Virginia Tile, Marble, Ceramic and Terrazzo Qualified Individual Examination

Under 18VAC50-22-30, what does Virginia Tile, Marble, Ceramic, and Terrazzo contracting (TMC) mean?

• AOnly the setting of ceramic floor tile inside dwellings, excluding walls, terrazzo, and c…
• BThe preparation, fabrication, construction, and installation of artificial marble, burned…
• CThe installation of brick, concrete block, and structural clay tile partitions, with or w…
• DAny interior finish work, including drywall, paint, and ceramic tile, when performed in a…

Which product does 18VAC50-22-30 expressly exclude from the TMC specialty?

• AQuarry tile
• BEncaustic tile
• CHollow or structural partition tile
• DCementitious board

Besides a firm holding the TMC specialty, which Virginia classifications and specialties also provide the TMC function under 18VAC50-22-30?

• AELE, PLB, HVA, and GFC
• BCBC and RBC classifications and HIC and CIC specialties
• CBRK, STL, and H/H only
• DFIN and PTC only

A Virginia finish-carpentry (FIN) contractor wants to set a marble vanity top and ceramic wall tile. What does 18VAC50-22-30 say about that work?

• AFinish carpentry includes cabinets and millwork and also includes ceramic tile, marble, a…
• BFinish carpentry does not include the installation of ceramic tile, marble, and artificia…
• CFinish carpentry may set ceramic tile but not marble
• DFinish carpentry may set marble but not ceramic tile

How does the Virginia flooring and floor covering (FLR) specialty overlap TMC without replacing it?

• AFLR includes ceramic, marble, stone, and other floor tile, but TMC also covers walls, ter…
• BFLR is the only specialty that may install any tile, including wall tile and terrazzo
• CFLR and TMC are identical, so either abbreviation may be used for the same license
• DFLR covers only carpet and vinyl and never ceramic or marble

A TMC qualified individual is asked to hang cementitious backer board as the tile substrate on shower walls. Is that work inside the TMC specialty?

• ANo. Cementitious board may be installed only under the DRY specialty
• BNo. Cementitious board is structural sheathing and requires the CBC classification
• CYes. 18VAC50-22-30 lists cementitious board among the TMC products
• DYes, but only when the board is used as a finished wall without tile

Which set of products is named in the 18VAC50-22-30 TMC definition?

• AHollow clay tile, gypsum wallboard, and vinyl composition tile only
• BArtificial marble, burned clay tile, ceramic, terrazzo, encaustic, faience, quarry, semi-…
• CBrick, concrete block, slate masonry, and reinforcing steel
• DWood flooring, carpet tack strip, and linoleum only

A project includes a loadbearing marble ashlar garden wall and a thin marble tile floor in the foyer. How should a Virginia contractor sort that work?

• ABoth the ashlar wall and the thin marble floor are TMC because marble appears in the TMC…
• BThe ashlar masonry wall is masonry (BRK) work; the thin marble floor tile is TMC finish w…
• CBoth items are CBC-only work and cannot be performed under TMC or BRK
• DThe ashlar wall is TMC and the floor tile is finish carpentry

A commercial interior package includes a hollow clay-tile partition wall and glazed ceramic wainscot on that wall. What may a TMC-only firm do?

• ABuild the hollow clay-tile partition and then set the ceramic wainscot
• BSet the ceramic wainscot only after another properly licensed contractor builds the parti…
• CBuild the partition if the clay tile is later covered with ceramic, because the finish co…
• DRefuse the ceramic wainscot because TMC does not include wall tile

The TMC definition covers preparation, fabrication, construction, and installation. Which task is therefore inside TMC?

• AShop-cutting and fabricating artificial-marble lavatory tops that the same firm will inst…
• BInstalling a new electrical branch circuit for a heated tile floor
• CBuilding a loadbearing CMU party wall that will later receive tile
• DConnecting the shower mixing valve to the potable-water supply

Under ANSI A137.1, which water-absorption result qualifies a ceramic tile as porcelain?

• AGreater than 7.0 percent (non-vitreous)
• BGreater than 3.0 percent and not more than 7.0 percent (semi-vitreous)
• C0.5 percent or less (impervious)
• DGreater than 0.5 percent and not more than 3.0 percent (vitreous)

What are the four ANSI A137.1 water-absorption classes for ceramic tile?

• ASoft, medium, hard, and extra-hard
• BImpervious, vitreous, semi-vitreous, and non-vitreous
• CResidential, light commercial, commercial, and industrial
• DGlazed, unglazed, mosaic, and quarry

Which standard is the American National Standard specification for ceramic tile as a manufactured product?

• AANSI A108.5
• BANSI A118.4
• CANSI A137.1
• DANSI A136.1

A glazed wall tile absorbs 5.5 percent water by the ASTM C373 test. Which ANSI A137.1 class is that tile?

• AImpervious
• BVitreous
• CSemi-vitreous
• DNon-vitreous

Which description best matches traditional quarry tile used on commercial kitchen floors?

