Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Mississippi Structural Steel
Mississippi · 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
120 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Mississippi State Portion 60 questions
Post-tensioning
10 Q · 17%
Principles and advantages of post-tensioned prestressed concreteTendon components and fabrication (strand, sheathing, P/T coating, anchorages)Delivery, handling, and storage of post-tensioning materialsTendon installation procedures and placement tolerancesAnchorage systems (stressing-end, fixed-end, and anchorage zone reinforcement)Tendon stressing procedures and equipment operationElongation measurement, calculation, and acceptable tolerancesTendon finishing, pocket grouting, and encapsulated system requirements
Reinforcing Steel
10 Q · 17%
Bar sizes, grades, and identification markings for deformed reinforcing barsConcrete cover requirements and placement tolerancesBar supports: types, selection, and placementSplicing methods: lap, mechanical, and welded splicesPlacing reinforcing bars in footings, walls, and columnsPlacing reinforcing bars in floor and roof systems (slabs, beams, joists)Handling, storing, and hoisting reinforcing bars at the jobsiteCoated reinforcing steel: epoxy-coated and galvanized bar requirements
Safety - OSHA Subpart R
7 Q · 12%
Fall protection requirements for steel erection (15-foot trigger height, connectors, CDZ)Hoisting and rigging safety requirements (crane inspection, qualified rigger, suspended loads)Structural steel assembly requirements (multi-story floor installation, plumbing-up, decking)Column anchorage requirements (minimum anchor rods, guying/bracing evaluation)Open web steel joist erection safety (bridging, hoisting cable release, load limits)Site layout and pre-erection approval requirements (concrete strength notification, access roads)Falling object protection (securing items aloft, overhead protection for workers below)Training requirements for fall hazards, connectors, CDZ, and multiple lift rigging
Safety - General
6 Q · 10%
Fall protection systems and requirements (guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest)Personal protective equipment (PPE) selection, use, and employer payment obligationsFire protection and prevention on construction sitesHazard communication, signs, signals, and barricadesMedical services, first aid, and emergency action plansOccupational health controls (noise exposure, air contaminants, ventilation)Scaffold safety requirements and platform constructionConfined space entry procedures and permit requirements
Steel Decks
7 Q · 12%
Steel deck product types and profiles (composite floor, roof, form, cellular, acoustic)Deck fastening methods (arc spot welds, screws, powder-actuated and air-driven fasteners)Side lap connection methods (screws, button punching, clinching, welds)Erection safety requirements and OSHA Subpart R complianceDeck storage, handling, and bundle placement on structureConstruction load requirements and maximum construction span tablesDeck damage assessment and penetration reinforcement guidelinesQuality control and quality assurance inspection tasks for deck installation and welding
Steel Joists and Girders
20 Q · 33%
Steel joist product types and designation systems (K-, LH-, DLH-, CJ-Series, and Joist Girders)Erection bridging requirements by span length and load table shading (Red, Blue, Gray zones)Joist and joist girder end bearing and anchorage requirements (minimum bearing lengths, seat attachments, stabilizer plates)Bridging installation procedures, anchoring, and terminus requirementsConstruction load restrictions on unbridged joists and deck bundle placement rulesSafe handling, unloading, storing, and rigging of joist productsColumn joist and tie joist OSHA field-bolting and stabilization requirementsField inspection checklist items for bridging, bearing, alignment, and weld quality
Key Distinctions
Danger signvsCaution sign
Danger signs are used only where an immediate hazard exists, while caution signs are used to warn against potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices.
OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.200(b)(1)'Perform' inspection tasks (after welding of steel deck)vs'Observe' inspection tasks (before/during welding)
After-welding tasks in SDI Table 1.5 (verify weld size and location, verify visual acceptance criteria, verify repair activities, document acceptance/rejection) must be 'Performed' by both QC and QA, while pre-welding and during-welding tasks in Tables 1.3 and 1.4 (checking equipment, welder qualification, consumables, environmental conditions, WPS compliance) are only 'Observe' level.
SDI Manual, Quality Control and Quality Assurance section, Tables 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5Mechanical fastener tasks after installation (SDI Table 1.8)vsMechanical fastener tasks before installation (SDI Table 1.6)
Checking spacing, type, and installation of support fasteners after installation requires both QC and QA to 'Perform,' whereas pre-installation items (instructions available, proper tools, proper storage) require only 'Observe' from both.
