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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

EBPHI NHIE Exam Questions

Page 1 of 15

1.

Floor furnaces may NOT be located:

  • In doorways

  • In kitchens

  • More than 6" from a side wall

  • In crawlspaces

Correct answer: In doorways

Floor furnaces are not a commonly found heating source. They should not be located in bathrooms, doorways, landings, passageways, or bedrooms.

2.

The most likely cause of leakage when steel straps are used on copper piping is:

  • The effects of galvanic corrosion

  • Crimping in the copper piping

  • Vibration due to a loose connection

  • The effects of a pozzolanic reaction

Correct answer: The effects of galvanic corrosion

Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals come in contact with each other, most commonly when water is introduced.

3.

The presence of environmental hazards, plants, animals, and other life forms and substances that may be hazardous or harmful to humans should be:

  • Excluded

  • Inspected, described, and reported on

  • Described

  • Inspected

Correct answer: Excluded

Home inspectors are not required to report on environmental hazards, plants, animals, and other life forms and substances that may be hazardous or harmful to humans. However, there should be mention in the reporting system that these items are excluded.

4.

Which valve allows air to enter a system to prevent water from being siphoned back into the potable water system?

  • Vacuum breaker

  • Back-siphonage

  • Air gap

  • Pressure reducing valve

Correct answer: Vacuum breaker

Vacuum breakers are often found at the exterior hose bib, and they prevent back-siphonage from contaminating the potable water system. 

An air gap can prevent back-siphonage as well; however, it is a gap between the opening of a faucet and the flood rim of a fixture or drain. A pressure reducing valve is typically found on the main water line into the building and regulates the incoming water pressure to the home.

5.

What two types of flashing are required where a sloped roof meets a wall?

  • Step and kickout flashings

  • Hip and ridge flashings

  • Wall and slope flashings

  • Edge and valley flashings

Correct answer: Step and kickout flashings

Step flashing is used where the roof area intersects the vertical side wall. Step flashing is laced into each course of the roofing material and provides weather protection at the intersection. Kickout flashing is installed at the roof edge to provide a means to "kick" the water moving down the roof into the gutter system, preventing water from penetrating the wall covering.

6.

Stairways are required to:

  • Be a minimum of 36” wide

  • Be illuminated if there are more than three steps

  • Have a grippable handrail if there is more than one step

  • Have treads at least 8” deep

Correct answer: Be a minimum of 36” wide

The width is the requirement above the handrail and does not include spiral staircases. 

Illumination of staircases and landings is required regardless of the number of steps. Grippable handrails are required when four or more risers exist. Minimum tread depths are 10".

7.

All the following panel manufacturers are considered a latent fire hazard EXCEPT:

  • Square D

  • Federal Pacific Stab-Lok

  • Bulldog Pushmatic

  • Zinsco

Correct answer: Square D

Federal Pacific Stab-Lok, Bulldog Pushmatic, and Zinsco panels are known as latent fire hazard panels, and they are required by most Standards Of Practice to be identified in the home inspection report as a potential safety concern.

8.

What is air conditioning capacity measured in?

  • Ton

  • BTU

  • R-Value

  • U-Value

Correct answer: Ton

Ton is often seen in reference to the measurement of air conditioning capacity needed to remove heat at a rate of 12,000 BTUs per hour. 

British Thermal Unit (BTU) is used to express one unit of heat energy. R-Value is the measurement of thermal resistance, and it is used to measure the ability of insulation to resist heat traveling through it. U-Value is the unit of measurement used to describe heat transfer through a material. 

9.

Tension is: 

  • Two opposing forces pulling an object apart

  • A pushing force applying inward force on an object

  • The unaligned forces acting in opposite directions

  • The twisting force applied to an object

Correct answer: Two opposing forces pulling an object apart

Compression is a pushing force applying inward force on an object. Shear is the unaligned forces acting in opposite directions. Torsion is the twisting force applied to an object.

10.

Which device will change the volume of airflow of the air distribution system within the building?

  • Diffuser

  • Plenum ducts

  • Trunk ducts

  • Branch ducts

Correct answer: Diffuser

Diffusers control the volume of air flowing into a room.  

