Ch 7

Question 1

Noncombustible construction

Answer 1

The exterior load bearing walls, floors, and roof are made of and/or supported by steel, metal, gypsum, or other Noncombustible materials. This construction does not contribute fuel to a fire, but structural members can be damaged during during an intense fire.

Question 2

Masonry non-combustible construction

Answer 2

Exterior load-bearing walls made of self-supporting masonry. Floors and roof are steel or Noncombustible material. In an intense fire, the structural members would lose their weight-bearing ability.

Question 3

Modified fire-resistive construction

Answer 3

Exterior load-bearing walls floors, and roof are made of masonry or fire-resistive material that has a fire resistance rating of one hour but less than two hours.

Question 4

fire-resistive construction

Answer 4

Exterior load-bearing walls floors, and roof are made of masonry or fire-resistive material that has a fire resistance rating of not less than two hours.

Question 5

Wet pipe sprinkler

Answer 5

A system that has automatic sprinklers attached to pipes with water under constant pressure, which is released when a sprinkler head opens.

Question 6

Dry pipe sprinkler

Answer 6

Fire suppression system that consists of closed sprinklers attached to a piping system that contains air under pressure. When a sprinkler activates air is released that activates the water or foam control valve and fills the piping with extinguishing agent.

Question 7

Deluge system

Answer 7

Fire suppression system that consists of piping and open sprinklers. A fire detection system is used to activate the water or foam control valve. When the system activates, the extinguishing agent expels from all sprinkler heads in the designated area.

Question 8

Fire suppression system best for two-story motel.

Answer 8

Wet system / no intruder alarm

Question 9

Fire suppression system best for unheated warehouse

Answer 9

Dry system / sensor trigger intruder alarm

Question 10

Fire suppression system best for computer room at Insurance company

Answer 10

Deluge, CO2, halogenated / usually no intruder alarm

Question 11

Fire suppression system best for deep fryer at restaurant

Answer 11

Dry chemical / no intruder alarm

Question 12

Fire suppression system best for retail store with large display windows

Answer 12

Wet system / radio-controlled intruder alarm

Question 13

What are the six essential parts of a building structure

Answer 13

Foundation, framing, windows/doors, utilities, interior finishes, exterior finishes

Question 14

Uneven floors, cracked plaster, and I’ll-fitting doors point to what?

Answer 14

Inadequate foundation

Question 15

How is a building’s roofing material often determined?

Answer 15

Often based on the climate.

Question 16

What are the 5 types of information/entries an estimate should contain?

Answer 16

Specifications (dimensions); material (quantity/quality/size); labor; overhead; profit

Question 17

Difference between “ten and ten” and “ten on ten” methods of calculating overhead and profit

Answer 17

Ten and ten: 10% profit and 10% overhead off the total estimate.

Ten on ten:10% overhead based on total estimate them add it to total and use the n w total to calculate the profit.

Question 18

How do local practices affect estimates?

Answer 18

Terminology and methods differ. Some areas deduct window and door openings from measurements while others may not.

Climate dictates what the bet repair practice is for the area.

Question 19

How do local practices affect construction methods?

Answer 19

Terminology and methods differ. Some areas deduct window and door openings from measurements while others may not.

Climate dictates what the bet repair practice is for the area.

Question 20

What does a scope contain?

Answer 20

A list of the damage areas, a description of the damage, a proposed method of repair, and the measurements of the damaged area.

Question 21

How is a scope different from a finished estimate?

Answer 21

A scope does not include prices and may not include calculated quantities.

Question 22

What is the best procedure for taking notes when inspecting damage (ex tornado)?

Answer 22

survey entire property and structure. Measure perimeter and all structural elements, consider the exterior walls and insulation,, and do a room-by-room scope. Finally, he should consider systems, such as HVAC and debris removal and permits.

Question 23

What are four types of information,other than quantities and dimensions, that should be gathered in a thorough field inspection of damaged property?

Answer 23

degree of damage or method of repair; quality of material or workmanship, demolition and debris removal should be gathered.

Question 24

How are structurally unsound fire-damaged rafters repaired?

Answer 24

Replace

Question 25

How are slightly weakened or cracked fire-damaged rafters repaired?

Answer 25

Sistering

Question 26

How are charred on the surface fire-damaged rafters repaired?

Answer 26

Scraping and sealing

Question 27

Milling waste

Answer 27

Difference between the actual size and nominal size of a piece of lumber. Therefore, a milling waste factor should be added when determining the quantity of material needed.

Question 28

Nominal size

Answer 28

Approximate or roughcut dimension by which a material is generally called or sold in trade, but which differs from the actual dimension. In lumber trade, for example, a finished (dressed) ‘two by four’ piece is less than 2 inches thick and less than 4 inches wide. Also called nominal size.

Question 29

Employers burden and what are some costs included?

Answer 29

Taxable fringe benefits
Nontaxable fringe benefits
State and federal unemployment tax
Employers social security tax 
Workers compensation costs
Liability insurance costs

Question 30

Two steps necessary to price materials

Answer 30

Quality and quantity of materials.

Get local prices for materials.

Question 31

Cutting and fitting waste

Answer 31

Approximate or roughcut dimension by which a material is generally called or sold in trade, but which differs from the actual dimension. In lumber trade, for example, a finished (dressed) ‘two by four’ piece is less than 2 inches thick and less than 4 inches wide. Also called nominal size.

