CSLB B-2 Residential Remodeling (Trade Exam) — All Questions
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45 questions
In one cabinet guide, what height above the floor's high point does the first level line mark?
- a.34-1/2 inches, the bottom of the wall cabinets
- b.54 inches, the top of the base cabinets
- c.84 inches, the top of the base cabinets
- d.34-1/2 inches, the top of the base cabinets✓
The base level line is drawn 34-1/2 inches above the high point and marks the top of the base cabinets. Fifty-four inches is the wall cabinet line, and 84 inches is the top line for 30-inch wall cabinets.Manufacturer installation guide (cabinets)
Which cabinets does the guide hang first in most kitchens?
- a.Base cabinets
- b.The island
- c.Wall cabinets✓
- d.Corner cabinets
It is best to begin with the wall cabinets so that base cabinets are not in the way while hanging them. Starting with base cabinets blocks access, corner cabinets alone do not make a sequence, and the island is set after the perimeter is located.Manufacturer installation guide (cabinets)
What does the guide say about drywall screws for hanging cabinets?
- a.Drywall screws are preferred
- b.Use drywall screws into masonry
- c.Never use flat-head drywall screws✓
- d.Drywall screws are fine at the top
The guide says never to use flat-head sheet rock screws and calls for #10 by 2-1/2 inch washer-head screws through cabinets into the wall. Preferring drywall screws, allowing them at the top only, or using them into masonry all contradict that warning.Manufacturer installation guide (cabinets)
A cabinet wall run has uneven plaster. What does the guide recommend to keep the back from bowing?
- a.Over-tighten the screws to pull the back flat to the wall
- b.Skip the screws at the top
- c.Shim behind the cabinet back to support it✓
- d.Cut the plaster out of the wall behind the cabinet run
The back is fully supported with shims so it does not bow into imperfections. Over-tightening bows the back, and cutting plaster or skipping screws leaves the cabinet unsupported.Manufacturer installation guide (cabinets)
Which is permit-exempt finish work under CRC R105.2?
- a.Altering an electrical circuit
- b.Cabinets and counter tops✓
- c.Moving a gas range to a new wall
- d.Relocating a sink drain
Cabinets and counter tops are listed with painting, papering, tiling and carpeting as exempt finish work. Moving a gas range, relocating a sink drain and altering an electrical circuit all change systems and need permits.2025 CRC R105.2
What height limit applies to kitchen countertop receptacles above the countertop?
- a.20 inches✓
- b.12 inches
- c.30 inches
- d.42 inches
Receptacles are no more than 20 inches above the countertop. Twelve inches is the maximum below the countertop for island receptacles, and 30 and 42 inches are higher than the limit.City of Rancho Cucamonga handout BSF-0030 (CEC 210.52 as cited)
Which tile mortar coverage does ANSI A108 require for natural stone?
- a.95 percent in every location✓
- b.80 percent in dry areas
- c.100 percent in wet areas
- d.50 percent
Natural stone requires 95 percent coverage in every location, wet or dry, interior or exterior. Eighty percent is the ceramic dry-area figure, 50 percent is not a requirement, and 100 percent in wet areas only is not how the standard is written.ANSI A108 requirement as stated by the Ceramic Tile Foundation
Dry cutting quartz countertop slabs mainly exposes workers to what?
- a.Carbon monoxide released by the saw motor
- b.Refrigerant
- c.Respirable crystalline silica✓
- d.Asbestos from the countertop material
Cutting engineered stone releases respirable crystalline silica, which Cal/OSHA regulates. Carbon monoxide comes from combustion, asbestos from older insulation and flooring products, and refrigerant from cooling equipment, none of which stone cutting produces.8 CCR 1532.3
Which of the following is a prohibited practice on lead-painted surfaces in pre-1978 housing?
- a.Open-flame burning✓
- b.HEPA vacuum cleanup
- c.Damp wiping
- d.Wet scraping
Open-flame burning or torching of painted surfaces is prohibited. Wet scraping, HEPA vacuum cleanup and damp wiping are acceptable practices that control dust.40 CFR 745.85(a)(3)
How much painted surface per room inside may a minor repair disturb under the federal rule?
- a.100 square feet or less
- b.20 square feet or less
- c.6 square feet or less✓
- d.2 square feet or less
Interior minor repair disturbs 6 square feet or less per room, with 20 square feet being the exterior figure, and only if no prohibited practice is used and no window is replaced. Two square feet and 100 square feet per house are not the thresholds.40 CFR 745.83
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California green building rules apply to paints and sealants how?
