General requirements: NASCLA Commercial General Building Practice Questions
Project management and scheduling, submittals and RFIs, quality control and special inspections, temporary facilities, building-code basics (occupancy, construction type, fire protection, means of egress, accessibility) and OSHA 1926 safety: fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, cranes, fire prevention and health hazards.
Often missed
Question 1
In a critical path method (CPM) schedule, what is the critical path?
Correct answer: The longest chain of linked activities, which sets the shortest possible project duration
Project management (scheduling)
The critical path is the longest path through the network; any delay to an activity on it delays the finish date, so its activities have zero total float.
Question 2
Calculation
An activity has an early start of day 12, a late start of day 18 and a duration of 5 days. What is its total float?
Correct answer: 6 days
Project management (scheduling)
Total float is the late start minus the early start (or late finish minus early finish). The duration does not enter the subtraction.
Worked solution
1
Formula
Total float = LS − ES
2
Values
Total float = 18 − 12
3
Result
Total float = 6 days
Question 3
Calculation
Activity A (4 days) and activity B (6 days) both start on day 0. Activity C (3 days) can start only when both A and B are finished. In a forward pass, what is C's early finish?
Correct answer: Day 9
Project management (scheduling)
In the forward pass an activity starts at the latest early finish of its predecessors. Using the smaller value (4) gives day 7; adding all durations gives day 13.
Worked solution
1
Formula
Early start of C = larger early finish of its predecessors = max(4, 6) = 6
2
Values
Early finish of C = ES + duration = 6 + 3
3
Result
Early finish of C = Day 9
Question 4
What is free float?
Correct answer: Slip time that does not delay any follower's early start
Project management (scheduling)
Free float protects the next activity's early start; total float only protects the project finish. Free float is never larger than total float.
Question 5
Which schedule format shows activities as horizontal bars on a calendar but usually does not show the logic links between them?
Correct answer: Bar (Gantt) chart
Project management (scheduling)
A simple bar chart is easy to read but hides which activities depend on which; network (CPM) diagrams show the logic.
Question 6
In a precedence diagram, a finish-to-start relationship with a 2-day lag between "pour slab" and "strip forms" means what?
Correct answer: Stripping can start no sooner than 2 days after the pour finishes
Project management (scheduling)
A lag is a waiting time on the link. Finish-to-start plus a lag delays the successor's start by the lag after the predecessor finishes, such as waiting for concrete to gain strength.
Question 7
The project manager adds a second crew to a critical activity to shorten the schedule, accepting a higher cost. What is this called?
Correct answer: Crashing
Project management (scheduling)
Crashing buys time with added resources on critical activities. Fast-tracking overlaps activities that would normally run in sequence; leveling smooths resource peaks and usually lengthens the schedule.
Question 8
What is the main purpose of shop drawings?
Correct answer: To show how the work will be fabricated and installed
Project management (submittals)
Shop drawings are submittals prepared by the contractor, a subcontractor or a fabricator. The design professional reviews them for conformance with the design intent; they do not change the contract documents.
Question 9
Before sending a subcontractor's submittal to the architect, what should the general contractor do?
Correct answer: Review it against the documents and field conditions, then mark it reviewed
Project management (submittals)
Under typical general conditions the contractor reviews and approves submittals for field dimensions, quantities and coordination before passing them on; a submittal sent without that review is commonly returned.
Question 10
A superintendent finds that two drawings show different ceiling heights for the same room. What is the proper document to resolve it?
Correct answer: An RFI to the design team
Project management (RFI)
An RFI asks the architect or engineer to clarify a conflict or gap in the documents. If the answer changes cost or time, a change order follows.
Question 11
Why should the superintendent keep a daily log on every workday?
Correct answer: A same-day record of conditions, crews and events that supports claims
Project management (records)
Daily logs written on the day are strong evidence in delay and change disputes. They do not replace change orders.
Question 12
What is a punch list?
Correct answer: A list of incomplete or defective work
Project management (closeout)
The punch list is prepared near substantial completion; finishing it is a normal condition for final payment.
Question 13
Which group of documents is normally turned over to the owner at project closeout?
Correct answer: Record drawings, O&M manuals, warranties and final lien releases
Project management (closeout)
Closeout gives the owner what is needed to run and maintain the building and protects the owner against later liens. Estimates and job-cost reports are the contractor's own records.
Question 14
What is building commissioning?
Correct answer: Verifying that systems are installed and work as the owner requires
Project management (commissioning)
Commissioning tests and documents systems such as HVAC, controls and lighting against the owner's project requirements; it is separate from code inspections.
Question 15
Under the IBC, who generally employs the special inspector for work that needs special inspection?
Correct answer: The owner (or its design professional)
IBC 2021 1704.2
The IBC has the owner (or the design professional acting for the owner) employ special inspectors so the inspector is independent of the contractor whose work is checked.
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Practice questions are written in our own words and cite code sections by number. Always study from your own copy of the code and the official candidate bulletin.