Tennessee Residential (BC-A) Contractor Examination

A Tennessee BC-A crew is placing a 26 ft by 40 ft garage slab 4 inches thick. How many cubic yards of concrete are required, to the nearest 0.1 cubic yard, with no waste allowance?

• A9.6 cubic yards
• B10.4 cubic yards
• C12.8 cubic yards
• D14.4 cubic yards

How many board feet are in 24 pieces of 2×6 lumber, each 16 feet long?

• A192 board feet
• B256 board feet
• C320 board feet
• D384 board feet

A gable end is 32 feet wide with an 8-foot rise from plate to ridge. What is the area of that one triangular gable face?

• A128 square feet
• B192 square feet
• C256 square feet
• D512 square feet

A 44 ft by 30 ft slab-on-grade house has a continuous perimeter footing 18 inches wide and 8 inches thick. How many cubic yards of concrete are in the footing, to the nearest 0.1 cubic yard, ignoring corners double-counted at intersections?

• A3.7 cubic yards
• B4.4 cubic yards
• C5.5 cubic yards
• D7.3 cubic yards

A rectangular room is 16 ft by 14 ft with 8-foot walls. Deduct one 3 ft by 6 ft 8 in door. What is the net wall area to be drywalled?

• A428 square feet
• B459 square feet
• C480 square feet
• D501 square feet

A pour requires 16 cubic yards of ready-mix at USD 158 per cubic yard plus a USD 390 pump fee. What is the concrete material-and-pump cost?

• AUSD 2,138
• BUSD 2,528
• CUSD 2,918
• DUSD 3,308

A floor plan is drawn at 1/4 inch = 1 foot 0 inches. A wall measures 5-1/4 inches on the print. What is the actual wall length?

• A15 feet 9 inches
• B19 feet 0 inches
• C21 feet 0 inches
• D26 feet 3 inches

A rectangular house is 28 feet by 46 feet with a simple gable roof at 6:12 pitch. Using the 6:12 slope factor of 1.118, what is the sloped roof area to the nearest square foot?

• A1,288 square feet
• B1,440 square feet
• C1,576 square feet
• D1,728 square feet

Estimate 8×8×16 nominal concrete masonry units for a 50-foot-long by 8-foot-high wall, then add 5 percent waste. How many blocks should be ordered?

• A400 blocks
• B450 blocks
• C473 blocks
• D512 blocks

A utility trench is 140 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet 6 inches deep in clay that swells 25 percent when excavated. How many loose cubic yards must be hauled, to the nearest 0.1 cubic yard?

• A43.6 cubic yards
• B54.4 cubic yards
• C61.2 cubic yards
• D68.1 cubic yards

A 1,840-square-foot house is estimated at USD 8.75 per square foot for the floor system, USD 13.40 per square foot of floor for walls, and USD 10.60 per square foot of floor for the roof. What is the combined structural-package cost?

• AUSD 32,200
• BUSD 46,920
• CUSD 60,260
• DUSD 73,600

On a set of residential drawings, a circle sitting on a rectangle that contains a number typically indicates which callout?

• AA room-finish schedule key
• BA numbered section or detail reference
• CA window type from the window schedule
• DA plumbing fixture unit load

A floor requires 1,920 square feet of 4 ft by 8 ft plywood. How many sheets should be ordered if the estimator adds 15 percent waste?

• A60 sheets
• B66 sheets
• C69 sheets
• D75 sheets

Under the 2018 IRC, which buildings fall within the scope of the International Residential Code?

• AOne- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane
• BAny residential building of any height if it contains only dwelling units
• CHotels and motels of any size
• DApartment buildings with more than two dwelling units and more than three stories

Per 2018 IRC R314.3, where must smoke alarms be installed in a new dwelling?

• AOnly in hallways and the garage
• BIn each sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on each story including b…
• COnly inside each sleeping room
• DOnly on the story that contains the kitchen

What are the 2018 IRC R310 minimum net-clear dimensions for a typical emergency escape and rescue opening that is not a grade-floor opening?

