NICA Study Questions Flashcards
CSST is:
Continuous Structural Steel Tubing
Copper Shielded Steel Tubing
Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing
Corrugated Shielded Structural Tubing
Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing
The inspector is NOT required to:
Operate all plumbing fixtures
Observe functional flow
Describe water heating equipment
Operate main shut-off valves
Operate main shut-off valves
What is flashing?
Material that covers exposed edges of roofing where it meets chimneys or sidewalls to prevent water intrusion.
Flames jumping back and forth from the burners into the combustion area of a furnace
The material used to hold bricks together
Wiring that has been subject to excessive heat
Material that covers exposed edges of roofing where it meets chimneys or sidewalls to prevent water intrusion.
What deficiency would cause the replacement of a forced-air gas furnace?
Crack in the heat exchanger
Blisters and bubbles on a built-up roof usually indicate:
That there is moisture trapped between the felt-plies
The standards of practice:
Help to limit the liability of a home inspector
Should always be followed to the letter
Refer to all properties and property types
Are revised according to the needs of the client
Help to limit the liability of a home inspector
What is the minimum clearance from combustibles for a single wall furnace vent?
18”
9”
6”
8”
6”
A gas dryer can:
Vent into a chimney
Share a bathroom exterior exhaust vent
Vent to the exterior
Merge with water heater flue vent
Vent to the exterior
In a solid brick house, what is a sign of corner settlement?
step cracks at an exterior corner going down to the top of the foundation
a pair of angled cracks above the corner window
deteriorating mortar at the corner
spalling on the bricks at the corner
step cracks at an exterior corner going down to the top of the foundation
It is preferable to put wood shingles and shakes over what type of roof sheathing to allow them to dry quickly?
Spaced or “skip” sheathing
Vapor barrier should be:
To the cold side
To the warm side
To either side
Depends on where installed
To the warm side
The three main components of an air conditioning system are:
The fan, the coil, and blower
Duct work, the expansion valve, and the coil
Evaporator coil, condenser, and compressor
Compressor, refrigerant, and blower
Evaporator coil, condenser, and compressor
What is a functional flow test?
Operating the furnace and the water heater simultaneously
Running multiple plumbing fixtures in the house simultaneously
Operating the sump pump and the ejector pump simultaneously
Running plumbing fixtures in the same bathroom simultaneously
Running plumbing fixtures in the same bathroom simultaneously
Differential cracking in a residential foundation is usually:
Typical
Caused by improper gutters
An indication of a structural problem
Just a condition that should be monitored
An indication of a structural problem
When inspection private sidewalks, what should an inspector be alert for?
Eroding expansion joints
Settlement causing a trip hazard
Proper grass edging along the sides
Fiber or wire mesh construction
Settlement causing a trip hazard
The age of a water heater can usually be determined by examining the:
Serial number
The home inspector is NOT required to report:
The type of roofing material
the number of layers of roof covering
cost of replacing the roof covering
the condition of the roofing material
cost of replacing the roof covering
If something is not readily accessible, it is what?
Reported as requiring further evaluation by a qualified contractor
Beyond the scope of the inspection
An item that requires the current
owner to remove the obstruction
Usually in the crawl space
Beyond the scope of the inspection
Which of the following is the worst case situation?
The top of the foundation wall is 16 inches above grade
The top of the foundation is at grade
The top of the foundation wall is three inches below grade
The top of the foundation is eight inches wide
The top of the foundation wall is three inches below grade
Gas piping running in a concrete slab:
Usually corrodes
Can never be buried in a concrete floor
Must be sleeved and vented
Must be protected
Must be sleeved and vented
What is not a common insulation material?
Polystyrene
Cellulose
Fiberglass
Rayon fibers
Rayon fibers
The supply water to circulated hot water radiators is usually what temperature?
140 degrees F
What condition with a gas water heater should be reported as a safety hazard?
