These 5 questions cover walls, ceilings, windows, stairs, built-in appliances and garage doors. On the National Home Inspector Examination they fall under Property Inspection (70% of the exam). Try each one before you open the answer: the explanation matters more than the letter.
1. An inspector measures a deck guard at 30 inches above the walking surface, with the deck 5 feet above grade. This condition should be reported because
- surfaces over 30 inches up need a 36-inch guard
- guards are required only on stairways and landings
- deck guards must be at least 42 inches high
- guards are required only on decks above 8 feet
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Answer: A. surfaces over 30 inches up need a 36-inch guard
Walking surfaces more than 30 inches above the adjacent grade or floor require a guard at least 36 inches high in residential construction. A 30-inch guard on a 5-foot-high deck is a fall hazard and should be reported as a safety deficiency.
Memory tip: Over 30 up needs 36 of guard.
2. The balusters on an interior stair guard are spaced 6 inches apart. This condition should be reported because
- balusters must be spaced exactly 5 inches
- balusters are not required on interior stairs
- the spacing allows adults to fall through
- openings should not allow passage of a 4-inch sphere
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Answer: D. openings should not allow passage of a 4-inch sphere
Guard openings are limited so a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through, preventing small children from slipping between balusters. Wider spacing is a common safety deficiency in older homes and should be reported.
Memory tip: 4-inch ball can’t get through.
3. A stair handrail is mounted 42 inches above the tread nosings. This condition should be reported because
- handrails must be at least 44 inches high
- handrails should be between 34 and 38 inches high
- handrails are measured from the riser
- the height is acceptable for exterior stairs
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Answer: B. handrails should be between 34 and 38 inches high
Handrails should be 34 to 38 inches above the sloped line of the tread nosings so they can be grasped by most users. A rail that is too high or too low is a safety deficiency. Guards and handrails have different height standards.
Memory tip: Handrail: 34 to 38. Guard: 36.
4. An inspector measures stair risers of 7, 7, 9, and 7 inches on the same flight. The MOST significant concern is
- the stair flight as a whole is too steep to be safe
- every riser in the flight should measure 8 inches
- a 9-inch riser is too tall and the variation is a trip hazard
- the treads are most likely too shallow as well
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Answer: C. a 9-inch riser is too tall and the variation is a trip hazard
Maximum riser height is typically 7¾ inches, and risers within a flight should not vary by more than ⅜ inch. A single tall riser is a classic trip hazard because users expect uniform steps. Both conditions should be reported.
Memory tip: 7¾ max, ⅜ variation.
5. A finished basement room has a ceiling height of 6 feet 8 inches. The inspector should
- report the room as unsafe for any occupancy
- note it is under the 7-foot standard for habitable rooms
- report no concern since the room is below grade
- recommend the homeowner lower the floor slab
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Answer: B. note it is under the 7-foot standard for habitable rooms
Habitable rooms generally require a 7-foot ceiling height, with limited allowances for beams and obstructions. The inspector describes the condition and notes it may affect the room’s classification as habitable space; it is not a safety emergency.
Memory tip: Habitable rooms: 7 feet.