Florida General Contractor Florida General Contractor Mechanical and Electrical Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Florida Building Code, what is the minimum clearance required in front of an electrical panel (switchboard or panelboard)?
- 18 inches
- 24 inches
- 36 inches (Correct answer)
- 48 inches
Correct answer: 36 inches
The NEC (adopted in Florida) requires a minimum 36-inch working clearance in front of electrical panels and switchboards for safe access.
Question 2: What does 'SEER' measure in a Florida HVAC system?
- Sound emission efficiency rating
- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio — a measure of cooling efficiency over a season (Correct answer)
- System equipment energy reserve
- Static energy exchange rate
Correct answer: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio — a measure of cooling efficiency over a season
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures an air conditioner's cooling output over a typical cooling season divided by the electrical energy it consumes.
Question 3: In Florida, what type of pipe material is typically prohibited for use as supply water piping in residential construction due to historical failure issues?
- CPVC
- Polybutylene (PB) (Correct answer)
- PEX
- Copper type L
Correct answer: Polybutylene (PB)
Polybutylene (PB) pipe was banned from new construction due to widespread failures caused by reaction to oxidants in public water supplies.
Question 4: Which Florida trade license is required to perform air conditioning work on systems with more than 25 tons of cooling capacity?
- Class A Air Conditioning Contractor license (Correct answer)
- Class B Air Conditioning Contractor license
- Mechanical Contractor license
- Registered HVAC technician certificate
Correct answer: Class A Air Conditioning Contractor license
A Class A Air Conditioning Contractor license in Florida is required for unlimited tonnage, including systems over 25 tons of cooling capacity.
Question 5: What is the minimum slope (grade) for a horizontal drain pipe in a Florida plumbing system for pipes 3 inches or less in diameter?
- 1/16 inch per foot
- 1/8 inch per foot
- 1/4 inch per foot (Correct answer)
- 1/2 inch per foot
Correct answer: 1/4 inch per foot
The Florida Plumbing Code requires horizontal drain pipes 3 inches or less in diameter to slope at a minimum of 1/4 inch per foot toward the drain.
Question 6: Under the Florida Building Code, what is required when an air handler unit is installed in an attic space to prevent water damage from condensate overflow?
- A secondary drain pan with a separate drain line or overflow switch (Correct answer)
- A float valve on the primary drain only
- Insulation wrap on the drain pan only
- An overflow alarm audible from outside the building
Correct answer: A secondary drain pan with a separate drain line or overflow switch
Florida requires a secondary drain pan with a separate condensate drain line or an overflow safety switch when air handlers are installed in attic spaces.
Florida General Contractor Florida General Contractor Mechanical and Electrical Systems 2
Under the Florida Building Code, what is the minimum clearance required in front of an electrical panel (switchboard or panelboard)?