Hoja de Referencia del Examen · Referencia Rápida
Louisiana Building Construction
Louisiana · PSI Services Contractor
Verificado, no estimado. Cada cifra a continuación proviene de la estructura oficial del examen que mantenemos: número de preguntas, puntaje de aprobación y ponderación de temas. Las preguntas de práctica están fundamentadas en la ley fuente con citas de estatutos. Omitimos cualquier cifra que no podamos verificar en lugar de adivinarla.
Total de preguntas
80
Puntaje de aprobación
70%
Tiempo del examen
180 min
Administrado por
PSI Services Contractor
Formato
Se permiten materiales de referencia
Porción Estatal de Louisiana 80 preguntas
Trabajos de Sitio
7 Q · 9%
Building site layout and staking from reference lines or surveying instrumentsBatter boards, grade establishment, and differential levelingSoil classification and geotechnical investigation requirementsExcavation methods, trench shoring, and safety systemsSoil compaction methods, Proctor testing, and density requirementsGrading, drainage, and site slope requirements per IBC Appendix JSewer and stormwater pipe installation, bedding, and trench backfillRock and groundwater management during excavation
Concreto
13 Q · 16%
Concrete mix design and proportioning (water-cement ratio, strength, durability requirements)Portland cement types and properties (Types I–V, blended cements, hydration)Aggregates for concrete (fine and coarse aggregate properties, grading, classification)Admixtures for concrete (air-entraining, water-reducing, accelerating, retarding)Placing and finishing concrete (subgrade preparation, depositing, consolidating, flatwork)Curing concrete (methods, duration, temperature effects, moisture retention)Reinforcing steel placement (bar sizes, grades, concrete cover, tolerances, supports)Post-tensioning systems (installation, stressing, elongation, anchorages, encapsulated systems)
Mampostería
7 Q · 9%
Masonry materials identification and properties (brick, block, stone, mortar, grout)Mortar types, proportions, and mixing proceduresBrick and block laying techniques and wall construction methodsWall system types (solid, cavity, composite, veneer, reinforced)Masonry tools and equipment selection and useFoundation systems, footings, and anchorageAnchors, ties, and joint reinforcement installationOSHA safety requirements and masonry construction hazards
Metales
10 Q · 12%
Open web steel joist series types and designations (K-, LH-, DLH-, CJ-Series, Joist Girders)Steel joist erection bridging requirements and hoisting cable release conditionsBearing seat attachments and minimum bearing lengths on steel and masonry/concrete supportsBridging types, spacing, sizing, and anchorage requirementsCold-formed steel framing members, shapes, and construction methodsIBC 2018 structural steel design and construction standards (AISC 360, AISI S100, SJI specifications)Safe handling, unloading, and storage of steel joist productsAluminum structural design and fabrication standards (IBC Chapter 20)
Carpintería
7 Q · 9%
Wood properties, moisture content, grading, and lumber sizingEngineered wood products: plywood, OSB, LVL, glulam, and I-joistsHand tools and power tools for carpentry: selection, use, and safetyStructural framing systems: platform, balloon, post-and-beam, and steel framingFloor framing: sill plates, girders, joists, bridging, and subfloor installationWall framing and sheathing: layout, plates, headers, studs, and bracingRoof framing: common, hip, valley, and jack rafters; ridge calculation; roof assembly and sheathingStairway construction: layout, rise/run calculation, stringers, treads, risers, and code requirements
Protección Térmica y contra la Humedad
7 Q · 9%
Roof covering types and installation methods (asphalt shingles, wood shakes, tile, slate, metal, roll roofing, built-up, elastomeric)Underlayment selection and application requirements by roof slope and material typeThermal insulation types, R-values, and installation locations (walls, ceilings, floors, roofs)Vapor retarders and moisture control in wall and roof assembliesRoof flashing requirements (valleys, eaves, drip edge, chimneys, step flashing, vent pipes)Roof deck and sheathing requirements by roofing material typeIBC fire classification of roof assemblies (Class A, B, C ratings)Roof repair, maintenance, and leak identification
Puertas y Ventanas
3 Q · 4%
Door types and construction (solid-core, hollow-core, raised-panel, flush/slab)Exterior door installation requirements (dimensions, rough opening, sill, weatherstripping, thresholds)Door hardware (hinges, locksets, strike plates, hinge gains)Interior door types and clearances (pocket, bifold, sliding, louvered, folding)Window types and components (double-hung, casement, awning, hopper, stationary, sliding)Window energy efficiency (glazing types, U-values, SHGC, low-e, gas-filled, weatherstripping)Safety glazing requirements and hazardous locations (IBC Section 2406)Skylight installation and flashing requirements (curb mounting, step flashing, pan flashing, load design)
Acabados
