NASCLA 2026 STUDY EXAM GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What is the term used to describe the ability of a vapor barrier to resist vapor
penetration? - ✔✔"Perms"
✔✔What is the maximum height of carpet? - ✔✔1/2 inch
✔✔What is the max vertical change in level? - ✔✔1/4"
✔✔What is the max bevel allowed? - ✔✔1:2
✔✔Max slope of any floor surface is... - ✔✔1:48
✔✔Objects may protrude how many inches into the path of travel? - ✔✔4 inches
✔✔Max pressure for operable parts is what? - ✔✔5 lbs
✔✔Clear width of an interior accessible route is.... - ✔✔36 inches minimum
✔✔What is the max height of a threshold? - ✔✔1/2 FOOT (6 in)
✔✔Door hardware should be placed.... - ✔✔34 to 48 inches above finished floor
✔✔Opening door force should be.... - ✔✔5 lbs
✔✔Minimum ramp loading length? - ✔✔60 inches
✔✔Ramps higher than HOW MANY inches shall have handrails? - ✔✔6 inches
✔✔Ramp surface must extend how many inches outside the railing? - ✔✔12 inches
✔✔Curbs at ramps shall be at least how many inches high? - ✔✔4 inches
✔✔Parking space access aisles should be at least how many inches wide? - ✔✔60
inches
✔✔Stair risers shall be what max and min. height? - ✔✔4 inches min, 7 inches max
✔✔Handrail height shall be how many inches? - ✔✔34-38 inches
✔✔Stair handrails shall extend how many inches past the nosing? - ✔✔12 inches past
nosing
,✔✔Water closets shall be between how many inches from a side wall? - ✔✔16 to 18
inches
✔✔Grab bars shall be how many inches above the shower floor? - ✔✔33 to 36 inches
✔✔Grab bars should be able to support how many lbs? - ✔✔250 lbs
✔✔Front loading floor surface should be offset how many inches from the centerline? -
✔✔24 inches
✔✔How much space should there be between U-shaped kitchens? - ✔✔60 inches
✔✔A parking lot within 10 feet of a building may slope how much? - ✔✔2% slope
✔✔With the erection of precast concrete products, the rotation of the panel should be
performed where? - ✔✔Over the truck bed
✔✔Dunnage should not be continuous over how much? - ✔✔Not more than one stack
✔✔Wall panel bracing must be maintained until.... - ✔✔permanent connections are
accomplished
✔✔Concrete panels help with what? - ✔✔More rapid construction
✔✔When dry packing grout, joints need greater than how much spacing? - ✔✔Greater
than 1 inch
✔✔Minimum temperature to grout panels is? - ✔✔40 degrees
✔✔Hollow core slab joints greater than 1/8" shall be.... - ✔✔Taped
✔✔Temporary shoring MUST stay in place until what? - ✔✔All members are bearing
✔✔Precast concrete floor jacking post may be removed when? - ✔✔When the grout
has hardened
✔✔What is the standard bearing depth for open web joists? - ✔✔2 1/2"
✔✔If a joist reads "14K7", what does the 7 indicate? - ✔✔The chord designation
number
,✔✔How should you store joists? - ✔✔Store them just as they are shipped, vertical, laid
down-- all the above
✔✔How should you attach bearing joists? - ✔✔Tack weld both sides of one end
✔✔What is "sweep" in joists? - ✔✔Outward bow of the joist
✔✔How should cantilevered joists be braced? - ✔✔Using crossbracing
✔✔In what lengths are joists panelized in order to accommodate standard bridging
lengths? - ✔✔20 feet
✔✔What should be done if damage occurs to the joist? - ✔✔It should be reported to the
joist manufacturer
✔✔Who is allowed to modify a joist? - ✔✔Only the manufacturer's engineer
✔✔How wide of a plate is needed to support a joist? - ✔✔6 inches wide
✔✔With unbonded post-tensioning, how much compressive strength should you have
before jacking? - ✔✔75% compressive strength
✔✔Why are poly coatings used in unbonded post-tensioning? - ✔✔To protect the cable
from abrasion
✔✔What is the term for if tensile stresses are allowed to be produced in the member
under a working load? - ✔✔Partially Prestressed
✔✔How should you unload cables with regards to unbonded post tensioning? -
