South Carolina Residential Builder

Key Concepts

Site layout and surveying - The plot plan shows the location of the building on the lot along with related land elevations and is the basis for site layout; marking that location on the land is called site layout (Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Basic Techniques / Using Surveying Instruments / Plot Plan). The purpose of site layout is to position the house correctly on the lot per building and zoning codes (Chapter 9 — Purpose of Site Layout). - A building planned parallel to an existing street or marked property line can use that line as a reference line, making it possible to stake out the site without a surveying instrument (Chapter 9 — Measuring From a Reference Line). - A builder's level (dumpy level) is the least expensive instrument; a good quality model is accurate to within ±1/4" at 75'. A theodolite reads horizontal and vertical angles electronically on an LCD screen. A transit is classified by the smallest increment readable on its vernier scale (Chapter 9 — Types of Instruments). - Leveling a transit head: center the bubble over the first set of opposing screws, rotate the telescope 90° and repeat over the second set, rechecking until the bubble is within one graduation on either side of center (Chapter 9 — Leveling a Transit Head, Step 4). - Laying out a right angle: after setting up over the point, sight a reference point along a base line and set the 360° scale to zero, then turn 90° (Chapter 9 — Laying Out a Right Angle). For irregular buildings, lay out one large rectangle, then divide the remainder into smaller rectangles (Chapter 9 — Laying Out an Irregularly Shaped Building). - Batter boards: drive three 2×4 stakes at each corner at least 4' beyond the foundation lines; nail 1×6 or 1×8 boards level; use saw kerfs to hold the string (Chapter 9 — Setting Up Batter Boards). - Differential leveling determines elevation differences between remote points requiring intermediate instrument setups (Chapter 9 — Measuring a Difference in Elevation).

South Carolina Residential Builder | 12 questions (11% of exam)

Key Concepts

Scope and Services - Services within the scope of the residential electrical code are limited to 120/240-volt, 0- to 400-ampere, single-phase systems (E3401.2). Services over 400 amperes are not covered (E3401.3). - One- and two-family dwellings shall be supplied by only one service (E3601.2). - Service conductors supplying a building shall not pass through the interior of another building or structure (E3601.3). - Each service shall have only one disconnecting means unless installed by the permitted methods; in all cases the maximum number of disconnecting means for any service shall not exceed six, and multiple disconnects shall be grouped (E3601.7). - For one- and two-family dwelling units, all service conductors shall terminate in disconnecting means installed in a readily accessible outdoor location; if more than one, they shall be grouped (E3601.8). - Service equipment shall be suitable for the maximum fault current available, but not less than 10,000 amperes (E3606.3). - All services supplying one- and two-family dwellings require a Type 1 or Type 2 SPD, integral to or immediately adjacent to the service equipment (E3606.5, E3606.5.2). - Service overcurrent device shall be an integral part of, or immediately adjacent to, the service disconnecting means (E3603.3.3). Overcurrent devices shall not be connected in series with a grounded service conductor except where a circuit breaker simultaneously opens all conductors (E3603.3.2). - Service heads shall be located above the point of attachment; where impracticable, not more than 24 inches from the point of attachment (E3605.9.3). Service-entrance cables shall be supported within 12 inches of every service head, gooseneck, or connection, and at intervals not exceeding 30 inches (E3605.7). - Clearances: 12 feet over residential property and driveways (E3604.2.2, Item 2); 8 feet above a roof surface, maintained 3 feet in all directions from the roof edge (E3604.2.1); 3 feet from sides of doors, porches, decks, stairs, ladders, fire escapes, balconies (E3604.1).

Key Concepts

Equipment sizing. Heating and cooling equipment and appliances shall be sized in accordance with ACCA Manual S based on building loads calculated in accordance with ACCA Manual J or other approved methodologies (Section M1401.3; IRC Page 14-1).

Supports and clearances from grade. Equipment supported from the ground shall be level and firmly supported on a concrete slab or other approved material extending not less than 3 inches above the adjoining ground (Section M1305.1.3.1; IRC Page 13-2). In the fuel gas chapter, equipment at grade level must be on a slab extending not less than 3 inches above adjoining grade, or suspended not less than 6 inches above adjoining grade (Section G2408.4).

Condensate disposal. A secondary drain or auxiliary drain pan is required for each cooling or evaporator coil where damage to building components will occur from overflow or stoppage. Method 1: an auxiliary drain pan with a separate drain under the coil, discharging to a conspicuous point of disposal to alert occupants of a primary-drain stoppage (Section M1411.3.1; IRC Page 14-5). Category IV condensing appliances require an auxiliary drain pan where damage to any building component will occur from stoppage in the condensate drainage system; exception for appliances that automatically shut down on stoppage (Section G2404.10; also M1411.5).

Refrigerant piping. Must be securely fastened to a permanent support within 6 feet of the condensing unit (Section M1411.8; IRC Page 14-7). Vapor (suction) line insulation: thermal resistivity not less than R-3, permeance not exceeding 0.05 perm (Section M1411.6). Outdoor refrigerant circuit access ports require locking-type tamper-resistant caps (Section M1411.9).

Garage installations. Ignition sources must be elevated not less than 18 inches above the floor in private garages (Section G2408.2), and appliances in private garages must have a minimum clearance of 6 feet above the floor unless protected from motor vehicle impact and installed per G2408.2 (Section G2408.3).

Key Concepts

Inspection and testing (IRC Chapter 25) - Building sewer test: fill with water and pressurize to not less than a 10-foot head of water; pressure shall not decrease for not less than 15 minutes (P2503.4). A forced sewer test is 5 psi greater than the pump rating for 15 minutes. - Rough DWV water test: fill each section to not less than 10 feet above the highest fitting connection; hold 15 minutes (P2503.5.1, Item 1). Air test = 5 psi or 10 inches of mercury, 15 minutes; vacuum test = –5 psi / –10 in. Hg, 15 minutes. - Water-supply system test: tight under water pressure not less than the working pressure of the system, or, for non-plastic piping, an air test of not less than 50 psi; held not less than 15 minutes (P2503.7). - Shower liner test: potable water to a depth of not less than 2 inches measured at the threshold, retained 15 minutes (P2503.6). - Backflow assemblies (reduced pressure principle, double check, double check detector, pressure vacuum breaker) are tested at installation, immediately after repairs or relocation, and every year thereafter (P2503.8.2).

General requirements (Chapter 26) - Concealed piping other than cast-iron or galvanized steel passing through studs/joists less than 1¼ inches from the nearest edge requires steel shield plates not less than 0.0575 inch (No. 16 Gage), extending 2 inches above sole plates and below top plates (P2603.2.1). - A pipe sleeve through a foundation wall shall be two pipe sizes greater than the pipe (P2603.4). - Water service pipe: not less than 12 inches deep and not less than 6 inches below the frost line (P2603.5). - Pipe dispensing water for human ingestion must be listed as conforming to NSF 61 (P2609.5).