Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference

Arkansas Detached Garage, Storage Buildings, Detached Structures, Metal Buildings - Residential Exam

Arkansas  ·  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
30
Passing score
70%
Exam time
75 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed

Arkansas State Portion 30 questions

Metal Roofing, Flashing, Gutters and Downspouts 12 Q · 40%
Concrete 8 Q · 27%
Screened Enclosures and Awnings 6 Q · 20%
Patio cover definition, permitted uses, and scope (IRC Appendix H)Enclosure wall openings and glazing requirements for patio covers and screened enclosuresStructural design loads for patio covers and screen enclosures (live, dead, wind, snow)Screen enclosure framing requirements for hurricane-prone regions (aluminum member thickness, screen density, wind pressure tables)Footing and slab-on-grade support requirements for patio covers and screen enclosuresSunroom categories and ventilation requirements (insect screening, open wall percentages)Louver types, blade profiles, screen framing, and installation detailsDeflection limits for aluminum structural members in sunroom additions and patio covers
OSHA Safety 4 Q · 13%

Key Distinctions

Thickened slab beneath interior bearing wallsvsStandard footing

The thickened slab area acts like a footing but is formed by a trench dug into the subgrade (strengthened with rebar) rather than by formwork.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 11.1, Page 295
Five-bag concrete mixvsSix-bag concrete mix

Five bags of cement per cubic yard is the minimum amount considered acceptable for most work, while six-bag mix is commonly specified where high strength is needed or where steel reinforcement is used.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 226
Class A and Class B firesvsClass C and Class D fires

Class A involves wood, paper, cloth and plastic and Class B involves grease, oil and chemicals, whereas Class C involves electrical equipment and Class D involves combustible metals.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Construction Safety & Health, Page 81
Type M mortarvsType N, S, and O mortar

Type M has high compressive strength and durability for heavily loaded or below-grade foundation walls; Type N is for general masonry above grade, Type S for earthquake/high-wind zones, and Type O is low-strength mortar for interior walls.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 10.3, Page 279
Type III Portland cementvsOther basic types of Portland cement

Type III (high-strength) gains strength faster and is used where forms must be removed quickly or concrete put into service quickly.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 8 — Table 8-1: Basic Types of Portland Cement
Slump for columns and wallsvsSlump for paving and floor slabs

Columns and walls might use a 4" to 8" slump so concrete flows into narrow forms, while paving and floor slabs might use a 1" to 4" slump.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 8 — Slump Testing section
EfflorescencevsChalking (dusting)

Efflorescence is a whitish crystalline salt deposit on the surface that is cosmetic and generally does not affect strength or durability, while chalking is loose surface powder so weak it can be crushed by traffic or scratched with light pressure.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 8 — Troubleshooting Concrete section
ScreedingvsBullfloating

Screeding is always the first finishing step, striking off concrete just after placement; bullfloating follows shortly after while the concrete is still wet enough to bring mortar paste to the surface.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 11 — Steps in Finishing section
Flat seams sealed with sealantvsFlat seams soldered

Flat seam joints may be sealed with sealant except where the pitch is less than 3 in. per ft (250 mm per m), where they must be soldered; in snow areas all seams subject to flooding from ice damming must be soldered regardless of pitch.

SMACNA Architectural Sheet Metal Manual (7th ed.), Flat Seam Roofs, Figure 6-3
Metals recommended for built-in guttersvsMetals not recommended for built-in gutters

NRCA recommends copper, lead-coated copper, and stainless steel because they can be soldered or welded for critical watertight seaming, while prefinished or other metals that do not allow soldering or welding are not recommended.

NRCA Roofing Manual: Architectural Metal Flashing, Chapter 3, Page 104
Downspouts 10 ft (2.5 m) or lessvsDownspouts longer than 10 ft

Shorter downspouts shall have two straps of support, while longer downspouts shall be supported at 10 ft (2.5 m) maximum intervals.

SMACNA Architectural Sheet Metal Manual (7th ed.), Page 1.80
Metal open-valley flashing lap (Carpentry & Building Construction)vsMetal valley lap for architectural metal panel roofs (NRCA)

For open valleys each section of metal valley flashing should lap at least 4 inches over the next lowest section (sides extending at least 8 inches up each roof), whereas NRCA calls for metal valley sections to overlap a minimum of 8 inches over adjacent upslope sections.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 22.2 — Open Valleys, Metal
Employers with 10 or fewer employeesvsLarger employers

Under §1926.35(e)(3) employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the emergency action plan orally and need not maintain a written plan.

OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.35(e)(3)
Wire chairs for welded-wire fabricvsBroken brick or similar supports

Wire chairs (usually 2" to 4" high) are the recommended, more precise support so concrete can flow under the mesh, while broken brick or similar materials are specifically cautioned against because they can draw moisture from the soil and cause corrosion.

Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 8 — Reinforcing Mesh section

