OWNER BUILDER EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
At what depth of trench is shoring require / At what depth of an excavation is shoring required?
- ANS 1.2 M or 4 Feet
How can shoring be done past 4 feet? - ANS This can be done with purpose-built shoring, or,
it is acceptable to
use plywood if it is properly constructed.
Which of the following is not an acceptable method for determining the correct grading for a
trench? - ANS experienced contractor says it's ok
Before a worker enters any excavation over 1.2 m (4 ft) in depth or, while in the excavation,
approaches closer to the side or bank than a distance equal to the depth of the excavation, the
employer must ensure that the
sides of the excavation are - ANS (a) sloped as specified in writing by a qualified registered
professional,
(b) sloped at angles, dependent on soil conditions, which will ensure stable faces, but in no
case, may the slope or combination
of vertical cut and slope exceed that shown in Figure 20-1,
(c) benched as shown in Figure 20-2,
(d) supported as specified in writing by a professional engineer,
(e) supported in accordance with the minimum requirements of section 20.85, or
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,(f) supported by manufactured or prefabricated trench boxes or shoring cages, or other
effective means.
Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection? - ANS Design and
construction which stops water from ever entering
What lighting certifications are required in Canada? - ANS CSA safety certification
What grit of sandpaper would get smoothest result? 150-180 etc. - ANS The higher the
grade, the smoother the finish. When finishing a surface, you typically start with a low grit and
work up to a high grit.
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs?
a. The vertical height any flight stairs - ANS The vertical height shall not exceed 3.7 M
What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or landing? -
ANS 3 feet
If you have a 4m ladder, how far from the wall does the base of the ladder have to be? -
ANS 74 degrees or 4:1 ratio. So 4 m ladder, needs to be 1 m away.
What heights are end dams to be on window and door flashings? - ANS 25 mm / 1 inch (from
BCBC)
When to call for inspections and how to make them efficient as possible? - ANS Group
together when possible and call when work is complete
When is an HRV required? - ANS Almost always:
"Effective December ϭε, ϮϬϭκ residential dwelling units, such as houses, apartments and
secondary suites will be required to have
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,a principal ventilation system that exhausts air from bathrooms and kitchens and supplies fresh
air to bedrooms and living areas
[ε.ϯϮ.ϯ.ϯ."
"Some small dwelling units in mild climates are permitted to supply fresh air through passive
vents [9.32.3.4.(6)], but for most
dwelling units exhaust and supply will require a mechanical fan"
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - ANS Single detached home
under a single title. One single dwelling unit in or attached to a pre-existing building older than
10 years (includes
the addition of a unit to convert a detached home to a duplex, or conversion of a duplex to
triplex, or conversion of non -residential space
to a dwelling unit). One single dwelling unit in or attached to a new non-residential building
(one only per building, such as a caretaker suite
or home built above a family-run store).
12. Who issues permits for a gas fireplace?
Which of the following is not allowed under the HPO owner-builder program? - ANS A new
dwelling unit attached to building *newer*
than 10 years old
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - ANS The Safety Authority - Now called Technical
Safety BC
Can an owner builder take out his or her own electrical permit? - ANS Yes -work up to 200A is
allowed.
What types of Buildings that Can be Wired by Homeowners? - ANS You are entitled to do
electrical work in a fully detached residential dwelling that you occupy or intend to occupy. Your
dwelling may not contain a suite. Fully detached dwellings are buildings that are designed for
single family use only.
You are not allowed to do electrical work in or on any buildings if:
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, ͻ you do not live in or intend to live in the dwelling,
ͻ any part of the building includes a separate self-contained suite or occupancy,
ͻ the building, or any part of the building is being used to provide rental income, or
ͻ the building, or any part of the building is used for commercial purposes.
What is the best practice to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - ANS Spray-on or
roll on dry foundation with 2inch (max) below grade
What is best practice for waterproofing on foundation? - ANS Spray or roll 12 inch above
grade on dry surface
When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? - ANS After Damp-proofing
Where does one apply Damp-proofing Material - ANS Exterior damp-proofing shall be
applied from finished ground level to the top of the exterior of the footing.
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane foundation? -
ANS Use an approved primer before installing
The distance from the gas vent to the roof must be... - ANS ...greater than the overhang of
the roof. Nothing (no gas appliance exhaust vents) within
1m either side and 4.5 meters above. Any powered air intake must not be within 3 meters.
When do you need to install a handrail, or have worker wear fall protection? - ANS 10 feet
above grade
If a worker has no fall protection, at what height must a handrail be provided? - ANS 4 feet
How high does a construction fence around a site needs to be? - ANS 6 feet
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
AND ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
At what depth of trench is shoring require / At what depth of an excavation is shoring required?
