National Home Inspection Exam

The main difference between brass and copper supply pipes is(Category: Plumbing) •   brass pipes are magnetic and copper pipes aren't •   brass pipes use a different solder than copper pipes •   brass pipes can be bent through a 7-inch radius and copper pipes can't •  brass pipes have threaded joints and copper pipes have soldered joints

What is the normal operating water pressure for a hot water heating system?(Category: Plumbing) •   3 to 8 psi •   28 to 36 psi •  12 to 22 psi •   30 to 40 psi

Common faucet problems include all of the following EXCEPT(Category: Plumbing) •   stiff •  no insolating valves •   cross connections •   leaks •   loose

Common well problems include all of the following except(Category: Plumbing) •   casing missing •  recovery rate of 10 to 15 gpm •   casing not well sealed •   not enough water •   poor surface grading

 Which water heater has the slowest recovery rate?(Category: Plumbing) •   insulated tank •   oil •  electric •   a heater installed beside a parallel heater •   gas

Minimum acceptable water pressure is(Category: Plumbing) •   65 PSI •   20 PSI •  40 PSI •   95 PSI

What are the types of geothermal energy resources?(Category: Heating) •  Hydrothermal, geo-pressurised brines, hot dry rocks, magma •   Biomass, geo-pressurised brines, hot dry rocks •   Wind, magma, geopressurised brines, hydrothermal •   Hydrothermal, geo-pressurised brines, hot dry rocks, sun

The distribution piping in a steam system may contain all of the following EXCEPT(Category: Heating) •   water •   condensate •   steam •   air •  exhaust

On an oil-burning furnace, the primary controller(Category: Heating) •   atomizes the oil for combustion. •   is the chamber in which the oil is burned. •   must be tested in a standard home inspection. •  is an automatic safety device. •   is the pipe that carries the the exhaust gases from the outlet of the heat exchanger to the base of the chimney.

Which of the following does not have a heat exchanger?(Category: Heating) •   Steam boiler •  Electric furnace •   Gas boiler •   Oil furnace •   Heat recovery ventilator

The condition posing the greatest hazard in a forced-air heating system is(Category: Heating) •   vent piping in close contact with combustibles •   vent piping that ends too close to other building openings •  a crack in the heat exchanger •   gas leakage in either the gas piping or vent piping

One thousand BTUs are equal to _______ of natural gas.(Category: Heating) •  1 cubic foot •   3 cubic feet •   2 cubic feet •   4 cubic feet

An unlisted wood stove should have what clearance from the top of the stove to combustibles?(Category: Heating) •   72 inches •   24 inches •   36 inches •   48 inches •  60 inches

All of the following are common problems found on gas piping EXCEPT(Category: Heating) •   improper connections •   no drip leg •  excess pressure •   rusting •   leaks

 The flame of a heating unit or water heater installed in a garage should be ____ inches above the floor.(Category: Heating) •   24 •   12 •  18 •   6

 The high-temperature limit on a wood furnace should be set at(Category: Heating) •   325 F •   235 F •   295 F •  265 F •   205 F

A factory-built chimney designed for use with a wood fireplace requires how much clearance from combustibles?(Category: Heating) •   18 inches •   1 inch •  2 inches •   Zero clearance •   3 inches

Boilers are connected to the domestic plumbing system to(Category: Heating) •  to provide make-up water •   to provide adequate water pressure in the plumbing system •   to provide de-icing water flow •   to prevent backflow from occurring •   allow humidification to occur

The ________ is where the water comes out.(Category: Pool) •   outflow reservoir •  inlet •   outlet •   inflow reservoir

The bonding conductor should be at least _____ or larger solid copper.(Category: Pool) •  8 AWG •   12 AWG •   8 PWG •   12 PWG

 Type B ladders are for(Category: Pool) •   staircase ladder •  limited-access •   in-pool ladder •   double-access

 Manufactured and fabricated diving system and equipment must not be installed on Type __ swimming pools (non-diving pools).(Category: Pool) •   A •   T •   S •  O

 No luminaire should be installed less than _______ below the water level.(Category: Pool) •   6 inches •   8 inches •   2 inches •  4 inches

