Multiple Choice Flashcards
Which of the following is true when using newer components and systems?
A. It is important to conduct appropriate research.
B. It is important to minimize the number of systems used.
C. It is important to avoid untested components and systems.
A - When utilizing newer components and systems, it is important to conduct appropriate research to assure that all of the components and systems assembled in the building will perform as expected and comply with the applicable codes.
What is the value of Architects for learning about how traditional systems work?
A. It encourages innovation
B. It can lead to successful performance.
C. It ensures consistency in the field.
B - Architects learn how these systems work during construction and over time, and learning and respecting these standards and practices leads to successful performance.
Which of the following considerations describes when a PVC roof would be appropriate? Select all that apply.
A. High heat and/or UV exposure
B. Quicker adhered install solution
C. Restaurants, food court areas, or food processing facilities
B, C - TPO roof systems make sense when considering:
- conventional roof systems
- high heat exposure and/or UV exposure
- rooftop solar
- rooftop water collection
- sustainable/environmentally conscious buildings/operations
PVC roof systems make sense when considering:
- quicker adhered install solution (water-based adhesive)
- roofs with steeper slopes that require a Class A fire rating
- restaurants, food court areas, or food processing facilities
- exposure to chemicals, especially grease and oil
Which of the following are key features of an adhered roof system? Select all that apply.
A. uniform wind load resistance across the roof deck
B. wind-load resistance is provided by the membrane fasteners only
C. Total material cost is typically the lowest of any of the attachment methods
D. Improved impact resistance when fasteners are buried lower in the assembly
A, D - Adhered roof systems offer the following key features:
- uniform wind load resistance across the roof deck. When combined with an adhered second layer of insulation and adhered cover board, the room membrane and assembly are more interconnected.
- Elimination of membrane billowing during wind events and, as a result, lower condensation risks from air intrusion.
- Lower overall fastener usage and therefore reduced thermal bridging. Systems with an adhered membrane generally have improved energy efficiency, which is further improved by adhering the upper layer(s) of insulation and cover board where used.
- Improved impact resistance when fasteners are buried lower in the assembly and upper layers are adhered
- Adhered membranes, especially those installed over adhered cover boards or insulation, tend to appear flatter and smoother versus mechanically attached or membrane adhered over mechanically attached cover boards or insulation.
Which of the following is a key feature of a mechanically attached roof system? Select all that apply.
A. elimination of membrane billowing during wind events
B. lower overall fastener usage
C. fasteners that are immediately beneath a single-ply membrane tend to result in punctures when struck by hail
D. fastener densities can be high
E. performance requirements
C, D - Key features of systems with mechanically attached membrane and insulation are:
- total material cost is typically the lowest of any of the attachment methods and may require fewer installation man-hours than adhered systems.
- fasteners that are immediately beneath a single-ply membrane, such as membrane and insulation fasteners, tend to result in punctures when struck by hail.
- Fastener densities can be high. For a 125,000 sqft roof in a relatively high wind zone, more than 50,000 fasteners are used , leading to significant thermal bridging.
- wind-load resistance is provided by membrane fasteners only - this may give rise to billowing of the membrane during wind events, increase condensation potential, and stress the membrane around each fastener plate. As these forces are experienced repeatedly over the years in high-wind areas, manufacturers might provide shorter warranties.
Which of the following systems may improve cost competitiveness due to the speed of installation?
A. Mechanically attached systems
B. Roof membrane attached systems
C. Adhered roof systems
B - The middle ground in roof membrane attachment is the induction welded system (also known as Rhinobond). Key features of these systems are:
- Performance is more similar to adhered systems in terms of the distribution of load across the rooftop, yet impact at fasteners remains a challenge.
- reduced thermal bridging compared to traditional mechanically attached membrane systems.
- there are not application temperature restrictions, and so this approach can be used in place of adhesive attachment regardless of how cold it might be.
- especially when combined wit ha 12 ft wide membrane, this approach may improve cost competitiveness due to the speed of installation, compared to mechanically attached membrane systems.
Which of the following can be used to determine a roof system’s capacity?
A. physical testing
B. curbs and flashing
C. risk category
A - a roof system’s capacity is determined by performing physical testing, using specific test protocols that are mandated by the codes.
Improved thermal resistances comes from which of the following? Select all that apply
A. incorporation of deck-level air barriers
B. use of multiple layers of staggered and offset insulation
C. adhesively attaching the upper insulation and membrane layer
A, B, C - all of these assist with improved thermal resistance.
