midterm exam

A building code contains off-street parking requirements. t/f

False

A perimeter drain collects rainwater runoff from the roof. T/F

False

A rake is the same as an eave. • True • False

False

A residential drain field must always be located below the lowest toilet in the house. T/F

False

A vapor retarder should always be installed on the cold side of the insulation in a roof or wall. • True • False

False

All licensed architects are required to place the letters AIA after their name to signify their status as a licensed professional. True False

False

An ice-and-water shield is a membrane that is usually applied to the entire roof of a house. t/f

False

Because concrete cures by hydration, it is advisable to have as much water as possible in the mix. t/f

False

Clay is a stable soil. • True • False

False

Competitive bidding is typically formalized with a cost-plus contract. t/f

False

Concrete should be allowed to dry as quickly as possible after pouring. • True • False

False

Contractors generally must be licensed and insured, but not bonded.

False

Embodied energy is a measure of recycled content in building materials t/f

False

First cost and life-cycle cost are the same thing

False

Gravel fill is not allowed beneath new foundation walls. T/F

False

Membranes for low-slope roofs must be located above the thermal insulation. t/f

False

One advantage of CMU foundations is that they can be easily made to any dimension. • True • False

False

Quicklime is mixed with Portland cement, sand, and water to make mortar t/f

False

Rubble stone cannot be coursed in a wall t/f

False

Spaced sheathing makes a good base for asphalt shingles. • True • False

False

Step flashings are used along the eave of a roof. • True • False

False

The dead load of a building does not include the weight of the foundation. t/f

False

There is no truly standard size of concrete block t/f

False

A builder's level is a very useful tool for laying out a building on the site. t/f

True

A foundation can be insulated either on the exterior or the interior. • True • False

True

A septic permit is required in order to install a septic system T/F

True

All foundations settle to some extent. True • False

True

All organic material must be removed from the ground under a new footing. T/F

True

An all-in-one loan avoids duplication of closing costs t/f

True

Bricks shrink considerably during drying and firing. t/f

True

Concrete shrinks during curing and drying. t/f

True

Foundations can be built entirely of wood. • True • False

True

Low-slope roofing materials are appropriate for platform-frame buildings. • True • False

True

Many building codes do not require roof gutters if the overhang of a roof is sufficiently wide. • True • False

True

Permanent wood foundations are not supported by concrete footings. • True • False

True

Reinforcing bars for residential construction are usually cut and bent on the job site. t/f

True

Small-volume builders far outnumber large-volume builders but produce fewer houses • True? • False?

True

Specialization has been a part of residential construction since it started in the Americas. t/f

True

Speculative builders do not have to spend time bidding for general contracts • True? • False?

True

The center portions of form ties remain permanently embedded in a concrete wall. • True • False

True

The insulation of concrete slabs is most important at the perimeter of the slab. • True • False

True

There is a recommended minimum slope for each type of roofing material. • True • False

True

There is no truly standard brick size t/f

True

Wood shakes are split on at least one face whereas wood shingles are sawn on both faces. t/f

True

Architects in North America have had a significant role in the design of houses and housing since the 19th century. True False

True First registration of architects (Illinois 1897)

CMU foundations are typically designed with which of the following dimensions as a module: a. 8 inches b. 12 inches c. 16 inches d. 24 inches

a. 8 inches

In a group of concrete samples, the strongest will be the one: a. Cured underwater for a year b. Moist-cured for a week, then allowed to dry c. Moist-cured for 3 days, then allowed to dry d. Cured in the air for a year

a. Cured underwater for a year

Performance standards for windows relate to: a. Resistance to air infiltration b. Structural performance of the sash in high winds c. Water resistance d. Operating force

a. Resistance to air infiltration b. Structural performance of the sash in high winds c. Water resistance d. Operating force

Which of the following types of residential development represents the largest dollar value of economic activity: a. Single-family detached housing b. Manufactured housing c. Large multi-unit housing structures d. Remodeling of existing housing

a. Single-family detached housing

A zoning ordinance typically governs which of the following: a. Types of activities that may take place on a piece of land. b. How much of the land may be covered by a building. c. How far a building must be set back from property lines. d. The size of exits in a building.

a. Types of activities that may take place on a piece of land. b. How much of the land may be covered by a building. c. How far a building must be set back from property lines.

Concrete was first used: a. by the ancient Romans b. in the Renaissance c. in the Industrial Revolution d. in the 20'h century

a. by the ancient Romans

MasterFormat contains information about: a. construction materials b. builder organizations c. framing procedures d. financial resources

a. construction materials

A residential foundation system supports which of the following: a. dead loads b. live loads c. wind loads d. earthquake loads

a. dead loads b. live loads c. wind loads d. earthquake loads

Roof sheathing that is exposed at an overhanging eave or rake must be rated for weather exposure. a. true b. false

a. true

Trusses are typically engineered by the manufacturer and can be made to support almost any roof shape. a. true b. false

a. true

Mortar makes up what percentage of the exposed surface area of a brick wall? a. 10% b. 20% c. 30% d. 40% e. 50%

b. 20%

A steep roof has a pitch equal to or greater than: a. 1:12 b. 4:12 c. 6:12 d. 12:12

b. 4:12

The diameter of a #5 rebar in the U.S. is: a. 1/2 inch b. 5/8 inch c. 3/4 inch d. 1 inch

b. 5/8 inch

Which of the following is not a block module? a. 1'-4" b. 7'-0" c. 8'-0" d. 4'-8" e. all the above are block module

b. 7'-0"

Rubber compression gaskets are suitable weatherstripping for: a. Double-hung windows b. Casement windows c. Awning windows d. Sliding windows e. French doors

b. Casement windows c. Awning windows e. French doors

Roof ventilation by means of eave vents and ridge or gable vents is advisable because: a. It makes the air in the house fresher b. It removes heat from the attic in summer c. It helps prevent the formation of ice dams

b. It removes heat from the attic in summer c. It helps prevent the formation of ice dams

Which of the following roofing materials is the most prevalent in North America: a. wood shingles b. asphalt shingles c. concrete tiles d. sheet metal

b. asphalt shingles

Which of the following mortar joint profiles are best to use outdoors in a severe climate. a. weathered b. concave c. vee d. flush e. raked f. stripped g. struck

b. concave c. vee

As the ratio of water to cement is increased in a concrete mix, the strength of the concrete: a. increases b. decreases c. remains constant d. cannot be determined

b. decreases

Roofs are usually pre-assembled on the platform and hoisted into place with a crane. a. true b. false

b. false

Ventilation air typically enters a roof assembly through the rake. a. true b. false

b. false

Segregation of a concrete mix is avoided by: a. excess vibration of the concrete b. placing the concrete as close as possible to its final position as possible c. dropping the concrete from a height of 4 feet or more d. moving the concrete horizontally through the formwork

b. placing the concrete as close as possible to its final position as possible

The most durable gutters are made of : a. continuous metal b. plastic c. wood d. resin-bonded fibers e. none of the above

b. plastic

Lookouts: a. are decorative roof framing elements b. provide structural support for barge or fly rafters c. prevent lateral thrust in roofs d. are essential for the support of fascia

b. provide structural support for barge or fly rafters

Which of the following is not typically described in an architectural section drawing: a. vertical dimensions b. setback from property lines c. insulation d. roof pitch

b. setback from property lines

The primary responsibility for staking out a building on a site lies with: a. the architect b. the builder c. the engineer d. the surveyor

b. the builder

The most common mortar joint thickness is: a. 1/8" b. 1/4" c. 3/8" d. 1/2" e. 5/8"

c. 3/8"

