Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Alabama Masonry Contractor
Alabama · PSI Services Contractor
Verified, not estimated. Every figure below is drawn from the official exam structure we maintain — question counts, passing standard and topic weighting. Practice questions are grounded in the source law with statute citations. We omit any figure we can't verify rather than guess at it.
Total questions
60
Passing score
70%
Exam time
180 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Alabama State Portion 60 questions
Estimating and Plan Reading
4 Q · 7%
Reading and interpreting construction drawings (floor plans, elevations, sections, details)Drawing scales and converting scaled dimensions to actual measurementsAlphabet of Lines and standard drawing symbols for masonry materialsEstimating brick quantities using area and volume calculationsBasic math operations applied to masonry estimating (fractions, decimals, percentages)Masonry terminology and definitions as used in codes and contract documentsConstruction document requirements (project drawings, specifications, contract documents)Metric and US customary unit conversions for masonry dimensions
Unit Masonry
19 Q · 32%
Masonry materials: brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), and clay tile types and classificationsMortar types, proportions, and joint construction requirementsMasonry wall systems: solid, hollow, cavity, composite, and veneer wallsReinforced and unreinforced masonry design methods (allowable stress, strength, and empirical design)Laying brick and block: spreading mortar, bed and head joints, bond patterns, and mason's lineMasonry wall components: ties, flashing, weep holes, lintels, sills, and expansion/control jointsMasonry fireplaces and chimneys: construction requirements, firebox dimensions, and seismic reinforcingSpecial inspections, quality assurance, and testing requirements for masonry construction
Mortar and Grout
16 Q · 27%
Mortar types and their applications (Types M, S, N, O, K)Mortar material ingredients and ASTM standards (Portland cement, hydrated lime, masonry cement, sand, water)Mortar proportions by volume and property specifications per ASTM C270Grout types, materials, and proportions per ASTM C476Plastic and hardened mortar properties (workability, water retentivity, compressive strength, bond strength, durability)Mortar mixing procedures, retempering, and time limitsCold and hot weather mortar and grout construction proceduresGrout placement methods, pour heights, lift heights, and cleanout requirements
Accessories
7 Q · 12%
Metal wall tie types and applications (rectangular, Z-tie, corrugated)Anchors and anchor bolts for masonry connectionsJoint reinforcement types, sizes, and placement (ladder, truss, tab)Corrosion protection and coating requirements for metal accessoriesMovement joints (contraction, expansion) and joint filler materialsMasonry veneer tie spacing, sizing, and anchorage requirementsAdjustable tie systems and re-anchoring systemsReinforcing bar sizes, placement, and identification markings
Stone
2 Q · 3%
Classification of stone by formation type (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic)Types and characteristics of common building stones (granite, limestone, sandstone, marble, slate)Grades and colors of Indiana limestoneStone surface finishes (gang sawed, shot sawed, plucked, honed, polished, etc.)Stone wall patterns (rubble, roughly squared, ashlar/dimensioned)Applications of stone (veneer, sills, copings, quoins, paving)Manufactured stone installation and mortar requirementsHandling, storage, and safety practices for stone materials
Tools
4 Q · 7%
Trowel types and patterns (Philadelphia, London, Wide London) and their usesSpecial-purpose trowels (margin, pointing, tuck pointer, gauging, duck bill)Jointers and joint rakers for finishing and removing mortar jointsMeasuring and marking tools (folding rules, retractable tapes, chalk box, steel square)Levels (mason's level, electronic levels, rotary laser level) and level casesChisels and brick hammers for cutting and shaping masonry unitsMortar tools (mortar box, mortar hoe, mortar board, mortar stand, mortar bag, mortar mixer)Concrete flatwork finishing tools (screeds, darbies, bull floats, edgers, groovers, hand floats, concrete broom, vibrators, trowels)
Restoration and Cleaning
4 Q · 7%
Cleaning new brick masonry: procedures and precautionsAcid cleaning methods for dark and light colored brickNon-acid cleaning methods: pressurized water washingAbrasive blasting for masonry cleaningCleaning failures: causes and preventionCleaning concrete block masonry: permitted methods and restrictionsGeneral cleaning precautions during masonry constructionACI 530.1 requirements for cleaning exposed masonry surfaces
Safety
4 Q · 7%
Scaffold safety requirements and load capacity (Subpart L)Fall protection systems for masonry operations (Subpart M)Personal protective equipment selection and useLadder and stairway safety requirements (Subpart X)Hazardous substances and silica exposure controls (Subpart Z)Materials handling, storage, and disposal (Subpart H)Concrete and masonry construction safety requirements (Subpart Q)Hand and power tool safety for masonry work (Subpart I)
Key Distinctions
Masonry veneer foundation wall extensionvsAll other conditions foundation wall extension
Where masonry veneer is used, concrete/masonry foundation walls must extend at least 4 inches above finished grade; in all other conditions the minimum is 6 inches.
