FX : Building Systems and Construction

Question 1

77 What is the unit of measure for sound intensity, based on a logarithmic scale?

Answer 1

The decibel (dB) is the unit of measure for this.

Question 2

78 What do most people perceive when a sound increases by 10 dB?

Answer 2

When a sound increases by this amount, most people perceive a doubling in loudness.

Question 3

79 What frequency range can be heard by most healthy young people?

Answer 3

This range is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

Question 4

80 What is the coefficient of absorption?

Answer 4

This is the ratio of the sound intensity absorbed by a material to the total sound intensity reaching the material.

Question 5

81 What is the noise reduction coefficient (NRC)?

Answer 5

This is a single-number average of a material’s coefficients of absorption at 250 Hz, 100 Hz, and 2000 Hz, rounded to the nearest 0.05.

Question 6

82 What is reverberation time?

Answer 6

This is the time it takes for the sound level in a space to decrease 60 dB after the source has stopped producing the sound.

Question 7

83 What is the ceiling attenuation class (CAC)?

Answer 7

This is a single measure of the transmission loss through ceiling tiles between two closed rooms where there is no barrier above the suspended ceiling.

Question 8

84 What percentage range of a commercial building’s total energy use is typically devoted to electric lighting and the cooling it requires?

Answer 8

30% to 40% of a commercial building’s total energy use is typically devoted to this.

Question 9

85 What are the three most common types of interior glazing?

Answer 9

The three most common types are: - Float - Tempered - Laminated

Question 10

86 What are the primary elements used to make bronze?

Answer 10

Copper and tin are used to make this material.

Question 11

87 What is a concrete masonry unit?

Answer 11

The building product, abbreviated CMU, is also most commonly known as concrete block.

Question 12

88 What is mean radiant temperature?

Answer 12

This is a measure of the heat a person gains from or loses to his or her surroundings through radiation. It is used in assessing how comfortable the room is. The value is a weighted average of the various surface temperatures in a room (taking into account an occupant’s angle of exposure to these surfaces) and any sunlight present.

Question 13

89 What are the standard depths of metal studs?

Answer 13

Standard depths for these construction components are 1-5/8”, 2-1/2”, 3-5/8”, 4” and 6” (41, 64, 92, 102, and 152 mm)

Question 14

90 What is the generic name for fire-rated gypsum wallboard?

Answer 14

Type X is the generic name of this material.

Question 15

91 What are four advantages of using portland cement plaster as a finish material?

Answer 15

As a finish material, this has the advantages of being - hard and abrasion resistant - water resistant - easily formed into curved and ornate surfaces - a good base for wall tile

Question 16

92 What are four disadvantages of using portland cement plaster as a finish material?

Answer 16

As a finish material, this has the disadvantages of being - more expensive than gypsum wallboard - slower to construct with than gypsum wallboard - wet and messy to work with - challenging to work with, thus requiring more-skilled labor

Question 17

93 What is a pivot?

Answer 17

This is a type of hardware used to hang doors. It consists of a rotating bottom pin and a corresponding pin at the top of the door.

Question 18

94 In regards to construction, what is a plenum?

Answer 18

In commercial construction, this is the space between the building structural roof or floor and the suspended ceiling.

Question 19

95 What effect does an acoustical ceiling have on sound?

Answer 19

This construction element mainly absorbs sound.

Question 20

96 Stainless steel is primarily an alloy of steel and an additional element. Which one?

Answer 20

Chromium is added to steel to create this material.

Question 21

97 What process occurs when dissimilar metals are in contact in the presence of water?

Answer 21

What process that occurs under these conditions is galvanic action. Galvanic action is a form of electrochemical corrosion in which one metal gives up electrons to the other, corroding quickly while slowing the other metal’s corrosion.

Question 22

98 What type of steel floor or roof framing system provides provides generous space in both directions for pipes, ducts, and conduit?

Answer 22

This is the primary benefit of an open-web steel joist system.

Question 23

99 What type of precast structural member is often used to provide support as a beam and as floor decking?

Answer 23

A double-tee is often used in these two applications.

Question 24

100 What electrical components are required for switched, outlets, lights, and locations where electrical conductors have been spliced?

Answer 24

Junction boxes are required at these locations.

Question 25

101 What is a ground fault interrupter?

Answer 25

This is an electrical safety device that detects small current leaks and disconnects the power to a circuit.

Question 26

102 What are the components labeled A and D, and what purpose does each serve?

Answer 26

This illustration shows: (A) stack vent: connects to a soil or waste stack above the highest fixture (B) vent stack: a vent pipe that is separate from a soil or waste stack (C) soil stack: carries human waste (D) waste stack: carries wastes other than human waste

Question 27

103 What is the purpose of a plumbing trap?

Answer 27

This plumbing component holds a quantity of water to provide a seal that prevents gases from the sewage system from entering the building.

Question 28

104 What is an intumescent material?

Answer 28

This is a material that, when exposed to heat, expands rapidly and insulates or fills spaces to prevent the passage of fire and smoke.

Question 29

105 What are the components labeled A though D?

Answer 29

The components of this illustration are (A) run of the stair (B) tread (C) nosing (D) riser

Question 30

106 What is a flight in a stairway?

Answer 30

This is a series of two or more risers between one floor or landing and the next.

Question 31

107 What is a winding stairway?

Answer 31

This is a type of stairway that has tapered treads that are wider at one end than at the other.

Question 32

108 What two materials have largely supplanted plywood in interior construction applications?

Answer 32

Particleboard and medium-density fiberboard have generally supplanted this material in interior construction applications.

Question 33

109 What is a jalousie window?

Answer 33

This window type consists of individual horizontal pieces of glass that all pivot outward at once for ventilation.

Question 34

110 What is direct glare?

Answer 34

This results when a light source in the field of vision causes discomfort and interference with a visual task.

Question 35

111 What is a veiling reflection?

Answer 35

This results when a reflection causes glare that interferes with a visual task.

Question 36

112 What is running trim?

Answer 36

This type of molding is installed end to end.

Question 37

113 Which finish material for woodwork provides the hardest, most durable surface?

Answer 37

When used as a finish material for woodwork, polyester has these characteristics.

Question 38

114 What is lacquer?

Answer 38

This is a coating material with a high nitrocellulose content that has been modified with resins and plasticizes dissolved in a volatile solvent.

Question 39

115 What is solid surfacing?

Answer 39

This is a homogeneous polymer-based surfacing material.