3 Q · 4%
Drywall types, installation methods, and fastening requirementsTaping, finishing, and joint compound application for drywallPlaster systems: lath types, coat application, and trim accessoriesInterior finish flame spread classifications and occupancy requirements (IBC)Wall and ceiling surface textures and suspended/acoustical ceiling installationWood flooring types, grading, acclimation, and installation methodsResilient, ceramic tile, and carpet flooring installationMolding and trim profiles, joinery, and installation sequences
Seguridad
8 Q · 10%
OSHA regulations and employer/employee safety responsibilitiesFall protection systems (guardrail, personal fall arrest, safety net)Personal protective equipment (PPE) selection and useScaffolding types, erection, and safe useExcavation and trenching hazards and protective systemsFire prevention and fire extinguisher classificationLadders and stairways safety requirementsConfined space entry procedures and hazard controls
Lectura de Planos, Códigos y Estimación General
15 Q · 19%
IBC occupancy classification and use groupsBuilding height and area limitations by construction typeTypes of construction and fire-resistance ratingsReading architectural plans, views, and drawing typesPlan symbols, abbreviations, and line conventionsScale interpretation and dimension reading on construction drawingsCost estimating methods and quantity takeoffBuilding permits, inspections, and certificate of occupancy
Distinciones Clave
Isolation JointvsContraction Joint
Isolation joints extend the full depth of the slab and separate it from other structural elements (walls, columns, footings), while contraction joints extend only approximately one-quarter the slab thickness to control cracking.
Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, Page 282Fiberglass Asphalt ShinglesvsOrganic Asphalt Shingles
Fiberglass shingles use a fiberglass mat as the base, while organic shingles use a cellulose-fiber base mat.
Roofing Construction and Estimating, Chapter 4—Asphalt ShinglesK-Series Joist Bearing DepthvsLH-Series Joist Bearing Depth
K-Series joists have a standard bearing depth of 2½ inches, while LH-Series underslung joists have a standard bearing depth of 5 inches; joist girders are 7½ inches.
SJI Technical Digest / Erector's Manual, Chapter 1 - ProductsCasement WindowvsDouble-Hung Window
A casement window has a side-hinged sash that allows the entire window area to open for ventilation, whereas a double-hung window cannot open its full area at once.
Windows & Skylights chapter, Types of Windows sectionSolid-Core DoorvsHollow-Core Door
Solid-core doors reduce warping and provide greater fire resistance, making them preferred for exterior use, while hollow-core doors are less fire-resistant.
Residential Doors chapter, Flat-Panel Doors sectionDirect (Job) Overhead CostvsDirect Construction Cost
Direct overhead costs (e.g., traffic control, barricades, flaggers) are administrative costs tied to a specific job but not to a specific trade, while direct construction costs are labor, material, and equipment items (e.g., pipe materials, backhoe rental, bedding aggregate).
Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Pages 20-21Silica Fume (SCM)vsFly Ash / Slag Cement (SCM)
Silica fume produces dramatic reductions in chloride penetrability within 28 days due to extremely fine particle size, while fly ash and slag cement improve chloride resistance more gradually over time.
Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, Pages 161-162Five-Bag Concrete MixvsSix-Bag Concrete Mix
A five-bag mix (5 bags of cement per cubic yard) is the minimum acceptable for most concrete work, while a six-bag mix is commonly specified for high-strength applications or where steel reinforcement is used.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 226TheodolitevsBuilder's Level (Dumpy Level)
A theodolite reads horizontal and vertical angles electronically and displays results on an LCD screen for extremely accurate measurements, while a builder's level is less expensive and typically accurate only to ±¼ inch at 75 feet.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Types of InstrumentsExtruded Expanded Polystyrene (XPS)vsExpanded Polystyrene (EPS)
XPS has greater compressive strength and is specifically suitable for below-grade foundation insulation, while standard EPS has lower compressive strength; both are rated at approximately R-5 per inch.
Carpentry And Building Construction, Section 31.1 — Rigid Insulation Materials and R-ValueClass B Fire ExtinguishervsClass A Fire Extinguisher
Class B extinguishers are rated for fires involving grease, oil, and chemicals, while Class A extinguishers are rated for fires involving wood, paper, cloth, and plastic.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Construction Safety & Health, Page 81MuntinvsMullion
A muntin is a vertical or horizontal piece within a single window sash that holds individual panes of glass, while a mullion strip is a vertical piece that separates two combined window units.