The supply and return plenums sit on either side of the air handler (heat exchanger and fan side, respectively). Trunk ducts (both supply and return) serve as the central distribution line. Branch ducts branch from the trunk ducts. 

11.

Which one of the following is true regarding concrete roofing tiles?

  • They are brittle and crack easily if walked on

  • Tin is the most common flashing material used with concrete tile

  • They are usually between 1" and 1 1/2" thick

  • It is typically acceptable to apply new concrete or clay tiles over the old concrete tiles

Correct answer: They are brittle and crack easily if walked on

Home inspectors should use caution when deciding to walk on a concrete tile roof. 

Lead-coated copper flashing is the most common material used with concrete tile. Tile thickness ranges from 1/4" to 3/4". It is not acceptable to install a second layer of concrete or clay tiles.

12.

Untreated dimensional wood joist clearance to soil is:

  • 18"

  • 12"

  • 8"

  • 6"

Correct answer: 18"

Clearance of the ground is dependent upon the thickness of the untreated dimensional wood. 

Pressure treated or naturally durable wood will have different clearance requirements. 

13.

A #4 Cu service conductor has the ampacity rating of: 

  • 100 amps

  • 125 amps

  • 60 amps

  • 150 amps

Correct answer: 100 amps

It is necessary for home inspectors to understand the ampacity rating of different wire sizes to determine potential safety hazards within the panelboard enclosure.

14.

Downspouts should be found a minimum of every ____’ of length of gutter.

  • 35'–40'

  • 15'–20'

  • 8'–12'

  • 50'+

Correct Answer: 35'–40'

This is a generally accepted rule.

15.

A home inspection is:

  • General in nature

  • Technically exhaustive

  • A report on the cause of a deficiency

  • A report of cosmetic deficiencies

Correct answer: General in nature

A home inspection is not intended to be technically exhaustive, and it should not attempt to determine the cause of a deficiency. Cosmetic deficiencies are at the discretion of the inspector; however, they are not encouraged.

16.

Shear is:

  • The unaligned forces acting in opposite directions

  • A pushing force applying inward force on an object

  • Two opposing forces pulling an object apart

  • The twisting force applied to an object

Correct answer: The unaligned forces acting in opposite directions

Compression is a pushing force applying inward force on an object. Tension is two opposing forces pulling an object apart. Torsion is the twisting force applied to an object.

17.

Which of the following is not required to be inspected when inspecting the heating system?

  • Humidifiers

  • Distribution systems

  • Venting system

  • Heating equipment

Correct answer: Humidifiers

Dehumidifiers and humidifiers are not required to be inspected. However, if they are present, it is a good idea to make that clear in the report and recommend further evaluation by a qualified HVAC contractor.

18.

When inspecting a draft-induced, natural gas-fired water heater, you notice rust on one side of the hot and cold connection nipples and moisture just under the draft hood. This is most likely what kind of reportable defect?

  • Backdrafting

  • Flashback

  • Missing insulation

  • Leak

Correct answer: Backdrafting

Backdrafting of combustion flue byproducts can be dangerous to occupants, and it should be called out as a safety hazard. Backdrafting is most recognizable by the rusting of the nipples on the side closest to the draft hood. After running the water heater for some time, moisture will accumulate under the draft hood and into the depressions of the hot and cold connection nipples.

19.

A home inspector is not required to determine the following EXCEPT:

  • The type of material used for siding the building

  • Advisability of purchasing the property and its market value

  • The presence of environmental hazards

  • The cause of a defect of a component

Correct answer: The type of material used for siding the building

The home inspector is required to describe the wall coverings used on the exterior. The home inspector is not required to determine whether the property is a good investment, the presence of environmental hazards, nor the cause of a defect of a component.

20.

What style of roof is also known as a barn roof?

  • Gambrel

  • Hip

  • Gable

  • Shed

Correct answer: Gambrel

Hip-style roofs have a sloped face on all sides. Shed-style roofs slope down in one direction. Gable-style roofs come together at the center and slope down on either side of the center point.

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