EBPHI NHIE Exam Questions

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101.

For an appliance located in an underfloor (crawlspace) or attic space, all the following are necessary to be present EXCEPT?

  • Drain pan under the appliance

  • Luminaire near the appliance

  • Within 20’ of the entrance to the crawlspace or attic

  • Receptacle outlet near the appliance

Correct answer: Drain pan under the appliance

All except the drain pan are required in both spaces. 

A drain pan would be required in an attic (or any location in which the unit could cause damage to the living area) if the unit is a high efficiency unit or any other unit that creates condensation or holds water.

102.

Collected roof water runoff should be carried through:

  • Solid drainpipe

  • Perforated drainpipe

  • Corrugated drainpipe

  • Filter fabric

Correct Answer: Solid drainpipe

Although corrugated drainpipe can be either solid or perforated, solid drainpipe is the best answer. 

Roof water runoff should be carried away from the building a minimum of ten feet from the foundation. 

Filter fabric is used with perforated drain tile to prevent blockage.

103.

Wells are not to be located within how many feet of a septic tank? 

  • 50'

  • 5–10'

  • 100'

  • 20'

Correct answer: 50'

A well should be located so that minimum isolation distances reduce the possibility for the well to be contaminated. Distances may vary by jurisdiction. However, the generally accepted clearance from a septic tank is 50' to prevent possible contamination. 5–10' clearance from a building is recommended so that roof water runoff can dissipate. 100' clearance to a leach field is recommended to protect from potential contamination. 20' clearance is recommended from in-ground swimming pools.

104.

Electrical service entrance clearance over an accessible walking surface is:

  • 10'

  • 12'

  • 22'

  • 3'

Correct answer: 10'

There are many clearance requirements for electrical service entrance cables, which should be known to home inspectors. 10' clearance is required from the lowest point above grade.

12' clearance is required over driveways. 22' clearance is required over a pool in any direction to the water. 3' clearance is required adjacent to and below an openable window or door.

105.

What is the primary downside to electric resistance heating systems?

  • Operating costs

  • Only heats individual areas

  • Is an expensive heating system to install

  • Not enough variety of options

Correct answer: Operating costs

Electric resistance heating systems come in a variety of options and can be less expensive to install than their fuel-burning counterparts. Electric resistance heating systems can service an entire building or individual rooms. The primary downside is the cost of electricity in the jurisdiction of the home.

106.

“Flat” roofing systems:

  • Should slope enough for water to drain

  • Shed water much like a pyramid or umbrella

  • Are not actually designed to be watertight

  • Are designed to accommodate standing water

Correct answer: Should slope enough for water to drain

Flat roofing systems are not truly flat; they should have a minimum of 1–2% slope. 

107.

What is a sensible load?

  • The amount of water vapor that needs to be removed from the air inside a building because of the temperature of the air, including solar heat gain, operation of equipment, and through walls and ceilings

  • The amount of water vapor that needs to be removed from the air inside a building, including from breathing, cooking, bathing, and air infiltration from the exterior

  • The constant load and downward force imposed on a building by building materials and permanently affixed equipment

  • The constant load and downward force imposed on a building by occupants and their belongings

Correct answer: The amount of water vapor that needs to be removed from the air inside a building because of the temperature of the air, including solar heat gain, operation of equipment, and through walls and ceilings 

Latent load is the amount of water vapor that needs to be removed from the air inside a building, including from breathing, cooking, bathing, and air infiltration from the exterior. Dead load is the constant load and downward force imposed on a building by building materials and permanently affixed equipment. Live load is the constant load and downward force imposed on a building by occupants and their belongings.

108.

All of the following drive air through a building EXCEPT:

  • Evaporator coil

  • Stack effect

  • Outside air temperature

  • Mechanical fans

Correct answer: Evaporator coil

While an evaporator coil is part of a system that can drive air through a building, it needs to work in conjunction with the air handler (furnace) and condenser in order to work as a complete system. 

Mechanical ventilation can come in many forms (spot fans, energy recovery systems, balanced ventilation systems, etc.), and it plays an important role in maintaining the indoor air quality. Pressure differences between the indoor and outdoor environments will drive air through the building via the stack effect (hotter air is lighter than cooler air and will rise). 

109.

The supporting steel member found in a brick veneer siding application over an opening (door, window, etc.) is:

  • The lintel

  • The mantel

  • A corbel

  • The throat

Correct answer: The lintel

Lintels are usually made of iron or steel and span the opening of a window or door to provide support for the bricks above the opening.

110.

What is the minimum slope for hard surface grading to drain away from a house?

  • > 1/4” fall per foot

  • > 5/8” fall per foot

  • 6” in 10’

  • There is no industry standard

Correct answer: > 1/4” fall per foot

Hard surface grading should slope at least > 1/4” fall per foot away from a house. Hard surface grading that slopes toward a house can lead to erosion of the soil supporting the home and/or water intrusion of the building, damaging other components.

111.

What component would a crack in the heat exchanger likely be found in, and is it required to be reported?