PV (photovoltaic) storage may use which of the following options? Select all that apply
A. solar panels
B. off-site generator
C. public utility electric grid
D. on-site battery system
C, D - PV (photovoltaic) storage can be one of two options - the public utility electric grid or an on-site battery system.
Which of the following would be used to keep water from penetrating an expansion joint at the intersection of a roof and a wall?
A. base flashing
B. counterflashing
C. sealant
D. coping
B - Counterflashing would be the best choice when attempting to keep water out of an expansion joint at the intersection of a roof and a wall. It would be used to cover the expansion joint.
Which of the following elements should be considered when designing for a passive fire-resistive system in a building? Select the best answer.
A. Fire and smoke dampers should have access for inspection.
B. A dry-pipe sprinkler system should be used throughout the building
C. A deluge sprinkler system should be used in high-hazard areas with a dry-pipe system in all other areas.
D. The building should have a manual dry standpipe in every required stairway
E. Test visual and auditory alarm systems should be installed.
A - Passive fire-resistive systems have elements that are built into the building and protect against fire damage passively, rather than actively fighting a fire via sprinklers. Fire and smoke dampers should have access for inspection is the only correct option; all other options are part of an active system.
The architect is writing a section in the finishes division of the specifications book for the contract documents. Should the architect include the finish color numbers in the specifications book?
A. Yes; the architect should include the finish colors in the specifications
B. Yes; the architect should include as much finish information in the specifications as possible.
C. No; the architect should leave the specifications open for interpretation to promote cost savings for the owner and the contractor.
D. No; the architect should refer the contractor to the drawings to find information regarding the finish colors.
D - in this case, it will take more time to create amendments to the contract documents when the finish colors are included in the specifications. The architect should refer the contractor to the drawings to find information regarding the finish colors.
The architect is drawing a life safety plan for new ambulatory health care occupancy Which of the following best describes how the corridor walls should be rated?
A. smoke partitions per IBC.
B. smoke partitions per NFPA.
C. not rated per NFPA.
D. not rated per IBC.
A - IBC requires corridors in health care facilities to have smoke partitions; NFPA does not use this phrase.
Which of the following is the best waterproofing approach for an elevator pit?
A. Negative side sheet waterproofing with gravel below the pit footprint
B. Positive side sheet waterproofing with membrane protection below the pit footprint
C. Negative side fluid applied waterproofing with foundation drains around the pit
D. positive side damp waterproofing with foundation drains around the pit
B - Positive side sheet waterproofing is preferred over negative side waterproofing, and membrane protection is preferred over foundation drains.
What is the maximum distance for a dead end corridor in a building with a group A occupancy designation?
A. 80 ft
B. 60 ft
C. 20 ft
D. 40 ft
C - IBC states that the maximum distance allowed for a dead end corridor in a building with group A occupancy is 20 ft.
Consider the location for a mechanical system and its vertical distribution tree in a 10-story office building. Which of the following locations should be avoided?
A. within internal circulation cores.
B. integrated with a building.
C. at the edges of a building.
D. between the internal core and the edge of a building.
C - The most desirable and preferred areas for leasable office space must be considered. Exterior walls provide the best opportunity to take advantage of natural light, outside views, and natural ventilation. When mechanical systems and their distribution are placed near the center of the building, the exterior wall is made available for other uses.
The preferred areas are reduced when mechanical systems are placed along the outside walls at the edge of a building.
Which type of high intensity discharge(HID) lamp must be installed in a specified burning position?
A. mercury vapor
B. metal halide
C. high-pressure sodium
D. low-pressure sodium
B - Metal halide lamps are particularly sensitive to orientation, and they lose efficiency and lumen power if not installed correctly. All metal halide lamps are designated with a proper burning position: base-up, base-down, horizontal, or universal.
The other types of HID lamps do not have this characteristic and can be installed in any orientation.
If not connected to other sections, the section of the soil stack that is located above the highest plumbing fixture in a building is called the
A. vent stack
B. stack vent
C. cleanout
D. vacuum breaker
B - the stack vent is the portion of the soil stack above the highest plumbing fixture. It serves as a vent for the stack and is open to the outside at the top. A vent stack is a collection of vents from a number of fixtures that share one exterior outlet. A cleanout is an area of the plumbing that can be accessed to clear obstructions from the system. A vacuum breaker is a flap that opens to admit air if there is suction in a water pipe, which prevents siphoning of wastewater back into the clean water supply system.