Section R404.1.6At-rest soil pressurevsActive soil pressure
Foundation walls whose horizontal movement is restricted at the top must be designed for at-rest pressure, while retaining walls free to move and rotate at the top may be designed for active pressure.
2021 International Building Code, Section 1610.1Uninhabitable attic without storage (live load)vsUninhabitable attic with storage (live load)
An uninhabitable attic without storage requires only 10 psf minimum live load, whereas one classified as having storage (clear height ≥ 42 inches) requires a higher design load per IBC Table 1607.1.
2021 International Building Code, Section 1607.22.2Sleeping areas / habitable attic live loadvsAll other residential floor areas live load
Habitable attics and sleeping areas in one- and two-family dwellings require a minimum live load of 30 psf, while all other areas require 40 psf.
2021 International Building Code, Table 1607.1Fireplace hearth minimum thicknessvsHearth extension minimum thickness
The hearth itself must be at least 4 inches thick, while the hearth extension has a lesser minimum thickness requirement of 2 inches.
IBC 2021, Section 2111.10.1Rectangular chimney flue aspect ratio < 2:1 (flue area)vsRectangular chimney flue aspect ratio ≥ 2:1 (flue area)
Rectangular flues with an aspect ratio of 2 to 1 or more must have a net cross-sectional area of at least 1/8 of the fireplace opening; flues with a lesser aspect ratio have a different area requirement.
IBC 2021, Section 2113.16.1Corbeled smoke chamber inside surfacevsPrefabricated or rolled/sloped smoke chamber wall
Corbeled masonry smoke chamber walls must not exceed 30 degrees from vertical, while prefabricated linings or rolled/sloped walls are permitted up to 45 degrees from vertical.
IBC 2021, Section 2111.9.1Type I organic adhesive shear bond strength (after water immersion)vsType II organic adhesive shear bond strength (after water immersion)
Type I adhesive must achieve a minimum shear bond strength of 40 psi after water immersion, whereas Type II adhesive requires only 20 psi.
IBC 2021, Section 2103.2.3.6Grout test specimen dimensionsvsConcrete cylinder mold specimens
Grout samples for compressive strength testing are cast as 3½" × 3½" × 7" prisms per ASTM C1019, not in the cylinder molds used for concrete samples.
Masonry Textbook, Chapter 10, Section 10.9.8Shielded/lead-covered conductor bending radius (over 1000 V)vsNonshielded conductor bending radius (over 1000 V)
Shielded or lead-covered conductors must not be bent to a radius less than 12 times the overall diameter, while nonshielded conductors require a minimum of 8 times the overall diameter.
NEC 305.5Direct-buried cable minimum cover (over 1000 V AC through 22 kV)vsUnderground cable in rigid metal conduit minimum cover (over 22 kV through 40 kV)
Direct-buried cables rated over 1000 V AC through 22 kV require 750 mm (30 in.) minimum cover under general conditions, while cables over 22 kV through 40 kV installed in rigid metal conduit require only 150 mm (6 in.) minimum cover.
NEC Table 305.15(A)Deck attachment using toenails or withdrawal nailsvsDeck attachment using positive anchors
IBC prohibits deck-to-exterior-wall attachment by toenails or nails subject to withdrawal; positive anchors designed for both vertical and lateral loads are required.
2021 International Building Code, Section 1604.8.3Key Terms
Competent Person (OSHA) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, Page 31
Per 29 CFR 1926.32(f), one capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
Fire Extinguisher Minimum Rating per 3,000 sq ft (OSHA) OSHA 1926.150(c)(1)(i)
Per OSHA 1926.150(c)(1)(i), a fire extinguisher rated not less than 2A shall be provided for each 3,000 square feet of protected building area.
