MI General Contractor flashcards
MI General Contractor · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Maximum stair riser height
- The maximum riser height for residential stairs is 7-3/4 inches, with a minimum tread depth of 10 inches, per the Michigan Residential Code.
- Guardrail height requirement
- Guardrails on decks and porches more than 30 inches above grade must be at least 36 inches high, with baluster spacing that prevents passage of a 4-inch sphere.
- Emergency escape opening size
- Each sleeping room requires an emergency escape opening with a minimum net clear area of 5.7 square feet, minimum width 20 inches, and minimum height 24 inches.
- Smoke alarm placement
- Smoke alarms must be installed in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on each story of the dwelling, including basements, per Michigan code.
- Residential builder license scope
- A Michigan residential builder license authorizes construction of detached one- and two-family dwellings and attached garages; it does not cover commercial buildings.
- Maintenance and alteration license
- A Michigan M&A license allows remodeling, repair, and improvement of existing residential structures but does not authorize new home construction.
- Right to Cure notice
- Michigan law requires a homeowner to provide written notice of a construction defect and allow the builder 60 days to cure before filing a lawsuit.
- Construction lien recording deadline
- A construction lien must be recorded within 90 days after the last furnishing of labor or materials to the project, per Michigan's Construction Lien Act.
- Notice of Furnishing
- A subcontractor or supplier must provide a Notice of Furnishing to the owner and general contractor within 20 days after first furnishing labor or materials to preserve lien rights.
- Board foot formula
- Board feet equals thickness in inches times width in inches times length in feet, divided by 12. Used for estimating lumber quantities.
- Concrete volume conversion
- Calculate cubic feet by multiplying length, width, and depth in feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. Add 5-10% for waste.
- Critical path method
- The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent activities in a project schedule; any delay on this path delays the entire project completion.
- Roof pitch multiplier
- To find roof area, divide the horizontal footprint area by the cosine of the roof angle. For a 6/12 pitch, the multiplier is approximately 1.118.
- Plan scale conversion
- At 1/4 inch equals 1 foot, one inch on the drawing represents 4 feet. At 1/8 inch equals 1 foot, one inch represents 8 feet.
- Michigan frost depth
- Footings must extend below the local frost line, typically 42 to 48 inches in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, to prevent frost heave.
- Air-entrained concrete
- Concrete with 5-7% entrained air is required for exterior flatwork in freeze-thaw climates to resist damage from freezing water.
- Concrete curing duration
- Concrete must be kept moist and above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 7 days to achieve design strength.
- Finish grade slope
- The ground must slope away from the foundation at least 6 inches within the first 10 feet to direct water away from footings.
- Trench protective system
- Trenches 5 feet or deeper require a protective system such as sloping, shoring, or a trench box to prevent cave-ins.
- Joist notching rules
- Notches are allowed only in the outer third of a joist span, with maximum depth of one-sixth the joist depth; holes may not exceed one-third the depth.
- Wall bracing requirement
- Braced wall panels must be installed at corners and intervals along exterior walls using approved materials such as wood structural panel sheathing.
- Stair stringer minimum size
- Stair stringers must be at least 2x10 nominal lumber, with no more than one-third of the depth cut at any point, spaced not more than 16 inches on center.
- Engineered lumber installation
- LVL, LSL, and glulam beams must be installed per manufacturer specifications; field cutting or notching is prohibited unless approved by the manufacturer.
- Roof slope for shingles
- Asphalt shingles require a minimum roof slope of 2:12; slopes between 2:12 and 4:12 require double underlayment.
- Ice barrier membrane
- In Michigan, an ice barrier membrane must be installed at eaves, extending at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line.
- Attic insulation R-value
- Michigan energy code requires R-49 to R-60 attic insulation depending on climate zone, with local amendments possibly higher.
- Roof ventilation ratio
- Attic ventilation requires at least 1 square foot of net free vent area per 150 square feet of attic floor area, or 1:300 if balanced.
- Window flashing sequence
- Flashing must integrate with the weather-resistive barrier in shingle-lap fashion, with sill pan flashing at exterior doors and windows.
- OSHA fall protection threshold
- Fall protection is required when working 6 feet or more above a lower level in construction, using guardrails, nets, or personal fall arrest.
- EPA RRP rule
- The Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule requires certified firms and renovators when disturbing painted surfaces in pre-1978 housing; Michigan enforces it.
- Asbestos NESHAP notification
- Michigan requires inspection and notification before demolition or renovation that may disturb asbestos-containing materials, per EPA NESHAP regulations.
- Hazard communication SDS
- Safety Data Sheets must be available on site for all chemicals, and employees must be trained on chemical hazards per OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.