California CSLB C-28 Lock and Security Equipment Examination

What is the maximum down payment a C-28 contractor may lawfully receive before beginning work on a home security lock installation?

• A$2,000 or 15% of the total contract price, whichever amount is less
• B$2,500 or 20% of the total contract price, whichever amount is less
• C$5,000 or 25% of the total contract price, whichever amount is less
• D$1,000 or 10% of the total contract price, whichever is less

Under California Civil Code, within how many days after starting work must a locksmith contractor serve a Preliminary 20-Day Notice to preserve mechanic's lien rights on a commercial property?

• AWithin 10 days of starting work or delivering materials to the jobsite
• BWithin 20 days of starting work or delivering materials to the jobsite
• CWithin 30 days of starting work or delivering materials to the jobsite
• DWithin 45 days of starting work or delivering materials to the jobsite

When reviewing an architectural hardware schedule, a technician notes a door marked 'RHR'. How is this door hand determined according to standard hardware industry rules?

• AStanding inside the room, the door swings inward toward the technician with hinges on the…
• BStanding inside the room, the door swings inward toward the technician with hinges on the…
• CStanding outside the room, the door opens outward toward the technician with hinges on th…
• DStanding outside the room, the door opens outward toward the technician with hinges on th…

An estimator is calculating labor for modifying 15 hollow metal doors to accept heavy-duty Grade 1 mortise locksets. If prep and installation average 1.5 labor-hours per door at $95/hour, what is the total estimated labor cost?

• A$1,425.00 for labor cost
• B$1,710.00 for labor cost
• C$1,995.00 for labor cost
• D$2,137.50 for labor cost

A C-28 contractor performs a material takeoff for a 12-door access control installation requiring plenum-rated cable. The measured wire run total is 1,800 feet. Adding a standard 15% allowance for vertical drops, service loops, and waste, how many 1,000-foot cable boxes must be ordered?

• A3 boxes (2,070 ft required)
• B2 boxes (2,070 feet required)
• C4 boxes (2,070 feet required)
• D5 boxes (2,070 feet required)

Under California contract law, what is the mandatory procedure when a customer requests changes to lock hardware that alter the total contract price by more than $500?

• AThe contractor must obtain verbal authorization from the owner before performing the extr…
• BThe contractor may invoice the extra charges upon project completion without prior docume…
• CThe contractor must submit a new Preliminary 20-Day Notice to the city building departmen…
• DThe contractor must prepare a signed written change order before starting the added work.

When specifying lock hardware for a 3-hour fire-rated hollow metal door assembly, which standard dictates hardware listing and testing requirements?

• AANSI/BHMA A156.10 Standard for Power Operated Pedestrian Doors
• BNFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
• CNFPA 80 Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives
• DUL 1034 Standard for Burglary-Resistant Electric Locking Mechanisms

An access control bid includes installing surface magnetic locks and secondary pneumatic push buttons on 8 commercial doors. If labor per door averages 3.5 hours at $110/hr and materials cost $450 per door, what is the total job estimate before tax?

• A$5,240.00 total job cost
• B$6,120.00 total job cost
• C$6,380.00 total job cost
• D$6,680.00 total job cost

If a commercial property owner files a valid Notice of Completion with the county recorder, within how many days must a prime C-28 contractor record a mechanic's lien against the property?

• AWithin 60 days after the filing of the Notice of Completion
• BWithin 30 days after the filing of the Notice of Completion
• CWithin 90 days after the filing of the Notice of Completion
• DWithin 120 days after the filing of the Notice of Completion

A technician is estimating retrofitting 6 sagging store entrance doors with continuous geared aluminum hinges. If removing existing hinges, shimming, and mounting each continuous hinge takes 2 hours, what is the labor hour requirement for the project?

• A8.0 labor hours total
• B16.0 labor hours total
• C24.0 labor hours total required
• D12.0 labor hours total

A commercial bid has direct labor and material costs of $10,000. The contractor adds 15% overhead to the direct costs, then adds 10% profit on the resulting total job cost. What is the final bid price?

• A$12,500.00 bid price
• B$12,650.00 bid price
• C$12,987.00 bid price
• D$13,333.33 bid price

When planning door weatherization and threshold installations under California Title 24 Energy Code, what is the maximum allowable threshold height for accessible commercial entry doors?

• A3/4 inch for all exterior threshold assemblies in residential occupancies
• B5/8 inch for all exterior threshold assemblies
• C5/8 inch with no edge beveling requirement
• D1/2 inch with beveled edges not exceeding 1:2 slope

Under CSLB regulations, what condition requires a C-28 contractor to maintain an active Workers' Compensation Insurance policy on file with the Board?

• AOperating as a sole proprietor with zero employees
• BGrossing over $100,000 annually in commercial lock installations and service work
• CPerforming low-voltage access control cabling work exclusively
• DEmploying one or more workers, including part-time employees or apprentices

An estimator plans a card access system for a building with 10 interior doors. If each door requires an average wire run of 120 feet from the controller, what is the net total wire requirement before adding service loops?