SDI Manual, Quality Control and Quality Assurance section, Table 1.8Standard SJI joist productsvsNon-standard SJI products (barrel, bowstring, gable, scissor joists and other special trusses)
Non-standard configurations such as scissor joists are not standard SJI products and are erected under AISC Code of Standard Practice Section 7 and OSHA 1926.756 rather than typical SJI erection procedures.
SJI Technical Digest, Chapter 1 - ProductsFall protection trigger height on walking/working surfaces (Subpart M)vsFall protection trigger height on poles/towers for power transmission and distribution work (Subpart V)
Subpart M requires protection at unprotected sides or edges 6 feet or more above a lower level, while §1926.954(b)(3)(iii)(B) requires a personal fall arrest system, work-positioning equipment, or fall restraint for employees more than 1.2 m (4 feet) above ground on poles or towers when no other Subpart M protection is provided.
29 CFR 1926, §1926.501(b)(1)Low-slope roof fall protection (slope ≤ 4 in 12)vsSteep roof fall protection
On low-slope roofs, §1926.501(b)(10) permits guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest, or a combination of warning line system and safety monitoring system; guardrails with toeboards are specifically required for steep roofs under (b)(11).
29 CFR 1926, §1926.501(b)(10)Safety monitoring system used alonevsWarning line system combined with safety monitoring system
A safety monitoring system alone is permitted only on low-slope roofs 50 feet or less in width, whereas the warning line plus safety monitoring combination is a generally permitted low-slope option.
29 CFR 1926, §1926.501(b)(10)Fire extinguisher rated not less than 2AvsFire extinguisher rated not less than 10B
A 2A-rated extinguisher is required for each 3,000 sq ft of protected building area with travel distance not exceeding 100 feet, while a 10B-rated extinguisher must be within 50 feet wherever more than 5 gallons of flammable/combustible liquid or 5 pounds of flammable gas are used.
OSHA 1926.150(c)(1)(i)Prime contractor responsibilityvsSubcontractor responsibility
Under §1926.16 subcontractors share joint responsibility for their own portion of the work, but in no case is the prime contractor relieved of overall responsibility for compliance for all work under the contract.
OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.16, Page 29Emergency action plan for employers with more than 10 employeesvsEmergency action plan for employers with 10 or fewer employees
With 10 or fewer employees the plan may be communicated orally and no written plan need be maintained; otherwise a written plan is maintained, and in either case a tool/equipment inventory is not a required element.
OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.35(e)(3), Page 33Tendon stress after seating, elastic shortening, and friction lossesvsFinal tendon stress after all long-term losses
For a 1/2 in. diameter strand, stress drops from the initial 216,000 psi to about 189,000 psi (28.9 kips) at transfer, then to about 173,000 psi (26.5 kips) after one to five years of concrete volume change and steel relaxation.
PTI Field Procedures Manual, Chapter 2 - Background of Prestressed Concrete and Post-TensioningStorage clearance from hoistways/inside floor openingsvsStorage clearance from an exterior wall
Material stored inside buildings under construction must not be within 6 feet of any hoistway or inside floor opening, nor within 10 feet of an exterior wall that does not extend above the top of the stored material.
OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.250(b)(1)Key Terms
Competent person 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 (no specific degree, years of experience, or certificate is required).
Danger sign OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.200(b)(1)
A sign used only where an immediate hazard exists, having red as the predominating color for the upper panel, black outline on the borders, and a white lower panel for additional wording.
Emergency action plan (minimum elements) OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.35(b), Page 33
A plan that must 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.
Fire alarm system OSHA 1926.150(e)(1) and (e)(2)
An alarm system (e.g., telephone system, siren) that the employer must establish so employees on the site and the local fire department can be alerted for an emergency, with alarm code and reporting instructions conspicuously posted at phones and employee entrances.
First aid kit inspection OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.50(d)(2), Page 33
The employer must check first aid kit contents before the kit is sent out on each job and at least weekly on each job to ensure expended items are replaced.
