Lesson 2: Introduction to Construction Technolog Exam

Who requests a home inspection?

inspections can be requested by a buyer, seller, real estate agent representing buyer or seller, or a lender (banks, credit unions, federal housing administration) before approving grant or loan

Roofing specialists (roofers)

install roof (paid well)

Define rough carpentry

installation of framing components, subflooring, siding, exterior staircases and railing, overhead doors, and sheathing

Why do we install HVAC/R equipment?

installed in homes and other buildings to provide indoor comfort control for the occupants and workers

drywall/plasterboard/wall board

installed on interior walls and ceilings of a home to provide a finished surface

First step in new installation (electrical work)

installing a breaker box or panelboard

Define remodeling

installing new doors or windows adding decks or new additions

Define trim carpentry

involves the closing in of the roof ends and the overhand on the outside of the house

Why do workers tend to specialize in either basic installing or finishing and not both?

it ensures work is finished more quickly and efficiently

most common specialists areas:

kitchens, bathrooms, and decks

Define roof trusses?

large, preformed, triangle shaped components

The National Electrical Code (NEC)

lit of regulations developed by the electrical experts that describe the requirements for every type of electrical installation in detail; publication of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and updated every 3 years

What are drywall panels made from?

made from gypsum plaster pressed between thick sheets of paper

apprentice to journeyman

may require certain number of hours as apprentice or complete an exam to become journeyman depending on location

Examples of why you'd need concrete forms

mold building's foundation exterior steps porches retaining walls drive way

Define bitumen

molten asphalt

People who perform rough carpentry are referred to as:

Rough carpenters or framing carpenters

When does roof installment occur on a residential project?

after frame and sheathing are completed

Why is comfort control important?

all factors must be controlled to provide a safe and healthy indoor environment EX: building could have correct indoor temperature, but very high levels of humidity that allow for dangerous mold to grow EX: building could have good temperature and humidity levels, but poor air circulation that doesn't bring enough fresh air from outside

Pros and cons of slanted roof

allows rain and snow to run off but it makes it dangerous for the roofers

Drywall installers are also called?

applicators

What are the three different levels of expertise in electrical field

apprentice, journeyman, master

most popular roofing material preferred for homes

asphalt shingles

define roofing felt

asphalt-coated paper

What are the two different aspects of drywall installation?

basic installing and finishing

Why do we use light-colored gravel?

because it doesn't absorb as much heat as a plain layer of bitumen would

How are roof trusses installed?

can be lifted into place on the flat roof deck by crane, then screwed or bolted into place; wooden sheets of sheathing material are applied to outside of trusses to form finished surface

One way roof frames are formed?

can sometimes be formed from individual wooden framing paces

What is a breakerbox/panelboard?

centrally located metal box that divides the main electrical power source into smaller, separate circuits, each supply different parts of the house with power

How do commercial roofs differ from residential roofs?

commercial roofs are usually flat or very slightly sloped and covered with multiple layers of different materials, plies

Other names for blueprints

construction plans, building drawings

Define remodelers

construction professionals who have extensive knowledge of the entire building process and skills needed to perform many different types of tasks

Modern tools that make it easier and safer for roofers

conveyor belts, forklifts, pneumatic (air compressed) nail guns, and cranes

Heating and air conditioning functions can also be called?

cooling functions

drywall finisher/taper

covers the joints and fills all nails and screws depressions to produce smooth, finished products

Functions of roof

critical functions of keeping the elements out of the building, as well as conserving energy

Define inspection reports

details of all the inspector's findings, in writing; many use a check list format with room for basic notes and comments

_________ panels are made from gypsum plaster pressed between thick sheets of paper.

drywall

How are circuits in a breaker box protected?

each is protected by a circuit breaker or fuse that will interrupt power to the circuit if a problem occurs

T or F? Carpenters won't need to know how to read construction plans or blueprints to do their job successfully

false

T of F? Sheathing is installed on the interior walls and ceilings of a home to provide a finished surface.

