Louisiana Carpentry

6 Questions | 10% of Exam

Key Concepts

Fall Protection (OSHA 29 CFR 1926)

• 6-foot rule (residential/general construction): Fall protection is required at 6 feet or more above a lower level for residential construction. General industry trigger height is 4 feet; construction is 6 feet.
• Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS): Three components — anchorage, body harness, and connector (lanyard/deceleration device). Anchorage must support 5,000 lbs per worker or be designed with a safety factor of 2:1. Free-fall limited to 6 feet; arrest force must not exceed 1,800 lbs.
• Guardrail systems: Top rail at 42 inches (±3 in.) above walking/working surface. Mid-rail at 21 inches. Top rail must withstand 200 lbs of force in any direction. Openings must reject a 21-inch diameter sphere (midrail) or 19-inch sphere at toeboard level. Toeboards required at 3.5 inches minimum height.

Key Concepts

R-Value and Thermal Resistance R-value measures resistance to heat flow — higher R-value = better insulation. Thickness and material type both determine R-value. Common values: fiberglass batts ~R-3.1/inch, spray foam (closed-cell) ~R-6–7/inch, rigid foam board ~R-3.8–6.5/inch depending on type (EPS, XPS, polyiso).

Insulation Types and Forms - Batts/blankets: Pre-cut fiberglass or mineral wool; fits between studs/joists - Loose-fill: Blown cellulose or fiberglass; used in attics and retrofit walls - Rigid board: EPS, XPS, polyiso; used on exterior walls, under slabs, continuous insulation - Spray foam: Open-cell (vapor-permeable, ~R-3.7/in) or closed-cell (vapor barrier, ~R-6.5/in); air-impermeable

Vapor Retarders Purpose: limit moisture diffusion through assemblies. Classified by perm rating: - Class I: ≤0.1 perm (polyethylene sheeting, foil-faced foam) - Class II: 0.1–1.0 perm (kraft-faced batts, some foam boards) - Class III: 1–10 perms (latex paint)

Install vapor retarder on the warm-in-winter side of insulation. In Louisiana (hot-humid climate), this means the exterior side is often the vapor drive source — consult climate zone requirements.

Key Concepts

Window Operating Styles

• Double-hung: Both sashes move vertically; most common residential type
• Casement: Hinged on side, opens outward with crank; good egress potential
• Awning: Hinged at top, opens outward from bottom; sheds rain when open
• Hopper: Hinged at bottom, opens inward from top; common in basements
• Sliding: Sashes move horizontally; only the operable panel counts toward egress area
• Stationary/Fixed: No operation; never qualifies for egress

Door Types and Core Construction

• Solid-core: Heavy, dense filler (particleboard or stave lumber); superior sound control, fire resistance, and exterior use
• Hollow-core: Cardboard honeycomb interior; lightweight, interior use only
• Raised-panel: Stile-and-rail construction with recessed or raised decorative panels; solid wood or MDF
• Flush: Flat face veneer over core; used in commercial and interior applications

Key Concepts

Platform-Frame vs. Balloon-Frame Construction

• Platform frame: Each floor is framed independently; walls sit on the subfloor platform. Standard for modern construction. Fire blocking is inherent in the design at each floor level.
• Balloon frame: Studs run continuously from sill to top plate (two stories); floor joists hang from a ribbon board let into the studs. Requires fire blocking in stud cavities at floor lines (IBC §2304.12.1).

Floor Framing Components

• Sill plate: Lowest horizontal member anchored to the foundation; must be pressure-treated (or naturally durable species) where in contact with concrete (IBC §2304.12.3).
• Girders/Beams: Support floor joists; bearing length at supports minimum 3½ inches on wood or metal, 3 inches on masonry.
• Joists: Sized by span, spacing, and load; notching and boring rules apply — notches in solid-sawn joists shall not exceed ⅙ of depth and must be located in the outer third of the span; holes bored no closer than 2 inches from the edge.
• Subfloor (structural panels): Minimum ¾" for 16" o.c. joist spacing; installed with face grain perpendicular to joists; edges must be supported or use tongue-and-groove panels.

14 questions | 23% of exam

Key Concepts

Door Installation & Hardware

• Hand of door is determined from the exterior (outside) of the door, or from the side the door swings toward for interior doors. If hinges are on the left and the door swings away from you, it's a left-hand door.
• Prehung doors come with the frame, hinges, and often the strike plate pre-attached. Check for plumb, level, and square before fastening — shim at hinge and strike locations.
• Correct clearances: Exterior doors typically need 1/8" clearance at top and sides; interior doors need approximately 3/4" clearance at the bottom over carpet, 1/2" over hard flooring.
• Lockset types: Passage (no lock), privacy (interior lock), keyed entry (exterior), and dummy (decorative only).

Door & Window Trim

• Reveal: The portion of the jamb edge left exposed before the casing is applied — typically 3/16" to 1/4". Mark it consistently on all sides before nailing casing.
• Extension jambs are used when the wall is thicker than the door or window frame depth — they bring the jamb flush with the finished wall surface.
• Stool and apron: The stool (horizontal piece) sits…

(7 questions, 12% of exam)

Key Concepts

Gypsum Panel Types, Sizes & Thickness

• Standard sizes: 4×8, 4×10, 4×12 sheets; thickness ranges from 1/4" to 5/8"
• 1/4" – repair/overlay work only; minimal structural value
• 3/8" – light residential, single-layer ceilings
• 1/2" – most common residential walls and ceilings
• 5/8" – fire-rated assemblies (Type X/Type C), commercial, and ceilings with 24" o.c. framing

Type X vs. Type C Panels

• Type X (5/8"): Contains glass fibers and other additives; provides at minimum 1-hour fire resistance in listed assemblies
• Type C (5/8"): Enhanced version of Type X; additional glass fibers and vermiculite shrinkage compensator; used where assemblies require greater fire resistance (often 2–4 hour ratings); performs better if exposed to fire during a shrinkage event
• Fire ratings are assembly-based — the entire wall system (framing, fasteners, layers, finish) must match the listed UL or GA assembly design

Key Concepts

Water-Resistive Barriers (IBC Section 1403.2) At least one layer of water-resistive barrier (WRB) must be attached to studs or sheathing behind all exterior wall veneer. Approved materials include: - No. 15 felt (ASTM D226, Type 1) - ASTM E2556, Type I or II - Other approved materials per manufacturer instructions

WRBs on Type I, II, III, or IV construction over 40 feet in height containing combustible barriers must comply with NFPA 285 (IBC Section 1402.5).

Weather Protection (IBC Section 1402.2) Exterior wall envelopes must prevent water accumulation and include: - Flashing (Section 1404.4) - A continuous water-resistive barrier behind veneer - A drainage plane — a means for water to exit the assembly

Siding Types & Key Characteristics - Wood bevel siding: Installed bottom-up; each course overlaps the one below. Nail through one board only (not both) to allow movement. Minimum 1" overlap. - Wood shingles: Graded No. 1, 2, or 3; No. 1 is best for siding. Double-starter course at bottom. Two nails per shingle, 1" from each edge. Exposure depends on shingle length. - Vinyl siding: Must be nailed loosely — center nail slots, leave 1/32" gap for thermal expansion. Never face-nail; use J-channel at…