Windows & Skylights chapter, Double-Hung Windows sectionTérminos Clave
Egress Window Minimum Open Area (Upper Floor) Windows & Skylights chapter, Design Requirements section
Per the Windows & Skylights chapter, an egress window on an upper floor must have a minimum unblocked open area of 5.7 sq. ft.; grade-floor windows require only 5.0 sq. ft.
Guardrail Top Rail Height (29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1)) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.502(b)(1)
OSHA requires the top edge of a guardrail system's top rail to be 42 inches (±3 inches) above the walking/working surface.
Scaffold Fall Protection Height (29 CFR 1926.451(g)(1)) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.451(g)(1)
OSHA requires each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower level to be protected from falling.
Trench Egress Lateral Travel Limit (29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2)) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.651(c)(2)
In trench excavations 4 feet or more deep, a safe means of egress must be located so employees need no more than 25 feet of lateral travel to reach it.
Fire Extinguisher Maximum Travel Distance (29 CFR 1926.150(c)(1)(i)) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.150(c)(1)(i)
OSHA requires that travel distance from any point in a protected building area to the nearest fire extinguisher shall not exceed 100 feet.
Flammable Liquids Fire Extinguisher Requirement (29 CFR 1926.150(c)(1)(vi)) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.150(c)(1)(vi)
A fire extinguisher rated not less than 10B must be provided within 50 feet wherever more than 5 gallons of flammable/combustible liquids or 5 pounds of flammable gas are in use.
Engineering Controls Priority (29 CFR 1926.55(b)) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.55(b)
OSHA requires that administrative or engineering controls be implemented first to reduce airborne contaminant exposure before respirators or other protective measures are used.
Laser Eye Protection Threshold (29 CFR 1926.54(c)) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.54(c)
Employees must be provided antilaser eye protection when potential exposure to direct or reflected laser light greater than 0.005 watts (5 milliwatts) exists.
Roof Recover Ice Barrier Exception (IBC 2018, Section 1511.3) International Building Code 2018, Page 358 (Section 1511.3, Exception)
Where an existing adhered ice barrier membrane is on the roof deck, it may remain in place and be covered with an additional layer of ice barrier membrane rather than being removed.
Minimum Beam Design Roof Slope (IBC Section 2308.7) IBC Section 2308.7
When roof slope is less than 3:12 (3 units vertical per 12 units horizontal), ridge boards, hips, and valleys must be designed as beams rather than following prescriptive framing provisions.
Occupant Load Factor – Assembly Unconcentrated (IBC Table 1004.5) International Building Code 2018, Page 259 (Table 1004.5)
For assembly areas without fixed seating using tables and chairs, the occupant load factor is 15 net square feet per occupant.
Differential Leveling Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Measuring a Difference in Elevation
The process of determining elevation differences between remote points by using one or more intermediate instrument setups.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Carpentry and Building Construction, Construction Safety & Health, Book Page 92
A manufacturer-required document that lists hazard information including toxicity levels, first-aid recommendations, storage, disposal, and protective equipment for a product; every worker must have access to it on-site.
Consolidation (Concrete) Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 227
The process of removing air pockets and forcing concrete into all parts of forms, accomplished by vibration, tamping, spading, or tapping forms.
Porosity (Soil) Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — The Excavation
The measurement of the ability of water to flow through soil, used to determine drainage quality before construction begins.
Room-Finish Schedule Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 2.3, Page 57
A document included in architectural plans that identifies the materials and finishes to be used for floors, walls, and ceilings in each room.
Fórmulas que Debes Saber
Excavation Volume (cubic feet)
(Length + clearance both sides) × (Width + clearance both sides) × DepthCubic Feet to Cubic Yards Conversion
Cubic Yards = Total Cubic Feet ÷ 27Crawl-Space Ventilation Area
Minimum Net Vent Area (sq ft) = Crawl-Space Area (sq ft) ÷ 150Occupant Load
Occupant Load = Net Floor Area (sq ft) ÷ Occupant Load Factor (sq ft/person)Elevation Difference
Max Elevation Difference = Highest Corner Elevation − Lowest Corner Elevation3-4-5 Right Angle Check (Pythagorean)
Diagonal = √(Side₁² + Side₂²); confirm corner is 90° when sides are in 3:4 ratio and diagonal equals 5× the common factorCeiling Plank Board Feet (2×6 at 16" OC)
Board Feet = 88 BF per 100 sq ft of ceiling area (factor from standard estimation table)