Missing union fittings
Rusting in heating chamber
A leaking tank
A TPR valve without a proper pipe to the floor
A TPR valve without a proper pipe to the floor
For water to drain freely out of the house waste systems, there must be adequate:
Traps
Venting
Biological deterioration
Pressure
Venting
The best way to vent and insulate a cathedral ceiling is to:
Use soffit vent only
Always use fiberglass batts
Leave one inch gap above insulation
Fill the complete cavity
Leave one inch gap above insulation
A draft induction motor is found on a:
Bathroom exhaust fan
Medium or high efficiency furnace
Attic fan
Clothes dryer
Medium or high efficiency furnace
One indication of a possible crack or hole in the heat exchanger is:
Staining in the combustion area
A clogged filter
Short cycling
An irregular flame pattern when the blower starts
An irregular flame pattern when the blower starts
How should a water heater burner be checked for operation?
Open the tank drain valve
drain some water out of a pressure relief valve
Use the temperature dial
Run hot water out of a tap
Run hot water out of a tap
When testing a GFCI outlet that is not grounded, how will the outlet respond?
Will trip, but not shut off the power
Will trip with test button on the outlet, but not by the tester
Will trip with tester
Will trip with test button on the outlet, but not by the tester
Which of the following is NOT an approved water supply material?
PEX
Galvanized
Lead
Copper
Lead
Your client is:
The institution which is approving the mortgage
The real estate agent representing the buyer
The person or company paying for the inspection and signing the inspection agreement
Always the home buyer
The person or company paying for the inspection and signing the inspection agreement
A steam radiator system usually operates at what temperature?
190 degrees F
300 degrees F
140 degrees F
215 degrees F
215 degrees F
Which of the following roofing materials should last the longest?
Rolled roofing
Asphalt three tab shingles
Slate
Wood shakes
Slate
Tempered glass is safer than ordinary glass because:
It breaks into small rectangular particles
It is fireproof
It has wire meshing to prevent it from shattering
It doesn’t break
It breaks into small rectangular particles
Weak airflow on forced-air systems at the registers is caused by all of these except:
Slipping fan belt on the fan motor
Dirty filter
Clogged evaporator coil
Undersized burners
Undersized burners
A fireplace can share a chimney flue with:
Nothing else
A wood stove
A furnace
Another fireplace
Nothing else
There are three wires at a weatherhead, one is a bare cable (no sheathing). This wire is the:
Neutral
Tension wire
Support leg
Hot leg
Neutral
The connection device between copper and galvanized piping that prevents corrosion is called a:
Di-metallic union
Dielectric union
Ditech union
Bi-metal union
Dielectric union
Which is NOT a common material for a foundation wall?
concrete
stone
steel
brick
steel
All new water heaters are of which type?
Fireproof copper lined
Rust resistant stainless steel
Cadmium lined tank
Flammable vapor ignition resistant
Flammable vapor ignition resistant
Standards of practice define “installed” as meaning:
Requiring the use of tools to remove
Provided by the current owner
Any item which was present when the house was built
Any device requiring electricity, gas, or water
Requiring the use of tools to remove
What type of gusset plates are used on wood or floor trusses?
Plywood or metal
Acrylic
Laminated Polymer
Organic adhesion board
Plywood or metal
Inspectors are required to offer warranties limited to items inspected.
True
False
False
Inspectors are required to describe wall cladding material.
True
False
True
Which of the following should be included in the inspection?
Shutters
Portable kitchen appliances
Blinds and draperies
Through-wall air conditioners
Through-wall air conditioners
Type B vent is:
single wall
double wall
triple wall
stainless steel
double wall
Residential entrance cables must have a minimum clearance over a driveway of:
10’ 6”
12’
15’
18’
12’
The minimum attic venting in an attic without a vapor barrier is what for every one square foot of free space?
100
150
200
300
150
The bottom of an I-Joist is the:
Flange
Chord
Gusset
Web
Flange
“Checking” in a structural wood framing member such as a wooden beam:
Usually requires immediate repair
Should be sealed with caulking and painted
Is caused by drying and shrinking of the wood and is usually not a cause for concern
Is a sign of wood destroying organisms
Is caused by drying and shrinking of the wood and is usually not a cause for concern
The normal path for electricity is to enter the house on the hot wire and return on the neutral wire.
