Free Quality Control Inspector Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Quality Control Inspector Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1During a residential retrofit, an extension ladder provides access to an upper landing. The ladder is long enough to extend above the landing. What is the minimum required side-rail extension above that landing under OSHA construction rules?

   1. A.1 foot
   2. B.2 feet
   3. C.3 feetCorrect answer: C
   4. D.4 feet

   Explanation: OSHA states that "the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface". Because sufficient ladder length is available, the minimum extension is 3 feet.

   Reference: OSHA 1926.1053 — Ladders — 1926.1053(b)(1)

2. 2A QCI reviews the energy auditor's gas-piping test record. A combustible gas detector indicated leakage at a joint. Under BPI-1200's alternative inspection procedure, what should have been used to confirm that indication?

   1. A.Leak detection solutionCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Smoke visualization pencil
   3. C.Infrared surface imaging
   4. D.Combustion flue-gas sampling

   Explanation: BPI-1200 states, "Where a leak is indicated by the CGD, confirm with leak detection solution." The other methods assess airflow, surface temperature, or combustion products rather than providing the specified gas-joint confirmation.

   Reference: ANSI/BPI-1200-S-2017 — Standard Practice for Basic Analysis of Buildings — 7.5.2.1

3. 3A QCI reviews a federally funded weatherization project's shared equipment charge. A $1,000 rental benefited that award by a documented 70%, with the rest benefiting a separate project. Under 2 CFR 200.405(d), how much is allocable to this award?

   1. A.$300
   2. B.$700Correct answer: B
   3. C.$1,000
   4. D.$1,428.57

   Explanation: The rule requires allocation "based on the proportional benefit" when proportions can be determined. The award's share is $1,000 × 0.70 = $700. The alternatives allocate the other project's share, charge the full rental, or divide by 0.70.

   Reference: 2 CFR 200.405 — Allocable Costs — 200.405(d), Direct cost allocation principles

4. 4An inspector checks an ordinary non-self-supporting ladder with a working length of 20 feet during retrofit construction. It is not a wood job-made ladder with spliced rails. Approximately how far should the foot be horizontally from the top support?

   1. A.5 feetCorrect answer: A
   2. B.2.5 feet
   3. C.10 feet
   4. D.15 feet

   Explanation: The rule requires a horizontal distance "approximately one-quarter of the working length of the ladder". One-quarter of 20 feet is 5 feet. The other distances result from using one-eighth, one-half, or three-quarters of the working length.

   Reference: OSHA 1926.1053 — Ladders — 1926.1053(b)(5)(i)

5. 5In reviewing an initial audit, a QCI checks combustible-gas wand placement where no manufacturer testing instructions were available. Which placement above or below the piping matches BPI-1200 for natural gas and LP gas, respectively?

   1. A.Below for natural gas; above for LP gas
   2. B.Above for natural gas; above for LP gas
   3. C.Below for natural gas; below for LP gas
   4. D.Above for natural gas; below for LP gasCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: The alternative procedure specifies moving the wand "with the tip above the line for natural gas and below for LP gas". The fuel-specific placement is reversed or partly incorrect in the other pairs.

   Reference: ANSI/BPI-1200-S-2017 — Standard Practice for Basic Analysis of Buildings — 7.5.2.2.2

6. 6A federally funded retrofit purchased materials for $1,200 and received a $100 rebate directly attributable to those allowable materials. With no other adjustments, what net material cost should the QCI expect to remain charged to the award?

   1. A.$1,200
   2. B.$1,300
   3. C.$100
   4. D.$1,100Correct answer: D

   Explanation: Under 2 CFR 200.406(a), applicable credits "must be credited to the Federal award either as a cost reduction or cash refund, as appropriate". Subtracting the $100 rebate from $1,200 leaves $1,100. The alternatives omit the credit, add it, or report only the rebate.

   Reference: 2 CFR 200.406 — Applicable Credits — 200.406(a)

7. 7A crew will use a ladder where an employee or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment during a home retrofit. No electrical-power-work exception applies. What electrical classification must the ladder's side rails meet?

   1. A.Electrically conductive
   2. B.Static-dissipative material
   3. C.Electrically semiconductive
   4. D.Electrically nonconductiveCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: OSHA requires that "Ladders shall have nonconductive siderails" in this contact situation. Conductive, dissipative, and semiconductive classifications permit electrical conduction and do not establish the specified nonconductive side rails.

   Reference: OSHA 1926.1053 — Ladders — 1926.1053(b)(12)

8. 8A QCI checks whether the initial energy audit applied BPI-1200's indoor ambient CO action levels. What is the lowest measured CO concentration that requires immediate termination of the inspection and evacuation advice?

   1. A.9 ppm
   2. B.36 ppm
   3. C.70 ppmCorrect answer: C
   4. D.100 ppm

   Explanation: BPI-1200 requires immediate termination and evacuation advice for "an ambient CO level of 70 ppm or greater". The lower ranges call for different actions; waiting for 100 ppm would miss the specified trigger.

   Reference: ANSI/BPI-1200-S-2017 — Standard Practice for Basic Analysis of Buildings — 7.3.3.3.1

9. 9A QCI identifies the same $800 insulation expense charged in full to two federal awards, each subject to 2 CFR 200.403(f). There are no other eligible expenses in that invoice. What is the maximum combined cost that can be charged for this single expense?

   1. A.$800Correct answer: A
   2. B.$400
   3. C.$1,600
   4. D.$0

   Explanation: Section 200.403(f) requires that a cost "Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing requirements of any other federally-financed program". The single $800 expense can be allocated appropriately, but cannot be counted twice. Halving it without a benefit basis, doubling it, or disallowing it solely because more than one award exists is unwarranted.

   Reference: 2 CFR 200.403 — Factors Affecting Allowability of Costs — 200.403(f)

10. 10For a residential roofing crew on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges, what minimum height above a lower level triggers the fall-protection requirement in OSHA 1926.501(b)(11)?

    1. A.4 feet
    2. B.6 feetCorrect answer: B
    3. C.8 feet
    4. D.10 feet

    Explanation: The steep-roof provision covers edges "6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels". Thus 6 feet is the trigger, rather than a later height or the 4-foot threshold used in other fall-protection contexts.

    Reference: OSHA 1926.501 — Duty to Have Fall Protection — 1926.501(b)(11)