EN-M7 : General Contractor ( Exam 3 )

3.1 According to part 9, and considering the type and main substance of soil given below, how would you estimate the suitable maximum pressure for shallow foundations, to apply a limited safe pressure to the ground and to acquire a stable construction: firm clay?

3.2 Select the specific cases in which a barrier-free access must be built :

1. Only in public usage buildings
2. Aside from a few exceptions, all building usages require barrier-free access
3. The family house, duplexes and triplexes are exempted from barrier-free access  requirements
4. In an apartment building without elevators, a barrier-free access is required at   the entrance level of the building, only if the level difference between the entrance floor and every dwelling unit is less than 600mm

3.3 Tents and air-supported structures are subjected to specific requirements. They require plans that include specific elements. Based on Chapter 1 – Building, from the Code de construction du Québec, select the statements, from the ones given below, that comply to principles regarding the installation plans and quotes for tents or air-supported structures?

1. The installation (site) plan of tents or air-supported structures conceived for the public has to respect security clearances of 3 m to separate them from other structures.
2. Materials used for coverings specified on the installation (site) plan and used, must be fire-    resistant, and corresponding to a standard recognized by fire tests for flame resistant fabrics     and films.
3. The installation (site) plan of tents or air-supported structures has to plan the number and the     location of exits, to determine the number of occupants, the distance and the exit signs.
4. The use of air-supported structures is forbidden for all industrial purposes.
5. You must keep 3 m of clearance between the tents and vegetation.

3.4 See the list of standards below.  Among them, select the ones that are incorporated by cross-reference to the articles of Chapter 1 – Building, from the Code de construction du Québec to insure there is compliance of the FIRE SAFETY characteristics for doors?

1. CAN / ULC – S104-10
2. CAN / CSA – 0132.2 – Série-90
3. CAN / CGSB -82.6-M86
4. CAN / ULC-S531-02
5. NFPA 80 – 2010

3.5 For the installation of a multilayer waterproofing membrane, which of the following instructions must be followed?

1. The quantity of bitumen between layers can’t be too heavy to avoid shingle sliding and too light to ensure adhesion and waterproofing of the membrane.
2. Coal tar-based products are incompatible with asphalt-based products
3. Built-up roofing shall consist of a minimum of 2 layers
4. Bitumen shall not be heated higher than its flashing point for many minutes.
5. Final surface bitumen shall be covered by 15 to 20 mm of gravel or crushed stones with a minimum spread rate of 5 kg/m²

3.6 In conformance with the Chapter 1 – Building, from the Code de construction du Québec: Among the following descriptions, which one is in force regarding the minimum number of sanitary equipment required for a restaurant with an 80-persons capacity of each gender?

1. Men: 1 water closet with 1 lavatory
   Women: 2 water closets with 1 lavatory
2. 1 water closet accessible both to the men and to women with 1 lavatory.
3. Men: 1 water closet plus 1 urinal with 1 lavatory
   Women:1 water closet with 1 lavatory
4. Men: 2 water closets with 1 lavatory
   Women:4 water closets with 2 lavatories

3.7 When building a masonry wall, there are specific rules to follow. Select the description giving the proper way to carry this type of built?

1. Mortar joint thickness shall be ¾¨ (19mm) 
2. Steel angles lintels supporting masonry veneer over openings shall have a bearing length of at least 31/2 ” (90mm)
3. Steel angles lintels supporting masonry over openings shall be prime painted.
4. Space between walls and interior surface of the brick shall be not less than 1″
5. A 3 5/8″ (90mm) hollow brick shall project 1 1/8″ (30mm)

3.8 According to Chapter 1 – Building, from the Code de construction du Québec. From the statements below, choose the acceptable ones describing the requirements for a “barrier-free path of travel” of a building or of a floor area in which a barrier-free design is needed?

1. The main entrance and at least 50% of all pedestrian entrances have to be barrier-free.
2. The doorways of a barrier-free path of travel (except for residential occupancy’s suites) have to offer a free width of at least 800 m.
3. The corridors of the paths of travel must have a free width of 920 m.
4. The threshold of a doorway (not giving access to a balcony) of a barrier-free path of travel must be heightened of 13 mm at most.