- a.Only exterior coatings are limited
- b.They must comply with VOC limits✓
- c.Only aerosol products are limited
- d.They are exempt because paint is permit-exempt
The green building code limits the VOC content of paints, sealants, caulks, adhesives and coatings. Permit exemption for painting does not remove those limits, and the limits are not confined to exterior coatings or aerosols.CALGreen 4.504.2 (per City of Rancho Cucamonga handout)
What is the heat gun temperature limit on painted surfaces under the lead renovation rule?
- a.No limit
- b.Below 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit
- c.Below 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit✓
- d.Below 500 degrees Fahrenheit
A heat gun on painted surfaces is permitted only below 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Five hundred degrees is lower than the stated limit, 2,000 degrees is far above it, and the rule does set a limit.40 CFR 745.85(a)(3)(iii)
What does the CRC require for tub and shower walls?
- a.Wallpaper applied up to about 4 feet high
- b.A nonabsorbent surface up to 6 feet✓
- c.Bare gypsum board with a primer coat
- d.Paint applied from the floor to the ceiling
Walls above tubs with shower heads are finished with a nonabsorbent surface to at least 6 feet above the floor. Wallpaper to 4 feet, paint to the ceiling and bare gypsum board are absorbent or too low.2025 CRC R327.2
What is the minimum thickness of a masonry fireplace hearth?
- a.6 inches
- b.2 inches
- c.4 inches✓
- d.1 inch
The hearth is at least 4 inches thick. Two inches is the hearth extension thickness, and 6 inches and 1 inch are not the stated minimum for the hearth.2025 CRC R1001.9.1
A masonry fireplace opening is 4 square feet. How far must the hearth extension reach in front and beside the opening?
- a.12 inches in front and 6 inches each side
- b.24 inches in front and 16 inches each side
- c.20 inches in front and 12 inches each side
- d.16 inches in front and 8 inches each side✓
Under 6 square feet the extension is 16 inches in front and 8 inches at each side; 20 and 12 are for openings of 6 square feet or more.2025 CRC R1001.10
How far must combustible framing be from the back of a masonry fireplace?
- a.At least 4 inches✓
- b.At least 1 inch
- c.At least 2 inches
- d.Touching is permitted
Combustible framing stays at least 4 inches from the back of a masonry fireplace and at least 2 inches from the front and sides. Two inches is the front and side figure, and 1 inch or touching is not allowed.2025 CRC R1001.11
A wood mantel is 5 inches from the edge of a masonry fireplace opening. What is the finding?
- a.Allowed if painted
- b.Allowed with any projection
- c.Allowed if the projection is kept to about 1 inch
- d.Not allowed within 6 inches of the opening✓
Combustible mantels or trim may be placed on the masonry front only if not within 6 inches of the opening. Projection limits, paint and unlimited projection do not cure that.2025 CRC R1001.11
How is a factory-built fireplace installed?
- a.However the owner prefers, if it fits
- b.By the masonry fireplace tables for a similar size
- c.Per its listing and the maker's instructions✓
- d.Without a hearth extension, since it is factory built
Factory-built fireplaces are listed and labeled and installed according to the conditions of the listing and the manufacturer's instructions. Masonry dimension tables do not govern a listed unit, installation is not the owner's choice, and the hearth extension is installed per the listing, not omitted because the unit is factory built.2025 CRC R1004.1
A wall run has its floor high point at the sink. Where does one cabinet maker's guide draw the line for the bottom of the wall cabinets?
- a.84 inches above the high point
- b.19-1/2 inches above the high point
- c.34-1/2 inches above the high point
- d.54 inches above the high point✓
The wall level line is drawn at 54 inches above the high point, which is 19-1/2 inches above the base line. The base line is 34-1/2, 84 inches is the top line for 30-inch wall cabinets, and 19-1/2 inches is the gap above the base line.Manufacturer installation guide (cabinets)
A guide's top line for 36-inch-high wall cabinets sits at what height?
- a.72 inches
- b.96 inches
- c.90 inches✓
- d.84 inches
The guide draws the top line at 84 inches for 30-inch cabinets, 90 inches for 36-inch and 96 inches for 42-inch cabinets. Seventy-two inches is not one of its lines.Manufacturer installation guide (cabinets)
How many studs must be behind a cabinet at the end of a run, per the guide?
- a.None if screws are long
- b.At least two✓
- c.At least one
- d.At least five
The guide wants at least two studs behind each cabinet at the end of a run and one behind each middle cabinet. Long screws do not replace the second stud, and five is not stated.Manufacturer installation guide (cabinets)
A finished floor is not yet installed when cabinets are laid out. What does the guide say to do?
- a.Ignore the flooring and use the bare floor
- b.Wait to draw lines until the floor is done
- c.Subtract the flooring thickness from the lines
- d.Add the flooring thickness to the lines✓
The guide says that if the finished floor is not yet installed, allow for its thickness by adding it to the horizontal cabinet lines. Ignoring or subtracting puts cabinets too low, and waiting is not required.Manufacturer installation guide (cabinets)
Soffit underside is 83 inches above the floor's high point and the layout calls for 36-inch wall cabinets from the 54-inch line. What follows?
