ICC Building Inspection 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a framing inspection, which of the following would NOT typically be verified by the inspector?
- Proper spacing of structural members
- Adequate fire blocking installation
- Correct header sizes above openings
- Quality of paint applied to exposed framing (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Quality of paint applied to exposed framing
Paint application is a cosmetic concern and is not part of a framing inspection, which focuses on structural integrity, fire blocking, and code compliance.
Question 2: Under the IRC, floor joists must be doubled under which of the following conditions?
- Windows only
- Non-bearing partitions running perpendicular to the joists (Correct answer)
- Parallel non-bearing partitions only
- All interior walls regardless of direction
Correct answer: Non-bearing partitions running perpendicular to the joists
The IRC requires floor joists to be doubled under non-bearing partitions running perpendicular to the joists to properly distribute the concentrated load.
Question 3: What is the minimum bearing length required for rafters and ceiling joists at their point of support, per the IRC?
- 1 inch
- 1.5 inches (Correct answer)
- 2 inches
- 3 inches
Correct answer: 1.5 inches
The IRC requires rafters and ceiling joists to bear a minimum of 1.5 inches at their support point to ensure adequate load transfer.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of fireblocking in wood-frame construction?
- Enhance the thermal insulation value of wall cavities
- Prevent the spread of fire through concealed spaces in walls and floors (Correct answer)
- Provide additional structural support at floor levels
- Reduce sound transmission between floors
Correct answer: Prevent the spread of fire through concealed spaces in walls and floors
Fireblocking is designed to prevent fire from traveling through concealed wall and floor cavities that could otherwise act as chimneys and accelerate fire spread.
Question 5: An inspector discovers that a contractor installed a beam that does not match the approved construction drawings. What is the inspector's appropriate first action?
- Allow work to continue since similar materials can be substituted
- Contact the structural engineer to obtain verbal approval
- Issue a notice of violation and stop work until the discrepancy is formally resolved (Correct answer)
- Accept the substitution if the inspector personally believes it is equivalent
Correct answer: Issue a notice of violation and stop work until the discrepancy is formally resolved
When work does not conform to approved construction documents, the inspector must issue a notice of violation and require that work stop until the discrepancy is resolved through official channels.
Question 6: What is the minimum required clearance between the bottom of wood floor joists and the ground surface in a crawl space, per the IRC?
- 6 inches
- 12 inches
- 18 inches (Correct answer)
- 24 inches
Correct answer: 18 inches
The IRC requires a minimum clearance of 18 inches between the bottom of floor joists and the ground in crawl spaces to prevent moisture damage and allow for maintenance access.
Question 7: During a foundation inspection, an inspector observes honeycombing in a poured concrete wall. What is the most likely cause of this defect?
- Excess water added to the concrete mix
- Inadequate consolidation (vibration) that left voids where aggregate clustered (Correct answer)
- Using aggregate that is too small for the application
- Pouring concrete during cold weather conditions
Correct answer: Inadequate consolidation (vibration) that left voids where aggregate clustered
Honeycombing is caused by inadequate consolidation (vibration) of fresh concrete, allowing coarse aggregate to cluster and form voids that are not filled by paste.
ICC Building Inspection 2
During a framing inspection, which of the following would NOT typically be verified by the inspector?