BOABC Level 1 Building Official Practice Test
Free · 211 Questions.

Question 1

A building official is asked which standard governs a barn on a working farm in British Columbia. What does Division A require?

• A. Farm buildings must be designed under Part 9 of Division B in the same way as a detached house
• B. Farm buildings must be designed under Part 3 of Division B because they are non-residential
• C. Farm buildings must conform to the National Farm Building Code of Canada 1995
• D. Farm buildings are exempt from the building code requirements in the province of British Columbia

Explanation: Division A states that farm buildings shall conform to the requirements in the National Farm Building Code of Canada 1995.

Question 2

Using the maximum allowable bearing pressures in Part 9, which value applies to a footing bearing on soft clay?

• A. 75 kPa
• B. 40 kPa
• C. 100 kPa
• D. 150 kPa

Explanation: Table 9.4.4.1. lists 40 kPa for soft clay, 75 kPa for firm clay and 150 kPa for stiff clay, with 50 kPa for loose sand or gravel.

Question 3

An unsprinklered combustible attic has exposed materials with a surface flame-spread rating of 20. What is the maximum greatest dimension of a concealed space compartment between fire blocks?

• A. 20 m
• B. 30 m
• C. 100 m
• D. 60 m

Explanation: Unsprinklered concealed spaces of combustible construction in ceilings, roof spaces or unoccupied attics are divided by fire blocks into compartments not more than 60 m in greatest dimension; if exposed materials exceed 25 flame spread, area is also limited to 300 m².

Question 4

At end supports, a floor beam must have even and level bearing of not less than what length (ignoring exceptions in the span table notes)?

• A. 64 mm
• B. 100 mm
• C. 140 mm
• D. 89 mm

Explanation: Beams must have even and level bearing, and the bearing at end supports must be not less than 89 mm long, except as stated in the notes to Span Tables 9.23.4.2.-H to 9.23.4.2.-K.

Question 5

A wood-frame house with residential occupancy is in a location with 3 000 degree-days and a moisture index of 0.95. How must the exterior wall be protected from precipitation ingress?

• A. By a first plane and a second plane of protection that incorporates a capillary break
• B. By cladding alone, because a moisture index below 1.00 does not require a second plane
• C. By a second plane of protection without a capillary break, as degree-days are under 3 400
• D. By a capillary break where the cladding is masonry, and not otherwise

Explanation: BCBC 9.27.2.2.(5) requires first and second planes of protection with a capillary break where degree-days are under 3 400 and the moisture index exceeds 0.90 (or 3 400 or more and index above 1.00), subject to the exceptions in Sentence (6).