Louisiana Building Construction

7 questions | 9% of exam

Key Concepts

Site Layout & Staking - Site layout begins with the plot plan, which shows building location and land elevations. Layout can be done by measuring from an existing reference line (e.g., street or property line) or by using a surveying instrument. - Builder's level (dumpy level): Accurate to ±¼" at 75'. Fixed horizontal plane — cannot tilt up/down, only rotates side to side. - Automatic level: More accurate, ±¼" at 100' (some ±1/16" at 200'). Faster setup. - Laser level: Projects horizontal beam; no telescope. Used with a rod-mounted detector. - Theodolite: Reads both horizontal and vertical angles electronically — preferred when vertical angles are needed.

13 questions | 16% of exam

Key Concepts

Concrete Mix Design & Water-Cement Ratio

• Lower w/c ratio = higher strength and durability. This is the single most important relationship in mix design.
• Typical w/c ratios: 0.40–0.45 for high strength/durability; 0.60+ yields weaker, more permeable concrete.
• Strength is measured in compressive strength (psi) at 28 days. Standard mixes commonly target 3,000–4,000 psi for structural work.
• Durability requirements (freeze-thaw, sulfate exposure, corrosion resistance) dictate maximum w/c ratios and minimum cement content.

Portland Cement Types (ASTM C150)

Key Concepts

Masonry Materials & Properties

• Brick: Clay-fired unit; classified by grade (SW, MW, NW) based on weather exposure. SW = severe weathering, used below grade and exposed locations.
• Concrete Masonry Units (CMU): Hollow or solid block; lightweight vs. normal weight affects thermal and structural properties.
• Mortar vs. Grout: Mortar bonds units together (stiff consistency); grout fills cores/cavities of reinforced masonry (fluid consistency, poured or pumped).
• Stone: Natural material — granite (igneous), limestone/sandstone (sedimentary), marble/slate (metamorphic). Selection based on durability and compressive strength.

(10 questions, 12% of exam)

Key Concepts

Open Web Steel Joist Series

• K-Series: Short-span joists, spans up to ~60 ft; standard floor/roof applications
• LH-Series (Longspan): Spans 25–96 ft; used for longer roof and floor spans
• DLH-Series (Deep Longspan): Spans 89–240 ft; heavy-load, long-span roofs
• CJ-Series (Composite Joist): Designed to act compositely with concrete deck
• Joist Girders: Primary structural members supporting joist loads at panel points; designated by span, number of joist spaces, and load per panel point (e.g., 40G8N10K)

All steel joist design governed by SJI (Steel Joist Institute) specifications, referenced in IBC 2018 Section 2206.

Key Concepts

Wood Properties, Moisture Content & Lumber Sizing

• Moisture content (MC) affects shrinkage, warping, and structural performance. Lumber used in framing should be at or below 19% MC (S-DRY designation). Green lumber exceeds 19%.
• Nominal vs. actual dimensions: A 2×4 is actually 1½" × 3½"; a 2×6 is 1½" × 5½"; a 2×10 is 1½" × 9¼". Always calculate using actual dimensions.
• Lumber grades (from highest to lowest structural quality): Select Structural, No. 1, No. 2, No. 3. Most residential framing uses No. 2.

Engineered Wood Products

• Plywood: Rated by span rating and exposure (Exposure 1 = most residential; Exterior = fully waterproof). Face grain runs perpendicular to supports.
• OSB (Oriented Strand Board): Comparable structural performance to plywood; oriented strands in alternating layers. Less moisture-resistant than plywood.
• **LVL (Laminated Veneer…

Key Concepts

Roof Covering Types & Installation

• Asphalt/fiberglass strip shingles are the most common residential roof covering. Applied in overlapping courses; sold by the square (100 sq. ft. of coverage).
• Key shingle terms: Exposure = visible portion after installation; Top lap = unexposed overlap; Head lap = shortest distance from lower edge of overlapping shingle to top edge of shingle two courses below; Side lap = horizontal overlap between adjacent sheets.
• Wood shakes vs. wood shingles: Shakes are hand-split (rougher texture, thicker); shingles are sawn smooth. Both require steeper slopes and specific underlayment.
• Slate and tile: Heavy materials requiring reinforced roof structure; minimum slope requirements apply (typically 4:12 or steeper).
• Metal roofing: Can be installed on lower slopes than shingles; standing seam systems are watertight at low pitches.
• Built-up roofing (BUR): Multiple…

Key Concepts

Door Types and Construction

• Solid-core doors: Heavier, better sound insulation and security; required for certain fire-rated and exterior applications. Core is solid wood, particleboard, or mineral composite.
• Hollow-core doors: Lightweight, honeycomb interior; interior use only — not acceptable for exterior or fire-rated openings.
• Raised-panel doors: Stile-and-rail construction with recessed or raised panels; common exterior and interior applications.
• Flush/slab doors: Flat face on both sides; can be hollow- or solid-core.

Exterior Door Installation

• Standard exterior door: 6'8" height, 3'0" width (nominal); rough opening is typically +2" width and +2.5" height over door size.
• Components: sill (must slope away for drainage), threshold, weatherstripping (compression, V-strip, or door sweeps), and exterior casing.
• Hinge gains (mortises) must be precisely cut so hinge leaves sit flush with the door edge and jamb. -…

(3 questions, 4% of exam)

Key Concepts

Drywall Types & Installation

• Standard drywall thicknesses: 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" (most common for walls), 5/8" (Type X — fire-rated)
• Type X gypsum board provides 1-hour fire resistance in single-layer application; required in garages adjacent to living space
• Moisture-resistant (green board) for wet areas; cement board for direct tile substrate in showers
• Fastening: screws preferred over nails; screw spacing — 16" o.c. on walls, 12" o.c. on ceilings for field; 8" o.c. at edges
• Panels installed perpendicular to framing members to maximize strength and minimize joint visibility

(8 questions, 10% of exam | Reference: 29 CFR 1926)

Key Concepts

OSHA Employer/Employee Responsibilities (Subpart C – §1926.20–.21)

• Prime contractor retains overall responsibility for OSHA compliance across all work, even when subcontracted. Prime and subs share joint responsibility for subcontracted work.
• Employers must initiate and maintain accident prevention programs with frequent and regular inspections by competent persons.
• Unsafe equipment must be tagged, locked out, or physically removed — not just flagged verbally.
• Only qualified (by training or experience) employees may operate machinery.
• PPE and training failures are each a separate violation per employee (§1926.20(f)).
• Employers must instruct workers in recognizing and avoiding hazards (§1926.21(b)).

Louisiana Building Construction Licensing Exam — Study Brief

Key Concepts

IBC Occupancy Classification & Use Groups

The IBC defines 10 primary occupancy groups. Know these cold: - A – Assembly (A-1 through A-5: theaters, restaurants, churches, arenas) - B – Business (offices, banks, outpatient clinics) - E – Educational (K-12 schools) - F – Factory/Industrial (F-1 moderate hazard, F-2 low hazard) - H – High Hazard (H-1 through H-5 by hazard type) - I – Institutional (I-1 through I-4: hospitals, jails, daycare) - M – Mercantile (retail stores) - R – Residential (R-1 hotels, R-2 apartments, R-3 one/two-family, R-4 assisted living) - S – Storage (S-1 moderate hazard, S-2 low hazard) - U – Utility/Miscellaneous (sheds, garages)

Mixed-use buildings require identifying the primary occupancy and applying accessory or separated occupancy rules (IBC Section 508).