  • Fuel-fired (oil, natural gas, propane, or wood) furnace; heat exchangers are excluded from the inspection

  • Dishwasher; it should be noted that the dishwasher is not heating

  • Radiant ceiling system; it should not be reported because it is not visible

  • Electric furnace; it should be reported because the heat exchanger poses a fire hazard

Correct answer: Fuel-fired (oil, natural gas, propane, or wood) furnace; heat exchangers are excluded from the inspection

Most cracks in the heat exchanger of a fuel-fired furnace are not visible; therefore, they are exempt from the inspection process. Heat exchangers, when damaged, create a carbon monoxide safety issue, which can be found with regular maintenance by a qualified HVAC contractor. 

Electric furnaces use a heating coil in lieu of a heat exchanger. Although they work similarly, they do not create a health hazard when they break down. Dishwashers should have the supply and drain lines tested, and it should be verified that they are hooked up to the hot water supply. Testing beyond normal homeowner operation is beyond the scope of a home inspection.

112.

A pipe trench below a footing shall be offset from the bottom of the footing a minimum of: 

  • 45 degrees

  • No offset is required

  • 60 degrees

  • 6 feet

Correct answer: 45 degrees

45 degrees is the minimum distance from the bottom of the footing that a trench can be dug. The footing must sit on undisturbed soil. The soil under the footing, extending out and down at a 45 degree angle, is a critical zone of compaction.  

113.

A private well should be located a minimum of how many feet from a septic tank?

  • 50'

  • 75'

  • 100'

  • 25'

Correct answer: 50'

Leach fields and septic tanks should be located a minimum of 50' from a well head. 

Petroleum and storage areas for pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers should be a minimum of 100' away from the well head.

114.

Inspectors should avoid all of the following EXCEPT:

  • Performing services and expressing opinions based on genuine conviction

  • Repairing, replacing, or upgrading components or systems, for compensation, on any building inspected, within one year after completion of the inspection

  • Accepting a home inspection referral or performing a home inspection when the inspection is contingent upon the inspector reporting predetermined conditions

  • Accepting compensation for an inspection from more than one party, unless agreed to by the client(s)

Correct answer: Performing services and expressing opinions based on genuine conviction

A home inspector should only perform services and express opinions based on genuine conviction and within their area of expertise. In several states, it is illegal to perform repair work on any home that you have inspected within the previous year. 

115.

Steam boiler systems should have a pressure relief valve rated for:

  • 15 psi

  • 30 psi

  • 150 psi

  • 60 psi

Correct answer: 15 psi

Steam boiler systems should have a pressure relief valve rated at 15 psi. 

Hot water boilers should have a pressure relief valve rated at 30 psi. Domestic hot water systems should have pressure relief valves rated at 150 psi. 

The pressure relief valve is a safety valve that will open in the event of elevated levels of pressure within the system, preventing an explosion. 

116.

Wood retaining walls should be:

  • Limited to under 4' in height

  • Built with any combination of wood available

  • Expected to have a service life of 50 or more years

  • Engineered

Correct answer: Limited to under 4' in height

Due to the amount of hydrostatic pressure impressed upon retaining walls, and the lack of durability of wood in direct contact with the earth; it is recommended that wood retaining walls not exceed 4' in height. 

Any retaining wall over 4' should be engineered. Wood retaining walls should only be built with pressure treated wood or decay-resistant wood.

117.

Current is: 

  • The amount of electricity moving through a conductor

  • The opposition of a material to the flow of electricity

  • The flow of electricity reversing direction at a frequency of 60 cycles per second

  • The measurement of the amount of electricity moving through a conductor

Correct answer: The amount of electricity moving through a conductor

Resistance is the opposition of a material to the flow of electricity. Alternate Current (A/C) is the flow of electricity reversing direction at a frequency of 60 cycles per second. Amperes is the measurement of the amount of electricity moving through a conductor. 

118.

Hallways greater than how many feet in length require a receptacle?

  • 10'

  • 8'

  • 6'

  • 4'

Correct answer: 10'

Hallways over 10' long require at least one receptacle. Regardless of the hallway's length past 10', only one receptacle is required.

119.

CSST gas piping systems should be bonded with a:

  • 6 AWG wire minimum

  • 8 AWG wire minimum

  • 10 AWG wire minimum

  • 14 AWG wire minimum

Correct answer: 6 AWG wire minimum

CSST is a flexible corrugated stainless steel tubing used to supply gas throughout the home. Any metal piping system within the home that has the potential to become energized is required to be bonded to the main electrical system. 

120.

A wood framing technique in which the wall studs extend from the foundation to the roof in a two-story structure is known as:

  • Balloon framing

  • Platform framing

  • Post and beam framing

  • Stick framing

Correct answer: Balloon framing

Balloon framing is found in older homes (pre-1940's). The studs run continuously from the foundation to the roof. 

Platform framing is the framing technique used today. Post and beam framing refers to a method that uses large framing to create unobstructed open areas. Stick framing is a generic term that refers to building on-site using individual members as opposed to prefabricated sections.