An architect is planning a 100,000 sqft university classroom building. The mechanical engineer estimates that the total floor area required for the boiler room and the chilled water plant will be about 3000 sqft. WWhich of the following criteria should also be kept in mind when determining the location and design of the mechanical rooms? Select 3.
A. Each mechanical room should have at least one exterior wall.
B. The boiler room should be adjacent to the chilled water plant.
C. Rooms should be as square as possible.
D. Ceilings in both rooms should be at least 12 ft high.
E. Mechanical rooms must be placed on the ground floor.
F. The mechanical rooms should be equal in size.
A, B, D - Boiler rooms and chilled water plants should be located adjacent to one another when possible; in some buildigns, the two functions are placed in the same room. It is imperative that the rooms each have at least one exterior wall to permit access to fuel tanks that may be located outside and to allow for adequate ventilation. Recommended ceiling heights vary depending on the type of equipment chosen, but generally 12 ft. is the minimum. The rooms should be long and narrow rather than square and sized to best accommodate the equipment.
Both boilers and chillers are heavy and require additional structural support. It is often most economical to locate them on teh ground floor, but this is not required. They tend to be noisy, so teh mechanical rooms should be placed in locations within the building where the noise will not disrupt critical tasks. Soundproofing techniques should also be integrated to acoustically separate the mechanical rooms from the occupied spaces.
An architect is designing an art school at a major university. which combination of daylighting and electric lighting would be most appropriate choice for the painting studios?
A. south-facing windows and incandescent recessed lights.
B. north-facing windows and skylights and fixtures with high color rendering index (CRI) fluorescent lamps
C. windows to the east and west and fluorescent fixtures in covers at the perimeter of the studio.
D. north-facing skylights and metal halide lamps at each workstation.
B - Art studios require optimal color rendering and even daylight. The best combination of natural and electric lighting techniques would be north-facing windows and skylights along with the best quality high-color rendering index lamps that the budget will allow. Task lighting should also be provided for the students’ work areas.
A main trunk duct is to be placed in the interstitial space above a suspended ceiling and below the structural framing. The space is not constricted. When capacities are equal, which of the following shapes of ducts would be best to use?
A. rectangular, with the long dimension horizontal.
B. rectangular, with the long dimension vertical.
C. square
D. round
D - A round duct is the most efficient choice and offers the smallest possible perimeter for the same cross-sectional area, thus minimizing friction and pressure loss. A square shape would use the available space most efficiently, but a duct of this shape is not as efficient overall as a round duct. As ducts become more rectangular, they become less efficient and have increased friction loss. A rectangular duct with the long dimension horizontal would only be used if space was a problem.
Which of the following strategies would effectively reduce the noise caused by a duct system without reducing airflow?
A. Specify duct liners for all supply and return ducts.
B. Specify 90 degree bends in short duct runs.
C. Provide an active noise-canceling system emitting out-of-phase noise.
D. Specify fiberglass baffels
C - An active noise-canceling system would help to reduce the noise in a duct system without reducing airflow. This type of system analyzes the noise from the blowers and other system components and synthesizes a noise that is exactly out of phase with the mechanical noise. The two sounds cancel each other and the result is perceived silence.
Which of the following would be appropriate for fire protection in an elementary school? Select 3.
A. ionization detector B. photoelectric detector C. temperature rise detector D. gas-sensing detector E. flame detector F. laser beam detector
A, B, F - A temperature rise detector would not give early warning to the occupants. A gas-sensing detector by itself would not be appropriate for this application. A flame detector responds to infrared radiation given off by flames and may respond too late to give adequate warning.
If properly located, either an ionization or photoelectric detector would work. Ionization detectors sound an alarm when they sense the products of combustion. Photoelectric detectors monitor smoke. Either would sound an alarm before a temperature rise detector. A laser beam detector is a type of photoelectric detector and would also be appropriate.
The pyramidal forms of Manhattan skyscrapers built in the early to mid-1900’s were the result of
A. the influence of European tastes and style on American architecture.
B. a response to zoning laws governing setbacks and height restrictions.
C. an attempt to make buildings safer in case of fire by housing fewer people on the uppermost floors.
D. the structural limitations of iron as a building material.
B - In 1916, New York City passed a zoning law designed to protect access to light and ventilation for all buildings. Skyscrapers were being built as quickly as possible, and New Yorkers feared that these walls of masonry and steel reaching into the sky would make the street level cold, dark, and cavernous. As buildings rose higher and higher, they were required to comply with more stringent setbacks. In order to build the maximum rentable area on their extremely valuable sites, developers adopted the stepped, wedding cake-like shape.
