds 6 to 1, how must rafters and ceiling joists be supported laterally?

A) With collar ties

B) With solid blocking, diagonal bridging, or a 1×3 continuous wood strip

C) With metal joist hangers

D) With gusset plates and straps

13 / 60

13. What is the minimum lap length required for joists framing from opposite sides over a bearing support?

A) 4 inches (102 mm)

B) 2 inches (51 mm)

C) 3 inches (76 mm)

D) 1 ½ inches (38 mm)

14 / 60

14. According to the IRC, how must deck posts be restrained laterally when bearing on concrete footings?

A) By fastening them to the beam with three 10d nails per side

B) By securing them with a minimum of two lag bolts per post

C) By using approved connectors or embedding the post at least 12 inches (305 mm) in surrounding soils or concrete piers

D) By securing them with a continuous steel strap

15 / 60

15. How is the required length of cripple wall bracing determined?

A) It follows a separate table without reference to the wall above

B) It is based on the bracing method used for the wall above and multiplied by 1.15

C) It is determined without any adjustment factors

D) It is always twice the length of the wall above

16 / 60

16. What is the maximum unsupported height allowed for masonry piers relative to their least dimension?

A) 8 times their least dimension

B) 6 times their least dimension

C) 12 times their least dimension

D) 10 times their least dimension

17 / 60

17. What is the maximum allowable joist spacing for ¾-inch sanded plywood combination subfloor underlayment?

A) 24 inches

B) 20 inches

C) 16 inches

D) 30 inches

18 / 60

18. How long must the building official retain official records?

A) There is no retention requirement

B) At least 2 years

C) At least 10 years

D) At least 5 years or as long as the structure exists

19 / 60

19. How must concrete foundation walls that support light-frame walls be designed and constructed?

A) Only if the project drawings and details are sealed by an architect or engineer.

B) Only according to the provisions of the International Residential Code (IRC).

C) Using any standard construction method without specific design guidelines.

D) In accordance with the provisions of this section, ACI 318, ACI 332, or PCA 100.

20 / 60

20. What is the minimum required size for plate washers used in wall anchorage for buildings in Seismic Design Categories D0, D1, and D2, and townhouses in Seismic Design Category C?

A) 0.250 inch by 4 inches by 4 inches

B) 0.229 inch by 3 inches by 3 inches

C) 0.125 inch by 2 inches by 2 inches

D) 0.200 inch by 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches

21 / 60

21. For a 8-inch waffle-grid basement wall with 9 feet of unsupported wall height, 9 feet of unbalanced backfill, and GP soil, what is the minimum required vertical reinforcement?

A) No. 5 bars at 42 inches o.c.

B) No. 4 bars at 24 inches o.c.

C) No. 6 bars at 39 inches o.c.

D) No. 6 bars at 34 inches o.c.

22 / 60

22. What is the purpose of lateral restraint at the ends of joists?

A) To prevent rotation of the joist

B) To increase the load-bearing capacity of the joist

C) To connect joists together for added stability

D) To reduce vibrations and noise transmission in the floor system

23 / 60

23. What is the minimum embedment for anchor bolts into a foundation?

A) 8 inches

B) 7 inches

C) 5 inches

D) 6 inches

24 / 60

24. What requirement must engineered wood rim boards meet to comply with the IRC?

A) They must be graded and marked in accordance with ICC 400.

B) They must conform to ANSI/APA PRR 410 or be evaluated in accordance with ASTM D7672.

C) Their structural capacities must be determined based on ASTM D5055.

D) They must be manufactured following APA PRG 320.

25 / 60

25. According to the IRC, how must wall sheathing be fastened in wood-framed exterior walls?

A) Attached only at the corners and edges of the framing members

B) Attached over a vapor barrier with a ¼-inch gap at all seams

C) Installed with a minimum of one layer of adhesive backing

D) Fastened directly to framing members in accordance with Tables R602.3(1) through R602.3(4)

26 / 60

26. For a 8-inch waffle-grid basement wall with 10 feet of unsupported wall height, 6 feet of unbalanced backfill, and SM soil, what is the minimum required vertical reinforcement?

A) No. 5 bars at 48 inches o.c.

B) No. 5 bars at 37 inches o.c.

C) No. 5 bars at 39 inches o.c.

D) No. 5 bars at 42 inches o.c.

27 / 60

27. What minimum thickness of polyethylene film must be applied over below-grade portions of wood foundation walls before backfilling?

