NHIE sample questions

Question 1

During an exterior site inspection, an inspector observes a perimeter safety fence surrounding an inground swimming pool. While the section over concrete patio maintains a 3.5-inch vertical clearance to grade, a 20-foot section runs over a loose gravel bed with a 3.5-inch vertical clearance. How should the inspector evaluate this condition?

Accepted Answer

Defective, because the maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier over non-solid surfaces such as gravel or grass is 2 inches

Answer

Defective, because no clearance is permitted between the bottom rail and any exterior ground surface regardless of substrate

Answer

Acceptable, provided the gravel layer is at least 6 inches deep to cushion possible falls

Answer

Acceptable, because any bottom clearance under 4 inches complies across all ground cover types

Question 2

True or False: According to established residential pool barrier safety standards, an outdoor pedestrian access gate leading into a swimming pool enclosure is permitted to swing inward toward the pool, provided it is equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 3

While inspecting an exterior wood deck attached to a single-family residence, an inspector notes that the 2x8 preservative-treated ledger board is secured with 1/2-inch lag screws directly through exterior stone veneer into the house rim joist. How should the inspector report this condition?

Accepted Answer

Improper installation, because deck ledger boards must never be supported on or attached directly to masonry or stone veneer

Answer

Proper installation, provided the lag screws penetrate at least 3 inches into the interior solid-sawn floor joists

Answer

Acceptable only if through-bolts with exterior expansion shields were used in place of lag screws

Answer

Defective only if corrosion-resistant washers were omitted beneath the bolt heads on the ledger face

Question 4

An inspector is evaluating guardrail and stair rail openings on an elevated exterior deck that stands 42 inches above the lawn. Which TWO of the following opening limitations comply with standard building safety provisions? (Select TWO)

```mermaid
flowchart TD
Walking["Deck Surface Guard (>30 in)"] --> G4["Max 4 in Sphere Opening"]
StairRail["Stair Guard Infill"] --> G438["Max 4-3/8 in Sphere Opening"]
StairTriangle["Bottom Rail & Tread/Riser"] --> G6["Max 6 in Sphere Opening"]
```

Accepted Answer

Openings in the horizontal walking surface guard must not allow passage of a 4-inch sphere

Accepted Answer

The triangular opening formed by the stair riser, tread, and bottom guard rail must not allow passage of a 6-inch sphere

Answer

Intermediate openings on stair guards can permit passage of a 6-inch sphere between balusters

Answer

The space between horizontal guard balusters may allow passage of up to an 8-inch sphere if vertical cables are installed

Question 5

An inspector is evaluating a second-story exterior wood deck that extends 12 feet out from the main building framing. The deck ledger is constructed of 2x10 preservative-treated lumber fastened to a 1-inch engineered rim board.

Upon checking underneath the deck assembly, the inspector observes that the ledger is attached to the house using 3-inch spiral framing nails driven straight into the rim board, with no lag screws or through-bolts present. Additionally, there are no lateral hold-down tension hardware devices connecting the deck joists to the interior floor framing.

Which of the following describes the primary structural hazard and correct reporting action for this deck assembly?

Accepted Answer

Nails subject to withdrawal cannot carry ledger loads, and omission of lateral tension ties creates collapse risk under dynamic movement; recommend immediate evaluation by a structural engineer

Answer

Lateral hold-down tension ties are only required when a deck is supported by masonry columns; the nail pattern should simply be reinforced with construction adhesive

Answer

The engineered rim board must be doubled; replacing the rim board with solid-sawn lumber will eliminate the need for mechanical bolts or lateral ties

Answer

Spiral framing nails provide sufficient shear resistance provided they are spaced every 6 inches on center; only the missing flashing requires reporting

Question 6

In a residential crawlspace, an inspector examines 2x10 solid-sawn floor joists (nominal depth 9.25 inches) spanning 14 feet. A subcontractor has cut a rectangular notch measuring 2 inches deep by 4 inches long into the bottom edge of a joist in the outer one-third of the span. According to standard wood framing provisions, how should this notch be evaluated?

```mermaid
graph LR
A[End 1: D/4 notch max] --- B[Outer 1/3 Span: D/6 notch max] --- C[Center 1/3 Span: No Edge Notches] --- D[Outer 1/3 Span: D/6 notch max] --- E[End 2: D/4 notch max]
```

Accepted Answer

Defective, because notches in the top or bottom edge of solid-sawn floor joists must not exceed one-sixth of the joist depth (1.54 inches)

Answer

Defective only because the length of the notch exceeds the allowed maximum of 2 inches

Answer

Acceptable, because edge notches in the outer third are permitted up to one-fourth the joist depth (2.31 inches)

Answer

Acceptable, provided the notch is reinforced with a steel mending plate nailed across the bottom face

Free NHIE sample questions

True or False: According to established residential pool barrier safety standards, an outdoor pedestrian access gate leading into a swimming pool enclosure is permitted to swing inward toward the pool, provided it is equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device.

While inspecting an exterior wood deck attached to a single-family residence, an inspector notes that the 2x8 preservative-treated ledger board is secured with 1/2-inch lag screws directly through exterior stone veneer into the house rim joist. How should the inspector report this condition?

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