- a.They fit if the base line is raised
- b.They fit with a 1-inch gap
- c.The cabinets will not fit✓
- d.They fit if cut down
Wall cabinets from 54 inches with a 36-inch height need a top at 90 inches, and the guide notes most designs need 84 inches clearance to fit under a soffit, so 83 inches fails. Cutting the cabinets or moving the base line does not solve that.Manufacturer installation guide (cabinets)
What does the guide say about tightening screws on the first wall cabinet?
- a.Nearly tight, so the cabinet can still be adjusted✓
- b.Leave them loose permanently so the cabinet can shift
- c.Use drywall screws instead
- d.Torque them fully at once so the cabinet cannot move
The guide says tighten screws until they are nearly tight and do not torque the first cabinet so it can be adjusted slightly to attach the next. Full torque prevents adjustment, loose screws do not hold, and drywall screws are prohibited.Manufacturer installation guide (cabinets)
The guide warns that a 1/8-inch error at the first cabinet becomes how much error 8 feet down the wall?
- a.1/2 inch✓
- b.2 inches
- c.1/8 inch
- d.1/4 inch
A 1/8-inch error becomes 1/2 inch 8 feet down the wall. One eighth and one quarter inch understate it, and 2 inches overstates it.Manufacturer installation guide (cabinets)
A kitchen countertop is replaced, with no changes to the sink or electrical. What does the city handout say about a permit?
- a.An electrical permit, since counters hold outlets
- b.A permit is required for every countertop replacement
- c.None is required for countertop replacement✓
- d.A plumbing permit
The handout says no permit is needed for countertop replacement. A permit for every countertop, only a plumbing permit and only an electrical permit are not what it says.City of Rancho Cucamonga handout BSF-0030
A backsplash outlet is installed 28 inches above the countertop. What is the finding?
- a.It must be at least 36 inches
- b.It exceeds the 20-inch maximum✓
- c.It must be below the counter
- d.It meets the rule
Receptacles are no more than 20 inches above the countertop, so 28 inches exceeds the limit. It does not meet the rule, 36 inches is not required and below-counter mounting is only the island rule.City of Rancho Cucamonga handout BSF-0030 (CEC 210.52 as cited)
A backsplash is 10 feet long and 18 inches high, with 1.5 square feet of cutouts and 10 percent waste. How much tile should be ordered?
- a.15.0 square feet
- b.14.85 square feet✓
- c.16.5 square feet
- d.13.5 square feet
Gross backsplash area 10 × 1.5 = 15 sq ft; net after cutouts 13.5; with 10 percent waste 13.5 × 1.10 = 14.85 sq ft. Fifteen is the gross area, 13.5 omits waste and 16.5 applies waste to the gross area.CSLB B-2 study guide 13E-B2 (computation questions)
What does the CRC require of tile installed in a shower?
- a.Wallpaper first
- b.Standard drywall behind the tile
- c.Installation over a listed backer board✓
- d.Plywood
Tile is installed per ANSI A108 and A118, and backers for wall tile in tub and shower areas are one of the listed materials. Standard drywall, plywood and wallpaper are not listed backers.2025 CRC R702.4
Tile mortar coverage for ceramic tile in a dry area is what percentage under ANSI A108?
- a.100 percent
- b.80 percent✓
- c.60 percent
- d.95 percent
Dry areas need 80 percent coverage. Ninety-five percent is the wet-area figure, and 60 and 100 percent are not the requirement.ANSI A108 requirement as stated by the Ceramic Tile Foundation
The Ceramic Tile Foundation describes keying mortar into the substrate how?
- a.With the notched side in all directions
- b.By spraying water
- c.With the flat side of the trowel✓
- d.By pressing tile into dry mortar
The method keys the mortar into the substrate with the flat side of the trowel and then notches it in one direction, and the tile is moved perpendicular to the ridges.Ceramic Tile Foundation guidance on ANSI A108 coverage
What respirable crystalline silica action level does Cal/OSHA use in construction?
- a.50 micrograms per cubic meter
- b.25 micrograms per cubic meter✓
- c.10 micrograms per cubic meter
- d.2 micrograms per cubic meter
The silica action level is 25 micrograms per cubic meter. Fifty is the PEL, 10 is the lead PEL and 2 is the lead action level.8 CCR 1532.3
Which minor repair threshold applies to painted surface inside a pre-1978 house?
- a.6 square feet or less per room✓
- b.20 square feet or less per room
- c.1 square foot per wall, with no room limit
- d.100 square feet per house
Inside, minor repair is 6 square feet or less per room. Twenty square feet is the exterior figure, and 100 square feet per house and 1 square foot per wall are not thresholds.40 CFR 745.83
Which equipment may not be used on painted surfaces in pre-1978 housing without HEPA exhaust?
