Building Systems and Components Flashcards
7 cards from real NHIE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Building Systems and Components flashcards as text
What is the maximum water heater temperature setting recommended to prevent scalding at the tap?
Answer: 120°F
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends setting water heaters to 120°F to reduce scalding risk while still being hot enough to inhibit Legionella bacteria.
Which roof framing member runs from the ridge board to the top plate and carries no load other than its own weight in a conventional rafter system?
Answer: Common rafter
A common rafter spans from the ridge to the top plate and is the standard framing member in a simple gable roof, carrying only its own tributary roof load.
When inspecting a forced-air heating system, a dirty blower wheel most directly causes:
Answer: Reduced airflow and system efficiency
A dirty blower wheel is unbalanced and has restricted blade area, which significantly reduces airflow volume and forces the system to work harder with less efficiency.
What is the minimum number of receptacle outlets required on a kitchen countertop that is 24 inches wide and 4 feet long?
Answer: Two
NEC requires that no point along a kitchen countertop be more than 24 inches from a receptacle outlet, so a 4-foot countertop requires at least two receptacles.
What type of foundation movement is characterized by one corner of the structure sinking while the rest remains stable?
Answer: Differential settlement
Differential settlement occurs when one part of a foundation sinks more than another, typically due to variable soil conditions, and causes diagonal cracking and structural distortion.
During a home inspection, the inspector notices the dryer vent is made of flexible plastic duct. This is a concern primarily because:
Answer: Plastic duct is combustible and can trap lint, creating a fire hazard
Plastic flexible dryer duct is a fire hazard because it can melt from heat, accumulate lint in the corrugations, and easily ignite; metal duct is required.
What is the purpose of a weep screed at the base of an exterior stucco wall?
Answer: Allow moisture trapped behind the stucco to drain out
A weep screed has small openings that allow any water that infiltrates behind the stucco cladding to drain out at the base rather than accumulate and cause damage.