Where handrails are installed for a swimming pool, the top of the gripping surface of the handrail must be at least _______ to a maximum _______ above the standing/step surface or ramp sloped surface.(Category: Pool) •  30 inches, 38 inches •   60 inches, 68 inches •   40 inches, 48 inches •   50 inches, 58 inches

Type D ladders are for(Category: Pool) •   staircase ladder •   double-access •   limited-access •  in-pool ladder

A separation tank used with a filter tank must have a means of releasing(Category: Pool) •  air pressure •   heat •   carbon dioxide •   condensation

. Submerged vacuum fittings must accessible and not be greater than ___ inches below the water level.(Category: Pool) •   18 •   20 •  12 •   10

 Ladder treads must have a uniform depth of at least(Category: Pool) •   1 foot •   6 inches •  2 inches •   8 inches

Type A ladders are for(Category: Pool) •   limited-access •  double-access •   staircase ladder •   in-pool ladder

All electric pool water heaters should have its heating elements divided into loads that do not exceed(Category: Pool) •   30 amperes •  48 amperes. •   60 amperes. •   52 amperes.

 Optional report items include all of the following, EXCEPT(Category: Professional Responsibility & Report Writing) •   scope of work •   client questionnaire •   limitations •   contract •  description of components

A homeowner refuses to pay for a home inspection report because the inspector did not comment on certain design defects discovered after the inspection. Which of the following is TRUE?(Category: Professional Responsibility & Report Writing) •   this is an omission on the part of the home inspector; the client is right •   because comments on design defects are an extra service requiring an extra fee, the owner must pay for the inspection •  only licensed professional engineers can comment on design defects •   the home inspector need only comment on the property's design as specifically indicated in the pre-inspection agreement

he home inspector’s ultimate obligation is to(Category: Professional Responsibility & Report Writing) •  the home itself •   the seller •   the selling agent, if they are a buyer broker •   the buyer •   the listing agent

An inspector is NOT required to inspect(Category: Professional Responsibility & Report Writing) •   sump pumps •   pressure tanks •   thermal expansion valves •  TV antennas

A water source heat pump(Category: AC & Heat Pump) •  can be an open or closed system •   has a very limited capacity for heating and cooling •   has two piping systems buried directly in the earth •   must use distilled water •   typically uses water from the house plumbing system

Which of the following statements about evaporator fans in a split-system air conditioner is false?(Category: AC & Heat Pump) •  The evaporator fan should move roughly 100 cfm of air for each ton of air conditioning. •   The fan can be part of a fan coil unit. •   The fan can be direct driven. •   The fan can be multi-speed. •   The fan can be belt driven.

The evaporator fan in a split-system air conditioner is designed to(Category: AC & Heat Pump) •  heat the Freon in the evaporator coil •   cool the Freon in the condenser coil •   heat the Freon in the condenser coil •   none of the above/below •   cool the Freon in the evaporator coil

The refrigerant lines of an operating system on a hot day should feel(Category: AC & Heat Pump) •   Both lines-cold •   Both lines-hot •  Liquid line-hot, suction line-cold •   Suction line-hot, liquid line-cold •   Both lines ambient temperature

Which of the following components would be found on a heat pump but not a central air conditioning system?(Category: AC & Heat Pump) •   an insulated suction line •   house air fan •  an Emergency Heat switch •   a crankcase heater •   outdoor fan

In the evaporator coil of an air-cooled air conditioner,(Category: AC & Heat Pump) •   Freon cools as it changes from a gas to a liquid •   Freon changes from a warm liquid to a cool liquid •   Freon changes from a cool gas to a warm gas •   Freon cools as it changes from a liquid to a gas •  Freon heats up as it changes from a liquid to a gas

A heat pump with a natural gas burner outdoors below the evaporator coil is called(Category: AC & Heat Pump) •  A Kool-Fire system •   A flame-source heat pump •   A pulse system •   A plenum heater

The purpose of the crankcase heater on an air conditioning compressor is to(Category: AC & Heat Pump) •   heat the lubricating oil to reduce its viscosity •  boil the refrigerant out of the lubricating oil •   help the system defrost •   help to dehumidify the air •   warm the Freon so that is can be condensed

