NCARB PDD: Questions With Complete Solutions
Performance Spec Right Ans - tells contractor what the final installed
product must be capable of doing (ex. the roof shall last 50 years or conc. must
meet or exceed 3000 psi compressive strength at 28 days)
Prescriptive (Descriptive) Spec Right Ans - explains materials that must be
used and the means of installing them
Proprietary Spec Right Ans - names a manufacturer's standard product by
its brand name or model number (product selection is closely controlled and
this limits competition)
Closed Spec vs Open Spec Right Ans - Closed - when substitutions are not
permitted. Open - when approved equals are permitted
Reference Spec Right Ans - rely on naming a published, industry-
recognized standard (UL rating is a common example of ref. spec for a fire
rated wall assembly)
Building Creep Right Ans - when a solid material moves slowly or deforms
under persistent stresses
Slump Test Right Ans - A test for mixed concrete to determine consistency
and workability.
Test Cylinder Right Ans - tests overall strength in a batch of concrete;
tested in a lab
Core Cylinder Test Right Ans - used when a portion of the structure is in
place and cured but needs testing
Mechanical Reheat System Right Ans - similar to an in wall unit, this system
will condition air and put it back into a room, a reheat system will also filter
and use outside air
Voltage Right Ans - one way of measuring the effect of electrons moving
Amperage Right Ans - describes how quickly electrons are flowing
, Hydraulic Elevator Right Ans - An elevator system consisting of a car
supported by a piston that is moved by or moves against a fluid under
pressure; used for low rise applications 2-8 stories, max speed 200 ft/min,
low initial cost
Geared Traction Elevator Right Ans - - mid-rise, moderate speed
- can be used for freight
- for high capacity where speed is not as imporant (department store)
- requires penthouse
Gearless Traction Elevator Right Ans - good for high rise applications,
capable of speeds up to 2000 ft/min, high initial costs
Machine-roomless elevators Right Ans - traction elevators that do not have
dedicated machine room, machine sits in override space and accessed from
top of elevator cab, requires less space, energy efficient, unsuitable for freight
applications, has hoisting cables and side counterweights like traction
elevators, max. travel is 250 ft.
Emissivity Right Ans - rate at which radiation is given off (example is low-e
glazing)
Lighting Efficacy Right Ans - how efficiently a light source produces visible
light (lumens per watt)
Color Rendering Index (CRI) Right Ans - Measurement of how faithfully a
light source reveals the colors of objects. The index range is from 0 to 100. The
higher the CRI number, the better the color rendering ability of the source.
(critical for museums or performance spaces)
Albedo Right Ans - radiant energy that is reflected by a surface where 0 is a
flat black surface that absorbs heat and 1 is a mirror which reflects all heat
Conductivity Right Ans - the rate at which heat passes through a specified
material, metals have high conductivity and soil/sand has low conductivity
Preservation Right Ans - the least amount of changes done to a historic
building and any additions are as inconspicuous as possible
Performance Spec Right Ans - tells contractor what the final installed
product must be capable of doing (ex. the roof shall last 50 years or conc. must
meet or exceed 3000 psi compressive strength at 28 days)
Prescriptive (Descriptive) Spec Right Ans - explains materials that must be
used and the means of installing them
Proprietary Spec Right Ans - names a manufacturer's standard product by
its brand name or model number (product selection is closely controlled and
this limits competition)
Closed Spec vs Open Spec Right Ans - Closed - when substitutions are not
permitted. Open - when approved equals are permitted
Reference Spec Right Ans - rely on naming a published, industry-
recognized standard (UL rating is a common example of ref. spec for a fire
rated wall assembly)
Building Creep Right Ans - when a solid material moves slowly or deforms
under persistent stresses
Slump Test Right Ans - A test for mixed concrete to determine consistency
and workability.
Test Cylinder Right Ans - tests overall strength in a batch of concrete;
tested in a lab
Core Cylinder Test Right Ans - used when a portion of the structure is in
place and cured but needs testing
Mechanical Reheat System Right Ans - similar to an in wall unit, this system
will condition air and put it back into a room, a reheat system will also filter
and use outside air
Voltage Right Ans - one way of measuring the effect of electrons moving
Amperage Right Ans - describes how quickly electrons are flowing
, Hydraulic Elevator Right Ans - An elevator system consisting of a car
supported by a piston that is moved by or moves against a fluid under
pressure; used for low rise applications 2-8 stories, max speed 200 ft/min,
low initial cost
Geared Traction Elevator Right Ans - - mid-rise, moderate speed
- can be used for freight
- for high capacity where speed is not as imporant (department store)
- requires penthouse
Gearless Traction Elevator Right Ans - good for high rise applications,
capable of speeds up to 2000 ft/min, high initial costs
Machine-roomless elevators Right Ans - traction elevators that do not have
dedicated machine room, machine sits in override space and accessed from
top of elevator cab, requires less space, energy efficient, unsuitable for freight
applications, has hoisting cables and side counterweights like traction
elevators, max. travel is 250 ft.
Emissivity Right Ans - rate at which radiation is given off (example is low-e
glazing)
Lighting Efficacy Right Ans - how efficiently a light source produces visible
light (lumens per watt)
Color Rendering Index (CRI) Right Ans - Measurement of how faithfully a
light source reveals the colors of objects. The index range is from 0 to 100. The
higher the CRI number, the better the color rendering ability of the source.
(critical for museums or performance spaces)
Albedo Right Ans - radiant energy that is reflected by a surface where 0 is a
flat black surface that absorbs heat and 1 is a mirror which reflects all heat
Conductivity Right Ans - the rate at which heat passes through a specified
material, metals have high conductivity and soil/sand has low conductivity
Preservation Right Ans - the least amount of changes done to a historic
building and any additions are as inconspicuous as possible
