2024 Residential Building Inspector

Residential Building Inspector (B1)

60 Questions

2 Hours

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1. What is the required extent of the ice barrier for BIPV roof panels in areas with historical ice damming?

A) Entire surface of the roof

B) 24 inches inside the exterior wall line

C) 12 inches inside the exterior wall line

D) 18 inches inside the exterior wall line

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2. 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) Plastic sheeting

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

D) Two-ply hot-mopped felts

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3. What is the maximum allowable span for a 2-2×4 header supporting a roof and ceiling in a 12-foot-wide building with a 30 psf ground snow load?

A) 4'-0"

B) 3'-3"

C) 2'-9"

D) 3'-5"

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4. How long does a permit remain valid if work does not commence?

A) 30 days

B) 90 days

C) 1 year

D) 180 days

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5. What is the minimum time that each coat of cement plaster must be kept moist before applying the next coat?

A) 24 hours

B) 12 hours

C) 48 hours

D) 18 hours

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6. What is the minimum required width for a shower stall?

A) 36 inches

B) 24 inches

C) 30 inches

D) 32 inches

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7. What is the minimum required bearing length for joists in masonry construction, except as otherwise specified?

A) 1 1/2 inches (38 mm)

B) 1 inch (25 mm)

C) 3 inches (76 mm)

D) 2 inches (51 mm)

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8. What is the maximum stud spacing allowed for Structural Fiberboard Sheathing (SFB) bracing?

A) 24 inches

B) 12 inches

C) 32 inches

D) 16 inches

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9. When are cuts, notches, or holes allowed in engineered wood products such as trusses, glue-laminated members, or I-joists?

A) Only if permitted by the manufacturer or specifically accounted for by a registered design professional

B) Only in non-load-bearing areas

C) Only if located at midspan

D) Only when approved by the building inspector

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10. What is the minimum required net area of ventilation opening for a crawl space?

A) 1 square foot per 200 square feet

B) 1 square foot per 300 square feet

C) 1 square foot per 150 square feet

D) 1 square foot per 100 square feet

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11. When must truss design drawings be approved by the building official?

A) Before final inspection

B) After roof decking is installed

C) Before shipment from the manufacturer

D) Prior to installation

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12. Which ASTM standard applies to EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) single-ply roofing?

A) ASTM D4637

B) ASTM D6878

C) ASTM D4434

D) ASTM D5019

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13. What is the minimum required penetration of screws into wood when attaching gypsum board to wood framing?

A) 5/8 inch

B) 3/4 inch

C) 7/8 inch

D) 1/2 inch

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14. In cold-formed steel framing, under what condition is the required number of screws for header-to-king stud connections permitted to be reduced by half?

A) If the header is located on the first floor of a two-story building

B) If the total number of screws remains at least six

C) If an uplift connector is used in place of screws

D) If the roof slope is 6:12 or greater

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15. What standard can be used as an alternative for designing and constructing concrete slab-on-ground floors?

A) ACI 332

B) ASTM C150

C) ICC 500

D) ASCE 7

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16. What is the minimum allowable stud thickness for exterior and interior load-bearing cold-formed steel walls when reduced to the next thinner size?

A) 43 mils (1.09 mm)

B) 30 mils (0.76 mm)

C) 33 mils (0.84 mm)

D) 25 mils (0.64 mm)

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17. What is the minimum grade requirement for blocking and subflooring materials?

A) Utility grade lumber, No. 4 common grade boards, or wood structural panels as specified in Section R503.2

B) No. 2 common grade boards for all applications

C) Fire-retardant-treated lumber only

D) Select structural lumber only

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18. How must deck beams be connected to supporting members to prevent lateral displacement?

A) By securing them with toenails at each connection point

B) By bolting them with a minimum of two ½-inch bolts per span

C) By using manufactured post-to-beam connectors sized for the post and beam sizes

D) By allowing friction and gravity to hold them in place

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19. What is the maximum allowable height difference between the threshold of an egress door and the landing outside?

A) 7 inch

B) 8½ inch

C) 7¼ inch

D) 7¾ inch

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20. For a 8-inch waffle-grid basement wall with 9 feet of unsupported wall height, 6 feet of unbalanced backfill, and GM soil, what is the minimum required vertical reinforcement?

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

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

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

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

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21. In windborne debris regions, what test standards must impact protective systems comply with for impact resistance?