- ANS 1.2 M or 4 Feet
How can shoring be done past 4 feet? - ANS This can be done with purpose-built shoring, or,
it is acceptable to
use plywood if it is properly constructed.
Which of the following is not an acceptable method for determining the correct grading for a
trench? - ANS experienced contractor says it's ok
Before a worker enters any excavation over 1.2 m (4 ft) in depth or, while in the excavation,
approaches closer to the side or bank than a distance equal to the depth of the excavation, the
employer must ensure that the
sides of the excavation are - ANS (a) sloped as specified in writing by a qualified registered
professional,
(b) sloped at angles, dependent on soil conditions, which will ensure stable faces, but in no
case, may the slope or combination
of vertical cut and slope exceed that shown in Figure 20-1,
(c) benched as shown in Figure 20-2,
(d) supported as specified in writing by a professional engineer,
(e) supported in accordance with the minimum requirements of section 20.85, or
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,(f) supported by manufactured or prefabricated trench boxes or shoring cages, or other
effective means.
Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection? - ANS Design and
construction which stops water from ever entering
What lighting certifications are required in Canada? - ANS CSA safety certification
What grit of sandpaper would get smoothest result? 150-180 etc. - ANS The higher the
grade, the smoother the finish. When finishing a surface, you typically start with a low grit and
work up to a high grit.
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs?
a. The vertical height any flight stairs - ANS The vertical height shall not exceed 3.7 M
What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or landing? -
ANS 3 feet
If you have a 4m ladder, how far from the wall does the base of the ladder have to be? -
ANS 74 degrees or 4:1 ratio. So 4 m ladder, needs to be 1 m away.
What heights are end dams to be on window and door flashings? - ANS 25 mm / 1 inch (from
BCBC)
When to call for inspections and how to make them efficient as possible? - ANS Group
together when possible and call when work is complete
When is an HRV required? - ANS Almost always:
"Effective December ϭε, ϮϬϭκ residential dwelling units, such as houses, apartments and
secondary suites will be required to have
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,a principal ventilation system that exhausts air from bathrooms and kitchens and supplies fresh
air to bedrooms and living areas
[ε.ϯϮ.ϯ.ϯ."
"Some small dwelling units in mild climates are permitted to supply fresh air through passive
vents [9.32.3.4.(6)], but for most
dwelling units exhaust and supply will require a mechanical fan"
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - ANS Single detached home
under a single title. One single dwelling unit in or attached to a pre-existing building older than
10 years (includes
the addition of a unit to convert a detached home to a duplex, or conversion of a duplex to
triplex, or conversion of non -residential space
to a dwelling unit). One single dwelling unit in or attached to a new non-residential building
(one only per building, such as a caretaker suite
or home built above a family-run store).
12. Who issues permits for a gas fireplace?
Which of the following is not allowed under the HPO owner-builder program? - ANS A new
dwelling unit attached to building *newer*
than 10 years old
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - ANS The Safety Authority - Now called Technical
Safety BC
Can an owner builder take out his or her own electrical permit? - ANS Yes -work up to 200A is
allowed.
What types of Buildings that Can be Wired by Homeowners? - ANS You are entitled to do
electrical work in a fully detached residential dwelling that you occupy or intend to occupy. Your
dwelling may not contain a suite. Fully detached dwellings are buildings that are designed for
single family use only.
You are not allowed to do electrical work in or on any buildings if:
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, ͻ you do not live in or intend to live in the dwelling,
ͻ any part of the building includes a separate self-contained suite or occupancy,
ͻ the building, or any part of the building is being used to provide rental income, or
ͻ the building, or any part of the building is used for commercial purposes.
What is the best practice to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - ANS Spray-on or
roll on dry foundation with 2inch (max) below grade
What is best practice for waterproofing on foundation? - ANS Spray or roll 12 inch above
grade on dry surface
When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? - ANS After Damp-proofing
Where does one apply Damp-proofing Material - ANS Exterior damp-proofing shall be
applied from finished ground level to the top of the exterior of the footing.
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane foundation? -
ANS Use an approved primer before installing
The distance from the gas vent to the roof must be... - ANS ...greater than the overhang of
the roof. Nothing (no gas appliance exhaust vents) within
1m either side and 4.5 meters above. Any powered air intake must not be within 3 meters.
When do you need to install a handrail, or have worker wear fall protection? - ANS 10 feet
above grade
If a worker has no fall protection, at what height must a handrail be provided? - ANS 4 feet
How high does a construction fence around a site needs to be? - ANS 6 feet
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
