Tennessee BC-C Industrial Contractor

Tennessee BC-C Industrial Contractor Exam Study Brief

Key Concepts

Soil Classification (OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P, Appendix B)

• Type A: Most stable — cohesive soils with unconfined compressive strength ≥ 1.5 tsf (clay, silty clay). Cannot be fissured or subject to vibration.
• Type B: Cohesive soils with unconfined compressive strength 0.5–1.5 tsf; fissured Type A; granular soils (angular gravel, silt).
• Type C: Least stable — cohesive soils < 0.5 tsf unconfined compressive strength; granular soils (gravel, sand); submerged or water-seeping soils. Always assume Type C unless tested.

Excavation Protective Systems (29 CFR 1926.652)

• Sloping angles (measured from horizontal):
• Type A: ¾:1 (53°)
• Type B: 1:1 (45°)
• Type C: 1½:1 (34°)
• Stable Rock: Vertical (90°)
• Benching: Only permitted in Type A and B soils. Not allowed in Type C.
• Shoring/Trench Boxes: Must be designed by a Registered Professional Engineer or…

Key Concepts

Concrete Basics

• Concrete = Portland cement + fine aggregate (sand) + coarse aggregate (gravel/crushed stone) + water
• Water-cement (w/c) ratio is the single most critical factor controlling strength, durability, and watertightness. Lower w/c = higher strength and durability.
• Portland cement is hydraulic — it sets by chemical reaction with water (hydration), not by drying.
• Slump measures workability of fresh concrete. High slump = more water = lower strength. Slump test is NOT a strength test.

Admixtures

• Air-entraining admixtures: Improve freeze-thaw durability; improve workability without adding water
• Accelerating admixtures: Speed up setting/strength gain (e.g., calcium chloride — but NOT in prestressed concrete or where corrosion risk exists)
• Retarding admixtures: Slow set time; useful in hot weather or long transport
• Water-reducing admixtures (plasticizers/superplasticizers): Reduce water demand while maintaining workability — improves strength

Key Concepts

Masonry Materials

• Brick: Classified by grade (SW, MW, NW) based on weathering resistance. SW = severe weathering (below grade or exposed to freezing/thawing); MW = moderate; NW = interior/protected use.
• Concrete Masonry Units (CMU): Hollow or solid; classified by weight (lightweight, medium, normal). ASTM C90 governs load-bearing CMU.
• Mortar (ASTM C270) – Five types based on cement:lime:sand proportions:
• Type M: Highest strength (2,500 psi), below-grade, foundations, retaining walls
• Type S: High strength (1,800 psi), at-grade, lateral loads, soil contact
• Type N: Medium strength (750 psi), general above-grade exterior use — most common
• Type O: Low strength (350 psi), interior non-load-bearing only
• Type K: Very low strength (75 psi), rarely used, historic preservation
• Grout: Fluid mixture of cement, aggregate, and water placed in cores/cavities of reinforced masonry. Fine grout (cores ≤2") vs. coarse grout (cores >2"). Governed by ASTM C476.

Key Concepts

Wood Framing Systems

• Platform framing: Most common modern system. Each floor is framed independently; wall studs run one story at a time. Provides natural fire stops at each floor level.
• Balloon framing: Studs run continuously from sill to roof plate (two stories). Floor joists are ledger-supported. Requires fire blocking; largely obsolete but still tested.
• Post-and-beam (timber framing): Large structural members carry loads to posts. Wider spacing than stud framing (4–8 ft o.c.). Relies on fewer, larger members.
• In-line framing: Structural members align vertically (studs, joists, rafters in-line) to transfer loads directly — critical for energy-efficient and engineered designs.

