Inspector Prep State Exam 3

Question 1

1. A condition which is not a sign of differential settlement is:
   (a) rafters which have pulled away from the ridge board attachment points
   (b) the presence of efflorescence around the perimeter of the foundation
   (c) doors which do not fit well in their openings
   (d) interior walls which show evidence of stress deflection

Answer 1

(b) the presence of efflorescence around the perimeter of the foundation

Question 2

2. Framing members normally visible from the attic space include:
   (a) purlin braces
   (b) sill plates
   (c) wall studs
   (d) a. & b.

Answer 2

(a) purlin braces

Question 3

3. Fireblocking is not required in open, concealed wood-framed spaces:
   (a) whenever flue clearances are greater than 2 inches from combustible materials
   (b) whenever no fuel-burning appliance flues pass through ceilings
   (c) whenever fireplace flues are of refractory materials
   (d) none of the above

Answer 3

(d) none of the above

Question 4

4. System grounding conductors:
   (a) Afford no protection from high voltage caused by lightning strikes
   (b) Are connected to a metal grounding rod or water supply line
   (c) Must be electrically isolated from the neutral bus bar
   (d) Must always be of insulated cable

Answer 4

(b) Are connected to a metal grounding rod or water supply line

Question 5

5. Aluminum branch circuit wiring:
   (a) creates oxide of aluminum, a good conductor, when it corrodes
   (b) expands less than copper wiring when heated
   (c) must be used when outlet devices are labeled CU/AL
   (d) can cause loosening of connections at switches and receptacles

Answer 5

(d) can cause loosening of connections at switches and receptacles

Question 6

6. Reversed polarity in an AC (alternating current) circuit:
   (a) Cannot be easily detected by a standard circuit analyzer
   (b) Is not important
   (c) Can cause malfunction in some modern electrical equipment
   (d) None of the above

Answer 6

(c) Can cause malfunction in some modern electrical equipment

Question 7

7. Electrical disconnects or shutoffs are not required (for the safety of service personnel) near:
   (a) electric water heaters
   (b) furnace motors
   (c) electric range and cooktop connections
   (d) central air conditioner condensing unit

Answer 7

(c) electric range and cooktop connections

Question 8

8. For proper combustion, a gas fired forced air furnace requires:
   (a) adequate availability of primary combustion air
   (b) a flame which lifts steadily off the burner
   (c) adequate availability of secondary combustion air
   (d) a. & c.

Answer 8

(d) a. & c.

(a) adequate availability of primary combustion air
(c) adequate availability of secondary combustion air

Question 9

9. Signs of possible loss of heat exchanger integrity in a gas fired furnace include:
   (a) Dancing flames during blower operation
   (b) Sticky black soot in the blower compartment or supply registers
   (c) Small openings in the heat exchanger at the burner area
   (d) All of the above

Answer 9

(d) All of the above

Question 10

10. The flue serving a gas fired furnace with natural draft venting must:
    (a) Vent directly through a side wall
    (b) Exhaust at a point 5 or more vertical feet above the flue collar
    (c) Be fitted with an atmospheric damper
    (d) Be a minimum of 5 inches in diameter

Answer 10

(b) Exhaust at a point 5 or more vertical feet above the flue collar

Question 11

11. The purpose of a draft diverter at the flue collar of a natural draft gas fired furnace is to:
    (a) prevent the downward flow of air into the burner compartment
    (b) allow the free flow of draft air into the flue
    (c) divert heat away from the flue walls
    (d) a. & b.

Answer 11

(d) a. & b.

(a) prevent the downward flow of air into the burner compartment
(b) allow the free flow of draft air into the flue

Question 12

12. Condensing furnaces:
    (a) can safely carry away combustion gasses through a plastic pipe
    (b) can achieve efficiencies as high as 100%
    (c) are not sensitive to the availability of combustion air
    (d) require no draft induction fan

Answer 12

(a) can safely carry away combustion gasses through a plastic pipe

Question 13

13. The blower in an electric furnace:
    (a) Shuts down just before the heating elements are cycled off
    (b) Forces air directly through the heat exchanger
    (c) Usually draws from 4 to 6 amps
    (d) Carries combustion gasses to an outdoor location

