Balco AIA Test: B0300EJC

Course Title: Expansion Joints 101 - Introduction to Expansion Joint Technology

AIA Course Number: B0300EJC

Instructions: Please enter your contact information below to begin the AIA 10-question test. To pass and receive credit, you must score at least 70%. Upon passing, you will receive a certificate of completion and, if you provided your AIA member number, we will submit your credit to the AIA.

Course Credit: This course provides one (1) AIA Learning Unit for Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW). You must watch the full AIA video presentation before taking the test.

Certificate: At the completion of this test, you will receive a follow-up email that will include your AIA Certificate of Completion. If you do not see the email in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folder.

Note: Certificates will be sent to the email address you provide. AIA credit can only be submitted if you include your AIA member number. For all other associations that accept AIA credit, please submit your certificate directly.

1) What is the main reason buildings are divided by expansion joints?

A

To allow different sections to move independently without causing damage

B

To improve energy efficiency by trapping heat

C

To increase sound insulation between rooms

D

To reduce material costs during construction

2) Which of the following forces or conditions can cause building movement requiring expansion joints?

A

Only earthquakes

B

Thermal expansion/contraction, wind, and seismic activity

C

Plumbing vibration

D

Interior foot traffic

3) When designing for wind-induced building movement, which condition was specifically highlighted as critical?

A

Steady seasonal breezes

B

Rain-driven pressure changes

C

High winds such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or straight-line winds

D

Snow accumulation on roofs

4) What is the fundamental purpose of an expansion joint in a building?

A

To separate a structure into independent units that can move without damaging one another

B

To increase the building’s thermal mass

C

To anchor columns laterally during quakes

D

To replace control joints in slabs-on-grade

5) Why is the expansion joint gap important near columns during events like earthquakes?

A

It supports vertical gravity loads from floors above

B

It prevents lateral load transfer that could buckle columns

C

It allows plumbing penetrations to pass through

D

It eliminates the need for shear walls

6) Besides seismic activity, which condition was highlighted as causing significant building movement?

A

Freeze–thaw cycles alone

B

Ambient interior humidity

C

High winds (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes, straight winds)

D

Solar glare

7) When selecting an expansion joint cover system, which set lists the five key considerations mentioned?

A

Application; joint size & movement; load ratings; environment; finish

B

Budget; warranty; color; supplier location; fastener type

C

Door schedules; glazing type; paint spec; occupancy; signage

D

HVAC tonnage; roof pitch; elevator count; stair width; glazing U-value

8) For concrete slab-on-grade, what joint width range is commonly encountered (even in seismic zones)?

A

Less than ½ inch only

B

About 1–4 inches

C

6–12 inches

D

18–24 inches

9) On exterior walls, what is a key advantage of continuous extruded elastomeric (e.g., silicone) seals over pre-compressed foam seals?

A

Better for pedestrian traffic

B

Lower need for adhesion to substrates

C

Far fewer splices (e.g., up to 100-ft continuous runs), reducing leak risk

D

No color options available (standard gray only)

10) Which test standards does IBC Section 715.3 reference for fire-resistive joint systems?

A

ASTM E119 and UL 263

B

NFPA 285 and UL 10C

C

ASTM E84 and UL 723

D

ASTM E1966 and UL 2079