Home Inspector Fireplaces, Chimneys & Life Safety Practice Questions
Fireplaces, Chimneys & Life Safety makes up 6 of every 50 questions on a Tigertest Home Inspector practice test. Here are 10 of the 24 questions on it, each with the answer and the reason.
Updated by the Tigertest team. Based on the EBPHI content outline for the National Home Inspector Examination. Original questions; 50 per test, weighted like the real 200-question exam. Not affiliated with EBPHI.
1. A masonry chimney must rise at least 2 feet higher than any part of the building within:
- A.20 feet
- B.10 feet
- C.5 feet
- D.3 feet
Answer: B. The 3-2-10 rule: at least 3 feet above where it leaves the roof and 2 feet higher than anything within 10 feet horizontally.
2. A chimney must extend at least how far above the point where it passes through the roof?
- A.1 foot
- B.5 feet
- C.2 feet
- D.3 feet
Answer: D. The 3-foot minimum above the roof penetration is the first part of the 3-2-10 rule. Too short a chimney drafts poorly and can drop sparks on the roof.
3. For a fireplace opening smaller than 6 square feet, the hearth extension must reach at least how far in front of the opening?
- A.16 inches
- B.8 inches
- C.12 inches
- D.20 inches
Answer: A. Smaller openings need a 16-inch hearth extension in front and 8 inches to each side. Larger openings need 20 and 12 inches.
4. For a fireplace opening of 6 square feet or more, the hearth extension must reach at least how far in front of the opening?
- A.24 inches
- B.18 inches
- C.20 inches
- D.16 inches
Answer: C. Openings of 6 square feet or more need a hearth extension 20 inches in front and 12 inches beyond each side.
5. Shiny, tar-like glazed creosote inside a wood-burning flue is a concern because it:
- A.Seals cracks in the liner
- B.Means the damper is stuck
- C.Can fuel a chimney fire
- D.Shows the draft is correct
Answer: C. Glazed creosote is the hardest stage to remove and burns very hot. It calls for cleaning and evaluation by a chimney professional.
6. Cracks in the concrete crown on top of a masonry chimney matter mainly because they:
- A.Let water into the masonry
- B.Release creosote
- C.Overheat the flue
- D.Slow the flue draft
Answer: A. The crown sheds rain away from the flue and brick. Once cracked, water enters the chimney, causing spalling, rusted dampers and freeze damage.
7. Inside the building, combustible framing should be kept at least how far from the outside of a masonry chimney?
- A.6 inches
- B.1 inch
- C.4 inches
- D.2 inches
Answer: D. The IRC requires 2 inches of air space inside the building and 1 inch where the chimney is outside the exterior wall.
8. A spark arrestor screen on top of a wood-burning chimney mainly:
- A.Catches creosote
- B.Keeps embers from escaping
- C.Improves the chimney draft
- D.Stops downdrafts
Answer: B. The screen stops burning embers from landing on the roof or nearby vegetation and keeps animals out of the flue.
9. When decorative gas logs are installed in a wood-burning fireplace, the damper should be:
- A.Fitted with a gasket
- B.Permanently blocked open
- C.Left fully adjustable
- D.Closed while the logs burn
Answer: B. A damper clamp or stop keeps the damper from closing so combustion gases from the logs always have a path out.
10. A direct-vent gas fireplace takes its combustion air from:
- A.The attic
- B.The crawl space
- C.The room it heats
- D.Outdoors
Answer: D. Direct-vent units are sealed from the room and draw combustion air from outside through a concentric or two-pipe vent.
Practice all 24 fireplaces, chimneys & life safety questions, and the rest of the 200-question bank, in the free Home Inspector training sets. Questions you miss come back until you have mastered them.
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