Alabama Carpentry and Framing Contractor

Key Concepts

Span Tables are prescriptive tables (referenced in IRC/IBC Section 2308 for conventional light-frame construction) that specify maximum allowable spans for headers, girders, floor joists, and rafters based on species, grade, spacing, and load. Always identify: member type, tributary load/spacing, lumber species/grade, and live vs. dead load before entering a table.

Board Feet (BF) is the standard unit for lumber volume. One board foot = 144 cubic inches of wood (e.g., 1" × 12" × 12").

Plan Set Components: - Plan views (floor plans): Top-down view showing walls, openings, dimensions, and room layout at roughly 4' above floor level - Elevations: Exterior or interior vertical views showing heights, window/door placement, and finishes - Section views: Cut-through views revealing structural assembly (wall thickness, floor/roof build-up, header sizes) - Schedules: Organized tables within the drawing set identifying doors, windows, finishes, or structural members by mark number — cross-referenced on the plan

Architectural Symbols & Abbreviations (common exam items): - CL = Centerline | TYP = Typical | SIM = Similar | VIF = Verify in Field - Double parallel lines = wall | Dashed lines = hidden elements above or below - Window symbols show sill and frame in plan view; door symbols show swing arc

Topic Weight: 7 questions, 12% of exam

Key Concepts

Site Layout & Reference Lines Site layout begins by establishing a baseline from the property survey. All building corners are located relative to property lines using measurements from the survey plat. Reference lines must be tied to permanent benchmarks (known elevation points) before any grading or excavation begins.

Surveying Instruments - Builder's Level: Rotates 360° horizontally only; used strictly for leveling and elevation work. Cannot measure vertical angles. - Transit: Rotates both horizontally and vertically; can plumb points, measure angles in both planes, and establish grades. - Theodolite: High-precision optical instrument measuring horizontal and vertical angles; used for precise layout on large or complex sites. - Laser Level: Projects a horizontal or vertical laser plane; fast setup for grade checks and layout over short distances. - GPS: Uses satellite signals for coordinate-based layout; useful on large sites where traditional line-of-sight is impractical.

Setting Up a Transit/Level Over a Station Mark 1. Set the tripod over the station mark; center the head approximately over the point. 2. Drop a plumb bob (or use optical plummet) to center exactly over the mark. 3. Rough-level using the tripod legs. 4. Fine-level using the leveling screws (foot screws) — work opposing pairs simultaneously, turn until the bubble is centered in both directions. 5. Recheck plumb after leveling; repeat until both conditions are satisfied simultaneously.

(23% of exam — 14 questions)

Key Concepts

Wood Wall Framing (IRC Section R602 / IBC Chapter 23) - Standard stud sizes: 2×4 studs for walls up to 10 feet in height; 2×6 studs required for taller bearing walls or where required by load/insulation needs. - Default stud spacing: 16" o.c. for load-bearing walls; 24" o.c. permitted for non-load-bearing partitions and some bearing applications with engineered design. - Stud height limits without intermediate bracing: 2×4 @ 16" o.c. = max 10 ft; 2×6 @ 16" o.c. = max 14 ft.

Wall Bracing Methods (IRC R602.10) - Recognized bracing methods: LIB (let-in bracing), DWB (diagonal wood boards), WSP (wood structural panel — most common), SFB (structural fiberboard), GB (gypsum board), PBS (particleboard sheathing), HPS (hardboard panel siding), ABW (alternate braced wall panel). - Braced wall panels must be full-height from bottom plate to top plate. - Minimum braced wall panel length for WSP at 16" o.c. studs = 48 inches; narrow panels (ABW/PFH) require hold-downs. - Braced wall lines must be established at exterior walls and at interior intervals not exceeding 25 feet.

Key Concepts

Floor Framing Components

• Posts transfer loads from girders to the foundation. Minimum bearing must be solid and continuous to footings.
• Girders carry joists and transfer loads to posts/foundation walls. Girder-to-post connections must be positive (hardware or notching per IRC R502).
• Sill plates (mudsills) are the lowest horizontal framing member, anchored to the foundation. Must be pressure-treated (PT) lumber when in contact with concrete or masonry (IRC R317.1).
• Floor joists span between sill plates and girders. Size, species, grade, and spacing determine allowable span (IRC R502.3, Table R502.3.1).
• Subfloor is the structural sheathing layer over joists — most commonly OSB or plywood panels.

Joist Span Rules

• Span tables (IRC Table R502.3.1) list allowable spans based on lumber species, grade, joist size (2×6 through 2×12), and spacing (12", 16", 24" o.c.).
• Increasing joist depth or reducing spacing increases allowable span.
• Spans are measured clear span between supports, not center-to-center of supports.

Subfloor Installation

• APA-rated sheathing (plywood or OSB) is standard. Minimum thickness for 16" o.c. joists is 19/32" (IRC Table R503.2.1.1).
• Panels installed with the long dimension perpendicular to joists and joints staggered.
• Glue-nailing: Construction adhesive (PL-400 type) applied to joist tops before panel installation eliminates squeaks and increases stiffness — this is a best practice and often referenced in exam context.
• Fastening schedule: 6" o.c. at…

Key Concepts

Roof Drainage (IBC Section 1502) - Secondary (emergency overflow) drains or scuppers are required wherever roof perimeter construction can trap water if primary drains fail. - Scuppers used for secondary drainage must have an opening dimension of no less than 4 inches (102 mm). - Do not factor primary drain flow when sizing/locating scuppers. - Gutters on buildings other than R-3, private garages, or Type V construction must be noncombustible or minimum Schedule 40 plastic pipe.

Weather Protection and Flashing (IBC Section 1503) - Flashing is required at: wall/roof intersections, gutters, changes in roof slope or direction, and around all roof openings. - Metal flashing minimum thickness: 0.019 inch (No. 26 galvanized sheet), corrosion resistant. - A cricket or saddle is required on the ridge side of any chimney or penetration greater than 30 inches wide (measured perpendicular to slope). Cricket coverings must be sheet metal or match the roof covering material. - Parapet wall tops must provide positive drainage and be coped or covered with weatherproof materials at least as wide as the wall thickness.

Key Concepts

OSHA's Purpose and Authority

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) enforces the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act, which mandates safe and healthful working conditions. OSHA conducts worksite inspections, issues standards, and assesses fines for violations. Construction falls under 29 CFR 1926.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers must: - Maintain a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm (the General Duty Clause) - Provide training for hazardous work and PPE use - Comply with all OSHA standards, including recordkeeping and accident reporting - Provide PPE at no cost to employees - Post the OSHA Job Safety and Health poster at the worksite

Employee Rights

Employees have the right to: - Request an OSHA inspection without retaliation - Review OSHA standards and records of work-related injuries - Refuse work they reasonably believe poses imminent danger

Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926 Subpart M)

• Required for workers at heights of 6 feet or more on construction sites
• Three accepted systems: guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems (PFAS)
• Guardrails: top rail at 42 inches (±3 inches), midrail at approximately 21 inches, capable of withstanding 200 lbs of force
• Personal fall arrest systems must limit free fall to 6 feet and arresting force to 1,800 lbs
• Safety nets must be installed as close as practicable under the working surface,…