A) 10-mil (0.25 mm)

B) 8-mil (0.20 mm)

C) 4-mil (0.10 mm)

D) 6-mil (0.15 mm)

28 / 60

28. What is the minimum number of fasteners required for each strip shingle?

A) Six

B) Two

C) Four

D) Three

29 / 60

29. What standard must cross-laminated timber (CLT) be manufactured and identified under?

A) ACI 318

B) ANSI/APA PRG 320

C) DOC PS 2

D) ASTM D5456

30 / 60

30. What types of buildings does the IRC apply to?

A) Any building classified as residential

B) Detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories in height

C) All buildings regardless of height and occupancy

D) Only commercial buildings and high-rise apartments

31 / 60

31. How should a building official respond if an alternative method is denied?

A) By allowing the applicant to proceed without approval

B) By responding in writing with reasons for the denial

C) By issuing a stop-work order

D) By referring the case to the local police department

32 / 60

32. When a bored hole in a load-bearing stud exceeds 40% of the stud depth, what is the required reinforcement?

A) Reinforcing the hole with metal plates

B) Using additional sheathing for structural support

C) Filling the hole with a wood plug

D) Doubling the stud, with no more than two successive doubled studs bored

33 / 60

33. What is the maximum support spacing for 1/2-inch-thick gypsum lath?

A) 20 inches

B) 30 inches

C) 16 inches

D) 24 inches

34 / 60

34. What is the maximum allowable span for a 2×10, #1 grade Spruce-pine-fir rafter spaced 16 inches apart, with a dead load of 20 psf, ceiling not attached, and a roof live load of 20 psf?

A) 17'-7"

B) 22'-4"

C) 19'-3"

D) 20'-4"

35 / 60

35. According to the IRC, what design loads must decks be designed for?

A) The greater of the live load in Section R301.5 or the ground snow load from Table R301.2

B) The local wind load as determined by ASCE 7

C) A minimum live load of 30 psf

D) The dead load of the decking and joists only

36 / 60

36. What is the minimum required egress width between two handrails for a stairway?

A) 36 inches

B) 32 inches

C) 34 inches

D) 27 inches

37 / 60

37. What is the minimum yield strength required for steel reinforcement in buildings assigned to Seismic Design Category D0, D1, or D2?

A) 75,000 psi (Grade 75) (517 MPa)

B) 40,000 psi (Grade 40) (276 MPa)

C) 50,000 psi (Grade 50) (345 MPa)

D) 60,000 psi (Grade 60) (414 MPa)

38 / 60

38. Which of the following is NOT a permitted material for waterproofing foundation walls in areas with a high water table or severe soil-water conditions?

A) Sixty-mil (1.5 mm) flexible polymer cement

B) Forty-mil (1 mm) polymer-modified asphalt

C) Two-ply hot-mopped felts

D) Plastic sheeting

39 / 60

39. Load-bearing cold-formed steel studs must be located in-line with which structural elements?

A) Joists, trusses, and rafters

B) Foundation walls and slabs

C) Beams and headers

D) Floor sheathing and roof decking

40 / 60

40. In areas with an average January temperature of 25°F or less, what is required for metal valley flashing underlayment on concrete and clay tile roofs with slopes less than 7:12?

A) No underlayment required

B) Double-ply felt underlayment

C) Use of gravel stop flashing

D) Solid-cemented underlayment or self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen

41 / 60

41. How must precast concrete foundation walls be designed?

A) By following a standard template provided by the building official

B) In accordance with accepted engineering practice and the materials requirements of Section R402.3 or ACI 318

C) Using any local construction method without requiring engineering approval

D) According to general concrete wall construction standards, without the need for professional design

42 / 60

42. Which ASTM standard must grout conform to in masonry construction?

A) ASTM C476

B) ASTM C1019

C) ASTM C270

D) ASTM C144

43 / 60

43. What is the maximum allowable span for a 2×10, #2 grade Spruce-pine-fir rafter spaced 16 inches apart, with a dead load of 20 psf, ceiling attached, and a roof live load of 50 psf?

A) 13'-11"

B) 14'-2"

C) 17'-7"

D) 11'-10"

44 / 60

44. When is an exterior air supply not required for a fireplace?

A) When the room is mechanically ventilated and maintains neutral or positive pressure

B) When the flue includes a spark arrestor

C) When the firebox depth is greater than 24 inches

D) When the fireplace is located on an exterior wall

45 / 60

45. What is the minimum allowable thickness for masonry foundation walls supporting brick veneered frame walls or 10-inch-wide cavity walls when the total wall height does not exceed 20 feet (6096 mm)?