✔✔Cradle the coils with nylon straps
✔✔How far should cables be from pentrations? - ✔✔6 inches
✔✔How many inches should you have for a jack with unbonded post tensioning? -
✔✔12 inches
✔✔What should the cable diameters be? - ✔✔.5 inches- .6 inches
✔✔How can you resist more curvature? - ✔✔Use more supports
✔✔What is cellular concrete used for? - ✔✔Fireproofing material
, ✔✔EPDM (ethylene propylene diene membrane) requires a splice with what? - ✔✔With
lapped adhesive
✔✔How long should the grout of terrazzo sit before finishing? - ✔✔3 days
✔✔Terrazzo floor divider strips should not produce rectangles.... - ✔✔More than 50%
longer than wide
✔✔When pouring concrete on steel deck, what is minimum thickness? - ✔✔2 inches
✔✔What is used for the proper alignment of all connection plates? - ✔✔Drift pins
✔✔How much larger are bolt hole diameters drilled than the diameter of the bolts to be
used? - ✔✔1/16" larger
✔✔What is the purpose of base plates in commercial construction? - ✔✔They spread
the column load onto the foundation
✔✔Column splices should be how many inches above the floor? - ✔✔2 feet above floor
✔✔What is an advantage of pre engineered steel buildings? - ✔✔The are produced in
many different sizes
✔✔What kind of bracing is used to stabilize a frame? - ✔✔Cross bracing
✔✔What is the live load PSF for elevated slabs? - ✔✔50 PSF
✔✔What is the term for a type of shoring that remains in place? - ✔✔Underpinning
✔✔Is shotcrete used to protect excavations? - ✔✔NO
✔✔What affects cycle time in commercial construction? - ✔✔Attainable speeds of the
truck for loaded and unloaded conditions
✔✔What do Well-Point Systems consist of? - ✔✔Surrounding the area with suction
pumps to reduce groundwater
✔✔What is NOT required when grouting stressing pockets? - ✔✔Chloride
✔✔Do parking lots need to have a percent slope? - ✔✔YES
✔✔What is used to determine the bearing capacity of soils? - ✔✔Penetrometers
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What is the term used to describe the ability of a vapor barrier to resist vapor
penetration? - ✔✔"Perms"
✔✔What is the maximum height of carpet? - ✔✔1/2 inch
✔✔What is the max vertical change in level? - ✔✔1/4"
✔✔What is the max bevel allowed? - ✔✔1:2
✔✔Max slope of any floor surface is... - ✔✔1:48
✔✔Objects may protrude how many inches into the path of travel? - ✔✔4 inches
✔✔Max pressure for operable parts is what? - ✔✔5 lbs
✔✔Clear width of an interior accessible route is.... - ✔✔36 inches minimum
✔✔What is the max height of a threshold? - ✔✔1/2 FOOT (6 in)
✔✔Door hardware should be placed.... - ✔✔34 to 48 inches above finished floor
✔✔Opening door force should be.... - ✔✔5 lbs
✔✔Minimum ramp loading length? - ✔✔60 inches
✔✔Ramps higher than HOW MANY inches shall have handrails? - ✔✔6 inches
✔✔Ramp surface must extend how many inches outside the railing? - ✔✔12 inches
✔✔Curbs at ramps shall be at least how many inches high? - ✔✔4 inches
✔✔Parking space access aisles should be at least how many inches wide? - ✔✔60
inches
✔✔Stair risers shall be what max and min. height? - ✔✔4 inches min, 7 inches max
✔✔Handrail height shall be how many inches? - ✔✔34-38 inches
✔✔Stair handrails shall extend how many inches past the nosing? - ✔✔12 inches past
nosing
,✔✔Water closets shall be between how many inches from a side wall? - ✔✔16 to 18
inches
✔✔Grab bars shall be how many inches above the shower floor? - ✔✔33 to 36 inches
✔✔Grab bars should be able to support how many lbs? - ✔✔250 lbs
✔✔Front loading floor surface should be offset how many inches from the centerline? -
✔✔24 inches
✔✔How much space should there be between U-shaped kitchens? - ✔✔60 inches
✔✔A parking lot within 10 feet of a building may slope how much? - ✔✔2% slope
✔✔With the erection of precast concrete products, the rotation of the panel should be