A) ANSI WMA 100

B) ASTM E1886 and ASTM E1996

C) ASTM E330

D) AAMA 506

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22. 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 minimum 2-inch by 2-inch clip angle fastened with No. 10 screws

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

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

A) A movement joint

B) No special requirement

C) Flashing with sealant

D) Continuous weep screed

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24. What happens if a permit was issued in error?

A) It remains valid

B) The owner must reapply for a permit

C) The building official may suspend or revoke it

D) The contractor must correct the error

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25. Which of the following bracing methods do NOT require interior finish material opposite the braced wall panel?

A) CS-WSP, CS-G, and CS-PF

B) WSP, CS-WSP, PFH, and PFG

C) LIB, GB, and SFB

D) GB, BV-WSP, ABW, PFH, PFG, and CS-PF

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

A) By securing them with a continuous steel strap

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

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

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

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27. How must precast concrete foundation wall panels be identified?

A) By a marking system established by the local building department

B) By an official approval stamp from the project engineer

C) By a certificate of inspection label issued by an approved third-party inspection agency

D) By a unique serial number assigned by the manufacturer

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28. How does the horizontal reinforcement requirement change for concrete basement walls greater than 8 feet in height?

A) One No. 4 bar within 12 inches of the top of the wall and one No. 4 bar near third points in the wall story.

B) An additional No. 4 bar must be placed every 12 inches along the wall height.

C) The reinforcement remains the same regardless of wall height.

D) Walls over 8 feet require vertical reinforcement only, with no change in horizontal reinforcement.

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29. What is the minimum required bearing for a joist on masonry or concrete?

A) 4 inches (102 mm)

B) 3 inches (76 mm)

C) 1 ½ inches (38 mm)

D) 2 inches (51 mm)

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30. What is the minimum required clearance between unlisted combustion air ducts and combustibles within 5 feet of the outlet?

A) 2 inches

B) 1 inch

C) 1/2 inch

D) 3/4 inch

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31. What is the maximum allowable design live load for sleeping areas and attics with fixed stairway access?

A) 50 pounds per square foot (2.40 kPa)

B) 30 pounds per square foot (1.44 kPa)

C) 40 pounds per square foot (1.92 kPa)

D) 20 pounds per square foot (0.96 kPa)

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32. What is the minimum footing size (width × thickness in inches) required for a 3-story with basement, light-frame with brick veneer slab-on-grade structure with a 20 psf roof live load and 1,500 psf soil bearing capacity?

A) 19 x 10

B) 12 × 6

C) 24 x 8

D) 29 x 11

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33. What is the required nail spacing when installing 1/2-inch gypsum board to ceiling framing spaced 16 inches on center, applied parallel to framing, without adhesive?

A) 6 inches

B) 12 inches

C) 7 inches

D) 8 inches

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34. What is the maximum allowable span for a 2×10, SS 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 30 psf?

A) 22'-4"

B) 19'-3"

C) 19'-9"

D) 17'-7"

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35. When using anchor bolts in concrete, what is the minimum required embedment depth?

A) 15 inches (381 mm)

B) 10 inches (254 mm)

C) 7 inches (178 mm)

D) 5 inches (127 mm)

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36. According to the IRC, no more than what fraction of the required braced wall panel length can be located to one side of a braced wall line?

A) Three-quarters

B) Two-thirds

C) One-half

D) One-third

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37. What is the maximum allowable variation from the specified location of vertical reinforcement in basement walls?

A) 5 percent of the wall thickness or ¼ inch (6 mm), whichever is greater.

B) No variation is allowed; reinforcement must be placed exactly as specified.

C) 10 percent of the wall thickness or ⅜ inch (10 mm), whichever is greater.

D) 15 percent of the wall thickness or ½ inch (13 mm), whichever is greater.

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38. What reference should be used to determine the maximum allowable spans for wood structural panel roof sheathing?

A) Table R803.2.2 or ANSI A190.1

B) Table R801.3 or SBCA BCSI Guide

C) Table R503.2.1.1(1) or APA E30

D) Table R802.4.1(1) or ASTM D5456

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39. What is the minimum ceiling height required for habitable rooms?

A) 8 feet

B) 7 feet 6 inches

C) 7 feet

D) 6 feet 8 inches

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40. What is the maximum thickness of cement plaster allowed on monolithic concrete ceilings?

A) 1/2 inch

B) 1/2 inch

C) 3/4 inch

D) 7/8 inch

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41. What is the minimum lap required for fiber-cement lap siding?

A) 1-1/4 inches

B) 3/4 inch

C) 1 inch

D) 1/2 inch

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42. What is the maximum allowable slump for concrete placed in removable forms?

