Study each topic below — these are the core knowledge areas tested in Year 1. Build a solid foundation here before advancing to Year 2 material.
📋National Building Code (NBC)
- Division B: Building requirements for protection
- Part 3: Fire protection and safety systems
- Part 9: Housing and small buildings
- Provincial amendments and jurisdiction-specific rules
- Accessibility requirements (Part 3.8)
📖Wood Species and Grades
- Softwoods: SPF, Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar
- Hardwoods: Oak, Maple, Birch, Ash applications
- Grading standards (No. 1, No. 2, utility)
- Moisture content and wood movement
- Lumber dimensions and actual sizing
🚗Engineered Wood Products
- Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) applications
- Plywood types and veneer grades (A-D)
- Oriented Strand Board (OSB) vs plywood
- Load ratings and span tables
- I-joists: installation and lateral bracing
🏗️Framing Systems
- Platform framing (most common in Canada)
- Balloon framing (heritage/renovation work)
- Post-and-beam construction
- Stud spacing: 16" and 24" on-centre
- Header sizing and load calculations
📖Staircase Layout
- Rise and run relationship (7" rise / 10" run typical)
- Headroom clearance: 6'8" minimum
- Handrail height and diameter specifications
- Stringer calculations and layout
- Baluster spacing and safety requirements
🏗️Roof Framing Systems
- Common rafters: angle cuts and bird's mouth
- Hip and valley rafters: geometry and angles
- Collar ties and rafter ties
- Roof pitch calculations (rise/run ratio)
- Collar ties and lateral bracing
🏗️Concrete Formwork
- Form design and bracing requirements
- Concrete pressure calculations
- Shoring and temporary support systems
- Release agents and form liners
- Stripping time and sequence
⚙️Layout Tools and Techniques
- Levels (spirit, laser, transit)
- Measuring tapes and rules (16' flexibility)
- Speed squares for angle calculations
- Framing squares and rafter tables
- Plumb, level, and square verification
📖Finish Carpentry
- Trim installation and finish details
- Crown molding and coping joints
- Door and window frame installation
- Cabinet installation and leveling
- Caulking and finishing techniques
📖Moisture Management
- Wood moisture content (MC) ranges: 12-15% interior
- Vapor barriers and air sealing
- Condensation and mold prevention
- Seasonal expansion and contraction
- Moisture testing and corrective measures
⚙️Advanced Framing Techniques
- Advanced roof geometry: compound cuts
- Truss design and fabrication principles
- Engineered connections and hardware
- Load paths and structural behavior
- Complex addition design and integration
💡Building Science Principles
- Thermal resistance (R-values) and performance
- Air barrier continuity and sealing
- Moisture transport and diffusion
- Radon mitigation during construction
- Code compliance documentation
📖Advanced Finishing Systems
- Specialty finishes: parquet, engineered hardwood
- Built-in cabinetry and shelving systems
- Curved molding and complex details
- Specialty hardware installation
- Finish preservation and touch-up techniques
📖Renovation and Restoration Work
- Existing building assessment and documentation
- Historical accuracy and authenticity
- Hazardous material identification (asbestos, lead)
- Structural repairs and reinforcement
- Heritage preservation guidelines
📖Accessibility and Universal Design
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
- Ramp design and grade limitations
- Door width and opening force requirements
- Grab bar installation and load ratings
- Kitchen and bathroom accessibility standards
⚙️Contemporary Building Methods
- Mass timber and CLT installation
- Prefabrication and modular construction
- Green building standards (LEED, Passive House)
- BIM coordination and assembly planning
- Sustainable material selection
🦺Safety Systems and Fall Protection
- Fall protection plans and equipment
- Guardrail design and installation
- Scaffold requirements and competent supervision
- Ladder safety and proper angle (4:1 ratio)
- Hazard identification and site-specific protocols
📖Project Estimation and Planning
- Material quantity takeoffs and waste factors
- Labor hour estimation and productivity rates
- Cost tracking and variance analysis
- Schedule development and critical path
- Budget management and contingency planning