Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor

Key Concepts

PPE and training responsibility - The employer is responsible for requiring the wearing of appropriate PPE in all operations where there is an exposure to hazardous conditions, or where the part indicates the need for such equipment (§1926.28(a), Page 31). - Employees required to handle or use poisons, caustics, and other harmful substances must be instructed in safe handling and use and made aware of the potential hazards, personal hygiene, and personal protective measures required (§1926.21(b)(3)). - PPE such as safety glasses, hardhats, and hearing protectors should be approved for its use by ANSI (Carpentry and Building Construction, Ch. 3, Book Page 94). For very fine dust, such as cutting concrete or masonry, a dust respirator or full respirator is required rather than a standard dust mask; respirators should be NIOSH-approved with replaceable cartridges for the specific hazard (Ch. 3, Book Pages 95–96). - Competent person: capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions and authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them (§1926.32(f), Page 31).…

Exam: Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor

Key Concepts

Window types and operating styles. There are six major types of windows: double-hung, casement, stationary, awning, hopper, and horizontal-sliding (Carpentry and Building Construction, Ch. 20, Sec. 20.1). A double-hung window has upper and lower sash sliding in channels in the side jambs, with hardware consisting of one or two metal sash locks. A casement window has a side-hinged sash; hardware consists of a rotary opener, hinge assembly, and sash lock. An awning sash swings outward at the bottom; a hopper sash swings inward at the top. Stationary (fixed-glass) windows cannot be opened.

Light and ventilation. Total window glass area in a room must be not less than 8 percent of the floor area. Total window area that can be opened for ventilation must be not less than 4 percent of the floor area, unless mechanical air conditioning and ventilation are provided (Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 576, Ch. 20, Sec. 20.1).

Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor (16 questions, 27%)

Key Concepts

Framing systems - Balloon framing: studs run continuously from the sill plate to the top plate of the second floor; second-floor joists bear on 1×4 ribbons cut into the inside edges of the studs. Platform framing builds each level separately (Carpentry and Building Construction, Ch. 14, Sec. 14.1). - Platform sequence: foundation → first-level joists → subfloor → first-level walls → sheath exterior walls before building the second level (for rigidity) → second-level joists/sheathing → second-level walls → ceiling joists and rafters (Sec. 14.1). - In-line (advanced/OVE) framing: joists, studs, and rafters aligned at the same spacing (usually 16" or 24" OC); double top plates are not required — a single wall plate is adequate (Sec. 14.1).

Key Concepts

Stairways - A stairwell is the vertical shaft inside of which a stairway is built; also called a well opening (Carpentry and Building Construction, p. 724). A stringer is the long piece of 2× lumber that supports the stairs (p. 747; also p. 726). A skirtboard covers the joint where treads and risers meet the wall (p. 723). Winders are triangular steps that radiate from a central point (p. 723). - Code allows a maximum riser height of 7¾" and a minimum tread depth of 10". Safety research indicates the ideal riser is 7" and the ideal tread is 11" (p. 731). The ideal unit rise used as a starting point for dividing total rise is 7" (p. 747). - Handrail height: 34" to 38", measured vertically from the upper edge of the nosing to the top of the handrail (p. 731). - Housed stringers have recesses in the sides; treads and risers fit into the recesses and are held in place with wood wedges — common in prefabricated stair systems (p.…

Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor — 3 questions (5% of exam)

Key Concepts

Moisture protection and weather-resistive barriers - Building paper (asphaltic felt) comes in two weights: No. 15 (15 lb.) and No. 30 (30 lb.). No. 15 is the minimum required by code beneath siding. (Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 23.1, Page 661) - Building paper comes in rolls 36" wide, applied smoothly with staples. Succeeding layers lap at least 2" over strips previously applied; vertical joints lap at least 6". Extra strips about 6" wide go behind all exterior trim. (Section 23.1, Page 661) - Housewrap comes in rolls 9' wide; seams, punctures and tears are sealed with housewrap seam tape. Housewrap should not be used beneath stucco sidings — the stucco can bond to it and cause it to lose effectiveness. (Section 23.1, Pages 661–662) - Every type of siding should be installed over building paper or housewrap. These barriers are water-resistant but not moisture-vapor resistant. (Section 23.1, Page 661) - Per IBC, **not fewer than one layer of No.…

Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor

Key Concepts

Types of drywall (Carpentry and Building Construction, Ch. 32, Sec. 32.1 — Types of Drywall) - Moisture-resistant (MR) drywall, called green board for the color of its paper facing, is for areas of high humidity such as bathrooms. Its core is a water-resistant type of gypsum, and the face and back paper are chemically treated to reduce moisture penetration. - Type-X fire-code drywall contains glass fibers that prevent it from crumbling in extreme heat. It is required by building code on the outer surface of walls separating an attached garage from the house, and on garage ceilings if the garage is beneath a habitable room. - Type-C drywall is even more fire resistant than Type-X; it contains vermiculite and is sometimes used to provide extra fire resistance to ceilings. - Fire-resistant products slow the passage of fire but do not completely stop it. - Long edges are tapered so joints can be filled and smoothed; square-edge sheets are used as a substrate for paneling.

Key Concepts

Mix components and hydration - Concrete = cement, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and water in proper proportions. Hydration is the chemical reaction when water combines with cement; it generates heat as the concrete cures and hardens (Carpentry and Building Construction, Ch. 8, p. 218). - As more water is added to a mix, both compressive and tensile strength decrease. The water-to-cement ratio is an extremely important factor in strength (Carpentry and Building Construction, Ch. 8, p. 220). - Aggregate rule of thumb: the largest coarse aggregate should never exceed one-fifth the thickness of a finished wall section, one-third the thickness of a slab, or three-fourths the width of the narrowest space the concrete must pass through during placing (Modern Masonry, Ch. 18, p. 384). - Bleeding is the development of a layer of water at the top surface of freshly placed concrete, caused by sedimentation of solids and upward migration of water (Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th ed., Ch. 9, p. 165). - About **four tons of concrete per person…

Key Concepts

Mortar materials and handling - Hydrated lime comes in Types S and N; only Type S is recommended for masonry mortar because unhydrated oxides and plasticity are controlled, improving the bond to the units (Modern Masonry, Ch. 10, p. 187). - Bleeding is the separation of water while the mortar is in the plastic state prior to setting; excessive water in the mix causes it (Ch. 10, p. 188). - Mortar stiffened by evaporation may be retempered with water; mortar stiffened by hydration must be discarded (Ch. 10, p. 190). Mortar not used within 2 1/2 hours after mixing should be discarded (Carpentry and Building Construction, Ch. 24, p. 222). - Type M is for masonry below grade and in contact with earth — foundations, retaining walls, manholes. Type N is a general-purpose above-grade mortar (Ch. 10, pp. 191–192).