The largest percentage of single family plans submitted for a building permit are prepared by: a. Architects b. Engineers c. Drafting services d. Owner/designers

c. Drafting services

Which of the following is likely to be the least expensive per square foot a. Sectional home b. Modular home c. Mobile home d. Stick-built home

c. Mobile home

Which of the following is the least reliable barrier to the passage of water through a foundation wall: a. rubber membrane b. plastic membrane c. asphaltic coating d. portland cement plaster with admixtures e. natural clay

c. asphaltic coating

Of the following, which is the most stable backfill material: a. soil b. self-compacting gravel c. controlled low-strength material d. sand

c. controlled low-strength material

A gable roof requires: a. a ridge beam supported at intervals by columns or walls b. ceiling joists to tie it against lateral thrust c. either of the above d. neither of the above

c. either of the above

A protected membrane roof: a. has the membrane above the insulation b. has the insulation between the deck and membrane c. has the membrane below the insulation d. has the insulation below the deck

c. has the membrane below the insulation

To increase the slump of a concrete mix, one would: a. increase the proportion of sand b. decrease the proportion of water c. increase the proportion of water d. increase the proportion of cement

c. increase the proportion of water

For a simple reinforced concrete beam, the rebar should be located: a. near the top of the beam : b. near the center of the beam c. near the bottom of the beam d. at both the top and bottom of the beam

c. near the bottom of the beam

Portland cement mortar that is growing hard before use may be retempered with water and used: a. within 30 minutes of its mixing b. within one hour of its mixing c. within 90 minutes of its mixing d. within a half day of its mixing e. within a day of its mixing

c. within 90 minutes of its mixing

Access standards for buildings relate to: a. Access from the street to the building for automobiles b. Availability of an architect's drawings to the building inspector c. Accessibility of all the electrical wiring and plumbing for inspection and repair throughout the lifetime of the building d. Access to a building by all members of the population, including the physically handicapped

d. Access to a building by all members of the population, including the physically handicapped

Tempered safety glass is required for a. Glass within doors b. Glass in skylights c. Glass near doors d. All of the above

d. All of the above

In English bond brickwork: a. Every 6th course consists entirely of headers b. Each course consists of alternating headers and stretchers c. Every 2nd course consists of alternating headers and stretchers d. Every 2nd course consists entirely of headers e. The head joints are always staggered from one course to the next

d. Every 2nd course consists entirely of headers

Which of the following are logical sources of design ideas for speculative builders: a. national buyer preference surveys b. successful local residential developments c. local realtors d. all of the above

d. all of the above

On a low-slope roof - what protects the membrane from sunlight and holds it down against wind forces? a. nails b. glue c. asphaltic coating d. ballast

d. ballast

Which of the following generally requires the most capital financing: a. developer b. general contractor c. speculative builder d. developer/builder

d. developer/builder

A live load: a. is the total weight of all the loads b. is the weight of the structure c. is the weight of people only d. is the varying weight and forces on the structure e. none of the above

d. is the varying weight and forces on the structure

the purpose of overframing is to: a. temporarily support rafters on a ridge board b. stiffen roof structure around an opening c. support the load of heavy roofing such as tile d. simplify the construction of complex roof shapes

d. simplify the construction of complex roof shapes

Which of the following is the least essential temporary utility at the site of new residential construction today: a. temporary water b. temporary toilet c. temporary electricity d. temporary gas

d. temporary gas

Dissimilar metals should not be used in a roof primarily because: a. They will not look good together b. They will expand and contract at different rates c. Different tools are needed for different metals d. Different details are needed for different metals e. Galvanic corrosion is likely to result

e. Galvanic corrosion is likely to result

One standard CMU occupies the same volume as: a. Four modular bricks b. Six modular bricks c. Eight modular bricks d. Ten modular bricks e. Twelve modular bricks

e. Twelve modular bricks

A stepped footing is used on sloping lots where a straight horizontal footing would be uneconomical. • True • False

true

A muntin is a horizontal divider between window units. • True • False

• False

The nailing fin is an archaic window part that was replaced by a plastic flange because nailing fins were found to leak when penetrated by nails. • True • False

• False

With scientific forestry practices, the quality of wood for window construction is improving. • True • False

• False

A modern casement window must have its insect screen on the interior side. • True • False

• True

Exterior doors are generally prehung before arriving at the construction site. • True • False

• True

Modern double-hung windows are often made so that the sash pulls out and rotates for ease of cleaning. • True • False

• True

Storm windows provide insulative value in addition to protection from storms. • True • False

• True