Key Terms

Competent person (OSHA §1926.32(f)) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.32(f), Page 31
One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
Accident prevention program inspections (§1926.20(b)(2)) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.20(b)(2), Page 29
Programs shall provide for frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment made by competent persons designated by the employers.
Emergency action plan minimum elements (§1926.35(b)) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.35(b), Page 33
Minimum elements include emergency escape procedures, procedures for employees remaining for critical operations, procedures to account for all employees after evacuation, rescue and medical duties, preferred means of reporting emergencies, and names/titles of contact persons — a tool and equipment inventory is not required.
Hazardous substance instruction (§1926.21(b)(3) and (b)(5)) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.21(b)(3)
Employees required to handle or use poisons, caustics, and other harmful substances, and those handling flammable liquids, gases, or toxic materials, shall be instructed in safe handling and use and made aware of potential hazards, personal hygiene, and required personal protective measures.
Waste container covers (§1926.25(c)) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.25(c)
Containers used for garbage and other oily, flammable, or hazardous wastes such as caustics, acids, harmful dusts, etc., shall be equipped with covers.
Personal protective equipment responsibility (§1926.28(a)) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.28, Page 31
The employer is responsible for requiring the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment in all operations where there is an exposure to hazardous conditions or where the part indicates a need to reduce hazards to employees.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Carpentry and Building Construction, Construction Safety & Health, Book Page 92
A manufacturer-supplied document, required with product shipments and accessible to every worker on the job site, giving physical data, toxicity levels, first-aid recommendations, storage and disposal, protective equipment, and spill/leak response.
Hydration Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 8 — Hydration section
The chemical reaction that occurs when water combines with cement, generating heat and causing concrete to harden (concrete does not "dry out").
Consolidation Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 227
The process that removes air pockets and forces concrete into all parts of the forms, accomplished with a concrete vibrator, tamping, spearing with a spade, or tapping forms with a hammer.
Air-entraining admixture Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 8 — Admixtures section
An admixture that introduces tiny bubbles into concrete to increase durability under moisture and frequent freeze/thaw cycles and to improve workability, commonly used in cold-weather climates.
Keyway Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 10.1, Page 258
A groove formed in the top of the footing to lock the foundation wall to the footing and prevent moisture from seeping between wall and footing, usually 3½" wide and 1½" deep because a 2×4 is often used to form it.
Cold joint Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 10.2, Page 266
A joint occurring where fresh concrete is poured on top of or next to concrete that has already begun to cure; it is weaker than the surrounding wall and more likely to leak, so concrete should be poured continuously.
Beam pocket Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 10.2, Page 271
A notch in a concrete foundation wall that should be large enough to allow at least ½ inch of clearance at the sides and ends of the beam for ventilation, since tightly set wood beams may decay if moisture cannot escape.
Stepped footing Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 10.1, Page 260
A footing on a sloped lot where it is good practice, when possible, to limit each vertical step to 2 feet in height, with the vertical step at least 6 inches thick and the same width as the rest of the footing.
Anchor bolt (sill plate to concrete foundation wall) Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 10.2 Concrete Foundation Walls, Page 268-269
Each ½-inch diameter L-shaped anchor bolt must extend at least 7 inches into the concrete to secure the sill plate to the foundation wall.
Minimum concrete cover over rebar in footings Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 230
Minimum concrete protection for reinforcing steel in footings is 3 inches, protecting the steel from corrosion and maintaining structural integrity.
Skirtboard Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 723
A finish trim piece running along the wall on the closed side of a stairway that covers the joint where tread and riser ends meet the wall, serving decorative and protective functions.
Taped deck underlayment application (NRCA 2025, Section 3.2) NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep-slope Roof Systems (2025), Section 3.2—Underlayment Design and Installation (Taped Deck)
An application in which a minimum 4-inch-wide ASTM D1970-compliant self-adhering flashing tape is applied over all joints in the roof sheathing, followed by a single layer of mechanically attached underlayment over the sealed deck.
Tension precision leveling NRCA Roofing Manual: Metal Panel and SPF Roof Systems (2024), Pages 95-96 (Chapter 4, Section 4.4—Oil Canning)
A mechanical operation in which coil metal is stretched beyond its yield point to provide a level surface less prone to oil canning; NRCA suggests specifying such stock, done after secondary coil operations such as slitting of a master coil.
Conductor head SMACNA Architectural Sheet Metal Manual (7th ed.), Page 1.1
A downspout component installed every 40 ft (12.2 m) maximum vertical distance to admit air and prevent a vacuum from forming in the downspout system.
Built-in gutter front edge (SMACNA) SMACNA Architectural Sheet Metal Manual (7th ed.), Page 1.16
The highest point on the front of a built-in gutter must be a minimum of 1 in. (25 mm) lower than the back edge so overflow spills outward rather than into the building.
Standing-seam downslope seam end protection NRCA Roofing Manual: Metal Panel and SPF Roof Systems (2024), Page 210 (Chapter 11, Section 11.1—Standing-seam Closures)
In architectural standing-seam metal roof panel systems, downslope seam ends commonly are protected against water entry by installing butyl sealant inside the seam end to stop wicking and wind-blown water entry.

Formulas to Know

Total gutter drop from metal gutter slopeMinimum slope = 1 in. per 16 ft (1/16 in. per ft) toward the downspout; drop = run (ft) × 1/16 in. Worked example: 32 ft × 1/16 = 2 in. of total drop.
Cement content of ready-mix concreteBags of cement per cubic yard: five-bag mix (5 bags/cu yd) is the minimum for most work; six-bag mix where high strength or steel reinforcement is used.
Basement headroom from block foundation coursesEleven courses of block above the footings + 4-inch solid cap block ≈ 7 ft 4 in. of headroom between joists and basement floor; each additional course adds 8 inches.
Maximum gutter run served / section length (SMACNA)Gutter length served by a downspout and gutter sections between ends or expansion joints shall not exceed 50 ft (15.2 m) unless special provisions for flexibility are made; distance from gutter high point to downspout should not ordinarily exceed 25 feet (Carpentry & Building Construction).
Flat seam roof expansion sectioning (SMACNA)Flat seam roofs exceeding 30 ft in any direction are divided into sections of 30 ft (9 m) maximum width, separated by expansion battens 1⅝ in. tall, 3 in. wide across the top, tapered on the vertical sides.
Minimum flashing height above tapered insulation (NRCA)Raised curbs must be designed high enough above the tapered insulation to allow minimum flashing heights of 8 inches; adjacent walls and openings must also allow minimum flashing heights.
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