National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) — Practice Exam
Interior: practice questions
Our Home Inspector (NHIE) bank has 20 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
Why should the wall between an attached garage and the house be fire-separated?
- To slow the spread of a garage fire into the home
- To block noise
- To keep the garage warm in winter and block noise from vehicles
- To meet plumbing code
Show the answer
A. To slow the spread of a garage fire into the home — Occupancy separation is an outline topic.
Question 2
How much may riser heights vary within one flight of stairs under the IRC?
- No more than 2 inches
- No more than 3/8 inch
- No more than 1 inch
- Any amount
Show the answer
B. No more than 3/8 inch — Uneven risers cause trips.
Question 3
Diagonal cracks at the corners of door and window openings in drywall may suggest:
- Cosmetic paint issues only
- Good framing
- Structural movement
- High humidity only
Show the answer
C. Structural movement — Report possible movement indicators.
Question 4
When does the IRC require a handrail on a stairway?
- Only when stairs are wider than 44 inches
- When there are four or more risers
- Never
- Only over 10 risers
Show the answer
B. When there are four or more risers — IRC R311.7.8.
Question 5
Where are smoke alarms typically required in homes?
- In each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on each story
- Only in the garage
- Only in the kitchen and the garage, where most fires begin
- Only in the basement
Show the answer
A. In each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on each story — IRC R314.3.