New Mexico Residential Building Exam – Questions and Correct Answers

Pass the New Mexico Residential Building (GB-2) exam on your first attempt with this comprehensive set of exam questions and verified correct answers. Covers garage receptacle requirements (at least one GFCI), tempered glass near shower (within 60″ vertically), bathroom exhaust fan minimum 50 cfm with no window, attic ventilation net free area ratio 1:600, building inspector enforces codes on jobsite as AHJ, minimum one 20-amp circuit for laundry areas, water heater T&P relief valve must discharge to approved safe location, ice barrier on roofs required in areas subject to ice dam formation, treated sill plates required when wood within 8″ of grade, chimney extension 2 ft above roof within 10 ft (2-10-3 rule), guard height on porches 30″ above grade requires 36″ guard, water closet minimum front clearance 21″, minimum width of water closet space 30″ (15″ from centerline to side wall), minimum slope for horizontal drainage pipes ≤3″ is 1/4″ per foot, vent termination minimum 6″ above roof surface, permit NOT required for minor cosmetic repairs (non-structural), licensed engineer determines soil bearing capacity if questionable, slab-on-grade vapor retarder minimum 6 mil, anchor bolts maximum spacing 6 ft OC with 12″ from corners, accessible shower minimum dimensions 30″x30″, fire separation from garage to habitable rooms above requires 5/8″ Type X gypsum, foundation anchor bolt minimum diameter 1/2″, handrail height 34-38 inches, fire extinguisher required in garages in some jurisdictions (local requirement), fall protection in trenching requires ladder every 25 ft horizontally, scaffold planking extend 6-12″ past supports, hard hats required when exposed to falling or flying objects, change order documents scope/cost/schedule changes, schedule of values best tool to evaluate progress payments, retainage ensures completion and correction of deficiencies, Construction Industries Division (CID) licenses GB-2 Residential Building Contractors in New Mexico, GB-2 license allows construction on residential buildings of up to three stories, International Residential Code (IRC) primarily used for residential construction in NM, contractor must notify CID of business address changes within 30 days, contractor typically responsible for obtaining building permits, minimum stair headroom 6′8″, standard live load for sleeping rooms 30 psf, minimum residential hallway width 36″, guardrails required for decks more than 30″ above grade, maximum baluster spacing 4″ (prevents 4″ sphere passage), Certificate of Occupancy issued by building official, minimum egress window opening height 24″, minimum net clear opening for egress windows 5.7 sq ft (5.0 sq ft at grade), minimum landing width at exterior door 36″, required attic access opening 22″x30″, minimum ceiling height for habitable rooms 7′0″, anchor bolts embedding minimum 7″ into concrete, standard anchor bolt spacing 6′ OC max, GFCI outlets required in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, outdoors, AFCI protection required in bedrooms and habitable rooms, minimum slope for asphalt shingles 4:12, ridge ventilation removes moisture and heat, minimum footing depth below grade below frost line (to prevent frost heave), dwelling requires at least one exit, smoke alarms must be hardwired with battery backup, fire blocking installed every 10′ vertical and at floor/ceiling intersections, maximum riser height 7 3/4″, minimum stair tread depth 10″, handrail required when stairs have 4 or more risers, lumber used near soil or concrete must be pressure-treated, vapor barriers in NM homes placed on warm side, fire separation between garage and house requires minimum 1/2″ gypsum board, minimum width of egress door 32″ clear width, safety glazing near doors when glass within 24″ of door edge, minimum spacing of electrical receptacles in habitable rooms 12 ft maximum (6 ft from any point), bathroom ventilation required mechanical if no operable window, nails for roof sheathing 8d common nails, house wrap purpose air and moisture barrier, concrete cure 7 days recommended before framing load, rebar splices minimum overlap 40 times bar diameter, soil compaction measured by percent density, OSHA requires fall protection above 6 ft, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) accessible to all workers, ladder extension above roof line at least 3 ft, workers near excavation require protection at depth of 5 ft, lead-safe practices required for homes built before 1978, permit expires after 180 days inactivity, New Mexico minimum workmanship warranty 2 years, roof covering fire rating Class A typically required in NM, building inspector conducts final inspection before occupancy, interior bearing wall studs 2x4 maximum spacing 16″ OC, minimum thickness concrete foundation walls 8″, crawlspace minimum height 18″, joists must bear at least 1½″ on wood or metal, concrete exposed to weather minimum 3,000 psi compressive strength, minimum landing width at top and bottom of stairs equal to stair width (minimum 36″), fasteners for treated wood must be hot-dipped galvanized or approved, fireblocking required in concealed spaces at intervals of 10 ft vertical, minimum slope for building sewers 1/4″ per foot, rough plumbing tested with water head of 10 ft, standard gas pipe thread type tapered (NPT), NM requires HVAC ducts in unconditioned space insulated to R-8, condensate disposal from HVAC must discharge to approved location, minimum two 20-amp circuits for small appliance outlets in kitchens, receptacle within 2 ft of any point on kitchen countertop (4 ft max spacing), minimum service disconnect rating in residence 100 amps, knob-and-tube wiring prohibited in new dwellings, minimum burial depth for direct-buried electrical cable 24″, lien release exchanged for payment, punch list completed near substantial completion.