3.9 Find the appropriate classification for the building usage given below?

1. A 3-storey building of a 250 m2 surface for each storey
2. In a half-basement, there are a hair salon and a convenience store
3. On a ground floor level, there is an accountant office
4. On each of the 2nd and 3rd floor, there are 2 private residences for self-sufficient seniors

3.10 Means of egress and exits must respect specific rules and be protected. Read the following descriptions, and select the one(s) that is/are applicable in that regard?

1. A laundry room (in a multiple dwelling building) set up on a storey, in a room giving access and opening directly on the common corridor
2. A service room (electrical equipment– in a basement) giving access to and opening directly on the staircase landing of an exit, leading from the basement to the upper floors.    
3. A naturel gas heating appliance in an open gallery used as an exit.
4. An electrical service room (with high-voltage transformer) installed in the basement in a zone partially located under the passage of a common corridor.
5. A heating room (with a boiler producing vapor at a maximum pressure of 150 Kpa) located partially under the passage of a common corridor.

3.11 Specific technical installation methods are applicable to properly install an exterior masonry veneer. Which ones?

1. A galvanized metal strap nailed to the wood frame on the intermediate wall panel with spiral nails or corrosion-resistant screws at 400mm (16 inches) vertical spacing and 800mm (32 inches) horizontal spacing.
2. Straps are bent at a right angle within 6mm from the fastener (1/4 inch) to the wood frame wall.
3. Weep holes spaced no more than 800mm (32 inches) apart, in the lower part of a cavity wall.
4. Flashing beneath weep holes that are extended 5mm (1/4 inch) beyond the outer face of the     building element below the flashing, to a point 150mm (6 inches) up the wood frame wall
5. Mortar droppings shall be avoided behind the brick, which would prevent the passage of water across the cavity and interfere with the efficiency of the ventilated space.

3.12 Read the descriptions of the following situation(s) and choose the one requiring the installation of a door self-closing device:

1. It is mandatory to install a self-closing device between class rooms and an adjacent corridor providing access to class rooms exit, if the height of the building is not more than 3 storeys;
2. It is mandatory to install a self-closing device on doors between a common corridor and adjacent rooms used for business purposes, if the height of the building is not more than storeys and if these doors are not located in a dead-end portion of the common corridor;
3. It is mandatory to install a self-closing device on doors between patients’ sleeping rooms and a corridor serving those rooms, if the rooms and the corridor are located in a fire-resistant compartment of a hospital or a retirement home.
4. It is mandatory to install a self-closing device on doors between a patient’s room and adjacent rooms serving that room, if these rooms are located in a fire-resistant compartment of a hospital or a retirement home.
5. It is mandatory to install a self-closing device on a door separating a dwelling from an adjacent or built-in garage.

3.14 In accordance with Part 3 from Division B of the Chapter 1 – Building, from the Code de construction du Québec.

The built of a staircase requires specific safety procedures. From the elements given below, which are true regarding applicable safety parameters for the construction of a staircase?

1. A landing is required below and in the top of every staircase.
2. A handrail must be continuous on all length of the staircase and go on horizontally for 300 mm at every extremity.
3. The binding and the resistance of the handrail have to satisfy compulsory minimal load calculations.
4. On a landing, a guard has to have a minimal height of 920 mm.
5. The normal exit staircases for public buildings have to have a run with minimal dimension of 280 mm, with a 10 mm tolerance.

3.15  In accordance with the Chapter 1 – Building, from the Code de construction du Québec and the rules of the art:
Which of the following statements are valid regarding the notion of “air tightness”?

1. The performance of an air-barrier system is obtained and measurable by the complete assembly including the effects combined by all various layers of materials of the joints’ envelope.
2. The recommended performance of the air-barrier system for a wall is obtained and measurable by the material in air-barrier sheets (or in panels) and the care brought to its joints.
3. An air-barrier system must be conceived and installed to obtain a continuous barrier.
4. A sheet product (or panels) used as an air leakage resistance has to have a permeability rate of at most 0.02 L/s m² measured under a pressure’s differential of 75 Pa.

3.16 Part 10 of division B of Code 2010 gives precisions regarding alteration work or change of occupancy. Which of the following statements are applicable in that regard?

