Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License (CSL) Practice Test

All of the following are TRUE regarding the bearing of wood joists on walls or beams in a single family dwelling EXCEPT:

1. 1.5 inch bearing required on wood or steel

2. joists framing from opposite ends shall lap at least 3 inches

3. ribbon strips or joist hangers may be used

4. minimum bearing on concrete or masonry shall be 4 inches

The correct answer is: minimum bearing on concrete or masonry shall be 4 inches

The correct answer is that the minimum bearing on concrete or masonry shall be 4 inches. In Massachusetts building codes, when wood joists are bearing on concrete or masonry walls, they are commonly required to have a minimum bearing of 3 inches, not 4 inches. This means that if the joist is resting on a concrete or masonry surface, it only needs to extend at least 3 inches to ensure that it has adequate support and load distribution. The other statements regarding the bearing of wood joists are consistent with code requirements. The requirement for 1.5 inches of bearing on wood or steel is standard practice to ensure safe load transfer. Similarly, the requirement for joists framing from opposite ends to lap at least 3 inches is a structural guideline to maintain efficiency in the load distribution and integrity of the structure. Additionally, the use of ribbon strips or joist hangers is commonly accepted to secure joists and ensure proper alignment, adding to the structural stability of the building. Each of these statements aligns with accepted building practices for residential construction.