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A comprehensive set of questions and answers covering various aspects of the bc owner builder exam. it's a valuable resource for individuals preparing for the exam, covering topics such as inspections, grading, shoring, waterproofing, and safety regulations. The q&a format facilitates effective learning and knowledge retention.
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BC Owner Builder Exam
Order of inspections✔✔ 1: forms, basement and crawlspace 2: Plumbing, dampproofing, foundation drainage , sanitary sewer, storm sewer, sump, water service 3: plumbing, electrical, mechanical, gas 4: framing inspection 5: insulation and vapour barrier 6: rainscreen/exterior finishs, drywall 7: building envelop inspection 8: final inspection
Which is not an acceptable method for determining the correct grading for a trench?✔✔An experienced excavator says it's ok
At what depth is shoring required?✔✔1.2m/4ft
Which best describes the principle of rain waterterm-0 deflection?✔✔Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
What lighting safety certifications are required in Canada?✔✔CSA safety certification
What grit of sandpaper would get the smoothest result?✔✔Higher grit with get a smoother finish
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs?✔✔The vertical height of any flight of stairs should not exceed 3.7m
What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or
landing?✔✔3ft
What heights are end dams to be on windows and door flashings?✔✔25mm/1 inch
End dam use✔✔Stop water from coming in
When should you call for inspectors to make them efficient as possible?✔✔Group inspectors together when possible and call when work is complete
When is an HRV required?✔✔Almost always
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process?✔✔Single detached home under a single title. Single dwelling attached to pre-existing building older than 10 years. Single dwelling attached to a new non-residential building.
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace?✔✔Safety Authority (call Technical Safe BC)
Can an owner builder take out their own electrical permit?✔✔Yes, up to 200A
What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation?✔✔Spray-on or roll on dry foundation with 2in. below grade
When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation?✔✔After damp-proofing
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane foundation?✔✔Use an approved primer before installing
What are gas meter installation requirements?✔✔The distance from the gas vent to the roof must be greater than the overhang of the roof, nothing can be with in 1m either side or 4.5m above a gas meter
When do you need to install a handrail or have fall protection?✔✔10ft, 4ft if no fall protection
How high does a construction fence around a site need to be?✔✔6ft
When installing a bi-fold door the door bings at the side jamb on the top. What can be done to fix this?✔✔Adjust the top pivot point
What should be done when joist and beams have contact with bare concrete
walls?✔✔Use pressure treated wood and leave 12mm air space
What is the minimum depth for a beam support?✔✔Not less than 89mm
When is a footing required?✔✔Under walls, pilasters, columns, piers, fireplaces and chimneys that bear on soil or rock
When is a footing inspection conducted?✔✔When the forms and steel reinforcing are complete, but prior to placing any concrete
What is the moisture permeability of 6mm poly?✔✔0.03 US perm or 1.7 ng
When can WorkSafe BC come to your construction site?✔✔Anytime
What is the maximum moisture percentage you can have in framing
lumber?✔✔19%
What is your liability for you subcontractor on your site?✔✔You must abide by the Workers Compensation Act and obtain a clearance letter from each contractor to ensure they are in good standing with WorkSafe BC
Where is diverting flashing used?✔✔At the end of an intersection between a roof and a wall to direct water away from the vertical wall
What is the best way to build a water tight wall?✔✔With the use of a rain screen
When can you sell an owner built home?✔✔After the first year of occupancy, or with special permission from the HPO
Can you transfer your owner built home to a family member in the first year?✔✔No
If you are building a room 12' by 9' and you draw a diagonal line between 2
corners how long would the line be?✔✔15'
How far above the chimney can the flue liner protrude?✔✔A minimum of 50mm
What is the correct chimney clearance?✔✔2' above the highest point within 10'
What are the ventilation fan requirements?✔✔One exhaust fan in every kitchen and every bathroom and an additional principle ventilation exhaust fan for the whole dwelling
What is the appropriate location for a water heater?✔✔A water heater should be located close to the greatest area of hot water usage and should not be placed where water lines could freeze
What is the regulation for insulation between the main home and garage?✔✔The house must have insulation and vapour barrier as though the garage were exterior space. Air barrier and insulation is required for any wall or ceiling that is between the garage and living space.
When should you call for electrical inspections?✔✔Before wiring is concealed or connected to a supply.
What must you do if you fail and electrical inspection?✔✔Fix the problem and call for re-inspection.
When do you need a chimney saddle?✔✔When the upper side width of the chimney is 750mm or more.
What must you do before starting to build?✔✔Notify WorkSafe BC at least 24 hours in advance
How high must a ladder protrude above a 4' trench?✔✔3'
Who is responsible to ensure that the electrical contractor is performing work
safely on the site?✔✔Owner builder
When NOT to install vapour barrier✔✔If insulation wet
How to measure wood moisture✔✔Moisture meter
Which of the following is not a characteristic of house wrap?✔✔Is vapour proof
Min gap for rain screen✔✔10mm
When strapping vertical siding?✔✔Put vertical straps on wall with horizontal on second
What is best practice eaves trough hanger spacing?✔✔3 feet/36 inches
Why is the dam used on window flashing?✔✔To hinder water flow behind siding etc.
What to do if window top is 16" down from a 24" overhang?✔✔Install header flashing
Worst underlayment for bathroom tile floor?✔✔1/4" particle board
Best type of flashing to use?✔✔Will last the lifetime of the surrounding materials
Hood fans for ranges should be based on?✔✔The air exhaust volume, intake air volume needed, and clearance restrictions
Height of railings above 2' up?✔✔36" if interior or 42" if exterior;
=36" exterior up to 5'11'; above 6' it's >=42"
Stair rise max✔✔200mm
Sheathing should be✔✔Staggered
If subfloor joints are faulty✔✔Add blocking
Distance between external in and out vents? (HRV)✔✔6'
Window CSA coding does not designate?✔✔Type
Can owner builder pull a permit for plumbing?✔✔Yes; owner builders can pull a plumbing permit provided they do not possess a tradesman qualification certification as a plumber.