Which statement about relative humidity is true?(Category: Insulation & Ventilation) •   Relative humidity is always greater than absolute humidity. •   Relative humidity is expressed in grains of moisture. •  Relative humidity drops as air temperature rises. •   Air at 80% relative humidity is considered saturated. •   Relative humidity is always less than absolute humidity

 When installing strapping perpendicular to roof joists on a flat roof in order to increase ventilation, minimum height of the strapping is(Category: Insulation & Ventilation) •   1 inch •  3 1/2 inches •   4 inches •   2 1/2 inches

Which material is not an air barrier?(Category: Insulation & Ventilation) •   Plywood •   Drywall •   Polyethylene •   Housewraps •  Fiberglass

What is the minimum electric service size by modern-day standards?(Category: Electrical) •   60-amp •  100-amp •   200-amp •   50-amp •   125-amp

A refrigerator should be served by a(Category: Interior) •   a relative •   any outlet located near the kitchen countertop •  20-amp dedicated •   AFCI outlet •   GFCI outlet

 9. Masonry chimneys should have a clearance from combustible framing members of(Category: Chimney & Fireplace) •   4 inches •   1 inch •   6 inches •  2 inches •   12 inches

When resistors are connected in series, the total resistance is(Category: Electrical) •   equal to the sum of all the resistance values divided by the number of resistors •   equal to the smallest resistance value •  equal to the sum of all the resistance values •   equal to the largest resistance value

The only suitable receptacles for use with aluminum wire should be marked?(Category: Electrical) •   AL/OK •   CO/ALR •  CU/ALR •   CU/AL •   CO/ALR

In a service panel, it is especially important that the(Category: Electrical) •   neutral wire is "floating" and not in electrical contact with the panel enclosure •   neutral wire has no splices between the weather-head and ground rod •   hot bus bars be tied together with a bonding jumper •  grounding conductor, neutral, and panel enclosure all be bonded together

 Where should the smaller appliance vent when connected into a chimney with a larger appliance?

Masonry chimneys should extend above the roof(Categories: Roofing, Chimney & Fireplace) •   2 feet higher than the roof where it penetrates the roof. •   1 foot higher than anything within 10 feet. •   3 feet higher than any point in the roof. •   3 feet higher than anything within 5 feet. •  3 feet higher than the roof where it penetrates the roof.

If a metal chimney extends more than ______ feet above the roof, it will require additional bracing.

A fireplace chimney should terminate above the roof using the masonry chimney ______ rule.(Category: Chimney & Fireplace) •   12/12 •   10/3 •  3/2/10 •   6/8/10

A metal chimney should have at least _____ inches of clearance to combustibles, including insulation.(Category: Chimney & Fireplace) •   4 •   3 •  2 •   1

A fireplace hearth should extend beyond the front of the fireplace by at least _____ inches.(Category: Chimney & Fireplace) •  16 •   12 •   24 •   8

What component is installed in the flue connector and the combustion air supply of a wood-burning stove? •   barometric damper •   vents •   isolation joint •  damper

Masonry chimneys typically require bracing if•   There is a tall structure nearby that may create wind turbulence. •  The unsupported tops are taller than 12 feet. •   They are single flue. •   They are on a roof with a slope of more than 10 in 12. •   They extend through the roof at the peak of the chimney.

Drip edge flashings •  is always required along rakes •   can never be omitted •  may extend roughly three inches up the roof surface •   may extend roughly one inch up the roof surface •   cannot be used with eave protection

 A drip edge flashing that sits proud above the roof sheathing

Condensation is most common on?

 The ideal smoke alarm location is on the ceiling at least ______ inches away from the wall

The minimum required headroom above a stairway is

A thermal overload switch is found on

Guardrails should be how tall as a minimum?

A window used for emergency egress should have a sill height of not more than ___ inches above the floor.

The minimum required headroom above an attic access opening is ___ inches.

 Galvanized vally flashing should be ____ or heavier

 The R-value of a solid wood exterior door is roughly

What is the minimum slope for a shake roof?

A gas clothes dryer needs a ______ am circuit.

What kind of floating is done to bring fine aggregate to the surface of the concrete slab?