1. A change in usage without alteration to a part of the building or to an equipment is not considered an alteration, and the building does not have to comply to Code requirements or to be updated to Code, according to Parts 1 to 10 of the Code.
2. When altering part of a building according to Code, the existing part not being altered (which does not affect the altered part) continues to be subjected to Code while in construction. (This part does not have to be modified to be up to Code).
3. A change of usage which increases the number of occupants is considered as an alteration submitted to Code in effect at the moment.
4. A change in usage for a usage of group E, without an increase of occupant number is not considered as an alteration and not submitted to Code in effect

3.17 According to the Part 9 from the Division B and the Appendix D of the Chapter 1 – Building, from the Code de construction du Québec:

The construction of garages or car shelters (carports) used by a single dwelling unit are submitted to specific parameters. Which are correct and applicable in that regard?

1. A roofed carport must be considered as a garage if more than 60% of its perimeter is enclosed by walls, doors or windows.  It must then be built according to the applicable requirements.
2. The floors of any garage and carport have to drain towards a sewer or towards a restraint pit, serving as ground drains.
3. The floors of garages and adjacent carports, which are not between the fair ground level and the street, can drain towards the outside, on a slope.
4. The floors of garages and the adjacent carports, which are not below the fair ground level and below the street level, can drain towards the outside, on a slope.

3.18 Surface water must be taken in consideration when constructing a building. In Part 5 of Chapter 1 or the regulations in Part 9, and the rules of the trade: which one(s) is/are valid construction applications to properly protect a building from surface water?

1. Ensure that the location is not exposed to frequent periods of flooding.
2. Avoid to install material joints at ground level. Set up the 150 mm to 200 mm joints over the finished ground.
3. Use foundation insulating materials on the exterior surface, such as semi-rigid fibreglass which acts as a capillarity breakage and install drainage materials.
4. Ensure that topography of the finished land surface is sloped to lead runoff waters   away from each building walls.

3.19 According to Chapter 1 – Building, from the Code de construction du Québec

The usage and distinction of combustible and non-combustible materials are submitted to rules, concepts and principles. Which statement(s) is/are applicable?

1. A combustible material contributes to the combustible load and generates some heat, flames and smoke:  in case of a fire, it will be destroyed by flames.
2. A non-combustible material does not generate heat, flames, smoke and will not be destroyed by flames.  It will continue to fulfill its function in case of a fire.
3. When a building has to be of non-combustible construction, the structural elements and its other main subdivision components must be built of non-combustible materials except for the finishing.
4. For its minor finishing and assembly components (such as nailing, seal, paint, wiring), a building for which a non-combustible construction is required has to contain non-combustible materials.

3.20 Which statement(s) applies/apply regarding the valid requirements for fire protection of exits by fire separations?

1. Fire resistance of 45 min
2. Not required (surface materials shall be non-combustible)
3. No openings are permitted in a fire separation common to 2 exits
4. All glass for the door or side panel shall be wired glass or glass blocks

3.21 Determine which buildings would require an alarm system?

1. Three floors (6 dwellings per storey) sharing a common corridor on each floor leading to the exit + a basement.
2. Three floors of 15 dwellings total + a basement
3. A 2-storey family Inn, above ground, with 5 bedrooms / 10 occupants total.
4. A 2-storey business establishment, without a basement, for 150 people per storey

3.22 The thermal insulation of ventilation ducts is sometimes required. Identify the appropriate practices and technical motives that justify these measures?

1. A metal duct carrying outdoor fresh air for a heat recuperation equipment shall be insulated on its interior surface to avoid condensation on colder days.
2. A metal duct for a bathroom running through a non heated space does not have to be insulated because air is sufficiently warm, on all its length, not to create condensation.
3. Metal ducts from a clothes dryer running through a non heated crawl space does not need to be insulated because air in the ducts is sufficiently warm, on all its length, not to create condensation inside of the ducts and on the exterior surfaces exposed to air.
4. Any duct coming from an exterior source towards a non heated space shall be insulated to avoid condensation on the exterior duct surfaces.

3.23 Considering Part 9, Chap. 1, related to chimneys, which elements shall be in conformity with specific standards for a safe and approved usage and installation of a fireplace?

