Mississippi Remodeling

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

Key Concepts

Employer & Contractor Responsibilities (29 CFR 1926.20)

• The prime contractor is always ultimately responsible for safety compliance across all work performed under the contract — subcontractors do not relieve this obligation.
• Employers must initiate and maintain safety programs; accident prevention is a condition of contract performance.

Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926 Subpart M)

• Fall protection is required at 6 feet or more above a lower level in construction (not 4 feet as in general industry).
• Three accepted systems:
• Guardrail systems: Top rail at 42 inches (±3 inches), mid-rail at approximately 21 inches, capable of withstanding 200 lbs of force.
• Safety net systems: Installed as close as practicable beneath the work surface, no more than 30 feet below; nets must be drop-tested.
• Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS): Must limit free fall to **6…

Key Concepts

Window Types & Operation

• Double-hung: Both sashes slide vertically; most common residential type
• Casement: Hinged on side, swings outward via crank; excellent ventilation
• Awning: Hinged at top, swings outward; usable in rain
• Hopper: Hinged at bottom, swings inward; common in basements
• Horizontal sliding: Sashes slide side to side; limited ventilation (50% of opening)
• Stationary/fixed: No ventilation; light only

Egress & Code Requirements (IRC R310)

• Minimum net clear opening: 5.7 sq ft (grade floor: 5.0 sq ft)
• Minimum clear height: 24 inches
• Minimum clear width: 20 inches
• Maximum sill height: 44 inches above finished floor
• Minimum glazing area: 8% of floor area for natural light
• Minimum ventilation area: 4% of floor area (or mechanical ventilation alternative)

Key Concepts

Framing Systems - Platform framing: Each floor is framed on top of the previous one; wall studs run one story at a time. Most common modern method. - Balloon framing: Studs run continuously from sill to top plate (two stories); joists are supported on a ribbon board let into the studs. Fire-blocking is critical. - Post-and-beam: Larger timber members carry loads; non-structural infill walls between posts. Loads transfer through beams to posts to footings. - SIP (Structural Insulated Panel): Foam core bonded between OSB facings; panels act as structural wall, floor, or roof elements. Requires manufacturer's design specs.

Floor Framing Components - Sill plate: First wood member anchored to foundation; must be preservative-treated where in contact with concrete (IBC §2304.12). - Girders/beams: Support joists; sized by span tables. Bearing must be ≥ 3½" on wood or metal. - Joists: Repetitive framing members; minimum bearing of 1½" on wood/metal, 3" on masonry (IBC…

11 questions | 18% of exam

Key Concepts

Stairway Components & Terminology

• Stringer: The diagonal board that supports the treads and risers (cut or housed)
• Tread: The horizontal surface you step on
• Riser: The vertical board between treads
• Nosing: The tread overhang beyond the riser face (typically ¾"–1¼")
• Baluster: Vertical spindle supporting the handrail
• Newel post: Main structural post at the top/bottom of a stair rail
• Stair types: Open (exposed stringers), closed (housed stringers), combination

Building Code Requirements for Stairs

• Maximum riser height: 7¾"
• Minimum tread depth: 10" (measured from nosing to nosing)
• Minimum headroom: 6'–8" measured vertically from nosing line
• Handrail height: 34"–38" above tread nosing
• Handrail graspability: 1¼"–2" diameter for circular profiles
• Balusters: Maximum 4" spacing (a 4" sphere must not pass through)
• Minimum stair width: 36" clear

Key Concepts

Moisture Protection (IBC Section 1402.2 & 1403.2)

• Exterior walls must have a continuous water-resistive barrier (WRB) behind the veneer — minimum No. 15 felt (ASTM D226, Type 1) or housewrap meeting ASTM E2556 Type I or II
• WRB must include flashing at all penetrations, openings, and transitions (IBC §1404.4)
• The wall system must provide a drainage plane — a means for water that enters the assembly to exit to the exterior
• Flashing, caulking, and J-channel accessories direct water away from the structure at vulnerable points (windows, doors, corners, roof-wall intersections)

Wood Bevel Siding Installation

• Use a story pole to plan consistent coursing before installation begins
• Standard exposure = total board width minus minimum overlap (typically 1" overlap minimum)
• Start from the bottom; each course laps over the one below
• Nail through the butt only — do not nail through the overlap of…

Key Concepts

Panel Types and Applications - Standard gypsum wallboard: interior walls and ceilings in dry conditions only. Per IBC §2508.2, gypsum wallboard cannot be used on exterior surfaces exposed to weather or where there will be direct exposure to water or continuous high humidity. - Type X (fire-code): Enhanced fire resistance achieved through special core additives. Required in fire-rated assemblies per IBC Chapter 7. Minimum 5/8" thickness for 1-hour assemblies on wood framing. - Type C: An improved Type X with additional additives that provide superior shrinkage resistance; exceeds Type X performance in fire ratings. - Moisture-resistant (MR) / "greenboard": For high-humidity areas (bathrooms, kitchens). Not a substitute for cement board in wet/shower areas. - Glass mat gypsum panels (ASTM C1178, C1177, C1658): Superior moisture resistance for exterior and wet applications. - Cement board: Used as tile substrate in wet areas; not a gypsum product.

7 questions | 12% of exam

Key Concepts

Concrete Ingredients & Mix Proportions

• Standard mix ratio by volume: 1 part cement : 2 parts sand : 3 parts coarse aggregate, adjusted by water-cement ratio (w/c). Lower w/c ratio = stronger concrete.
• Water-cement ratio is the single most important factor controlling strength and durability. Target w/c ratio: 0.45–0.60 for most flatwork.
• Too much water weakens concrete and causes shrinkage cracking.

Types of Portland Cement

(7 questions, 12% of exam — 2021 IBC Chapter 21)

Key Concepts

Masonry Construction Materials (IBC §2103) - Masonry units (concrete, clay/shale, stone, glass, AAC) must comply with TMS 602, Article 2.3 - Second-hand units must meet new-unit standards; old mortar must be cleaned before reuse (§2103.1.1) - Mortar: governed by TMS 602, Articles 2.1 & 2.6A; adhered veneer mortar must be ASTM C270 Type N or S, or latex-modified Portland cement per ANSI A118.4 - Grout: must comply with TMS 602, Article 2.2 - Metal reinforcement/accessories: TMS 602, Article 2.4; unidentified reinforcement requires minimum 3 tension and 3 bending tests per shipment

Design Methods (IBC §2101.2) - Three permitted methods: TMS 402 (Allowable Stress & Strength Design), TMS 403 (AAC masonry), TMS 404 (Empirical Design) - Masonry shall NOT be supported on wood girders except as permitted in §2304.12

Mississippi Remodeling Exam Study Brief

Key Concepts

Roof Covering Types & Minimum Slope Requirements Slope requirements are covering-specific. Asphalt shingles require a minimum 2:12 slope (with special underlayment down to 2:12); standard application begins at 4:12. Metal roof panels vary by seam type — standing seam can go as low as ¼:12. Low-slope roofing (modified bitumen, built-up roofing) typically requires ¼:12 minimum. Always match the covering type to its minimum slope — this is a frequent exam trigger.

Underlayment Requirements Underlayment type and number of layers depend on roof slope and covering type. For asphalt shingles at low slopes (2:12 to 4:12), double-layer underlayment is required. Ice barrier (self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen) is required in areas prone to ice damming — applied from the eave up to a point 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. Underlayment must be attached with fasteners meeting minimum spacing and corrosion-resistance requirements.