A) No limit, as long as it does not cause segregation

B) 4 inches (102 mm)

C) 8 inches (203 mm)

D) 6 inches (152 mm)

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43. What is the minimum footing size (width × thickness in inches) required for a 3-story light-frame with brick veneer crawl space structure with a 50 psf roof live load and 1,500 psf soil bearing capacity?

A) 19 x 7

B) 21 x 7

C) 27 x 10

D) 24 x 10

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44. What is the maximum spacing for anchor bolts securing a sill plate to a foundation wall?

A) 72 inches

B) 36 inches

C) 96 inches

D) 48 inches

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45. What does ‘Construction Documents’ refer to in the 2024 IRC?

A) A set of blueprints for furniture layout.

B) Written, graphic, and pictorial documents prepared for describing the design, location, and physical characteristics of a project necessary for obtaining a building permit.

C) A contract between a builder and homeowner.

D) A report on building code violations.

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46. What is the maximum allowable span for a 2×10, #1 grade Hem-fir rafter spaced 16 inches apart, with a dead load of 20 psf, ceiling not attached, and a roof live load of 70 psf?

A) 13'-3"

B) 14'-2"

C) 12'-9"

D) 13'-0"

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47. For a 2-2×10 header supporting a roof, ceiling, and one clear-span floor in a 36-foot-wide building with a 30 psf snow load, what is the maximum allowable span?

A) 5'-9"

B) 5'-3"

C) 6'-1"

D) 4'-2"

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48. What is the maximum allowable building length perpendicular to the joist or truss span for exterior and interior load-bearing cold-formed steel wall framing?

A) 60 feet (18 288 mm)

B) 70 feet (21 336 mm)

C) 50 feet (15 240 mm)

D) 40 feet (12 192 mm)

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49. What is the maximum height of the bottom of the clear opening above the floor for an emergency escape opening?

A) 40 inches

B) 32 inches

C) 44 inches

D) 36 inches

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50. Can local, state, or federal laws override the provisions of the IRC?

A) Only if they are stricter than the IRC

B) No, the IRC takes precedence over all other laws

C) Only if approved by the building official

D) Yes, the IRC defers to local, state, and federal laws

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51. What is the maximum allowable slope for a ramp not serving an egress door?

A) 1:8

B) 1:10

C) 1:6

D) 1:12

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

A) To prevent rotation of the joist

B) To connect joists together for added stability

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

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

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53. According to cold-formed steel framing requirements, what is the minimum percentage of the braced wall line length that must consist of full-height sheathing?

A) 25%

B) 10%

C) 20%

D) 15%

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54. What must be included in precast concrete foundation wall design drawings submitted for approval?

A) The proposed color and texture of the foundation panels

B) Only footing design, soil bearing capacity, and concentrated loads

C) Only the maximum allowable total uniform load and the seismic design category

D) Design loading, footing design, concentrated loads, soil bearing capacity, maximum allowable uniform load, seismic design category, and basic wind speed

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55. Cold-formed steel roof framing is limited to what maximum ultimate design wind speed under the standard applicability limits?

A) 130 mph

B) 140 mph

C) 120 mph

D) 150 mph

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56. What is required for sawn lumber to be used for load-supporting purposes?

A) It must have “HRA” included in its grade mark.

B) It must be pressure-treated for moisture resistance.

C) It must be manufactured in accordance with ANSI A190.1.

D) It must have a grade mark from an accredited agency or a certificate of inspection.

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

A) 30 inches

B) 16 inches

C) 24 inches

D) 20 inches

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58. What is required when attaching a frost-protected shallow foundation to an unheated slab-on-ground structure?

A) Horizontal insulation is not required if the foundation wall is constructed of reinforced concrete.

B) Vertical wall insulation must extend between the foundations, and horizontal insulation must be continuous under the adjoining slab and through any adjoining foundation walls.

C) Vertical insulation is optional if the adjoining slab is thicker than 8 inches.

D) The adjoining slab foundation must be heated to at least 64°F (18°C) year-round to prevent frost heave.

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59. What is the minimum required thickness of a granular base placed over compacted earth in a pressure preservative-treated wood floor system?

A) 3 inches (76 mm)

B) 4 inches (102 mm)

C) 6 inches (152 mm)

D) 2 inches (51 mm)

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60. What is the presumptive load bearing capacity of Sand?

A) 1500 psf

B) 2000 psf

C) 2500 psf

D) 3000 psf

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