Tennessee BC-A, B Combined Residential/Commercial Contractor

Tennessee BC-A, B Combined Residential/Commercial Contractor — 15 questions (15%)

Key Concepts

Scales and drawing types - Dimensions appear in engineering scale (feet and tenths of a foot) or architectural scale (feet, inches, and fractions of an inch). Plans used in excavation and grading work are likely to use engineering scale. (Module 22209, Section 1.0.0, Page 98) - A profile is the side view, parallel to the center line, depicting heights, depths, and slopes; a cross section is a cutaway view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or center line. (Module 22201, Trade Terms, Pages 361 and 401) - Highway packages may include an additional set of cross-section sheets showing natural ground and finish grade **every 50 feet or other…

Key Concepts

Scope and administration (IRC). The IRC applies to detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane with a separate means of egress, and their accessory structures not more than three stories above grade plane (R101.2). The building official may render interpretations (R104.1), grant modifications for practical difficulties (R104.10) and approve alternative materials and methods (R104.11), but interpretations, policies and procedures shall not waive requirements specifically provided for in the code (R104.1). The board of appeals likewise has no authority to waive code requirements (R112.2); its members are qualified by experience and training and are not employees of the jurisdiction (R112.3), with the building official an ex officio member without a…

Key Concepts

Excavation safety (OSHA Subpart P). Type A is cohesive soil with an unconfined compressive strength of 1.5 tsf (144 kPa) or greater; Type B is greater than 0.5 tsf but less than 1.5 tsf; Type C is 0.5 tsf or less. Soil at 1.5 tsf is still not Type A if it is fissured, subject to vibration, or previously disturbed (29 CFR 1926, Subpart P, App. A, ¶(b)). Ventilation or other precautions must keep employees from exposure exceeding 20 percent of the lower flammable limit of a flammable gas; testing is required before entry into excavations greater than 4 feet deep where oxygen deficiency (below 19.5 percent) or other hazardous atmospheres could exist (§1926.651(g)(1)(iii)).

Key Concepts

Soil classification and presumptive load-bearing values - Soil materials shall be classified in accordance with ASTM D2487 (IBC 1803.5.1). Presumptive load-bearing values shall not exceed those in Table 1806.2 unless substantiating data are submitted and approved (IBC 1806.2). - Lateral bearing pressures from Table 1806.2 may be increased by the tabular value for each additional foot of depth to a value not greater than 15 times the tabular value (IBC 1806.3.3). - For clay, sandy clay, silty clay, clayey silt, silt and sandy silt, lateral sliding resistance shall not exceed one-half the dead load (IBC 1806.3.2).

Key Concepts

Minimum thicknesses and strengths - Concrete floor slabs supported directly on the ground shall be not less than 3½ inches (89 mm) thick — 2021 IBC Section 1907.1. - For Group R-3 occupancies and buildings of other occupancies less than two stories above grade plane of light-frame construction, plain concrete footing thickness is permitted to be 6 inches, provided the footing does not extend more than 4 inches on either side of the supported wall — 2021 IBC Section 1906.1. - Group R-2 and R-3 occupancies not more than three stories above grade plane: f′c for basement walls, foundation walls, exterior walls and other vertical surfaces exposed to weather shall be not less than 3,000 psi —…

Key Concepts

Clay brick grades and classification - Grade SW building brick is highly resistant to frost action and is used where brick is exposed to freezing weather (foundation courses, retaining walls); Grade MW is for moderate exposure; Grade NW is for interior backup masonry (Modern Masonry 9th ed., p. 116). - A solid masonry unit is "one whose cross-sectional area in every plane parallel to the bearing surface is 75% or more of its gross cross-sectional area measured in the same plane." Cored brick still counts as solid if the holes are less than 25% of the area (Modern Masonry, p. 123). - Structural glazed tile is made by mixing finely ground clay with water in a pug…

Key Concepts

Studs, plates and bearing - Studs shall be a minimum No. 3, standard or stud grade lumber; bearing studs not supporting floors and nonbearing studs are permitted to be utility grade where spaced per Table R602.3(5) (IRC R602.2). - Studs shall be continuous from support at the sole plate to a support at the top plate; exception for jack, trimmer and cripple studs at openings complying with Tables R602.7(1) and R602.7(2) (IRC R602.3). - Studs shall have full bearing on a 2-inch-thick (actual 1½-inch) or larger plate or sill having a width not less than the width of the studs (IBC 2304.3.1). - End joints in double top plates on bearing and exterior walls shall be offset…

Key Concepts

Window and door components (NCCER / Study Guide) - A casement window has a side-hinged sash that swings inward or outward; its advantage over the double-hung type is that the entire window area can be opened for ventilation (Windows & Skylights chapter, Types of Windows). - A muntin is a vertical or horizontal piece within a sash that holds a pane of glass; a mullion strip is the vertical piece separating combined window units (Windows & Skylights chapter, Double-Hung Windows). - U-values work in reverse of R-values: a lower U-value means less heat loss or gain and greater insulating performance. The NFRC uses U-values with other metrics to rate overall window energy efficiency (Energy Efficiency – Ratings).…

