Free Red Seal Tilesetter Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Red Seal Tilesetter Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A tilesetter is selecting goggles for a tile-cleaning task involving acid splash. In the CCOHS eye-protection selection table, which class of goggles is listed for this hazard?

   1. A.Class 2A goggles
   2. B.Class 2B gogglesCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Class 2C goggles
   4. D.Class 2D goggles

   Explanation: In the CCOHS selection table, the row for "Acid splash, chemical burns" lists "Class 2B - Goggles". The other classes appear for different hazards in that table.

   Reference: CCOHS Eye and Face Protectors — How do I select the proper eye and face protection? — Acid splash, chemical burns

2. 2A tilesetter orders tile for a 6 m by 4 m rectangular floor with no deductions. The specification adds 10% of the net floor area for cuts; each box covers 1.8 m² and only whole boxes can be bought. How many boxes are needed?

   1. A.13 boxes
   2. B.14 boxes
   3. C.15 boxesCorrect answer: C
   4. D.16 boxes

   Explanation: For a rectangle the area formula is "Length times Width". The trades workbook adds that when only whole units are ordered, "you will need to round your answer up". The area is 6 m × 4 m = 24 m²; with 10% added it is 24 × 1.10 = 26.4 m². Dividing by 1.8 m² per box gives 14.67 boxes, rounded up to 15. Ordering 14 omits the allowance and rounds 24 ÷ 1.8 up; 13 also rounds that quotient down. Ordering 16 adds 10% to the already rounded 14 boxes and rounds up again.

   Reference: Canada Revenue Agency - Determine your work space use — Size of your home and work space

3. 3After tile demolition in British Columbia, a worker selects a vacuum for respirable crystalline silica dust. The regulation requires an effective HEPA exhaust filter. At 0.3 micrometres, what factory efficiency rating does the Canadian Biosafety Handbook give for HEPA filters?

   1. A.95%
   2. B.99%
   3. C.99.97%Correct answer: C
   4. D.99.99%

   Explanation: The Canadian Biosafety Handbook states: "Although HEPA filters are factory rated at 99.97% efficient, they will typically achieve a much higher efficiency." Its discussion identifies 0.3 µm particles; 99.99% is a separate containment-facility recommendation, while 95% and 99% are lower. WorkSafeBC requires an effective HEPA exhaust filter for the stated cleanup.

   Reference: Canadian Biosafety Handbook: High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters — Section 10.2, High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters

4. 4A tilesetter compares laboratory ratings for a proposed sound-control floor assembly where footstep noise is the concern. Which rating addresses impact sound through the floor?

   1. A.Sound transmission class (STC)
   2. B.Impact insulation class (IIC)Correct answer: B
   3. C.Field sound transmission class (FSTC)
   4. D.Apparent sound transmission class (ASTC)

   Explanation: The National Research Council distinguishes the "sound transmission class (STC) rating for airborne sources" from the "impact insulation class (IIC) rating for footstep noise". IIC therefore addresses the stated floor-impact concern.

   Reference: National Research Council Canada - Sound Transmission through Nail-Laminated Timber Assemblies — Chapter 1, section 1.1, Sound Transmission via Many Paths

5. 5A concrete slab has a control joint, and a tile layout is being planned without a special system that permits bridging it. What does TCNA recommend for the joint through the finished tile?

   1. A.Carry the joint through the tile layerCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Offset the joint across the tile layer
   3. C.Terminate the joint below the tile layer
   4. D.Bridge the joint with the tile layer

   Explanation: TCNA states, "The TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation recommends that control joints in concrete carry through the tile." Offsetting, terminating, or bridging the existing joint departs from that recommendation in this stated installation; separately engineered systems require their own conditions.

   Reference: Tile Council of North America, Ceramic Tile FAQ — What about tiling over control joints?

6. 6A specification calls for porcelain tile. Four candidate tiles have independently measured water absorption values. Using TCNA's stated porcelain criterion, which value meets that criterion?

   1. A.0.4%Correct answer: A
   2. B.0.7%
   3. C.1.5%
   4. D.3.0%

   Explanation: TCNA says that porcelain tiles "by definition, they have water absorption of 0.5% or less." Only 0.4% is at or below that ceiling; 0.7%, 1.5%, and 3.0% exceed it. This criterion alone does not establish every other project requirement.

   Reference: Tile Council of North America, Porcelain vs. Non-Porcelain FAQ — What are the differences between porcelain tiles and non-porcelain tiles?

7. 7A crew is preparing thin-gauge epoxy terrazzo under the published TTMAC master specification. Which component is mixed with the resin at the specified ratio before aggregate chips are blended?

   1. A.Polyacrylate copolymer
   2. B.Latex admixture
   3. C.Epoxy hardenerCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Portland cement

   Explanation: For the terrazzo floor, the specification directs, "Mix epoxy resin with hardener as per manufacture's stipulated ratios." Aggregate is blended afterward; the other materials are not the specified resin-curing component.

   Reference: TTMAC Thin Gauge Epoxy Terrazzo Master Specification — Section 3.3, Installation, item .2 Terrazzo Floor

8. 8A supplier identifies a particular green marble slab as sensitive to water-induced warping. Which setting material does TTMAC identify as a general choice for this risk?

   1. A.Solid epoxy mortarCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Standard dry-set mortar
   3. C.Standard medium-bed mortar
   4. D.Standard latex-modified mortar

   Explanation: TTMAC says that susceptible materials "generally have to be installed with solid epoxy mortar or at the very least with a rapid set latex based bond coat." Solid epoxy is the identified choice among these options; a standard-setting latex mortar is not the rapid-set alternative mentioned. Follow the supplier's instructions for the particular stone.

   Reference: TTMAC Technical Questions and Answers — Why do I need to pay particular attention when installing green marbles?

9. 9A terrazzo installer needs a strip that acts as a leveling stop at the top of a terrazzo base. Which component does the TTMAC master specification identify for this purpose?

   1. A.Base bead top stripCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Cove divider strip
   3. C.Floor divider strip
   4. D.Movement joint strip

   Explanation: The TTMAC master specification describes "Base Bead Top Strips" as "a leveling stop on top of terrazzo base". The other components serve different dividing or movement functions.

   Reference: TTMAC Thin Gauge Epoxy Terrazzo Master Specification — Section 2.2, Divider Strips, item .2

10. 10An installer follows the TTMAC thin-gauge epoxy terrazzo specification. After an initial machine grind using No. 24 grit abrasive stones, which grit does the specified next grinding pass use?

    1. A.No. 24 grit
    2. B.No. 40 grit
    3. C.No. 80 gritCorrect answer: C
    4. D.No. 120 grit

    Explanation: The TTMAC specification says the initial grind is "followed by grinding with No. 80 grit stones." No. 24 is the initial grade; the specification refers to No. 120 in the later fine-grinding limit.

    Reference: TTMAC Thin Gauge Epoxy Terrazzo Master Specification — Section 3.3, Installation, item .2 Terrazzo Floor