• A1,000 feet of access composite cable
• B1,200 feet of access composite cable
• C1,440 feet of access composite cable
• D1,500 feet of access composite cable

When specifying mortise locks according to ANSI/BHMA A156.13 function numbers, which code corresponds to a Storeroom Lock (latch bolt operated by key outside, lever inside; outside lever fixed)?

• AANSI Function F04
• BANSI Function F05
• CANSI Function F07
• DANSI Function F13

Prior to installing electromagnetic locks on exit doors in a commercial building, what approval must a C-28 contractor secure in addition to the local building permit?

• AApproval from the California Contractors State License Board
• BApproval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• CApproval from the local Law Enforcement Crime Prevention Unit before any locking hardware…
• DApproval and inspection plan review from the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ / F…

A low-voltage power supply delivers 24.0 VDC at the power board. To guarantee that an electric strike receives at least 22.0 VDC operating voltage, what is the maximum allowable wire voltage drop in system planning?

• A2.0 VDC max voltage drop
• B1.0 VDC maximum voltage drop
• C3.0 VDC maximum voltage drop
• D4.0 VDC maximum voltage drop

When estimating safe installation labor, a 1,500 lb TL-30 burglar safe must be moved across a commercial tile floor and anchored to a concrete slab. What planning precaution is mandatory?

• ADrilling anchor holes before moving the safe into position
• BVerifying floor load ratings and using protective sheeting during transport
• CUsing wooden wedges to elevate the safe 2 inches off the concrete floor permanently
• DFilling safe bolt-down anchor holes with epoxy prior to moving the safe into the building

What is the threshold contract value above which performing locking contractor work without a valid C-28 license is a misdemeanor crime?

• A$250 total combined labor and materials
• B$350 total combined labor and materials
• C$500 total combined labor and materials
• D$1,000 total combined labor and materials

An estimator calculates pinning time for rekeying 40 commercial mortise cylinders to a new master key system. If repinning and key testing take 15 minutes per cylinder, how many total labor hours should be scheduled?

• A5.0 labor hours total
• B6.0 labor hours total
• C8.0 labor hours total
• D10.0 labor hours

During a job site survey, a technician finds that an existing wire run to an electric strike location is 300 feet of 22 AWG wire. Why should the estimator budget for replacing this cable with 18 AWG wire?

• A22 AWG wire is prohibited by NFPA 70 National Electrical Code for low-voltage application…
• B22 AWG wire lacks sufficient tensile strength for pull-through conduit installations.
• C22 AWG wire creates electromagnetic interference with card reader data lines.
• D22 AWG wire has higher resistance, causing excessive voltage drop over 300 feet.

Under NFPA 80 guidelines, what pre-installation condition must an estimator inspect regarding an existing hollow metal door frame before bidding a mortise lock installation?

• AFrame paint color match and sheen level
• BManufacturer serial numbers stamped inside the frame throat for warranty tracking
• CPresence of acoustical insulation inside the frame cavity
• DStructural alignment, squareness, and secure anchoring of the frame to wall studs

An access control panel draws 1.5 Amps continuously at 12 VDC. To supply 4 hours of emergency battery backup during a power outage, what minimum battery capacity is required before applying safety margins?

• A4.0 Amp-hours (Ah)
• B4.5 Amp-hours (Ah)
• C6.0 Amp-hours (Ah)
• D8.0 Amp-hours (Ah)

When planning access control connections to a building's Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP), what type of interface contact must be specified for dropping magnetic lock power upon fire alarm activation?

• ANormally Open (NO) dry contact that closes on alarm to apply power
• BSupervised 120VAC line-voltage switching contact
• CVariable resistance analog signaling contact
• DNormally Closed (NC) dry contact that opens on alarm

Per NFPA 80 standards for fire-rated hollow metal door assemblies, what is the maximum allowable clearance gap between the top/sides of the door leaf and the frame jamb?

• A1/8 inch (3.2 mm) maximum clearance gap
• B1/4 inch (6.4 mm) maximum clearance gap
• C3/8 inch (9.5 mm) maximum clearance gap
• D1/2 inch (12.7 mm) maximum clearance gap

According to ANSI/BHMA A156.3 standards for exit devices, how many operational cycles must a Grade 1 panic exit device successfully endure during testing?

• A250,000 operational cycles
• B500,000 operational cycles
• C750,000 operational cycles
• D1,000,000 operational cycles

Under the California Building Code, what is the maximum unlatching force permitted to release panic hardware on an egress door?

• A5 lbf (22 N) maximum unlatching force
• B10 lbf (44 N) maximum unlatching force
• C15 lbf (66 N) maximum unlatching force
• D20 lbf (89 N) maximum unlatching force

When sizing a door closer per ANSI/BHMA A156.4 for a 42-inch wide exterior commercial door exposed to high wind conditions, which closer spring power size is recommended?

• ACloser Spring Power Size 2
• BCloser Spring Power Size 3
• CCloser Spring Power Size 4
• DCloser Spring Power Size 5

What is the primary operational advantage of installing a continuous aluminum geared hinge over traditional butt hinges on a heavy storefront entrance door?

• AIt eliminates the need for door closers or overhead stop hardware.
• BIt permits the door to swing 360 degrees in both directions.
• CIt provides an automatic mechanical latching action without latch bolts.
• DIt distributes door weight uniformly along the frame, eliminating sag.

Under California Building Code Chapter 11B, what is the maximum height of a vertical floor level change at a door threshold before beveling is required?

• A1/8 inch (3.2 mm)
• B1/4 inch (6.4 mm)
• C3/8 inch (9.5 mm)
• D1/2 inch (12.7 mm)

According to the California Building Code, what is the maximum allowable egress delay time for an approved delayed egress locking system upon applying force to the exit device bar?

• A10 seconds standard delay time
• B30 seconds standard delay time
• C15 seconds standard delay time (extendable to 30 seconds only if approved by the AHJ)
• D60 seconds standard delay time for all egress hardware applications without AHJ review

A surface vertical rod (SVR) exit device on a pair of exterior doors fails to latch at the bottom floor strike. What is the most common mechanical adjustment required?

• AIncreasing the door closer main spring tension to force the bottom rod into full engageme…
• BFiling down the top latch latchbolt face
• CReplacing the touchbar return spring assembly
• DAdjusting the bottom vertical rod length using the threaded rod connector to lower the la…

Under NFPA 80, what type of closing device is mandatory on all fire-rated door assemblies?

• ALabeled self-closing or automatic-closing device
• BManual friction door hold-open stop
• CGravity arm selector without door closer
• DElectromagnetic floor-mounted hold-open without door closer

According to ANSI/BHMA A156.1, which hinge feature is required for heavy hollow metal doors subject to high-frequency usage in commercial buildings?

• APlain bearing steel construction
• BBall bearings or anti-friction bearings between hinge knuckles
• CRemovable non-rising pin without set screws allowing the door to be lifted off in either…
• DSpring-loaded self-closing internal barrel

Standing outside a building looking at an exterior egress door, the hinges are located on the left side, and the door opens outward toward you. What is the correct hand of this door assembly?

• ALeft Hand (LH)
• BRight Hand (RH)
• CLeft Hand Reverse (LHR)
• DRight Hand Reverse (RHR)

What is the primary function of an overlapping metal astragal installed on a pair of fire-rated exterior doors?

• ATo hold both door leaves open during non-business hours
• BTo protect the mortise cylinder from drilling attacks
• CTo cover the vertical gap between meeting stiles, preventing smoke, flame, and weather pe…
• DTo reduce the opening force required for wheelchair users by holding both leaves open dur…

Under ANSI/BHMA A156.19 for low-energy power operated doors, what is the maximum allowable manual opening force required to open the door if power fails?

• A15 lbf (66 N) maximum manual force
• B25 lbf (111 N) maximum manual force
• C30 lbf (133 N) maximum manual force
• D50 lbf (222 N) maximum manual force

Under CBC Title 24 accessibility requirements, what is the minimum clear opening width required for a standard single doorway measured between the face of the door leaf and the frame stop when open 90 degrees?

• A30 inches clear width
• B32 inches clear width
• C34 inches clear width
• D36 inches clear width

What device must be installed on a pair of fire doors equipped with an overlapping astragal to ensure the inactive leaf closes before the active leaf?

• AAutomatic flush bolts
• BDoor coordinator
• CSurface vertical rod exit device
• DElectromagnetic door holder

When routing wiring from a frame jamb to an electrified lock in a hollow metal door leaf, which wire transfer method provides the highest tamper resistance and conduit protection?

• AConcealed Electric Power Transfer (EPT) hinge device
• BSurface-mounted flexible armored door cord
• CExposed coiled spring wire loop
• DDirect wire splice inside the hinge knuckle without any strain relief or conduit protecti…

Per NFPA 80 standards, what is the minimum latchbolt throw length required for single-point mortise locksets installed on fire-rated door leaves?

• A1/2 inch (12.7 mm) minimum throw length
• B5/8 inch (15.9 mm) minimum throw length for rated leaves
• C3/4 inch (19.0 mm) minimum throw length
• D1 inch (25.4 mm) minimum throw length

What hydraulic valve adjustment on an overhead surface door closer regulates resistance during the final 10 degrees to 15 degrees of closing movement?

• ABackcheck valve adjustment
• BLatch speed valve adjustment
• CMain sweep speed valve adjustment
• DDelayed action valve adjustment

Under the California Building Code rules for sensor release of electrically locked egress doors, what three redundant release mechanisms are required for magnetic locks installed on egress doors?

• AMotion sensor, push button within 5 ft, and auto-unlock on power loss or fire alarm
• BKey switch on exterior, card reader on interior, and mechanical deadbolt
• CBreak-glass station, keyless keypad, and floor pressure pad
• DPneumatic door closer, battery backup unit, and remote security console override switch

Why must an electric strike installed on a fire-rated door assembly be configured as Fail-Secure (Fail-Locked) rather than Fail-Safe?

• AFail-Secure strikes draw less electrical current during normal operation.
• BNFPA 80 requires fire doors to remain mechanically latched upon loss of electrical power…
• CFail-Safe strikes violate FCC electromagnetic compatibility standards.
• DFail-Secure strikes enable continuous remote card reader unlock commands during fire alar…