EBPHI NHIE Exam Questions

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81.

Which of these lists of components are you most likely to find on a mini-split heating system?

  • Condensate management system, indoor air handling unit, and exterior condenser

  • Barometric damper, natural draft venting system, and indoor air handling unit

  • Type B vent pipe, mechanical draft, and indoor air handling unit

  • Condensate management system, PVC/ABS vent piping, and closed combustion chamber

Correct answer: Condensate management system, indoor air handling unit, and exterior condenser

Mini-split systems are not furnaces, but they are necessarily considered high-efficiency; the main difference is that a furnace does not need an exterior condenser and can still be considered high-efficiency. 

Barometric dampers and natural draft venting systems are the least efficient and are often seen when an oil furnace is the heat source. Type B vent pipes are used in mid-efficiency forced air furnace installations and are often used with mechanical draft systems (inducer fan). High-efficiency furnaces operate at 88%+ efficiency and will have condensate as a byproduct of the burning of fuel. High-efficiency venting systems recycle the unused heat, so the vent pipe temperatures are low and plastic piping can be used. High-efficiency furnaces also use a closed combustion chamber. 

82.

Tools necessary for a home inspection include all EXCEPT:

  • Sewer camera

  • Screwdriver

  • Electrical circuit tester

  • Ladder

Correct answer: Sewer camera

While sewer inspections can be an add-on service that is provided by the inspection company, a sewer camera is not considered necessary for a home inspection.

83.

Common driveway and walkway materials include all of the following EXCEPT:

  • Wood

  • Gravel

  • Flagstone

  • Concrete

Correct answer: Wood

While wood will occasionally be found used in walkways, it's not commonly found and it will deteriorate quickly.

84.

Heat is transferred by all the following EXCEPT:

  • Solar

  • Radiation

  • Conduction

  • Convection

Correct answer: Solar

Solar is a type of energy specifically from the sun. 

Radiation is one of the means by which heat is transferred from one body to another via waves or rays (x-rays, gamma, radio, light, etc). Conduction is also a means of heat transfer, although through substances. Convection is the third means of heat transfer; the heat is transferred by motion of the heated matter.

85.

If a forced air heating system is hardwired, then a disconnect switch must be:

  • Within 5’ of the unit

  • Within 6’ of the unit

  • Within 8’ of the unit

  • Directly adjacent to the unit

Correct answer: Within 5’ of the unit

There are requirements for most appliances and their disconnection means. Some requirements are within sight of the unit, and some have minimum feet requirements; but most are required within the same room as the appliance. 

The rule of 6' within sight of the unit typically refers to fuel shutoff valves, noting that they need to be located within the same room. The other two answers are merely distractors.

86.

Capillary action works by using the forces of:

  • Adhesion, cohesion, and surface tension

  • Accession, collision, and expulsion

  • Division, commission, and expression

  • Friction, disintermediation, and hyperpigmentation

Correct answer: Adhesion, cohesion, and surface tension

Adhesion enables water to "climb" against gravity by the attraction of molecules of one kind to molecules of another kind. Cohesion is the tendency for something (water molecules, in this case) to stick together. Cohesion is the force responsible for surface tension. 

87.

Which is required for the home inspector to report when it comes to the roofing component?

  • Methods used to inspect the roofing

  • Other installed accessories

  • Interiors of vent systems, flues, and chimneys that are not readily accessible

  • Antennas

Correct answer: Methods used to inspect the roofing

A home inspector is required to report on the method used to inspect the roof and describe the materials used. 

The Standard Of Practice (SOP) does not require the inspector to report on "other" installed accessories other than those listed as required (skylights, chimneys, roof penetrations, flashing, roofing material, and roof drainage systems). The interiors of vent systems, flues, and chimneys are not necessary to inspect if they are not readily accessible. Antennas (and other low voltage wiring systems and components) are not required to be inspected. 

The SOP is not intended to prevent an inspector from reporting on systems or components beyond the standards.

88.

Footing width for a one-story house should be a minimum of: 

  • 12"

  • 24"

  • 18"

  • 6"

Correct answer: 12"

While footings will not always be visible to the home inspector, minimum widths and depths should be known and questions are expected for the exam. 

Minimums are based on code requirements and will vary for building height, soil load-bearing value, and frost lines. 

89.

What does the term "offer" (with regard to the home inspection) mean?

  • An expression of preparedness to do something or to refrain from doing something

  • An acceptance by the other party involved

  • Something of value in exchange for the service

  • Mutual agreement for the service

Correct answer: An expression of preparedness to do something or to refrain from doing something

The four elements required for a contract are offer, acceptance, consideration, and mutual assent. An offer is an expression of preparedness to do something or to refrain from doing something. The offer needs to be accepted by the other party involved. Consideration is something of value in exchange for the offer. Both parties must mutually assent (agree) to the contractual relationship.

90.

Which of the following statements is true?