false, drywall

T or F? A commercial roof will typically have no more than 2 layers.

false, usually 5

master electrician and their responsibilities

final level of expertise; only can become after working several years as journeyman responsible for all journeyman and apprentices working under them and in some places are the only people who can obtain permits to do electrical jobs

______ and ______ deal with the most visible design elements of structure

finish carpentry and trim carpentry

How many plies does a commercial roof typically have?

five

The __________ is the structural skeleton of the house, forming the outlines of the wall, floors, and roof.

frame

journeyman and their responsibilities

fully qualified and can work independently responsible for all tasks done on electrical jobs and potentially higher-levels tasks, such as ordering materials for a job and training apprentices

Home inspection vs Appraisal

home inspection is a visual examination of a home's condition; not the same as an appraisal, which determines market value of a property

Skills needed to be a carpenter

how to operate hand/power tools understanding different types of building materials current trends in building/remodeling basic math and measurements geometry work efficiently

Electricians qualificaitons

in-depth training to master all aspects of the electrical field, and must always follow all applicable laws, regulations, and building codes that relate to their trade

Define finish carpentry

includes the installation of windows, doors, cabinets, stairs, and molding on inside of house

First responsibility for carpenters

to build a frame

Depending on the project, building inspectors have the authority:

to halt in order to have violations fixed; can also fine contractors for not following rules

What does the phrase "rough in" mean?

to install

____________ carpentry involves the closing in of the roof ends and overhand on the outside of the house.

trim

T or F? Commercial construction companies build public buildings such as retail stores, offices, and restaurants.

true

Qualifications needed by Roofers:

understanding of basic construction techniques and building styles, as well as heating and cooling

Most common way roof frames are formed with modern construction

using roof trusses

Building inspectors need any certification?

usually certified by International Code Council (ICC) and may hold certifications in multiple areas such as: residential building, commercial building, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical inspection

Who hires building inspectors?

usually employed by county, city, or township authority

Where will panelboard be located?

where electricity enters the house; usually in basement or garage

Third step of New Installation (electrical work)

wires are connected to outlets, switches, and electrical equipment; also specified in construction plan; all work must follow rules of NEC

Second step of New Installation (electrical work)

wiring all circuits in house; each begin at breaker box and ends at location specified on construction plan

Define concrete forms

wood components that are nailed together to provide molds for poured concrete

_______ are wooden components nailed together to provide molds for poured concrete.

Concrete forms

Commercial Carpentry construction vs Residential Carpentry construction

-commercial typically larger and require more people than residential -might have to work with framing members and other components made from metal, plastic, and concrete, as well as wood

Describe the drywall installation process:

-measuring drywall to fit around any doors, windows, electrical fixtures, HVAC/R outlets, and plumbing fixtures in the room; must be level and straight, and done with as few seams and joints as possible -after drywall is hung, apply paper tape and joint compound over each drywall joint and fill all nail and screw depressions with compound (compound is sheetrock metal) -as this is being done, wet joint compound is being smoothed by hand trowels -when taping is finished, coat of compound dries and is then sanded -application of joint compound is repeated as necessary until walls and ceiling are perfectly smooth

Describe the roof finishing process

1) first apply layer of roofing felt over entire roof surface 2) cover roof with shingles by installing them in an overlapping pattern to form a barrier against rain and wind; starting from bottom corner of room, nail overlapping rows of shingles 3) carefully measure felt and shingles to fit perfectly around possible pipes or chimneys 4) after felt and shingles are installed, roofer covers them with metal flashing strips to make any openings waterproof

Explain layers of plies:

1) first layer that's installed over sheathing is a layer of insulation 2) spread layer of bitumen on top of insulation 3) overlapping layer of roofing felt 4) additional layer of bitumen -layers are repeated until desired # of layers is reached 5) final layer is compromised of light-colored gravel that's embedded in the bitumen to create a rough surface