1. Factory-built chimneys
2. Factory-built fireplaces
3. Refractory mortars for firebrick refractory liners of on-site constructed masonry fireplace   
4. Chimney cleaning materials
5. Carbon monoxide alarms

3.24 According to the requirements of the Part 3 from the Division B of the Chapter 1 – Building, from the Code de construction du Québec:

Regarding roof spaces or attic spaces, which of the statements given below are satisfactory according to rules, precautions or measures to apply?

1. The applicable rules affect all non-combustible constructions.
2. The applicable rules apply to all combustible constructions which are not protected by sprinklers.
3. If materials inside these concealed spaces have a flame-spreading     rating higher than 25, it is necessary to divide the space by surface fire separation of 300 m² with no dimensions exceeding 20 m.
4. One plasterboard of 12.7 mm thick, with all closed up joints, is acceptable as a fire separation.
5. A piece of wood of 38 mm thick is acceptable as a fire separation for a combustible building.

3.25 According to the Quebec Construction Code, connect each of the following definitions with the right type of foundation.

1. Foundation
2. Deep foundation
3. Shallow foundation
4. Combination of foundation elements on which sits a building and in which a load is transferred to supporting soil or rock, either by being immobilized by ground stops at their extremities, to a considerable dept, either by adhesion or by soil or rock friction where they are mounted, or by a combination of both load transmission methods; piling is the most common type of deep foundations.
5. Combination of foundation elements in which a building load is transferred to the rock or soil on which it sits.
6. Foundation elements supported by rock or soil located near the lowest part of the building.

3.26 According to the Quebec Construction Code and with the usage of the dictionaries placed at your disposal, which of the following descriptions correspond to:

    A) Construction joint

    B) Expansion joint (disconnection joint)

    C) Crack control joint (shrinkage joint)

1. Groove or saw cut made in a concrete slab to release internal tensions.
2. At the time of a long concrete work interruption, a joint is made before the next poor.
3. Between a foundation wall and the concrete slab, a compatible material is installed.

3.27 According to the Quebec Construction Code, which statements among the following ones are valid regarding the drawings and specifications of a building?

1. Structure drawings for buildings discussed in Part 4 of the Construction Code must include the name and address of the person responsible for the structure calculations.
2. Before installing a sprinkler system, you need to draw plans supplying details of the future system as well as for the building area and the location of the exits.
3. The layout plans must indicate the access paths intended for firemen.
4. In the architectural drawings, you will usually find dimensions, the height and the expected usage for all rooms.

3.28 According to the Quebec Construction Code, each type of soil has a maximum acceptable pressure and there are different technics to measure its load bearing capacity. Which statements among the following is/are valid?

1. The maximum acceptable pressure allowed on a stiff clay ground is 75 kPa.
2. A technique to determine if a clay soil is hard or soft, consist of forcing a 38mm x38 mm stick in the ground.
3. Sand and gravel have a similar acceptable pressure.
4. When the water table is high, because it is at a depth equal to the width of the foundation under the supporting surface, the maximum acceptable pressure on a hard sand ground will be 75 kPa.

3.29 According to the Quebec Construction Code, which statements are valid regarding the different materials used to construct a small building?

1. Construction wood shall not have a water content superior than 10%.
2. In regions where termites where identified, wood structure elements shall always be pressure treated with a toxic chemical product against termites.
3. Galvanized metal sheet used as flashing must be zinc coated or coated with an aluminum and zinc alloy.
4. Concrete used for balconies must contain from 5 to 8 % of trapped air.

3.30 According to the Quebec Construction Code, which statements are valid regarding posts used as supports? The building has 2 wood structure floors comprised of two bedrooms on the first floor and a library with a reading room on the second floor. The floor joists have a maximum length of 5 m and sit on 150 mm wide wood beams.

1. The hollow steel posts supporting the beams shall have a diameter of at least 73 mm.
2. The superior support plates for the steel posts shall have a dimension of at least 100 x100 mm.
3. The wood posts sitting on a concrete floor slab in contact with the ground shall be separated from the ground with a 0,05 mm thick polyethylene sheet or with a type S roof material in a roll.
4. Posts spaced 3 m apart shall sit on a slab of at least 0.75 m2.