Question 32

How does the labor and materials method work?

Answer 32

Labor cost and material cost of each item required by the scope are calculated separately.

Question 33

When is the unit cost method appropriate?

Answer 33

Appropriate with common genetic materials, such as paint, drywall, and flooring.

Question 34

When is the labor and materials method appropriate?

Answer 34

Whenever the items in question are unique or particular, such as framing or replacement of fixtures that can vary widely in cost.

Question 35

Why is it difficult to negotiate unit costs?

Answer 35

Determining how another person derived his or her unit costs is very difficult.

Question 36

What are some concerns with estimating software?

Answer 36

The adjuster has to know what costs are included in the system’s cost data the adjuster may have to take into account the adverse conditions at a job site. Productivity and duplication of effort may not be taken into account by the package. Estimating systems often do not consider alternatives such as partial replacement. Keying errors s are also a concern.

Question 37

Why should estimating software show prices and usage rates that make up unit cost?

Answer 37

Without this information, checking or negotiating individual items is difficult.

Question 38

Two ways to determine demolition cost.

Answer 38

Labor and materials (time and materials) or unit cost.

Question 39

Advantage of checking the demolition portion of a contractors estimate by dividing the estimated amount by the local common labor rate.

Answer 39

This approximates the hours of demolitions labor. If the hours seem excessive, negotiating time is usually easier than negotiating dollars.

Question 40

Best way to determine cost of debris removal

Answer 40

Estimate the number and size of boxes of trash bins or boxes needed to handle the debris and apply the fee quoted by a local waste disposal company.

Question 41

Two types of debris

Answer 41

Debris of damaged property.

Waste produced by repairs.

Question 42

What is demolition and removal called?

Answer 42

Tear-out and cart, demo and trucking, debris removal, or drayage.

Question 43

Why does a contractor have a minimum charge?

Answer 43

Usually represents 2-4 hours of labor and a small amount of material.

Question 44

Why should minimum charges be used with caution?

Answer 44

Should consider if separate trades are really necessary for a small job if there are minimum charges for several trades.

If there are several small items for a single trade, a better approach is to estimate using the labor and materials or unit cost method. When the estimate is done the adjuster checks to see whether the total for that trade exceeds the usual minimum charge.

Question 45

Why are large jobs and small jobs different in terms of cost?

Answer 45

Large jobs involve economies of scale. Subcontractors with specialized skill and equipment can produce significant savings. Material discounts for large quantities are possible. Finally, competition can play a greater role in larger losses.

Question 46

An apartment building interior is to be painting. Which method of applying should the unit cost be based upon?

Answer 46

Spray

Question 47

Why is drywalling large space usually easier per sheet than drywalling a small space?

Answer 47

Less cutting, fewer odd shapes, more standard seams.

Question 48

What should an adjuster do to resolve scope-related issues?

Answer 48

Try to scope the loss with the contractor, each keeping separate notes and diagrams. The adjuster should arrange for quick demo to resolve questions of hidden damage. The adjuster may need to involve experts and subcontractors for technical expertise. The adjuster may have to test an area to determine a viable repair option. The adjuster may also use competitive bids to resolve differences.

Question 49

Summarize examples of price negotiation guidelines.

Answer 49

Suggest the unit costs as the scope is prepared.

Use labor and materials method to analyze and negotiate the unit cost.

Ask the general contractors to confirm the price with the subcontractor, when applicable.

Negotiate from a known quantity.

Question 50

What consideration must adjuster’s give to changes in rebuilding required by local codes?

Answer 50

If the insurance policy in question does not cover upgrades in materials or construction methods that are required by code, the adjuster must calculate the difference between repairing with like kind and quantity and repairing according to code. Absent coverage for code upgrades, this difference is not recoverable by the insured.

Question 51

How does wear and tear cause a building component to lose value?

Answer 51

Paint, wall, and floor coverings all wear out over time. Heavy use will result in a shorter useful life.

Question 52

How does obsolescence cause a building component to lose value?

Answer 52

As building materials and techniques change, features of older buildings lose value.

Question 53

How does an adjuster confirm that a building meets coinsurance or replacement cost requirements?

Answer 53

MSB to verify the value. The adjuster has to correctly identify the class, quality, and occupancy or the building to get an accurate value.

Question 54

Fire resistive rating

Answer 54

Construction that incorporates load-bearing members and that has a fire-resistive rating of at least two hours

Question 55

What are some issues with the unit cost method where it could cause serious overestimating?

Answer 55

Some components are out of sight, requiring no tear-out.

Demolition of one component often includes demolitions j of another.

Remove and replace cost tends to become the accepted norm and is often us d when the repair option is more appropriate.

On larger losses, unit cost fails to recognize economies of scale. A few hours with heavy equipment can replace days of manual labor.

Many of the tear-out figures in the labor references are appropriate for careful remodeling demolition rather than for large-scale demolition involved in larger losses.

Question 56

What would be the best type of fire suppression system most appropriate for labs, art museums, and computer rooms?

Answer 56

The halogenated system is most appropriate for labs, art museums, and computer rooms because the buildings’ contents are sensitive and should not be subjected to water.

Question 57

What is the most frequent reason for loss of value of building components?

Answer 57

Physical wear

Question 58

In determining the actual cash value of an item to be repaired, the adjuster must understand what causes building components to__________________.

Answer 58

Lose value (depreciation)