Responsibilities of a home inspector

need to be knowledgeable about every part of a building and how those parts form a whole; look at constructional elements such as: roof, foundation, walls, windows, doors, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems may test appliances, fixtures (bathtubs/showers), and electrical devices acts as neutral party who reports on all parts of a home and simply states the conditions they find; even if they know what the problem is they can't make suggestions or guesses about what's causing issue or offer recommendations in order to avoid potential liability (homeowners responsibility to contact qualified repairers to fix what was found by inspector)

What are rubber shingles?

newer type of roofing material made from recycled tires, sawdust, and slate dust

Apprentice

not expected to have experience and will be taught about trade, how electricity works, and how to use the tools of the trade

Do carpenters require a license or certification to work?

not required

Do drywall installers require any certification?

not required

How do specialist in larger companies work?

often work as part of a team to create new houses/buildings

What goes into an inspection report?

only reports on things that are visible (EX: peeling paint, water leaks, holes in roof, cracks in foundation) otherwise they'll document it's in "good condition" or "working order" IF findings are negative, they can be used to negotiate a price

What goes onto drywall?

paint or wallpaper is applied directly to drywall

Define shingles

pieces of weatherproof and fireproof materials, such as asphalt, slate, or fiberglass

Define blueprints

plans that contain several different sheets that show all information needed to construct project -show entire layout of building, including views of exterior front and sides, interior floor plans, close ups of certain rooms and important building features, and dimensions of all rooms -also includes list of materials needed and information needed to install

Other names for drywall

plasterboard or wall board

define a building inspector

professionals who assess residential and commercial building work to ensure it's being performed "to code"; typically inspect at various stages of completion to check progress of work

define electricians

professionals who install, repair, and maintain all types of electrical wiring systems and equipments

Define comfort control

refers to maintenance of temperature, humidity, air purity, and air volume inside a building

_____________ construction focuses on private buildings such as homes, garages, and sheds.

residential

residential vs commercial electrical work

residential: installation is more common and more electricians work on residential projects perform same basic tasks but with different materials, tools, and methods commercial: projects are done on a much larger scale and require installation of different types of wires and equipment (EX: may need to know how to install an industrialized fan, R.E. wouldn't)

drywall installers/applicators reponsibilities:

responsible for cutting the drywall and attaching it to the walls and ceilings

What is one of the most important jobs of all building trades?

roofers

What is the most demanding building trades and why?

roofers; because it's done in all weather conditions, and requires climbing, bending, kneeling, and heavy lifting

On the exterior of a house frame, _________ provides a surface to which siding and other components can be attached.

sheathing

Define sheathing

sheets of wood that enclose the house, strengthen structure, and provide a surface to which siding and other components can be attached

Residential roofs are usually finished with a layer of ____________, which consist of pieces of weatherproof and fireproof materials such as asphalt, slate, or fiberglass.

shingles

Expectations for specialists

should be more skilled and knowledgable of specific trade than general contractor expected to be at top of field, excellent building skills, strong knowledge of building materials and current trends certification not necessary for all, but will help increase knowledge and reputation

Qualifications needed for remodelers

some geographical areas require special licenses; many need building permits from local authorities before work begins need to be flexible and creative to work around existing buildings; need strong personal communication and customer service skills

one remodeler vs multiple

some projects require one who can do all the work while others can require multiple who specialize in specific areas of construction

define a home inspector

specialist who's hired to assess the condition of a home and write a report on their findings

define specialists

specialize in one specific building area

Define frame

structural skeleton of the house, forming outlines of walls, floors, and roof

When building a new house, when does the electrician come in?

the electricians rough in their work after plumbing is installed because it's easier to install wires around the pipes and you'll need to make connection to the HVAC/R equipment

What's the most common reason for a home inspection?

the home is being sold

What is one of the final steps in house building?

the installation of drywall after plumbing, electrical, and HVAC/R systems have been installed, inspected, and approved