Construction Carpentry and Wood Framing 3

Question 1

What is the standard thickness of plywood or OSB sheathing used for residential wall sheathing?

Accepted Answer

7/16 to 1/2 inch

Answer

7/16-inch OSB or 1/2-inch plywood is the most common thickness for exterior wall sheathing in residential wood-frame construction.

Question 2

In stair framing, what is the 'rise' and 'run'?

Accepted Answer

Rise is the vertical height of each step; run is the horizontal depth of each tread

Answer

In stair design, rise is the vertical height of each individual step (riser) and run is the horizontal depth of each tread.

Question 3

What is the purpose of 'fire blocking' in wall assemblies per the International Residential Code?

Accepted Answer

To slow the spread of fire through concealed stud cavities and wall spaces

Answer

Fire blocking is required to limit the spread of fire and hot gases through concealed spaces in walls, floors, and attics by creating barriers at specified intervals.

Question 4

What is 'engineered lumber' in construction framing?

Accepted Answer

Manufactured wood products like LVL, PSL, and I-joists engineered for specific structural applications

Answer

Engineered lumber (LVL, PSL, LSL, I-joists, glulam) is manufactured from wood components bonded together to achieve superior and predictable structural properties.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a 'double top plate' in wood-frame wall construction?

Accepted Answer

To tie adjacent wall sections together and transfer loads, enabling roof/floor framing to land on wall intersections

Answer

The double top plate (two layers of horizontal plates at the top of wall framing) ties intersecting walls together and allows framing members above to land on bearing points even when they don't align with studs below.

Construction Practice Test

Construction Practice Test

Construction Carpentry and Wood Framing 3