True
False
True
What is a plumbing cross-connection?
Mix of hot and cold water at the faucet or tap
Mix of the water supply at the laundry sink
Mix of water supply piping and drain piping
Any properly plumbed situation
Mix of water supply piping and drain piping
A brass flexible gas connection is hazardous and should be replaced immediately.
True
False
True
How do you determine if a shower door has safety glazing?
Marked in lower corner
Glass will be foggy
Wire mesh
Has a rippled look
Marked in lower corner
The complete combustion by-products of natural gas are:
Toxic
Non-toxic
Non-toxic
In balloon framing, the studs are:
Oversized
Continuous from foundation to the roof line
2X6 24” on center
Seated on top of joist and deck sheathing
Continuous from foundation to the roof line
The water in a trap:
Can be used in an emergency
Keeps insects and rodents from entering the house
Should be drained periodically
Forms a seal to block sewer gases
Forms a seal to block sewer gases
Romex is another name for what type of cable:
AC
BX
EMT
NM
NM
Where is safety glass required:
In all windows
At glazing near doors, tubs, or showers
In kitchen windows
In bedroom windows
At glazing near doors, tubs, or showers
The material at the top of a parapet wall is known as:
Coping
Upper membrane
Cap and finish
Casting
Coping
Given that you have a #3 copper wire, 100 amp breaker, panel rated for 125 amps, what is the service amperage that you should report?
100
60
150
200
100
The minimum amount of venting for a crawl space should be one square foot of net free venting for each:
300 Square Feet of floor area
500 Square Feet of floor area
1000 Square Feet of floor area
1500 Square Feet of floor area
300 Square Feet of floor area
Improper attic ventilation can cause:
Insulation failure
Moisture problems
Reduced energy consumption
Animal habitation
Moisture problems
In most cases, chimney deterioration is caused from:
Wind
Structural failure
Water/moisture caused by condensation
Nesting animals
Water/moisture caused by condensation
Which of the following is not an appropriate object to be contained within a concrete floor?
Water line
Drain line
Electric conduit
Unsleeved Gas pipe
Unsleeved Gas pipe
A water heater that is 27 years old:
Is extremely well built and should be kept as long as possible
Should be immediately replaced
Should be reported as being beyond its expected lifespan
Should be drained and flushed every three months
Should be reported as being beyond its expected lifespan
Basement seepage most often occurs because of:
Missing gutter downspout extensions
Poorly trimmed vegetation
Aged roofing material
Improperly sealed foundation walls
Missing gutter downspout extensions
Which siding tends to deteriorate from moisture damage?
Steel
Stucco
Hardboard (fiberboard)
Aluminum
Hardboard (fiberboard)
In an electrical sub panel, the grounds and neutrals should be:
Combined on the same bus bar
Properly sized to the amperage of the system
Floating (separate from each other)
Run in conduit
Floating (separate from each other)
The inspector shall:
Inspect soil conditions
State the effectiveness of plumbing anti-siphon devices
Operate automatic safety controls
Describe drain, waste and vent piping material
Describe drain, waste and vent piping material
What is the bottom component of a truss called?
Web
Gusset plate
Beam
Chord
Chord
A drain that gurgles or belches as it drains water may be a symptom of:
The presence of a mechanical vent
A leak in the trap
Not being properly vented
The presence of a drain trap
Not being properly vented
What usually causes ice damming?
Too much snow with long term low temperatures
Improper pitch and worn roofing
Improper insulation and ventilation
Incorrect flashing
Improper insulation and ventilation
Which two elements must be found in every habitable room?
