1
Q
Regulatory signage communicates ______ or legally required information.
A
Safety information 🚧
2
Q
Wayfinding vs signage?
A
Signage = the signs 🪧
Wayfinding = the navigation system 🧭
3
Q
What are 3 categories of signage?
A
👁 Informational (maps, directories)
📍 Identification (room name/number)
➡ Directional (arrows, paths)
4
Q
Why does color coding help with wayfinding?
A
Fast recognition — brain processes color before text
5
Q
What are two primary elevator types?
A
Hydraulic + Traction
6
Q
Hydraulic elevators are best for ______ buildings.
A
Low-rise 🏢⬇
B/c a plunge is required to go into the earth and can operate max 50 ft
7
Q
Traction elevators are preferred for ______.
A
High-rise 🏙️⬆
8
Q
What is a dumbwaiter used for?
A
Transporting materials only 📦 (never passengers)
9
Q
What are the three standard escalator widths?
A
32”, 40”, and 48”
10
Q
What is the structural support of a stair called?
A
The stringer
11
Q
What formula represents a comfortable stair proportion?
A
2R + T = 24–25
12
Q
Why must riser heights remain consistent?
A
Prevents tripping — body expects rhythm
13
Q
Why are winder stairs less safe for egress?
A
Narrow walking path
14
Q
Why are spiral stairs limited in code use?
A
Restricted occupant load
15
Q
How is plywood constructed?
A
Cross-laminated layers, prevents warping
16
Q
What is plywood construction best for?
A
structure, durability, moisture areas
cabinets, shelves, built-ins, millwork framing, drawers, hardwood subfloors, wall blocking, wet area substrate, furniture frames to prevent sagging
17
Q
What is MDF made from?
A
Wood fibers + resin pressed smooth
18
Q
What is MDF construction best for?
A
density & uniformity
painted cabinets, decorative trim & millwork
19
Q
What is particleboard made from?
A
Wood chips + adhesive
20
Q
What is particleboard construction best for?
A
flat, cheap, dry areas only
budget cabinets, builder grade closets, IKEA-type furniture, vinyl counter substrate
21
Q
Which panel product has the greatest structural strength?
A
Plywood
22
Q
What work is included in finish carpentry?
A
Trim, moldings, built-ins, cabinetry
23
Q
Why is vertical-grain wood preferred?
A
Growth rings are more “upright,” so seasonal expansion happens more evenly → less cupping/warping.
24
Q
What causes galvanic corrosion?
A
Dissimilar metals + moisture
25
How is galvanic corrosion prevented?
Isolate dissimilar metals (gaskets, sleeves, coatings), avoid wet contact, match metals when possible.
26
Why is stainless steel commonly specified in areas with galvanic corrosion concern?
Corrosion resistance
27
What is the primary purpose of a suspended ceiling?
Conceal services and allow access
28
What is the plenum space?
Space above ceiling used for air return + services; impacts sprinklers, diffusers, lighting, access panels, and rated assemblies.
29
How does ACT differ from gypsum board ceilings?
ACT = accessible panels for accessing service areas
Gypsum = fixed finish
30
What must ceilings include in seismic regions?
Ceiling must move without collapsing: bracing + perimeter relief + proper hanger/support spacing
31
What components make up a fire-rated door assembly?
Door + frame + hardware
32
What two features must fire doors have?
Self-closing and latching
33
What is the typical fire rating for corridor doors?
20 minutes
34
What does a listed door mean?
Tested and approved assembly
35
What are the two types of safety glazing?
Tempered and laminated
36
How does tempered glass break?
Small granular pieces rather than sharp shards
37
How does laminated glass behave when broken?
Stays adhered together
38
Where is safety glazing required?
Doors and hazardous locations
39
What does 2R + T = 24–25 help you determine?
Proper stair proportion (comfortable rise/run relationship)
r = rise
t = treat
40
If riser height increases, what must happen to tread depth?
Decrease to maintain a consistent, safe, and comfortable stair slope
41
Why are curved stairs safer than winding stairs?
Curved = smooth curve & walking path
Winder = sharp turn & awkward steps
42
Why are winding stairs less safe than straight stairs?
Walking path width changes
43
Where is the walking line measured on winding stairs?
About 12" from narrow side
44
Why does flat grain wood cup more than vertical grain?
Flat grain expands more across the face; the growth ring orientation makes movement uneven across the width → edges lift.
45
Where is vertical grain wood preferred?
Flooring and doors
46
When is laminated glass used instead of tempered?
When fall-through protection or retention after breakage is needed.
47
Why is laminated glass used overhead?