First Aid Kit Inspection Frequency (OSHA) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, Page 33
Per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.50, first aid kit contents must be checked before each job and at least weekly on each job to ensure expended items are replaced.
Danger Sign Color Standard (OSHA) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, Page 201
Per OSHA 1926.200(b)(2), danger signs shall have red as the predominating color for the upper panel, black outline on the borders, and a white lower panel for additional wording.
Qualified Operator Requirement (OSHA) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, Page 29
Per OSHA 1926.20(b)(4), only employees qualified by training or experience shall be permitted to operate equipment and machinery.
Masonry Fireplace Firebox Minimum Depth (IBC) IBC 2021, Section 2111.7
Per IBC 2021 Section 2111.7, a concrete or masonry firebox shall have a minimum depth of 20 inches.
Masonry Chimney Minimum Height Above Roof (IBC) IBC 2021, Section 2113.9
Per IBC 2021 Section 2113.9, a masonry chimney must extend not less than 3 feet above the highest point where it passes through the roof.
Adobe Masonry Maximum Allowable Compressive Stress (IBC) IBC 2021, Section 2109.2.3
Per IBC 2021 Section 2109.2.3, allowable compressive stress based on gross cross-sectional area for adobe masonry shall not exceed 30 psi.
Adobe Unit Minimum Compressive Strength (IBC) IBC 2021, Section 2109.2.1.1
Per IBC 2021 Section 2109.2.1.1, unstabilized adobe units must have an average compressive strength of 300 psi, with no individual unit below 250 psi.
Surface-Bonding Mortar Standard (IBC) IBC 2021, Section 2103.2.2
Per IBC 2021 Section 2103.2.2, surface-bonding mortar used in masonry construction shall comply with ASTM C887.
Masonry Lap Splice Minimum Length (IBC) IBC 2021, Section 2107.2.1
Per IBC 2021 Section 2107.2.1, lap splices for reinforcing bars in masonry shall be not less than 12 inches and not less than 40 bar diameters.
Rain Load Formula (IBC) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1611.1
Per IBC 2021 Section 1611.1, rain load R = 5.2(ds + dh), where ds is static head depth and dh is hydraulic head above the secondary drain inlet.
Glass Block Units Concrete Masonry Units, Section 8.2.5
Glass blocks are hollow, partially evacuated units produced in two sealed sections; the dead airspace—not density—provides their insulation value.
At-Rest Soil Pressure 2021 International Building Code, Section 1610.1
Lateral soil pressure condition required when a foundation wall's horizontal movement is restricted at the top, as opposed to active pressure used for walls free to rotate.
Vinyl Siding Conformance Standard (IBC) IBC 2021, Section 1403.9
Per IBC 2021 Section 1403.9, vinyl siding must be certified and labeled as conforming to ASTM D3679 by an approved quality control agency.
Seismic Chimney Anchorage Strap Fastening (IBC) IBC 2021, Section 2111.5
Per IBC 2021 Section 2111.5, each seismic anchorage strap for a masonry chimney must be fastened to not fewer than four floor joists with two ½-inch bolts.
Formulas to Know
Rain Load on Undeflected Roof (IBC 1611.1)
R = 5.2 × (ds + dh) [where ds = static head depth to secondary drain inlet; dh = hydraulic head above secondary drain at design flow]Elevation Difference Between Two Points
Max elevation difference = Higher corner elevation − Lower corner elevationMinimum Conductor Bending Radius — Shielded/Lead-Covered (NEC 305.5)
Min bend radius = 12 × overall conductor diameterMinimum Conductor Bending Radius — Nonshielded (NEC 305.5)
Min bend radius = 8 × overall conductor diameterMasonry Lap Splice Length (IBC 2107.2.1)
ld = 0.002 × db × fs (but not less than 12 in. and not less than 40 × bar diameter)Hearth Extension Projection Requirement — Opening ≥ 6 sq ft (IBC 2111.11)
Projection ≥ 20 in. in front of opening; ≥ 12 in. beyond each side of opening