Materials Selection Flashcards
7 cards from real CCS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Materials Selection flashcards as text
A specifier writing a section for acoustical ceiling tiles should reference which performance metric to limit sound transmission between spaces above and below the ceiling?
Answer: CAC (Ceiling Attenuation Class)
CAC measures how well a ceiling system attenuates airborne sound passing through the plenum from one room to another.
Which of the following is a primary advantage of specifying cross-laminated timber (CLT) over conventional light-frame wood construction for multi-story buildings?
Answer: Greater structural depth capacity and mass timber fire performance
CLT provides structural depth and rigidity for multi-story spans, and its mass timber char layer provides predictable fire performance recognized in building codes.
When selecting exterior paint for a previously painted wood surface, which substrate condition most critically affects product selection?
Answer: Existing coating type and adhesion quality
The existing coating type (oil vs. latex) and its adhesion determine primer requirements and compatibility to prevent delamination of the new coating.
A specifier is selecting glass for a curtain wall in a high-seismic zone. Which glass type is mandatory when breakage would create a life-safety hazard?
Answer: Tempered or laminated safety glass
Building codes require tempered or laminated safety glass in hazardous locations because they break into small harmless fragments or remain held in place by interlayer film.
Which MasterFormat Division covers sealants and joint treatment materials used in building envelope assemblies?
Answer: Division 07 – Thermal and Moisture Protection
Division 07 encompasses all thermal and moisture protection products, including joint sealants, caulking, and weatherproofing materials.
Which characteristic of a material's porosity is most important when selecting stone for countertop applications in commercial kitchens?
Answer: Low absorption rate to resist staining and bacterial infiltration
Commercial kitchen surfaces must resist food staining and harbor no bacteria; low-absorption stones such as granite or quartzite are preferred for this reason.
A Value Engineering (VE) proposal suggests substituting a specified material with an alternative. What is the specifier's primary obligation when reviewing the VE substitution?
Answer: Evaluate whether the proposed alternative meets all specified performance criteria
The specifier must verify that the proposed substitution satisfies every performance, aesthetic, and code requirement established in the original specification before acceptance.