  • The inspector is NOT required to determine the condition of systems and components that are not readily accessible

  • Inspections performed using the Standard Of Practice are technically exhaustive

  • Inspections performed using the Standard Of Practice are required to identify and to report concealed conditions or latent defects and their consequential damages

  • Inspections performed using the Standard Of Practice are required to report cosmetic imperfections that do not significantly affect a component’s performance of its intended function

Correct answer: The inspector is NOT required to determine the condition of systems and components that are not readily accessible

Home inspections are NOT technically exhaustive and the home inspector is not expected to report on the condition of concealed or latent defects and their consequential damages. The home inspection is NOT required to report on cosmetic imperfections that will not significantly impact a component's performance.

91.

Which three things must be present in order for a room to be considered habitable?

  • Heat, light, and ventilation

  • Smoke detector, flooring, and light

  • Heat, carbon monoxide detector, and closet

  • Ventilation, smoke detector, and light

Correct answer: Heat, light, and ventilation

Habitable rooms must have a permanent means of heating the room to maintain a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (except in Hawaii). Natural ventilation openings (such as a window or door) to outdoor air need to be present (greater than or equal to 4% of the floor area, but exceptions may apply). Natural light is required and must be equal to or greater than 8% of the floor area.

92.

Underfloor (crawlspace) ventilation must: 

  • Have 1 square foot per 150 square feet of underfloor area, and vent openings within 3 feet of each corner unless it is a conditioned area

  • Be located at least 6’ from the property line or have no openings on that side of the crawlspace

  • Be mechanically assisted in all new construction

  • Have 2 square feet per 300 square feet of underfloor area, and vent openings within 6 feet of each corner

Correct answer: Have 1 square foot per 150 square feet of underfloor area, and vent openings within 3 feet of each corner unless it is a conditioned area

Properly ventilating under floor areas is essential to avoid damage from moisture accumulation. Proper air flow is necessary to dissipate excessive moisture accumulation. 

93.

Breaker panels are NOT allowed in: 

  • Clothes closets or bathrooms

  • Kitchens and garages

  • Bedrooms and hallways

  • A space within 36" of a doorway

Correct answer: Clothes closets or bathrooms

The National Electrical Code has established rules around the locations acceptable for breaker panels. Closets can pose a fire hazard by allowing flammable materials to be too close to the panel. Bathrooms are not allowed due to the excessive amounts of moisture.

94.

Inspectors are NOT required to:

  • Use complex instruments to determine or locate deficiencies

  • Inspect readily accessible, visually observable, installed systems or components

  • Inspect exterior doors

  • Describe exterior finishes

Correct Answer: Use complex instruments to determine or locate deficiencies

The home inspection is not technically exhaustive and the use of simple instruments is generally accepted. Complex instruments can be used but are not required. 

The home inspector is required to inspect readily accessible, visually observable, installed systems or components, as well as exterior doors and finishes.

95.

Pedestrian gates that allow access to an area with a pool should be:

  • Self-closing and self-latching

  • Always locked

  • Installed to swing toward the pool

  • There are no specific requirements that need to be followed

Correct answer: Self-closing and self-latching

While a pedestrian gate allowing access to an area with a pool does not have a requirement to be locked, it must be self-closing and self-latching. 

Pedestrian gates should be installed to swing away from the pool area. Specific requirements will vary by jurisdiction.

96.

If a furnace is located in an underfloor (crawlspace) location, what is the minimum clear distance to the ground from the enclosure?

  • 6"

  • 4"

  • 12"

  • 30"

Correct answer: 6"

6" clearance is necessary for clearance below the floor joists as well as above the grade. 12” minimum is from the grade adjacent to the enclosure. 30” is the minimum working space for a service technician. 4” is the minimum clearance of the vent pipe above the adjacent grade if the excavated area is greater than 12” deep.

97.

Which is NOT a category associated with veneers?

  • Molded

  • Attached

  • Anchored

  • Adhered

Correct answer: Molded

Anchored veneers are supported laterally by anchoring to the backing, and they are supported by the foundation or other structural element. Adhered veneers are directly "glued" to the backing with a bonding material. An example of anchored veneer is brick, and an example of adhered veneer is stucco. All veneers are attached. 

98.

What is the minimum electrical service size requirement for a single family dwelling?

  • 100 A

  • 150 A

  • 60 A

  • 200 A

Correct answer: 100 A

Minimum service requirements for new construction may vary by jurisdiction, but the National Electrical Code has established 100A as the minimum for a single family dwelling.

99.

Compression is:

  • A pushing force applying inward force on an object

  • The unaligned forces acting in opposite directions

  • The twisting force applied to an object

  • Two opposing forces pulling an object apart

Correct answer: A pushing force applying inward force on an object

Tension is two opposing forces pulling an object apart. Shear is the unaligned forces acting in opposite directions. Torsion is the twisting force applied to an object.

100.

What two kinds of air supply are necessary for the combustion of solid fuels?

  • Primary and secondary

  • General and backup

  • Draft and mechanical

  • Individual and coupled

Correct answer: Primary and secondary

Proper ventilation and combustion air (sometimes referred to as makeup air) are necessary for the burning of solid fuels and for the prevention of backdrafting of combustion byproducts back into the home. 

There are several factors involved in determining the proper square inches of primary and secondary air, depending on the type and style of the appliance. A home inspector should be familiar with the nuances of the rules around combustion primary and secondary air supply requirements.