• A4.0 square feet of net clear area, 20-inch minimum height, 20-inch minimum width, 48-inch…
• B5.0 square feet of net clear area, 22-inch minimum height, 22-inch minimum width, 36-inch…
• C5.7 square feet of net clear area, 24-inch minimum height, 20-inch minimum width, 44-inch…
• D9.0 square feet of net clear area, 30-inch minimum height, 30-inch minimum width, 30-inch…

Per 2018 IRC Table R301.5, what are the minimum uniformly distributed live loads for sleeping rooms, rooms other than sleeping rooms, and passenger-vehicle garages?

• A20 psf, 30 psf, and 40 psf
• B30 psf, 40 psf, and 50 psf
• C40 psf, 40 psf, and 40 psf
• D50 psf, 60 psf, and 100 psf

What does 2018 IRC R311.2 require for the required egress door of a dwelling unit?

• AA sliding patio door with a 28-inch clear opening
• BA side-hinged door with not less than 32 inches of clear width and 78 inches of clear hei…
• CAny exterior door at least 2 feet 6 inches wide
• DTwo hinged doors that together provide 32 inches of clear width

Per 2018 IRC Table R302.6, what is the minimum dwelling-garage separation from the residence and attics?

• ANo gypsum is required if a steel door is used
• B3/8-inch gypsum on the dwelling side
• CNot less than 1/2-inch gypsum board or equivalent applied to the garage side
• DTwo-hour fire-resistance-rated construction

Under 2018 IRC R315, when are carbon monoxide alarms required in a new dwelling, and where is the primary location?

• AAlways, and only inside each garage
• BOnly if the house has a wood fireplace, installed in the attic
• CWhere the dwelling has a fuel-fired appliance or an attached garage; outside each separat…
• DOnly on the lowest floor, next to the electrical panel

When does 2018 IRC R312 require a guard, and what is the minimum height at a porch or deck walking surface?

• AAny change in level; 30 inches high
• BMore than 24 inches above grade; 42 inches high
• CMore than 30 inches above the floor or grade below, measured within 36 inches horizontall…
• DOnly at stairs; 34 inches high

What finished-grade fall does 2018 IRC R401.3 require away from foundation walls where lot lines do not prevent it?

• A2 inches within the first 20 feet
• B4 inches within the first 4 feet
• CNot fewer than 6 inches within the first 10 feet
• D12 inches within the first 5 feet

When does 2018 IRC R405.1 require foundation drains around concrete or masonry foundations that retain earth and enclose interior spaces below grade?

• ANever, if a sump is installed anywhere on the lot
• BAlways, including on well-drained Group I sands and gravels
• CExcept where the foundation is installed on well-drained ground or sand-gravel mixture so…
• DOnly in Seismic Design Category D

Per 2018 IRC R404.1.7, when may backfill be placed against a foundation wall?

• AImmediately after the wall forms are stripped, regardless of bracing
• BAfter the wall has sufficient strength and has been anchored to the floor above, or has b…
• COnly after the roof shingles are complete
• DOnly during freezing weather so the soil stands vertically

A pad 80 feet by 60 feet is cut an average of 2 feet. The soil shrinks 10 percent when compacted as fill. How many compacted cubic yards of fill can this cut produce, to the nearest cubic yard?

• A284 cubic yards
• B320 cubic yards
• C356 cubic yards
• D391 cubic yards

Where must residential footings bear, and what soil condition is prohibited by 2018 IRC R403.1.4.1?

• AOn frozen soil in winter so the footing locks to frost
• BOn undisturbed soil, engineered fill, or solid rock; footings shall not bear on frozen so…
• COn uncompacted organic topsoil if it is dry
• DOn standing water if the mix is increased one sack of cement

What is the 2018 IRC R403.1.4 minimum depth of exterior footings below the undisturbed ground surface, aside from additional frost protection?

• A6 inches
• B8 inches
• C12 inches
• D24 inches

What are the 2018 IRC R403.1.1 minimum width and thickness for a spread footing, regardless of the size tables?

• A8 inches wide and 4 inches thick
• B10 inches wide and 8 inches thick
• C12 inches wide and 6 inches thick
• D16 inches wide and 12 inches thick

Which methods does 2018 IRC R403.1.4.1 accept for frost protection of permanent supports?

• AExtending below the frost line, constructing a frost-protected shallow foundation per R40…
• BPlacing the footing on 2 inches of rigid foam only, in any climate
• CUsing a 4-inch slab with no thickened edge in Climate Zone 4
• DBackfilling with straw for the first winter

Per 2018 IRC R317.1, which crawl-space framing must be naturally durable or preservative-treated?