• AA thin, highly glazed decorative wall tile with non-vitreous absorption
• BAn extruded, usually unglazed, relatively thick floor tile that is typically vitreous and…
• CA glass mosaic intended only for swimming-pool interiors
• DA gauged porcelain panel less than 6 mm thick

What distinguishes encaustic tile from ordinary glazed ceramic tile?

• AEncaustic tile has a pattern formed in the clay body rather than only printed or glazed o…
• BEncaustic tile is always porcelain with 0.5 percent absorption or less
• CEncaustic tile is a glass product tested only under ANSI A137.2
• DEncaustic tile is a hollow structural partition unit

In current ANSI/TCNA language, when is ceramic or porcelain tile treated as large-format for substrate-flatness rules?

• AOnly when both edges exceed 24 inches
• BWhen any edge is 15 inches or longer
• COnly when the tile is rectified
• DWhen the tile weighs more than 5 pounds, regardless of size

A slab will receive 18-by-18-inch porcelain. What substrate variation from the required plane is the commonly cited ANSI A108.02 limit for tile with an edge 15 inches or longer?

• A1/4 inch in 10 feet, with no short-span limit
• B1/2 inch in 10 feet if a medium-bed mortar is used
• C3/8 inch in 10 feet if the tile is rectified
• D1/8 inch in 10 feet and 1/16 inch in 2 feet, measured from the high points

A framed floor has a 12-foot clear joist span. Using the traditional TCNA live-load limit of L/360 for ceramic or porcelain tile, what is the maximum allowed deflection?

• A0.20 inch
• B0.40 inch
• C0.80 inch
• D1.20 inches

For ceramic tile with grout joints narrower than 1/4 inch, what is the commonly cited ANSI A108.02 allowable lippage?

• A1/8 inch, ignoring tile warpage
• B1/4 inch, because grout will hide the offset
• C1/32 inch plus the inherent warpage of the tile
• DNo lippage limit if a leveling clip system is used

Why does ANSI A108.02 discourage a 50 percent running-bond offset on tile with a side longer than 15 inches?

• AA 50 percent offset always violates the grout-width rules for mosaics
• BThe high point of one tile can land on the low point of the next, increasing lippage; a 3…
• CRunning bond is prohibited for all porcelain, regardless of size
• DA 50 percent offset prevents the use of modified mortar

For a level interior floor expected to be walked on when wet, what wet DCOF value is the commonly cited ANSI A137.1 / A326.3 threshold?

• A0.20
• B0.42
• C0.85
• D1.00

What is the difference between rectified tile and calibrated (non-rectified) tile?

• ARectified tile has had its edges mechanically finished for a more precise facial dimensio…
• BRectified tile is always unglazed; calibrated tile is always glazed
• CRectified tile may be set with no grout joint; calibrated tile requires epoxy grout
• DRectified tile is porcelain only; calibrated tile is quarry only

ANSI A108.5 requires what minimum mortar contact coverage after tiles are removed for inspection?

• A50 percent on all floors and 70 percent on walls
• B80 percent for dry interior work and 95 percent for exterior or shower installations, suf…
• C100 percent on dry walls and 60 percent on dry floors
• DCoverage is optional if a large-and-heavy-tile mortar is used

What is gauged porcelain tile (GPT) under ANSI A137.3?

• AAny porcelain floor tile thicker than 3/8 inch
• BA thin porcelain panel, typically in the 3.5 to 6.5 mm range, manufactured to a controlle…
• CQuarry tile that has been gauged by sanding the back
• DCeramic mosaic mounted on paper face sheets

A glazed ceramic floor tile is rated PEI 1. Where is that tile appropriate?

• AA shopping-mall corridor
• BA commercial kitchen
• CLight-traffic residential floors or walls, not heavy commercial floors
• DAn exterior plaza subject to freeze-thaw and steel-wheel traffic

Why must common household acids be kept off installed marble?

• AMarble is a calcium-carbonate stone and etches when acids attack the calcite
• BMarble is a silicate like granite and is immune to acids but stains only with oil
• CAcids harden marble and make it too slippery
• DAcids are required to open the pores before sealing, so any etch is temporary

A setter is installing white Carrara marble floor tile. Which mortar color is the industry-standard choice to reduce staining and picture framing?

• AGray portland-cement thin-set, because gray is stronger
• BWhite thin-set or white medium-bed mortar recommended for light stone
• COrganic mastic, because it cannot stain stone
• DUnsanded grout used as the setting bed

Certain green marbles and serpentines cup or warp when set with water-based thin-set. What is the accepted setting material?

• AANSI A118.1 dry-set portland cement mortar with extra water
• BANSI A136.1 organic adhesive
• CA 100 percent solids epoxy setting material meeting ANSI A118.3
• DGypsum joint compound as a bond coat

Compared with marble, why is granite generally more suitable for a kitchen island that will see citrus and wine?