A) 6 inches (152 mm)

B) 12 inches (305 mm)

C) 10 inches (254 mm)

D) 8 inches (203 mm)

46 / 60

46. What does the term ‘Building Thermal Envelope’ refer to?

A) The waterproofing layer applied to exterior surfaces.

B) The air barrier within a home.

C) The basement walls, exterior walls, floors, ceilings, and other elements that enclose conditioned space.

D) The total exterior wall and roof of a structure.

47 / 60

47. When is blocking between rafters or roof trusses NOT required in Seismic Design Categories A, B, and C?

A) When the roof has continuous sheathing

B) When the distance from the top of the braced wall panel to the top of rafters or roof trusses is 9 1/4 inches or less

C) When lateral support is provided by ceiling joists

D) When the roof trusses are spaced more than 24 inches apart

48 / 60

48. What is the maximum number of risers allowed in a straight-run stairway before a landing is required?

A) No maximum is provided

B) 12 risers

C) 16 risers

D) 18 risers

49 / 60

49. For wind pressures exceeding 30 psf, soffit materials not specifically addressed must be installed according to:

A) Additional framing support

B) The manufacturer’s installation instructions

C) Minimum 1/2-inch thickness

D) Design approval by the code official

50 / 60

50. What is the maximum allowable span for a 2×6, #2 grade Hem-fir ceiling joist spaced 16 inches apart, with a dead load of 5 psf and a live load of 10 psf?

A) 18'-2"

B) 19'-6"

C) 17'-8"

D) 16'-6"

51 / 60

51. Who has the authority to enforce the provisions of the IRC?

A) The building owner

B) The state legislature

C) The general contractor

D) The building official

52 / 60

52. For openings in roof and ceiling framing, when must approved hangers be used to connect header joists to trimmer joists?

A) When the trimmer is not doubled

B) When the tail joists are over 12 feet

C) When the header joist span exceeds 6 feet

D) When insulation is installed between the joists

53 / 60

53. What is the minimum nominal thickness required for wood structural panel exterior soffits?

A) 1/4 inch

B) 5/16 inch

C) 3/8 inch

D) 1/2 inch

54 / 60

54. What is the required nail spacing when installing 5/8-inch gypsum board to ceiling framing spaced 24 inches on center, applied perpendicular to framing, without adhesive?

A) 8 inches

B) 7 inches

C) 6 inches

D) 12 inches

55 / 60

55. What is the minimum square footage required for a habitable room?

A) 120 square feet

B) 150 square feet

C) 70 square feet

D) 50 square feet

56 / 60

56. What is the minimum required height for a parapet wall separating townhouses?

A) 36 inches

B) 48 inches

C) 30 inches

D) 24 inches

57 / 60

57. What types of floor systems are permitted to support interior masonry veneers?

A) Only concrete floors

B) Wood or cold-formed steel floors designed to support the loads

C) Only cold-formed steel floors

D) Any type of floor, regardless of design

58 / 60

58. How must roof rafters be connected to a ridge member?

A) By welding the rafters directly to a steel ridge member

B) By toenailing the rafters directly into the ridge beam

C) Using a 2×4 wood block fastened with nails

D) Using a minimum 2-inch by 2-inch clip angle fastened with No. 10 screws

59 / 60

59. When roll bracing is NOT aligned with each guard post, what are the minimum dimensions required for a timber edge framing member?

A) 6 inches by 10 inches (sawn timber) or 5 ⅛ inches by 9 ¼ inches (structural glued-laminated timber)

B) 8 inches by 12 inches (sawn timber) or 6 inches by 10 inches (glued-laminated timber)

C) 10 inches by 14 inches (sawn timber) or 8 inches by 12 inches (glued-laminated timber)

D) 4 inches by 8 inches (sawn timber) or 3 ½ inches by 7 ½ inches (glued-laminated timber)

60 / 60

60. What is the minimum required edge distance for screws used in steel-to-steel connections?

A) 1/4 inch (6.35 mm)

B) 1/2 inch (12.7 mm)

C) 5/8 inch (15.87 mm)

D) 3/8 inch (9.5 mm)

Your score is