• AOnly ridge boards more than 8 feet above the floor
• BWood joists or the bottom of a wood structural floor closer than 18 inches to exposed gro…
• CAll interior nonbearing studs
• DCeiling joists in a conditioned second story

When must a concrete or masonry foundation wall that retains earth and encloses habitable interior space below grade be waterproofed instead of only dampproofed under 2018 IRC R406?

• AWhenever the wall is more than 4 feet tall
• BIn Seismic Design Category C only
• CWhere a hydrostatic pressure condition exists
• DOnly if the basement will contain a bathroom

What under-floor access opening does 2018 IRC R408.4 require?

• A12 inches by 12 inches through the floor only
• BThrough the floor not less than 18 inches by 24 inches, or through a perimeter wall not l…
• C22 inches by 30 inches in all cases
• DNo access is required if the crawl space is vented

How many cubic yards of concrete are required for a 16 ft by 24 ft slab 4 inches thick, to the nearest 0.1 cubic yard, with no waste?

• A3.6 cubic yards
• B4.7 cubic yards
• C5.3 cubic yards
• D6.4 cubic yards

Per 2018 IRC Table R402.2, what is the minimum specified compressive strength for basement slabs and interior slabs on grade, except garage floor slabs, in any weathering potential?

• A1,500 psi
• B2,000 psi
• C2,500 psi
• D4,000 psi

What is the 2018 IRC minimum concrete cover for steel reinforcement cast against the earth?

• A3/4 inch
• B1-1/2 inches
• C2 inches
• D3 inches

Per 2018 IRC Table R402.2, garage floor slabs in moderate weathering potential require which concrete?

• A2,000 psi, not air-entrained
• B2,500 psi, not air-entrained
• C3,000 psi, air-entrained
• D5,000 psi with silica fume only

What is the 2018 IRC R506.1 minimum thickness of a concrete slab-on-ground floor?

• A2 inches
• B3-1/2 inches
• C5 inches
• D6 inches

What vapor retarder does 2018 IRC R506.2.3 require under a slab-on-ground in a heated building, with the listed exceptions?

• ANo retarder is ever required
• BA 6-mil polyethylene or approved vapor retarder with joints lapped not less than 6 inches
• CBuilding paper only at the perimeter
• DA Class III vapor retarder on top of the finished slab

A 60 ft by 32 ft house has a continuous 16-inch-wide by 12-inch-thick perimeter footing. Adding 8 percent waste, how many cubic yards of concrete should be ordered, to the nearest 0.1 cubic yard?

• A8.4 cubic yards
• B9.1 cubic yards
• C9.8 cubic yards
• D11.2 cubic yards

What is the nominal diameter of a No. 5 reinforcing bar?

• A3/8 inch
• B1/2 inch
• C5/8 inch
• D3/4 inch

How many cubic yards of concrete are in an 8-inch-thick foundation wall 9 feet high and 140 feet long, to the nearest 0.1 cubic yard?

• A23.3 cubic yards
• B28.0 cubic yards
• C31.1 cubic yards
• D37.3 cubic yards

Which statement about placing residential foundation concrete is consistent with the 2018 IRC?

• AFootings may bear on frozen soil if the pour is completed the same day
• BConcrete subject to moderate or severe weathering as indicated in Table R301.2(1) shall b…
• CAny amount of fly ash is allowed in garage slabs that will see deicing chemicals
• DSlump has no limit when stay-in-place forms are used

What are the nominal and typical actual face dimensions of a standard 8×8×16 concrete masonry unit?

• ANominal 8 × 8 × 16 inches; actual about 7-5/8 × 7-5/8 × 15-5/8 inches
• BNominal and actual both 8 × 8 × 16 inches
• CNominal 6 × 8 × 16 inches; actual 8 × 8 × 16 inches
• DNominal 8 × 8 × 18 inches; actual 7 × 7 × 17 inches

What does 2018 IRC R703.8.6 require for weepholes in masonry veneer?

• AWeepholes are optional if the wall is painted
• BMaximum spacing of 33 inches on center, not less than 3/16 inch in diameter, located imme…
• COne weephole at each building corner only
• DWeepholes 48 inches on center and 1/2 inch minimum diameter, located at mid-wall height