- a.Plastic sheeting
- b.Hand scrapers used with a spray bottle
- c.High-speed sanders and grinders✓
- d.Damp rags
High-speed sanders and grinders without HEPA exhaust are prohibited. Hand scrapers, damp rags and plastic sheeting are acceptable.40 CFR 745.85(a)(3)
How far beyond interior work must floor plastic extend under the lead rule?
- a.20 feet
- b.10 feet beyond the surfaces being renovated
- c.1 foot
- d.6 feet beyond the surfaces being renovated✓
Interior floors are covered with taped plastic 6 feet beyond the surfaces being renovated, or enough to contain dust; 10 feet is the exterior ground figure.40 CFR 745.85(a)(2)(i)
A coating's VOC content must be checked against which California standard?
- a.The fire code
- b.The plumbing code for the supply piping
- c.The electrical code for the building wiring
- d.The green building code's VOC limits✓
VOC limits come from the green building code. The fire, electrical and plumbing codes do not set coating content limits.CALGreen 4.504.2 (per City of Rancho Cucamonga handout)
Section 1532.1 defines the construction work its lead standard covers as including what?
- a.Only new construction of homes built after 1978
- b.Only work inside factories and mills
- c.Only abrasive blasting of steel structures
- d.Alteration and repair, including painting and decorating✓
Its scope defines construction work as construction, alteration and repair, including painting and decorating. It is not limited to new homes, to blasting or to factory work.8 CCR 1532.1(a)
What does the CRC permit regarding wallpaper in a tub-shower area?
- a.Wallpaper may be applied all the way to the ceiling over the tub
- b.Bare wood panels sealed with a clear coat on the tub wall
- c.Nothing absorbent where a nonabsorbent finish is required✓
- d.Cardboard
Absorbent paper cannot replace the nonabsorbent surface that must reach 6 feet in a tub or shower area. Wallpaper to the ceiling, bare wood and cardboard are all absorbent.2025 CRC R327.2
A hearth extension for a 5 square foot opening must reach how far in front of the opening?
- a.8 inches
- b.12 inches
- c.20 inches
- d.16 inches✓
Under 6 square feet the extension is 16 inches in front and 8 inches at the sides. Twenty inches is the figure for larger openings, and 8 and 12 inches are side figures.2025 CRC R1001.10
A masonry fireplace has a 6.5 square foot opening. How far beside the opening must the extension reach?
- a.12 inches✓
- b.8 inches
- c.16 inches
- d.20 inches
At 6 square feet or more the extension reaches 12 inches beyond each side. Eight inches is the smaller-opening side figure, and 16 and 20 inches are front dimensions.2025 CRC R1001.10
How thick must a masonry hearth extension be, without the raised-firebox exception?
- a.8 inches
- b.4 inches
- c.3/8 inch
- d.2 inches✓
The extension is at least 2 inches thick, the hearth 4 inches, and a 3/8-inch extension is allowed only where the firebox bottom is at least 8 inches above it.2025 CRC R1001.9.2
A wood mantel's lower edge is 8 inches above the opening. How far may it project?
- a.8 inches
- b.1 inch✓
- c.1/2 inch
- d.2 inches
Within 12 inches the projection is 1/8 inch per inch, so 8 inches allows 1 inch. Eight inches is the distance, 2 inches would be 16 inches of distance, and 1/2 inch is too little.2025 CRC R1001.11
Combustible trim may abut the sidewall of a masonry fireplace if it is at least how far from the firebox lining, for a 5 square foot opening?
- a.8 inches✓
- b.2 inches
- c.4 inches
- d.12 inches
For an opening under 6 square feet, trim may abut if at least 8 inches from the firebox lining. Two inches is the framing clearance, 12 inches is the large-opening figure, and 4 inches is the back clearance.2025 CRC R1001.11
What standard covers fireplace accessories installed in a masonry fireplace per the CRC?
- a.Owner's choice
- b.No standard
- c.Any metal item
- d.Listed✓
Accessories are listed and labeled and installed per the listing and manufacturer's instructions. Having no standard, using any metal item or leaving it to the owner does not meet the section.2025 CRC R1001.13
During exterior paint removal on a pre-1978 house, how close must doors and windows be to the work to require closing?
- a.Within 2 feet of the work area
- b.Within 20 feet of the renovation✓
- c.Within 5 feet of the work area
- d.Within 100 feet
The firm closes all doors and windows within 20 feet of the renovation, and on multi-story buildings those on the same floor and below at the same horizontal distance. Two and five feet are too short, and 100 feet is not the rule.40 CFR 745.85(a)(2)(ii)