Exterior wraps are WRB✔✔Water resistant barrier, They are water resistant to bulk water (rain) but will allow moisture to diffuse through (so water in the wall can escape to the exterior
Vapour barriers✔✔Vapour barriers, which go on the warm side of the wall, should have a low permeability (1.7 SI perms). A typical VB is poly. *Note that a house wrap / WRB is not vapour proof.
Basically, mixing and matching physical qualities of barrier materials. Something
like this. Which state is note true?✔✔b. Barrier materials only provide one function each, air, moisture or vapour
Which product is used before applying latex paint to new drywall?✔✔Water based primer sealer
Some high efficiency windows have a gas injected between the panes. What is the
gas?✔✔Argon
What documents are required from WCB when hiring a sub- contractor?✔✔Clearance letters
How do you dry concrete if there is a sudden drop in temperature? Or to help
concrete cure✔✔Cover with tarp
What are the requirements for a hand rail?✔✔Must be continuous on one side and ended in a way that won't impede usage
What is the required headroom over stairs?✔✔6.4'
When using spray foam insulation as a vapour barrier✔✔It must be thick enough to meet vapour barrier requirements
1 in✔✔25.4 mm
1 ft✔✔0.3048 m
Why is clay tile roof not a good option for the west coast?✔✔Dangerous for earthquakes
When balcony membrane is used, what is the minimum slope percentage?✔✔2%
By properly spacing decking, some allowance for wood movement, drainage, and
drying is provided. What is the minimum spacing of deck boards?✔✔1/8'
Most efficient insulation for framed walls?✔✔Batt insulation
How many jobs can a sole sub-contractor do before they must be licensed builder
and provide home warranty insurance?✔✔2 jobs
What is the "live load" capacity on a floor?✔✔2.4 kPa
Balconies, decks, and other platforms must be designed to carry?✔✔1.9 kPa; Attic load is 0.35 kPa
What is required for an interior access attic door?✔✔Weather Stripping and Insulation
What must you remember when framing in a direct vent gas fireplace?✔✔Leave clearance between the unit and the framing
What must a principle of a farm corporation do to receive an HPO permit?✔✔Must file special resolution not to sell interest in land for one year
Which of the following best describes a chimney flue?✔✔A flue is a duct, pipe, or opening in a chimney for conveying exhaust gases from a fireplace, furnace, water heater, boiler, or generator to the outdoors
What is the best practice for framing a foundation?✔✔Square corners first and brace
How should you store propane cylinders on a job site?✔✔Upright and secured
What is the most appropriate bridging / blocking for a non-engineered
floor?✔✔Cross-bridging at 7' OC max
How do you properly install rigid insulation in a cavity wall?✔✔Directly against the concrete
When are sprinklers required in a SFD?✔✔Only required if local bylaws require them
Minimum horizontal overlap for building paper?✔✔100mm or 4"
How do you square up a wall when framing?✔✔Measure diagonals
Which two materials most affect the strength of concrete?✔✔Cement and water
Why shouldn't both concrete and wood be used together when framing?✔✔They expand and contract differently
What is true of metal roofing material?✔✔Lasts 40 years
How must roofing be installed around a mortar chimney✔✔Install roofing material and step flashing alternately
How many years on leased land to get accepted for owner builder
authorization?✔✔15 years
What slope of a roof can clay cladding go on?✔✔1:2, 50% slope
What is not a proper roofing material?✔✔Bitumen membrane
After building your second house how long do you have to wait to build your third house?✔✔First house 18 months, second house 3 years, everything after 5 years.
Reflective insulation is designed for which?✔✔Radiant heat
Which of the following is a critical step to ensure proper curing of
concrete?✔✔Place a layer of dry burlap on the freshly poured concrete and spray it with water
What's a pellet furnace✔✔Burns compressed wood or biomass for heat/ Requires an auger system from hopper.
What statement is false about pellet stoves✔✔Can operate without electrical or battery power
When do you do a foot inspection?✔✔After footings are framed and steel installed but before concrete
When is it the best to use sanded grout?✔✔Gaps larger than 1/4"
What is the best way to attached drywall with screws?✔✔Screws should be slightly imbedded in drywall without tearing paper
When is the best to back fill?✔✔Back-fill after inspections and after floor is installed to stabilize foundation
R value is the capacity of a material to resist what kind of flow?✔✔Heat
What happens if end-closures are not installed on a concrete tile roof?✔✔Snow and water can/will easily enter roof space and damage is likely to occur
Where is safety glass required by code✔✔sliding glass doors
Question about which regulation most relevant to the safety of gas equipment
installation?✔✔Safety Standards Act
Max HPA penalty✔✔$25 000
Which of the following statements about direct vent gas fireplaces is false?✔✔Gas fireplaces have an adjustable air damper
What type of drywall is needed as a fire barrier between a garage and the floor
above?✔✔5/8 drywall
Joining EPS sheets✔✔With compatible glue or approved tape
What are the minimum strengths (in Mpa) for concrete✔✔Footings, walls, foundations 15 Mpa
Interior Flatwork 20 Mpa
Garages, carports, exterior32 Mpa
What is the maximum allowable rise in millimeters for a stair in a dwelling
unit?✔✔200mm