Mississippi Building Construction

Key Concepts

Building Site Layout & Staking

• Plot plans show property boundaries, setbacks, easements, and building footprint. Setback lines are established from property lines per local zoning; batter boards preserve reference lines after excavation disturbs stakes.
• Batter boards are set back 4–6 feet from building corners, outside the excavation zone. String lines stretched between boards establish wall lines and grade elevation references. Saw kerfs in the batter board ledger preserve exact alignment.
• Differential leveling uses a level instrument and rod to transfer elevation from a known benchmark to the site. HI (Height of Instrument) = Benchmark elevation + Backsight reading; Elevation of point = HI − Foresight reading.

12 questions | 15% of exam | Reference: 2021 IBC Chapter 19, ACI 318, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart Q

Key Concepts

Mix Design & Water-Cementitious Materials (w/cm) Ratio

• Lower w/cm = higher strength and durability. Typical range: 0.40–0.65.
• w/cm ratio controls both compressive strength and resistance to freeze-thaw, sulfates, and chlorides.
• Durability exposure categories (ACI 318) dictate maximum w/cm and minimum f'c.

Portland Cement Types

Key Concepts

Governing Standards Masonry in the 2021 IBC is governed by Section 2101. Design must comply with TMS 402 (strength/allowable stress design), TMS 403, or TMS 404. Construction specifications fall under TMS 602. Masonry veneer is governed by Chapter 14, not Chapter 21.

Brick Types & ASTM Standards - Building brick: ASTM C62 (3 grades: SW, MW, NW — severe, moderate, negligible weathering) - Facing brick: ASTM C216 (grades SW, MW; types FBS, FBX, FBA) - Hollow brick: ASTM C652 - Paving brick: ASTM C902 - Glazed brick: ASTM C1405 - Thin veneer brick: ASTM C1088 - Adhered manufactured stone veneer: ASTM C1670 (per IBC §2103.1)

(10 questions, 12% of exam)

Key Concepts

IBC Chapter 22 – Governing Standards

• Section 2201.1: Chapter 22 governs quality, design, fabrication, and erection of all steel construction.
• Section 2202.1: Structural steel identified per AISC 360; cold-formed steel per AISI S100; cold-formed light-frame per AISI S240 or AISI S220.
• Section 2203.1: Painting of open-web steel joists (OWSJ) and joist girders per SJI 100 and SJI 200. Structural steel painting per AISC 360.
• Section 2205.1: Design, fabrication, and erection of structural steel per AISC 360.
• Section 2207: Steel joists governed by SJI specifications.
• Section 2204.1: Welding details and welder qualification per applicable specifications; special inspection per Section 1705.2.

7 questions | 9% of exam

Key Concepts

Wood Framing Systems

• Platform framing: Most common modern method. Each story is framed on top of the previous floor platform. Studs are one story tall. Fire blocking is inherent at each floor level.
• Balloon framing: Studs run continuously from foundation to roof. Requires fire blocking at floor levels. Mostly historical — rarely used today.
• Post-and-beam (timber frame): Uses large posts, beams, and planks. Fewer, larger members with greater spans. Connections are critical (mortise-and-tenon or hardware).
• In-line framing (stack framing): Studs, joists, and rafters align vertically to transfer loads directly. Reduces material and improves energy efficiency.

Key Concepts

Weather-Resistant Exterior Wall Envelope (IBC Section 1402.2) Exterior walls must prevent water accumulation within the wall assembly. This requires: - A water-resistive barrier (WRB) behind the exterior veneer (Section 1403.2) - Flashing per Section 1404.4 - A means of draining water that enters the assembly to the exterior - Exceptions apply to concrete/masonry walls (Chapters 19 & 21) and assemblies tested per ASTM E331

Water-Resistive Barriers (IBC Section 1403.2) At minimum, one continuous layer of WRB must be attached to studs or sheathing. Compliant materials include: - No. 15 felt per ASTM D226, Type 1 - ASTM E2556, Type I or II - Materials tested per ASTM E331 - Other approved materials per manufacturer instructions

Key Concepts

Safety Glazing & Hazardous Locations (IBC Section 2406) Safety glazing is required in locations where occupants are likely to impact glass. Hazardous locations include: - Glazing in swinging doors (all glass in doors) - Glazing within 24 inches of a door edge on the latch side where the glazing is within 60 inches of the floor - Glazing in fixed or operable panels adjacent to doors (within 24" of the door) - Glazing in guards and railings - Glazing in shower and bathtub enclosures - Glazing where the bottom edge is less than 18 inches from the floor AND the top edge is more than 36 inches from the floor AND the panel is larger than 9 square feet

Key Concepts

Interior Wall & Ceiling Finish Classifications (IBC Section 803)

Finishes are rated by flame spread index (FSI) and smoke-developed index (SDI) per ASTM E84 or UL 723:

• Class A is the most restrictive; required in exit enclosures, high-hazard occupancies, and sprinklered buildings that want credit for reduced finish requirements.
• Materials less than 0.036 inch (0.9 mm) thick applied directly to walls/ceilings are exempt from testing (Section 803.2).
• Foam plastics cannot be used as interior finish except as specifically permitted under Section 2603.9 (Section 803.4).
• Textile wall coverings…

(8 questions, 10% of exam)

Key Concepts

Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926 Subpart M)

• Guardrail systems: Top rail at 42 inches (±3 in.) above walking surface; mid-rail at 21 inches; capable of withstanding 200 lbs of force.
• Safety nets: Must be installed as close as practicable under the walking surface, no more than 30 feet below.
• Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS): Required when workers are exposed to falls of 6 feet or more on construction sites. Must limit free fall to 6 feet, arrest force to 1,800 lbs, and bring worker to a complete stop.
• Lanyards must be attached to anchorage points capable of supporting 5,000 lbs per attached worker.

Mississippi Building Construction Licensing Exam — 19% of Exam (15 Questions)

Key Concepts

IBC Occupancy Classifications (IBC Chapter 3)

• A (Assembly): 50+ occupants gathering for civic, social, religious, entertainment purposes. Sub-groups A-1 through A-5 by use type.
• B (Business): Offices, professional services, civic administration.
• E (Educational): 6+ students above 12th grade level; K-12 uses E classification.
• F (Factory/Industrial): F-1 = moderate hazard; F-2 = low hazard.
• H (High Hazard): H-1 through H-5 based on type and quantity of hazardous materials.
• I (Institutional): I-1 (supervised care), I-2 (medical), I-3 (restrained), I-4 (day care).
• M (Mercantile): Retail display and sale of merchandise.
• R (Residential): R-1 (transient), R-2 (multi-unit), R-3 (1&2 family), R-4 (supervised residential care).
• **S…

Key Concepts

Legislative Intent (§77-13-1): The law exists to protect underground facilities from damage to prevent death, injury, property damage, and interruption of essential services.

Key Definitions (§77-13-3): - Approximate location = within 18 inches horizontally from the outside edge of each side of the facility (or 18 inches either side of a field mark). For submerged facilities, accuracy must be within 15 feet. - Emergency excavation = excavation involving imminent danger to life, health, property, or a customer service outage. - Damage = substantial weakening of structural support, penetration of protective coating, or partial/complete severance. Does NOT include abandoned facilities. - Design Information Request = notification to Mississippi 811 for pre-bid/engineering planning only — cannot be used for excavation purposes. - Calendar day = a…