Key Concepts

Gypsum board thickness vs. framing spacing - 3/8″ panels are designed for framing centers up to 16″; 1/2″ and 5/8″ panels for framing centers up to 24″ — Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Page 3, Gypsum Panel Limitations item 3. - Where a water-based texture is spray-applied to a ceiling framed 24″ o.c., minimum board thickness increases from 1/2″ to 5/8″; alternatively 1/2″ sag-resistant gypsum ceiling board may be used, applied perpendicular to framing — IBC 2021, Chapter 25, Table 25.06.1 notes. - Support spacing for gypsum or metal lath on walls or ceilings shall not exceed 16 inches for 3/8-inch-thick or 24 inches for 1/2-inch-thick plain gypsum lath — IRC 2021 R702.2.3.

Key Concepts

Pre-erection planning and site readiness - The owner's designated representative for design (ODRD) is responsible for job planning and works with the owner's designated representative for construction (ODRC), who is responsible to the owner for overall construction, planning, quality and completion and is usually the general contractor or construction manager on site (Study Guide, Structural Ironworking Two, §2.3.1). - A competent person must determine the erection sequence before pick lists can be completed; pick lists are also called hanging lists (§2.3.2 and §2.3.3). - In most cases the fabricator furnishes all fastener materials needed to assemble and erect the delivered components, and those fasteners should not already be installed in the components (§2.4.2); fasteners are stored protected…

Tennessee BC-A, B Combined Residential/Commercial Contractor — 6 questions (6%)

Key Concepts

Roof covering types and minimum slopes - Asphalt shingles shall be used only on roof slopes of 2 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2:12) or greater. For slopes from 2:12 up to 4:12, double underlayment application is required. (IRC 2021/2018 R905.2.2) - Strip shingles are installed on roofs with a slope of 4-in-12 or greater; roofs of 4-in-12 or greater are classified "high slope." Lower slopes require consulting the shingle manufacturer's literature. (Carpentry and Building Construction, §22.1 Roof Slope; §22.2 Installation Issues) The three code slope categories: Flat below 2½-in-12; Low slope between 2¼-in-12 and 4-in-12; High slope 4-in-12 or greater. (§22.1) - Metal roof…

Tennessee BC-A, B Combined Residential/Commercial Contractor — 3 questions (3% of exam)

Key Concepts

Fixture counts (IBC 2021, Chapter 29) - Fixtures are provided in the minimum number shown in Table 2902.1 based on actual use; uses not shown are considered individually by the code official (IBC 2902.1). - To determine the occupant load of each sex, the total occupant load is divided in half; fixture ratios are then applied to each sex. Fractional numbers are rounded up to the next whole number, and for calculations involving multiple occupancies the fractional numbers for each occupancy are first summed, then rounded up (IBC 2902.1.1). - Exception 1: the total occupant load is not required to be divided in half where…

Key Concepts

Equipment sizing (M1401.3). Heating and cooling equipment and appliances shall be sized in accordance with ACCA Manual S or other approved sizing methodologies, based on building loads calculated in accordance with ACCA Manual J or other approved heating and cooling calculation methodologies. Exceptions allow sizing beyond Manual S capacities for multi-stage or variable refrigerant flow technology within the manufacturer's published capacity range, or where published capacities cannot satisfy both total and sensible heat gains and the next larger standard size unit is specified.

Tennessee BC-A, B Combined Residential/Commercial Contractor · 3 questions (3% of exam)

Key Concepts

Emergency and Standby Power Systems (IBC Chapter 27)

• Load transfer. Emergency power systems shall automatically provide secondary power within 10 seconds after primary power is lost; standby power systems within 60 seconds, unless specified otherwise in the code. (IBC 2021, Section 2702.1.4)
• Load duration. Emergency and standby power systems shall be designed to provide the required power for a minimum duration of 2 hours without being refueled or recharged, unless specified otherwise. (IBC 2021, Section 2702.1.5)
• Stationary generators. Stationary emergency and standby power generators required by the code shall be listed in accordance with UL 2200. (IBC 2021, Section 2702.1.1)…

Key Concepts

Fall protection (Subpart M) - Each employee on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level must be protected by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems — §1926.501(b)(1). - Residential construction: 6 feet or more above lower levels — guardrails, scaffolding, safety net, or personal fall arrest — §1926.501(b)(13); BCSI B11 Fall Protection & Trusses, Page 89. - Guardrail top rail must withstand, without failure, at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 inches of the top edge in any outward or downward direction — §1926.502(b)(3). Midrails and intermediate members: 150 pounds — §1926.502(b)(5). Top rail height 39–45 inches — 1926.502. - Scaffold…