First-aid coverage in absence of nearby medical facility OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.50(c)
Where no infirmary, clinic, hospital, or physician is reasonably accessible in time and distance, a person holding a valid first-aid certificate from the U.S. Bureau of Mines, American Red Cross, or verifiable equivalent training must be available at the worksite to render first aid.
Common drinking cup OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.51(a)(4), Page 34
A shared drinking cup, which is prohibited on construction job sites.
Guardrail system strength 29 CFR 1926, §1926.502(b)(3)
A guardrail system must be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 inches of the top edge in any outward or downward direction at any point along the top edge.
Stairway or ladder access requirement 29 CFR 1926, §1926.1051(a)
A stairway or ladder must be provided at all personnel points of access where there is a break in elevation of 19 inches (48 cm) or more and no ramp, runway, sloped embankment, or personnel hoist is provided.
Trench means of egress 29 CFR 1926, §1926.651(c)(2)
In trench excavations 4 feet or more in depth, a stairway, ladder, ramp, or other safe means of egress must be located so employees need no more than 25 feet of lateral travel to reach it.
Daily excavation inspection 29 CFR 1926, §1926.651(k)(1)
A competent person must inspect daily for evidence of possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions, prior to start of work, as needed through the shift, and after every rainstorm or other hazard-increasing occurrence.
Constant pressure switch 29 CFR 1926, §1926.300(d)(3)
A switch that shuts off power when pressure is released, required on hand-held powered tools such as circular saws, chain saws, and percussion tools without positive accessory holding means.
Guarding of live parts 29 CFR 1926, §1926.403(i)(2)(i)
Live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more must be guarded against accidental contact by cabinets or enclosures, location in a room accessible only to qualified persons, partitions or screens, a balcony or platform, or elevation of 8 feet or more above the floor.
Permissible noise exposure OSHA 1926 CFR 29, §1926.52, Table D-2, Page 36
Per Table D-2, the maximum permissible noise exposure for an 8-hour duration is 90 dBA slow response.
Seating-loss (post-tensioning) PTI Field Procedures Manual, Chapter 1 Definitions - Seating-Loss
The relative movement of the wedges into the anchor cavity during transfer of the prestressing force to the anchorage, which results in some loss of prestressing force.
Bar support height Placing Reinforcing Bars (10th ed.), Chapter 10 — Bar Supports
The dimension measured from the bottom of the leg, sand plate, or runner wire to the underside of the reinforcing bar, with a normal construction tolerance of plus or minus 1/8 inch from the specified nominal height.
Formulas to Know
Fire extinguisher coverage for protected building area
One extinguisher rated not less than 2A per each 3,000 sq ft of protected building area (or major fraction thereof); travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest such extinguisher ≤ 100 ft.Extinguisher placement for flammable liquids/gases
Where more than 5 gallons of flammable/combustible liquid or 5 pounds of flammable gas are in use, provide an extinguisher rated not less than 10B within 50 ft.Tendon elongation acceptance range (residential/light commercial ground-supported slabs)
Acceptable range = calculated elongation ±10%; e.g., for 4.0 in. calculated, 10% = 0.40 in., so acceptable = 3.60 in. to 4.40 in. (3.55 in. is outside).Bar support height tolerance
Allowable height = specified nominal height ± 1/8 in.Concrete mix proportions
1 part cement : about 1½ to 2½ parts fine aggregate (usually sand) : about 3 to 5 parts coarse aggregate (gravel, crushed stone, or blast-furnace slag), plus clean water.Post-tensioned 1/2 in. strand stress after losses
Initial 216,000 psi → about 189,000 psi (28.9 kips) after wedge seating, elastic shortening, and friction → about 173,000 psi (26.5 kips) after all long-term losses (steel relaxation and concrete volume change over 1–5 years).Minimum toilet facilities by crew size
20 or fewer employees = 1 toilet facility minimum (Table D-1).Indoor material storage clearances
Keep stored material ≥ 6 ft from any hoistway or inside floor opening and ≥ 10 ft from an exterior wall that does not extend above the top of the stored material.Portable ladder extension above landing
Ladder side rails must extend at least 3 ft (0.9 m, i.e., 36 in.) above the upper landing surface when used for access.Oxygen cylinder storage separation
Separate oxygen cylinders from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials by a minimum of 20 ft, or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 ft high with a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour.