South Carolina Non-Structural Renovation Contractor Examination

The South Carolina Nonstructural Renovation commercial-contractor classification covers interior and exterior finishes, partitions, windows, doors, millwork, and similar work. Which activity is outside that classification?

• AInstalling acoustical ceiling panels
• BAltering a load-bearing beam or column
• CHanging load-bearing or nonload-bearing drywall partitions
• DInstalling vinyl composition tile flooring

A floor plan is drawn at a scale of 1/4 inch = 1 foot 0 inches. A partition measures 3-1/2 inches long on the drawing. What is the actual partition length?

• A7 feet 0 inches
• B10 feet 6 inches
• C14 feet 0 inches
• D28 feet 0 inches

A rectangular room is 16 feet by 20 feet with a 9-foot ceiling. How many 4-foot by 8-foot gypsum boards are required for the walls only, single layer, after deducting two 3-foot by 7-foot doors and applying a 10 percent waste allowance? Round up to a whole sheet.

• A19 sheets
• B21 sheets
• C23 sheets
• D26 sheets

On a commercial renovation set, where does the estimator find the required door size, fire rating, hardware set, and glass type for each opening?

• AThe civil site plan only
• BThe door and finish schedules keyed to the floor-plan marks
• CThe structural foundation notes
• DThe plumbing riser diagram

A contractor must paint 2,800 square feet of wall with a product that covers 350 square feet per gallon per coat. Two coats are specified and a 10 percent waste allowance is required. How many gallons should be ordered, rounded up?

• A8 gallons
• B16 gallons
• C18 gallons
• D22 gallons

A partition is 48 feet long. Wood studs are specified at 16 inches on center, including a stud at each end. How many studs are required for the run, ignoring extra jack or king studs at openings?

• A36 studs
• B37 studs
• C48 studs
• D49 studs

A 24-foot by 36-foot ceiling will receive 4-foot by 12-foot gypsum panels hung perpendicular to joists. Using a 15 percent waste factor for a cut-up ceiling with lights and soffits, how many sheets should be ordered?

• A18 sheets
• B20 sheets
• C21 sheets
• D24 sheets

Under IBC 2021 Section 1010.1.1, what is the minimum clear opening width of a swinging means-of-egress door, measured with the door open 90 degrees?

• A28 inches
• B30 inches
• C32 inches
• D36 inches

Per IBC 2021 Section 2406.4.1, glazing in which of the following is a hazardous location that generally requires safety glazing?

• AA small decorative leaded-glass insert that will not pass a 3-inch sphere
• BFixed or operable panels of swinging, sliding, and bifold doors
• CA high transom whose bottom edge is 72 inches above the floor and is not in a door
• DCurved glazed panels of a revolving door

When framing a rough opening for a prehung 3-foot 0-inch by 6-foot 8-inch interior door, what is the typical rough-opening allowance used by carpenters?

• AExactly the slab size, with no extra width or height
• BAbout 2 inches wider and 2 to 2-1/2 inches taller than the door unit to allow shimming an…
• C6 inches wider and 6 inches taller than the door
• DThe same as the finished casing dimensions

When installing a flanged window in an exterior wall, how should the weather-resistive barrier (WRB) be integrated with the window?

• ALap the WRB over the head flange and under the sill pan or sill flashing so water drains…
• BSeal the WRB tightly over all four flanges so no water can ever reach the opening
• COmit flashing if the window has a nailing flange
• DPlace the WRB only on the interior face of the studs

A fixed sidelight is 18 inches from the vertical edge of a closed door, and the bottom of the glass is 42 inches above the walking surface. Under IBC 2021 Section 2406.4.2, is safety glazing required?

• ANo, because the glass is more than 36 inches from the floor
• BYes, because the glass is within a 24-inch arc of the door and its bottom edge is less th…
• CNo, because only glass actually in the door leaf needs to be safety glazing
• DYes, but only if the pane is larger than 9 square feet

When an emergency escape and rescue opening (EERO) is required, which set of IBC 2021 net-clear dimensions is correct for an opening that is not at grade?

• A3.0 square feet, 18 inches high, 18 inches wide, 48-inch maximum sill
• B5.7 square feet, 24 inches high, 20 inches wide, 44-inch maximum sill height
• C5.7 square feet, 20 inches high, 24 inches wide, 36-inch maximum sill
• D9.0 square feet, 30 inches high, 30 inches wide, no sill limit

A labeled 20-minute corridor door is being hung in a fire-resistance-rated corridor. Which installation practice is required?

• ARemove the closer if it interferes with the hold-open hook supplied by the owner
• BInstall the listed door, frame, and hardware as a complete assembly, including a self-clo…
• CTrim 1 inch off the bottom of the labeled door to clear new carpet
• DReplace the listed latch with a roller catch so the door stays open during business hours

What is the maximum vertical threshold height generally permitted at an accessible door on an accessible route?

• A1/4 inch vertical, or 1/2 inch if beveled at 1:2
• B3/4 inch square
• C1 inch with any bevel
• D1-1/2 inches if a saddle is used

Operable door hardware on an accessible door must be mounted so that the operable parts are in which height range above the finished floor?

• A28 to 32 inches
• B30 to 36 inches
• C34 to 48 inches
• D48 to 60 inches

Which sequence correctly installs flashing at a nail-flange window in a WRB-clad wall?

• AHead flashing, then jambs, then sill last so the sill can be replaced
• BSill pan or sill flashing first, then set the window, then jamb flashing, then head flash…
• CTape all four flanges to the sheathing, then apply the WRB over the entire window
• DInstall the window after siding so the siding acts as flashing

A large interior borrowed-lite is not next to a door. Under IBC 2021 Section 2406.4.3, safety glazing is required when all of which conditions are present?

• AThe pane is larger than 4 square feet and is above a tub only
• BExposed area greater than 9 square feet, bottom edge less than 18 inches above the floor,…
• CAny pane whose top edge is more than 12 inches above the floor
• DOnly panes in fire-rated walls

A 36-inch-wide door is installed in a frame with a 5/8-inch stop. With the door open 90 degrees, the face of the door to the stop measures 33-3/4 inches. Does this opening meet IBC 1010.1.1?

• ANo, because the nominal door is not 42 inches
• BYes, because the measured clear width is at least 32 inches
• CNo, because clear width must equal the nominal door width
• DYes, but only in Group I-2 occupancies

In a typical 1-hour fire-partition corridor that is permitted to use a 20-minute door, what else must the door assembly provide under IBC Section 716?

• AA labeled 20-minute door and frame with listed latching hardware and a closer, plus smoke…
• BAny solid-core wood door, even if unlabeled
• CA 3-hour fire door regardless of the wall rating
• DA door with glass that is not safety glazing

Which floor covering is outside the South Carolina Nonstructural Renovation classification as described in the PSI bulletin?

• ACeramic tile
• BHardwood strip flooring
• CCarpet and carpet cushion
• DVinyl composition tile

A 6-mil polyethylene sheet used on the interior side of a framed wall is which IBC vapor-retarder class?

• AClass I (0.1 perm or less)
• BClass II (greater than 0.1 perm and less than or equal to 1.0 perm)
• CClass III (greater than 1.0 perm and less than or equal to 10 perms)
• DNot a vapor retarder

Unless an IBC exception is met, the minimum net free ventilating area for a vented attic is which ratio of the area of the space ventilated?

• A1/50
• B1/150
• C1/300
• D1/600

When installing solid strip hardwood flooring, what is left at the walls to allow seasonal movement?

• ANo gap; the flooring is wedged tight to the drywall
• BAn expansion space, commonly about 3/4 inch, later covered by base or shoe molding
• CA 4-inch open trough with no trim
• DConstruction adhesive only, with the boards tight to the plaster

For a standard ASTM C636 suspended acoustical-ceiling grid, hanger wires supporting the main tees are typically spaced at not more than which interval?

• A24 inches on center
• B36 inches on center
• C48 inches on center
• D96 inches on center

Kraft paper facing on a fiberglass batt is typically which IBC vapor-retarder class?

• AClass I
• BClass II
• CClass III
• DIt has no perm rating

The IBC 1/300 attic-ventilation ratio may be used only when the code’s exception conditions are met. Those conditions address which two ideas?

• AUsing only gable vents and omitting soffit vents
• BA Class I or II vapor retarder where required by climate, and a specified portion of the…
• CSealing the attic airtight with spray foam on the roof deck
• DProviding ventilation equal to 1/50 of the floor area

Which substrate does IBC Chapter 25 permit as a backer for adhered ceramic tile in a tub or shower wall?

• AStandard paper-faced gypsum wallboard only
• BWater-resistant (green) gypsum backing board as the finished wet-area tile backer
• CCement board, fiber-cement, glass-mat gypsum, or another listed tile backer complying wit…
• DUnpainted plywood of any grade

An estimator must insulate 2,400 square feet of 2x4 wall cavity with R-13 batts that are packaged to cover 88 square feet per bag. How many bags are required if 5 percent waste is added and the count is rounded up?