Heat & lighting
Heat & cooling
Heat & electricity
Electricity & lighting
Heat & electricity
A double tap is potentially hazardous because:
It may overload the circuit breaker
It may cause dimming of lights on the same circuit
The wiring may not be rated for a double tap
One or both of the wires could be loose, resulting in possible arcing
One or both of the wires could be loose, resulting in possible arcing
When inspecting a toilet:
The toilet should be handicapped accessible
The toilet should be tight to the floor
The toilet should be a maximum 1.6 gallon flush
The toilet should have a separate tank
The toilet should be tight to the floor
The buyer’s real estate agent requests a copy of your inspection report. How do you respond?
Suggest that they access county records the following week.
Offer a copy as a professional courtesy.
Mention that you would first need authorization from your client.
Faxing it to the agent is acceptable without permission.
Mention that you would first need authorization from your client.
What is the small peaked roof construction on the high side of a chimney called?
Pitched pocket
Parapet
Dormer
Cricket
Cricket
Which siding has had extensive problems with moisture and subsequent rotting of the underlying framing?
Aluminum
Steel
Stucco
EIFS
EIFS
When should a home inspector not enter the crawl space?
When the hatch is smaller than four square feet
When it smells damp
When there is not a proper light
When the inspector feels it may be dangerous to do so
When the inspector feels it may be dangerous to do so
A crack in the bricks at the top of a doorway or window usually indicates:
A water leak
Improperly mixed mortar
A missing or damaged lintel
No vapor barrier in the insulation
A missing or damaged lintel
Aluminum branch wiring was used as a substitute for expensive copper wire approximately when?
1940 to 1945
1963 to 1974
1989 to 1994
1955 to 1957
1963 to 1974
The three main components of a stairway are:
Stringers, risers, head room
Stringers, tread, risers
Risers, treads, nosing
Tread, total rise, total run
Stringers, tread, risers
Bonding is a term used in electricity for what?
To tie metal together to provide a ground path
Attaching branch circuit wiring to the circuit breakers
Connecting the bus bars together with a crossover bar
Properly installing the dead front cover to the enclosure
To tie metal together to provide a ground path
Ground rods must be driven into the ground at least:
6 feet
8 feet
9.5 feet
As far as possible
8 feet
What is the function of collar ties?
To support the attic floor and ceiling in the rooms below
To support the roof sheathing
To prevent the roof rafters from sagging and spreading
To transmit the roof load to bearing walls
To prevent the roof rafters from sagging and spreading
EIFS siding - Which is true?
Synthetic stucco
Fiberboard
Comes in rolls
Easy to apply by the homeowner
Synthetic stucco
The furnace has a pilot/thermocouple setup. What is the safety feature that shuts down the furnace?
Thermocouple
Pilot
Gas valve
Thermostat
Thermocouple
A water heater or furnace installed in a garage:
Is not allowed
Must be separated from the parking area by a 16” retaining wall
Should have any source of ignition at least 18” above the floor to prevent a fire hazard
Mandates a fire door be in place between the garage and house
Should have any source of ignition at least 18” above the floor to prevent a fire hazard
Three tab asphalt roofs are most likely to wear at what location first?
Valley
Gutter edge
Flashing
Chimney
Valley
Three entrance cables providing service to a house indicates:
120 volts
240 volts
100 amps
Three-phase service
240 volts
Typical wood frame wall assemblies include all of the following components except:
Studs
Bridging
Sheathing
Drywall
Bridging
The Standards of Practice requires you to observe:
Kitchen/bathroom/laundry vents
Only kitchen/bath vents
Only kicthen/laundry vents
Only laundry/bathroom vents
Kitchen/bathroom/laundry vents
In a typical heat pump operation in the heating mode, the temperature differential (temperature rise) should be about:
15 to 30 degrees F
5-7 degrees F
12 to 20 degrees F
5 to 15 degrees F
15 to 30 degrees F
Inspectors are not required to report on:
Code compliance
Heating equipment that is near the end of its life expectancy
Safety issues
The absence of smoke detectors
Code compliance
A gravity furnace is without what component?
Ductwork
Blower motor
Pilot light
Heat exchanger
Blower motor
