Building Construction Reference Guide

Question 1

8 D nails are commonly how long

Answer 1

2 1/2’’

Question 2

16 D nails are commonly how long

Answer 2

3 1/2’’

Question 3

These are fixed horizontally and perpendicular to the direction of the roof slope. In conventional roof frame they support the underside of rafters

Answer 3

Underpurlins

Question 4

Supplement the ceiling joists and prevent the rafter couples spreading

Answer 4

Collar ties

Question 5

These are needed in the roof frame to transfer the loads from the underpurlins and other beams to the load bearing walls in conventional roof framing

Answer 5

Struts

Question 6

LVL

Answer 6

Laminated Veneer Lumber

Question 7

PSL

Answer 7

Parallel Strand Lumber

Question 8

What is the maximum space between boards in skip sheathing construction

Answer 8

3 1/2’’

Question 9

Commercial full straight sheathed roofs is common before what year?

Answer 9

Pre 1933

Question 10

Commercial full diagonal sheathed roofs is common after what year

Answer 10

Post 1933

Question 11

Plywood can have added support known as “H” clips when the ply is less than how many inches thick?

Answer 11

1/2’’

Question 12

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer/rubber membrane is used on flat roofs or roofs with less than what pitch?

Answer 12

3:12

Question 13

Rolled comp is only used on low pitch roofs with less than what pitch?

Answer 13

2:12

Question 14

A flat roof sometimes will have a slight pitch for water drainage. That pitch will be less than

Answer 14

3:12

Question 15

What changed the building codes in 1933 for masonry buildings

Answer 15

Earthquake in Long Beach

Question 16

After 1959 masonry parapets could not be higher than how tall

Answer 16

16’’

Question 17

Walls in URM buildings are a minimum of how thick

Answer 17

13’’

Question 18

Deeply recessed window frames on URM buildings exposed about how many inches of brick return on the exterior of the building

Answer 18

8’’

Question 19

Lightweight construction began taking shape as early as what year

Answer 19

1960’s

Question 20

What year did lightweight construction become the primary model of construction for residential housing

Answer 20

1980

Question 21

Gang nail plates is subject to warp at what temperature

Answer 21

1200 degrees

Question 22

2 common structural supports for flat roofs

Answer 22

Beams and Rafters

Question 23

What cut may be your best option in residential conventional flat roofs?

Answer 23

7 9 8
(treat it like a commercial)

Question 24

Large area that is created by a steep pitched roof for drainage or appearance

Answer 24

Attic

Question 25

Small space that is created when the roof is raised above the level of the ceiling joists and rafters to provide a pitch for drainage

Answer 25

Cockloft

Question 26

Allows air to flow into the attic or space below the roof sheathing. Located under the eaves. They are often covered with screens and be up to 22'' in length

Answer 26

Soffit Vents

Question 27

How far can an open web truss span be?

Answer 27

70'

Question 28

When bar joists are used as beams how far can they be spaced

Answer 28

45'

Question 29

A G.N.P/Metal Gusset Truss can span up to how many feet

Answer 29

80'

Question 30

In LWP roofs beams are commonly spaced between

Answer 30

12' and 40' apart

Question 31

In LWP roofs purlins are spaced

Answer 31

8' OC

Question 32

Corrugated metal roofs uses steel with what gauge of thickness

Answer 32

18-26

Question 33

Roof collapse on Lamella roofs can occur if fire damages what percent of the structure

Answer 33

20%

Question 34

Difference between a high rise and skyscraper?

Answer 34

Under 50 stories high rise Greater 50 stories skyscraper

Question 35

A 100' properly placed aerial can typically reach what floor on residential building

Answer 35

7th or 8th floor (9-10' per story)

Question 36

A 100' properly placed aerial can typically reach what floor on a commercial building

Answer 36

5th or 6th floor (12-15' per story)

Question 37

The International Building Code mandates Fire Service Access Elevators (FSAE) for all new structures taller than how many feet

Answer 37

120'

Question 38

A feature on FSAE (Fire Service Access Elevators) that disables elevators when the electronics get wet

Answer 38

Shunt Trip

Question 39

Curves the hot products back against the building, causing the fire to heat the exposed surfaces above the venting fire

Answer 39

Coanda Effect

Question 40

A pressure differential between the interior of the building and the outside environment

Answer 40

Stack Effect

Question 41

Wind-driven fire or "blowtorch" conditions can exist with as little as how much wind

Answer 41

10 MPH wind