• AGranite is a silicate igneous stone and is much more resistant to common food acids than…
• BGranite is softer than marble, so acid marks sand out more easily
• CGranite cannot stain, so it never needs an impregnating sealer
• DGranite is always non-absorbent and may be set with ordinary wall mastic

Travertine is best described as which kind of stone?

• AA metamorphic slate that splits on cleavage planes
• BA form of limestone or calcite stone that often contains voids that may be filled or left…
• CA man-made cement tile with marble chips, also called terrazzo
• DA porcelain tile printed to look like stone

What traditional live-load deflection limit does the TCNA Handbook use for framed floors that will receive natural stone tile?

• AL/180
• BL/240
• CL/360
• DL/720

A framed floor with a 15-foot clear span will receive marble tile. Using L/720, what is the maximum allowed live-load deflection?

• A0.15 inch
• B0.25 inch
• C0.50 inch
• D0.75 inch

For a marble floor in a public lobby, which finish is generally preferred for slip resistance?

• AA high polish, because polish sheds water faster
• BA honed or textured finish rather than a high polish
• CA flamed finish, which is standard on all marble
• DNo finish at all; stone must be installed as a raw cleft face

Before setting a natural-stone floor from several crates, what blending step should the setter take?

• AInstall each crate as a separate field so shade lots never mix
• BDry-lay and blend tiles from multiple crates so veining and shade are distributed
• CGrind every tile to a uniform color before setting
• DSeal only the darkest tiles and leave the light tiles unfinished

A Virginia exterior terrace will be tiled in a freeze-thaw climate. Which marble or stone choice is appropriate?

• AAny indoor polished marble, because all marble is frost-proof
• BA stone with documented low absorption and a freeze-thaw rating or history suitable for e…
• CNon-vitreous limestone set in organic mastic over plywood
• DGreen marble set in unmodified thin-set over an unslopeed slab

What mortar-coverage target is used for natural stone tile?

• A50 percent, because stone is thicker than ceramic
• B70 percent on walls and 60 percent on floors
• C95 percent contact, fully supporting edges and corners
• DCoverage is not inspected on stone

Light marble develops a dark border around each tile after installation. What is the most likely cause?

• APicture-frame staining from moisture and alkalis in gray cement mortar or from wetted sto…
• BToo much grout sealer on the joints
• CUsing white mortar instead of gray
• DSetting the marble with 100 percent solids epoxy

Which ASTM specification covers marble dimension stone?

• AASTM C615
• BASTM C503
• CASTM C629
• DASTM C241

A TMC contractor is asked to install 3/8-inch marble tile on interior floors and 2-inch marble ashlar as a loadbearing garden wall. Which statement is correct?

• ABoth are TMC because any marble product is TMC
• BThe 3/8-inch floor tile is TMC finish work; the 2-inch loadbearing ashlar wall is masonry…
• CThe garden wall is TMC and the floor is finish carpentry
• DNeither item can be done without an ELE license

What is terrazzo?

• AA resilient vinyl sheet printed with a chip pattern
• BA finish of marble, glass, or other chips in a cement or resin binder that is placed, gro…
• CA hollow clay partition tile
• DA type of organic wall mastic

Which organization publishes the primary U.S. terrazzo system details used on TMC work?

• ANTMA (National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association)
• BAWI (Architectural Woodwork Institute)
• CSMACNA (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association)
• DACI Committee 318 only

What is the usual placed thickness of epoxy (resinous) terrazzo?

• AA nominal 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch veneer
• B2-1/2 to 3 inches including an isolation sand bed
• C2 inches of topping with no binder
• D1-1/2 inches of latex-modified gypsum

Which layers, in order from the slab up, describe NTMA sand-cushion terrazzo?

• APrimer, 3/8-inch epoxy, and a topical sealer only
• BIsolation sheet, sand layer, reinforcing wire, cement underbed, and about a 1/2-inch ceme…
• CBonding agent and a 1/2-inch topping placed directly on the slab with no underbed
• DPlywood underlayment, organic mastic, and vinyl sheet

Why specify sand-cushion terrazzo instead of monolithic terrazzo on a slab that is expected to move?

• ASand cushion is thinner and cheaper than epoxy
• BThe isolation sheet and sand layer separate the terrazzo from slab cracks and minor movem…
• CSand cushion is the only system that can be used outdoors
• DSand cushion does not require divider strips

How do typical divider-strip spacings differ between cement terrazzo and epoxy terrazzo?

• ACement terrazzo is commonly divided about every 3 to 5 feet; epoxy terrazzo can span abou…
• BBoth systems require strips at 50 feet on center and nowhere else
• CEpoxy terrazzo must be divided every 12 inches; cement terrazzo needs no strips
• DDivider strips are decorative only and have no spacing rules

NTMA lists sand-cushion terrazzo at about 25 to 30 pounds per square foot. What is the dead load of a 40-by-25-foot lobby if the specifier uses 28 pounds per square foot?

• A2,800 pounds
• B10,000 pounds
• C28,000 pounds
• D70,000 pounds