Stays attached when broken
48
Why must hardware be rated with the door?
Rating applies to entire assembly
49
What is perimeter clearance in a ceiling grid?
Space for independent movement
50
Why does particleboard fail in moisture?
Swells and weakens
51
What’s the difference between a winding stair and a curved stair?
Winder: turn happens using wedge-shaped treads (tight turn, tread width changes quickly)
Curved: continuous arc (tread width changes gradually across the curve)
52
Besides stability, why is vertical grain often preferred in interiors?
Better wear characteristics (esp. flooring)
More consistent appearance
More predictable refinishing/maintenance (less movement-related cracking at joints)
53
What are the main ceiling system types you should recognize?
ACT (acoustical tile) in grid (lay-in)
Gypsum board ceilings (hard lid)
Linear/metal pan systems
Wood slat / specialty acoustic systems
54
What’s the key advantage of an ACT suspended ceiling in commercial interiors?
Access to services above (MEP coordination) + easy replacement.
55
What is an exposed grid vs concealed grid ACT system?
Exposed: T-grid visible
Concealed: edges hide grid (cleaner look, more finicky)
56
What is NRC vs CAC (acoustic ceiling terms)?
NRC: how much sound a material absorbs (inside the room)
CAC: how much sound is blocked between rooms via plenum/ceiling
57
What’s the difference between “absorption” and “blocking” in acoustics?
Absorption = reduces echo within a room
Blocking = reduces transmission to adjacent spaces
58
What is a demountable partition?
Non-load-bearing partition system designed to be disassembled and reused (common in offices).
59
Why specify demountable partitions?
Flexibility + less waste during reconfigurations.
60
What are common demountable partition components?
Tracks, panels (solid/glass), vertical posts, trims, integrated doors, and sometimes integrated power/data.
61
What’s the key coordination issue with demountable partitions?
They often require specific ceiling/grid conditions (or head details) and precise field dimensions.
62
What is gypsum board (GWB) made of?
Gypsum core with paper facing (common interior wall/ceiling finish).
63
What are the common edge types of gypsum board and why do they matter?
Tapered edge: made for taped joints (most common)
Square edge: used where joint treatment differs or as specified
Edges affect joint finishing quality.
64
What is the purpose of tape + joint compound at gypsum joints?
Create a continuous surface and prevent joint cracking.
65
What is corner bead used for in drywalling?
Protect outside corners and create straight, durable edges.
66
What is a control joint in gypsum systems?
Planned break that manages movement and reduces random cracking.
67
What is the basic difference between gypsum board and plaster?
Gypsum board = panels + joint treatment
Plaster = applied wet finish over lath/substrate (harder, more labor)
68
What is lath?
A base (wood/metal/gypsum lath) that plaster grips onto.
69
What are the traditional plaster coats (sequence)?
Scratch coat → brown coat → finish coat
(Think: grab → build → beautify)
70
What is veneer plaster?
Thin plaster finish applied over special gypsum base (hybrid approach).
71
What is a knock-down (KD) door frame?
Frame shipped in pieces and assembled on site (common in metal frames).
72
What is a borrowed lite?
Glazing in a wall/partition that borrows light from adjacent space.
73
What’s the difference between a hinge and a pivot?
Hinge: side-mounted rotational support
Pivot: top/bottom pivot points (often for heavier doors or design intent)
74
When are continuous hinges used?
High-use doors; distributes weight; reduces sag.
75
What does a door closer do?
Controls closing speed + ensures door closes (critical for rated doors + accessibility).
76
What’s the difference between a mortise lock and a cylindrical lock?
Mortise: heavy-duty, more components in a pocket
Cylindrical: simpler bored lockset
77
What is an astragal?
A vertical member attached to one leaf of a pair of doors that covers the gap between doors (improves sealing/security; used in some rated assemblies).
78
Why might astragals matter for code/egress?
They can affect latch/closing coordination; must not impede required egress operation.
79
What makes a glazing location “hazardous” (high impact risk)?
Places people are likely to walk into or fall against, especially:
- in doors
- adjacent to doors (sidelites)
- near the floor in bathrooms/tub/shower areas
- near stairs/landings/guards
(Think: paths + doors + low glass + wet areas + edges)
80
What is “electromagnetic” / switchable glazing (privacy glass)?
Glass that changes from clear to opaque when energized (often via a film layer).
Use case: conference rooms, healthcare privacy, residential bathrooms.
81
What’s a common design/spec consideration with switchable glazing?
Power + controls + wiring pathway coordination (and privacy expectations when power fails).
82
Why is glazing in rated doors “special”?