• A27 bags
• B29 bags
• C32 bags
• D40 bags

Cement-board tile backer on a shower wall is typically fastened at not more than which spacing, unless the manufacturer is more restrictive?

• A24 inches on center in the field and 16 inches at edges
• B16 inches on center everywhere with drywall nails only
• C8 inches on center on walls (and commonly 6 inches on floors) with corrosion-resistant sc…
• DOne fastener at each corner of the panel

Hanger wire for a standard suspended acoustical ceiling is commonly which gauge, and how is it terminated at the main tee?

• A18-gauge wire, single wrap
• B12-gauge wire, wrapped tightly at least three turns within 3 inches of the connection
• C6-gauge rebar tied with baling wire
• D14-gauge electrical THHN

Before installing a resilient or wood floor over a concrete slab on grade, which moisture check is an accepted industry method?

• AVisual inspection only, if the slab looks dry
• BRelative-humidity probe testing (ASTM F2170) or a calcium-chloride test (ASTM F1869), com…
• CA household oven thermometer placed on the slab for five minutes
• DTapping the slab with a hammer to hear if it is wet

A vented attic has 1,800 square feet of attic floor area. Using the basic IBC 1/150 ratio and no exception, what net free ventilating area is required?

• A6 square feet
• B9 square feet
• C12 square feet
• D18 square feet

Interior recreational sport-surface flooring is being installed over a slab. Besides moisture testing, what else must the renovation contractor coordinate?

• AThat the surface system is installed to the manufacturer’s assembly (vapor retarder, pads…
• BThat carpet cushion is used under all sport floors
• CThat the slab is sloped 1 inch per foot toward the bleachers
• DThat the floor is nailed directly through a wet slab

Spray-applied fire-resistive material (SFRM) used as fireproofing on steel must be installed to which thickness and density?

• AAny thickness the sprayer finds convenient
• BThe thickness and density published in the tested/listed assembly (UL or equivalent) for…
• CA uniform 1/8 inch regardless of member size
• DThe same thickness as the drywall on adjacent walls

In conventional wood-frame walls, what is the most common on-center stud spacing for 2x4 and 2x6 framing?

• A8 inches
• B16 inches
• C30 inches
• D48 inches

A wood sole plate is set on a concrete slab. What material is required by IBC decay-protection rules?

• AUntreated spruce of any grade
• BPreservative-treated or naturally durable wood, with fasteners compatible with the treatm…
• CParticleboard sill sealer only
• DInterior pine stop molding

In a wood-frame door or window opening, what is the role of the jack (trimmer) stud?

• AIt is the decorative casing
• BIt supports the header and carries the header load down to the plate
• CIt is the horizontal member at the top of the wall
• DIt is the sole plate under the opening

Why are double top plates used on most wood-frame bearing walls?

• ATo hide wiring
• BTo provide a structural splice that laps plate joints and ties intersecting walls together
• CTo replace the need for a sole plate
• DTo serve as the finished crown molding

In combustible concealed stud spaces, IBC 718.2.2 requires fireblocking horizontally at intervals not exceeding which distance, as well as vertically at floor and ceiling levels?

• A4 feet
• B10 feet
• C20 feet
• D30 feet

In other than Group R occupancies, IBC 718.3 requires draftstopping in combustible floor/ceiling assemblies so that the horizontal floor areas do not exceed which size (unless sprinklered under the exception)?

• A100 square feet
• B500 square feet
• C1,000 square feet
• D5,000 square feet

For a bearing-wall stud, IBC 2308.5.9 limits a notch to not more than what portion of the stud depth?

• A10 percent
• B25 percent
• C50 percent
• D75 percent

In a bearing stud, a bored hole generally shall not exceed 40 percent of the stud depth. When may a hole up to 60 percent of the stud depth be used?

• AWhenever the electrician prefers a larger bit
• BWhen the bored stud is doubled and not more than two successive doubled studs are so bore…
• COnly in the top plate
• DNever; 40 percent is an absolute maximum in all cases

Under IBC 2021 Section 1011.5.2 (general commercial stairs), what are the maximum riser height and minimum rectangular tread depth?

• A7-3/4 inch riser and 10 inch tread
• B7 inch maximum riser and 11 inch minimum tread
• C8 inch riser and 9 inch tread
• D4 inch maximum riser and 14 inch tread

Wood structural panel wall sheathing is commonly nailed at which pattern unless the engineered drawings are more restrictive?

• A16 inches at edges and 24 inches in the field
• B6 inches on center at supported edges and 12 inches on center in the field
• COne nail at each corner of the panel
• D24 inches on center everywhere