Answer 13

(c) Usually draws from 4 to 6 amps

Question 14

14. In electric refrigeration air conditioning systems:
    (a) The combination of pressure and cooling causes refrigerant to evaporate into a vaporous state
    (b) The rapidly expanding refrigerant gas in the evaporator coil gives off heat
    (c) Heat is released to the outdoors by passing heated air over the surfaces of the evaporator coil
    (d) None of the above

Answer 14

(d) None of the above

Question 15

15. An emergency heat setting at the thermostat of a heat pump system:
    (a) disengages the heat pump
    (b) is required when indoor temperature is over 80 degrees F.
    (c) activates the 4-way reversing valve
    (d) is used when the outdoor temperature rises too quickly for the heat pump to respond

Answer 15

(a) disengages the heat pump

Question 16

16. Inspection of evaporative coolers does not include:
    (a) Listening to pump operation
    (b) Identification of blower motors as one- or two-speed
    (c) Testing for correct water softness (PH) levels
    (d) Observation of blower and fan components for rust, corrosion, and deterioration

Answer 16

(c) Testing for correct water softness (PH) levels

Question 17

17. A wall cavity used as a return air plenum:
    (a) requires a 40 micron filter accommodation
    (b) must be well sealed
    (c) is impermissible
    (d) must have a properly installed floor drain for condensation removal

Answer 17

(b) must be well sealed

Question 18

18. “Water hammer”, (a loud banging noise), often heard when faucets are turned off:
    (a) is caused by inadequate pipe diameter
    (b) is caused by the accumulation of mineral deposits within the pipes
    (c) is normal, and need not be reported
    (d) none of the above

Answer 18

(d) none of the above

Question 19

19. The temperature-and-pressure relief valve in a water heater:
    (a) regulates water temperature and pressure
    (b) must be equipped to discharge through a pipe of at least ¾ inch in diameter
    (c) must include a shutoff valve
    (d) must discharge into a standard plumbing drain

Answer 19

(b) must be equipped to discharge through a pipe of at least ¾ inch in diameter

Question 20

20. A sacrificial anode rod installed in a water heater:
    (a) Is made of the high-temperature alloy manganese sulfide
    (b) Causes premature deterioration of the tank by galvanic corrosion
    (c) Causes premature deterioration of the tank by electrolysis
    (d) None of the above

Answer 20

(d) None of the above

Question 21

21. Which of the following does not require GFCI protection:
    (a) pool equipment which operates on 120 volts
    (b) receptacles greater than 5’, but less than 10 horizontal feet from pool walls
    (c) underwater electric lighting fixtures
    (d) lighting fixtures greater than 5 horizontal feet from a pool wall which are also greater than 5 feet above grade and rigidly mounted to a structure

Answer 21

(d) lighting fixtures greater than 5 horizontal feet from a pool wall which are also greater than 5 feet above grade and rigidly mounted to a structure

Question 22

22. The main purpose of a barrier around a pool is to:
    (a) Control the accumulation of debris that might foul the filtration system
    (b) Provide privacy for the users
    (c) Protect pool water from contamination caused by pets and other small animals
    (d) Help prevent accidental drowning

Answer 22

(d) Help prevent accidental drowning

Question 23

23. Home inspectors without a pest control license should:
    (a) only perform insect-related inspection by agreement with the client
    (b) only report the presence of the 4 most common types of wood-destroying insects
    (c) recommend that a licensed pest control operator be consulted
    (d) inform only the client’s lender of pest-related findings

Answer 23

(c) recommend that a licensed pest control operator be consulted

Question 24

24. Landscape irrigation (sprinkler) systems backflow preventers:
    (a) help minimize the risk of garden water siphoning into the main building drain
    (b) are normally located at the building water supply entrance
    (c) cancel programmed operation in the event of rain
    (d) must be located higher than the highest spray head in the system

Answer 24

(d) must be located higher than the highest spray head in the system

Question 25

25. A 1 inch vertical air gap between a faucet spout and the flood rim of its fixture:
    (a) requires the installation of an anti-siphon device
    (b) can cause cross-connection
    (c) can help to prevent the flow of wastewater into the supply lines
    (d) can cause failure of the trap seal

Answer 25

(c) can help to prevent the flow of wastewater into the supply lines