13 questions | 18% of exam

Key Concepts

Open Web Steel Joist Series (Steel Joist Institute / SJI)

• K-Series: Short-span joists, spans up to 60 ft; most common for floor/roof in light construction
• LH-Series (Longspan): Spans 25–96 ft; no intermediate support required
• DLH-Series (Deep Longspan): Spans 89–144 ft; deeper profiles for heavy loads and long spans
• CJ-Series (Composite): Designed to work with concrete deck via shear studs; transfers composite action
• Joist Girders: Primary framing members that support K-, LH-, or DLH-Series joists; designated by number of joist spaces, depth, and load (e.g., 40G8N11K)

Steel Deck Types

• Composite Floor Deck: Has embossments/indentations to bond with concrete; works with shear studs; most common in multi-story
• Roof Deck (Non-Composite): Supports insulation and roofing only; no concrete fill; typically 1½" deep
• Form Deck: Stays in place as concrete form; no composite action; smooth or lightly formed -…

Key Concepts

Roof Framing Terminology

• Span: Total width of the building from outside wall to outside wall
• Run: Half the span (for a symmetrical roof); the horizontal distance a rafter covers
• Rise: Vertical height from top plate to ridge
• Unit Run: Always 12" (the standard horizontal unit used on a framing square)
• Unit Rise: The number of inches of rise per 12" of run (e.g., "6 in 12")
• Slope: Expressed as unit rise over unit run (e.g., 6:12); a ratio
• Pitch: Rise divided by span (e.g., 6' rise ÷ 24' span = 1/4 pitch) — not the same as slope

Roof Styles

• Gable: Two sloping sides, triangular ends; most common; good water shedding
• Hip: All four sides slope; strongest in high-wind regions; no gable ends
• Shed (Lean-to): Single slope; common for additions
• Gambrel: Two slopes per side (steep lower, shallow upper);…

Tennessee BC-C Industrial Contractor Exam | 4 Questions (6%)

Key Concepts

Plumbing Systems (DWV & Supply)

• Supply piping materials: Copper (Type L most common for interior supply), CPVC, PEX, and galvanized steel. Type K copper is used underground; Type M is lighter-duty.
• DWV piping: ABS and PVC plastic pipe dominate; cast iron used for noise-sensitive applications. All drain lines must slope ¼" per foot toward the drain.
• Trap requirement: Every fixture must have a trap to prevent sewer gas entry. Traps must be self-cleaning and located as close to the fixture as possible.
• Governing codes: Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), and International Residential Code (IRC). Local amendments may supersede.
• Inspection stages: Rough-in inspection (before walls are closed) and finish inspection. Slab foundations require a third inspection before concrete pour.

29 CFR 1926 | 5 questions, ~7% of exam

Key Concepts

Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926 Subpart M)

• Trigger height: 6 feet in construction — fall protection required at or above 6 feet above a lower level.
• Three accepted systems: Guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems (PFAS).
• Guardrail specs: Top rail 42 inches (±3 in) high; midrail at ~21 inches; withstand 200 lbs outward/downward force.
• PFAS: Deceleration distance max 3.5 ft; free fall limited to 6 ft; must withstand 5,000 lbs per worker; anchor to structural member capable of supporting that load.
• Safety nets: Must be installed within 30 ft below work surface; tested to 17,500 ft-lbs drop test.

Tennessee BC-C Industrial Contractor Exam | 13 Questions | 18% of Exam

Key Concepts

IBC Occupancy Classifications

The IBC divides buildings into occupancy groups. Industrial occupancies fall primarily under Group F (Factory/Industrial): - F-1 (Moderate Hazard): General manufacturing, fabrication, assembly - F-2 (Low Hazard): Non-combustible materials (glass, gypsum, metal) - H occupancies apply when hazardous materials exceed IBC Table 307.1(1) thresholds - Building height and area limits vary by construction type (IBC Table 503); sprinklers can increase allowable area up to 300% (multi-story) or 200% (single-story)

IBC Types of Construction & Fire-Resistance Ratings

Five construction types (I–V), each with sub-classifications (A/B): - Type I & II: Non-combustible materials; highest fire resistance - Type III, IV, V: Include combustible elements - Fire-resistance ratings are expressed in hours (e.g., 2-hour rated wall assembly) - IBC Table 601 governs required ratings for structural elements by construction type - IBC Table 602 governs exterior…