Rehabilitation of a building constructed in the 1860s requires cleaning and repairing the existing brick exterior walls. The brick is in good condition but is very dirty. Portions of the mortar have fallen out, and much of what remains is so soft that it can be scraped away with a fingernail. Which restoration technique should the architect recommend?
A. pressure washing with a 10% muratic acid solution
B. pressure washing with plain water and repointing the mortar
C. hand washing the brick with water and a stiff brush and repointing the mortar
D. sandblasting.
C - The least destructive technique should always be recommended when dealing with historic buildings and fragile old building materials. Hand washing with water and a stiff brush is the gentlest cleaning method and will probably remove most of the dirt from the surface of the brick. Missing or deteriorating mortar should be removed and replaced with compatible mortar, and the mortar should be restruck to shed water from the joints. This process is called repointing or tuck pointing.
Pressure washing (sometimes called power washing) can leave water marks on soft brick and can dislodge crumbling mortar, creating openings and allowing water to be forced inside the wall cavity. Adding an acidic ingredient to the washing solution may cause additional damage to the brick. Sandblasting will likely destroy soft brick and mortar.
Which of the following is required for an access floor system? select 3.
A. lifting devices B. modular panels C. pedestals D. stringers E. acoustical batts F. handrails
A, B, C - Access floor systems may use stringer, which are rigid connections between pedestals, but they can also be the stringerless type, which rely on pedestals and panels to keep the system in place.
All access floors use modular panels set on pedestals of some type. Removal of the panels requires a lifting device.
Which type of lamp typically has the longest life span?
A. incandescent
B. fluorescent
C. metal halide
D. high-pressure sodium
D - Of the four types of lamps listed, the high-pressure sodium lamp generally has the longest life span. A high-pressure sodium bulb can be expected to last around 24,000 hours. A mercury vapor lamp would have a similar life expectancy.
The lamp with the shortest life span is the incandescent bulb. It can be expected to last only about 2000 hours.
The life span of a fluorescent lamp depends on the way the lamp is operated. The lifespan is affected not only by how many hours the lamp is on but by how many times the lamp is turned on and off. With typical usage patterns, a life span of about 10,000 to 20,000 hours can be expected, depending on the type of lamp and ballast used. Depending on the wattage, a metal halide lamp could also be expected to have as similar life span.
Where would a sound intensity level of 120 dB be found?
A. sewing factory
B. rock concert
C. architect’s open plan office
D. during naptime at a nursery school.
B - a sound intensity level of 120 dB is almost deafening and can be felt thought a listener’s body. It can cause ringing in the ears and a temporary loss of hearing. Hearing protection should be worn during prolonged exposure to sound intensity levels this high.
Common sound intensity levels range from 0 dB, the threshold of hearing, through 130 dB, the threshold of pain.
Neglecting the beam weight, what is the general shape of the bending moment diagram for the cantilever beam loaded as shown?
C - The bending moment diagram should have the shape of a sloped line from the concentrated load type. This means that diagrams in options A and D are incorrect. The diagram in option A is a horizontal line and corresponds to the general shape of the shear diagram for this beam. Option D shows a curved line, which corresponds to the bending moment diagram of a uniformly distributed load. The diagrams in option B and C show a sloped line; however, the bending moment at the free left end of the cantilever beam should be equal to zero because the point load is applied there and has no moment at this point. This is shown in option C.
In the illustration, where is the architrave located?
C - Heavy crown molds are often made up of a number of different millwork profiles. Millwork is a decorative trim produced in a shop, or mill, and delivered to the job site. (Finish carpentry is detailed carpentry completed on site, including installation of millwork.) An advantage to this type of construction is that it visually minimizes any irregularities between the wall and ceiling surfaces, and any gaps can be sealed with caulk and painted. It also offers the architect the opportunity to design a unique profile using standard components and to control the size and proportions of the trim.
Crown molding, option A, forms a link between that wall and the ceiling when installed on an angle and often is made up of a combination of straight and curved cuts. A cove moulding, option B, features a smooth concave curve. An architrave, option C, is a flat piece that is applied directly to the wall.
Picture mold, option D, is mounted a short distance below the built-up crown molding. Its curved top and the space between the picture mold and the bottom of the rest of the crown allows small hooks to be placed over it so that artwork can be suspended from the wall without putting holes into the wall’s surface. The entire assembly, picture mold included, is often painted the same color to look like one entity.