Openings can weaken rating unless glazing + frame are rated/listed as part of the assembly.
83
What does “less noble metal corrodes first” mean?
When two different metals touch and get wet, one metal sacrifices itself to protect the other — that metal deteriorates first.
84
In galvanic corrosion, what does “anodic” and “cathodic” mean?
Anodic: The metal that gives up electrons and corrodes. (ATTACKED)
Cathodic: The metal that is protected and does not corrode. (CONSERVED)
85
What is moisture-resistant gypsum board used for?
Damp locations (not continuous wet areas like showers).
86
What is the purpose of resilient channel in a wall assembly?
Reduce sound transmission
87
What makes Type X different from regular drywall?
It burns slower because the core is reinforced → part of a fire-resistance assembly (not fireproof, just time-rated).
88
What is a butt hinge?
Standard door hinge attached to door edge and frame — typical interior doors.
89
What is a pivot hinge used for?
Large/heavy or oversized doors — rotates from top and bottom pivot points instead of side hinges.
90
What is a spring hinge used for?
Provides automatic closing without a closer (not for fire-rated reliability).
91
Why are continuous hinges preferred in schools and hospitals?
Prevent sagging, reduce maintenance, handle frequent use.
92
Which hinge type primarily affects accessibility and fire code compliance?
Door closer (controls closing and latching) — hinges alone do not ensure code compliance.
93
What is Level 0 gypsum finish?
Board installed — no taping or finishing.
94
What is Level 1 gypsum finish used for?
Concealed areas (above ceilings, shafts).
95
What is Level 2 gypsum finish used for?
Tile substrate or garages — not for visible painted walls.
96
What is Level 3 gypsum finish used for?
Medium texture finishes.
97
What is Level 4 gypsum finish used for?
Standard painted walls (flat or light texture paint).
98
What is Level 5 gypsum finish used for?
Smooth paint + critical lighting — skim coat required.
99
When is Level 5 required instead of Level 4 gypsum?
When lighting grazes the wall or high-gloss paint is used.
100
What is annealed glass and where should it NOT be used?
Standard untreated glass that breaks into sharp shards — should NOT be used in impact-risk or safety glazing locations (doors, sidelites, near walking paths).
101
Which glass type is typically used in frameless glass doors?
Tempered glass.
102
Why do glass doors require visual markings?
Prevent people from walking into them.
103
What is typically used to identify a glass door?
Contrasting strip, logo, or marker at eye level.
104
What type of hardware is commonly used on frameless glass doors instead of hinges?
Pivot hardware.
105
Why are pivots used instead of side hinges on glass doors?
Glass cannot support traditional hinge screw attachments.
106
What type of closer is commonly used with glass doors?
Floor closer or overhead concealed closer.
Sometimes locking systems on bottom
107
Why are door rails sometimes added to glass doors?
Provide structural support and mounting for hardware.
108
What determines the depth of steel studs in commercial construction?
partition height, gauge of the stud, spacing of studs and number of layers of gypsum board
109
When must cement board (or other moisture-resistant substrate) be used behind wall finishes in restrooms?
When walls are within 2 ft of water closets, urinals, or sinks, they must have a smooth, hard, nonabsorbent surface to at least 4 ft AFF, per IBC 1210.
Tile or other moisture-resistant finishes must be installed over a moisture-resistant substrate such as cement board.
NCIDQ
flashcards
Decks in class (25)
# Cards
-
Chapter 1: Devoping Design Concepts44
-
Chapter 2: Elements Of Design71
-
Chapter 3: Principles Of Design29
-
Chapter 4: Programming102
-
Chapter 5: Site Analysis71
-
Chapter 6: Info Analysis & Synthesis136
-
Chapter 7: Building Regulations And Codes146
-
Chapter 8: Means Of Egress94
-
Chapter 9: Barrier-Free Design153
-
Chapter 10: Sustainability67
-
Chapter 11: Interior Construction109
-
Chapter 13: Mechanical & Electrical Systems97
-
Chapter 14: Accoustics58
-
Chapter 15: Lighting63
-
Chapter 16: Finishes117
-
Chapter 17: Architectural Woodwork95
-
Chapter 20: Selection Of Materials, Finishes & Furniture101
-
Chapter 22: Communication Methods39
-
Chapter 23: Measurement & Drafting41
-
Chapter 24: Construction Drawings55
-
Chapter 25: Construction Specifications47
-
Chapter 26: Furniture & Furnishings Documents & Procurement57
-
Chapter 33: Interior Design Business Practice45
-
IDPX24
-
FX PPI FLASHCARDS83