performed where? - ✔✔Over the truck bed
✔✔Dunnage should not be continuous over how much? - ✔✔Not more than one stack
✔✔Wall panel bracing must be maintained until.... - ✔✔permanent connections are
accomplished
✔✔Concrete panels help with what? - ✔✔More rapid construction
✔✔When dry packing grout, joints need greater than how much spacing? - ✔✔Greater
than 1 inch
✔✔Minimum temperature to grout panels is? - ✔✔40 degrees
✔✔Hollow core slab joints greater than 1/8" shall be.... - ✔✔Taped
✔✔Temporary shoring MUST stay in place until what? - ✔✔All members are bearing
✔✔Precast concrete floor jacking post may be removed when? - ✔✔When the grout
has hardened
✔✔What is the standard bearing depth for open web joists? - ✔✔2 1/2"
✔✔If a joist reads "14K7", what does the 7 indicate? - ✔✔The chord designation
number
,✔✔How should you store joists? - ✔✔Store them just as they are shipped, vertical, laid
down-- all the above
✔✔How should you attach bearing joists? - ✔✔Tack weld both sides of one end
✔✔What is "sweep" in joists? - ✔✔Outward bow of the joist
✔✔How should cantilevered joists be braced? - ✔✔Using crossbracing
✔✔In what lengths are joists panelized in order to accommodate standard bridging
lengths? - ✔✔20 feet
✔✔What should be done if damage occurs to the joist? - ✔✔It should be reported to the
joist manufacturer
✔✔Who is allowed to modify a joist? - ✔✔Only the manufacturer's engineer
✔✔How wide of a plate is needed to support a joist? - ✔✔6 inches wide
✔✔With unbonded post-tensioning, how much compressive strength should you have
before jacking? - ✔✔75% compressive strength
✔✔Why are poly coatings used in unbonded post-tensioning? - ✔✔To protect the cable
from abrasion
✔✔What is the term for if tensile stresses are allowed to be produced in the member
under a working load? - ✔✔Partially Prestressed
✔✔How should you unload cables with regards to unbonded post tensioning? -
✔✔Cradle the coils with nylon straps
✔✔How far should cables be from pentrations? - ✔✔6 inches
✔✔How many inches should you have for a jack with unbonded post tensioning? -
✔✔12 inches
✔✔What should the cable diameters be? - ✔✔.5 inches- .6 inches
✔✔How can you resist more curvature? - ✔✔Use more supports
✔✔What is cellular concrete used for? - ✔✔Fireproofing material
, ✔✔EPDM (ethylene propylene diene membrane) requires a splice with what? - ✔✔With
lapped adhesive
✔✔How long should the grout of terrazzo sit before finishing? - ✔✔3 days
✔✔Terrazzo floor divider strips should not produce rectangles.... - ✔✔More than 50%
longer than wide
✔✔When pouring concrete on steel deck, what is minimum thickness? - ✔✔2 inches
✔✔What is used for the proper alignment of all connection plates? - ✔✔Drift pins
✔✔How much larger are bolt hole diameters drilled than the diameter of the bolts to be
used? - ✔✔1/16" larger
✔✔What is the purpose of base plates in commercial construction? - ✔✔They spread
the column load onto the foundation
✔✔Column splices should be how many inches above the floor? - ✔✔2 feet above floor
✔✔What is an advantage of pre engineered steel buildings? - ✔✔The are produced in
many different sizes
✔✔What kind of bracing is used to stabilize a frame? - ✔✔Cross bracing
✔✔What is the live load PSF for elevated slabs? - ✔✔50 PSF
✔✔What is the term for a type of shoring that remains in place? - ✔✔Underpinning
✔✔Is shotcrete used to protect excavations? - ✔✔NO
✔✔What affects cycle time in commercial construction? - ✔✔Attainable speeds of the
truck for loaded and unloaded conditions
✔✔What do Well-Point Systems consist of? - ✔✔Surrounding the area with suction
pumps to reduce groundwater
✔✔What is NOT required when grouting stressing pockets? - ✔✔Chloride
✔✔Do parking lots need to have a percent slope? - ✔✔YES
✔✔What is used to determine the bearing capacity of soils? - ✔✔Penetrometers
