During a building inspection in Hawaii, you notice termite damage to floor joists. According to Hawaii regulations, what immediate action is required?
Correct Answer
C) Stop work and have a licensed pest control operator assess the damage
Hawaii has strict termite protection requirements. Discovery of active termite damage requires immediate professional assessment before construction can continue.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Hawaii has strict termite control regulations given the state's severe termite problem (among the worst in the U.S.). Upon discovery of termite damage during construction, work must stop and a licensed pest control operator (PCO) must be called to assess the extent of the infestation and recommend treatment. The contractor cannot simply replace wood or apply surface treatments without professional pest control assessment, as active termites may remain even after damaged wood is replaced.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: Replace damaged members with pressure-treated lumber
Replacing damaged members with pressure-treated lumber addresses the structural concern but does not address the active termite colony. If termites are still present, they will attack the new lumber as well (depending on termite species and treatment type). Structural repairs must follow — not precede — pest control assessment and treatment.
Option B: Apply surface treatment and continue construction
Applying surface treatment and continuing construction is a dangerous shortcut. Surface treatments do not address underground or in-wall colonies. Continuing construction would encapsulate an active infestation behind finishes, making future treatment far more costly and potentially leading to catastrophic structural damage.
Option D: Install additional ventilation to reduce moisture
Installing additional ventilation to reduce moisture may help with general wood preservation but does not address an active termite infestation. Drywood termites (Hawaii's primary species) do not require soil moisture — they live entirely within the wood. Ventilation alone would not eliminate or stop an active colony.
More Hawaii Questions
A concrete mix design for coastal construction specifies a water-cement ratio of 0.40. If 650 lbs of cement is used per cubic yard, how many gallons of water should be added?
A contractor is installing hurricane straps rated at 1,500 pounds each. If the calculated uplift force on a rafter is 3,200 pounds, how many straps are required with a 2.0 safety factor?
Hawaii Building Code requires special inspection for concrete placement in seismic design categories. What is the minimum frequency for concrete strength testing?
What is the maximum allowable deflection for roof rafters under design wind loads in Hawaii's hurricane zones?
Which roofing attachment method is specifically required in Hawaii's hurricane zones for asphalt shingles on residential construction?
A building in Maui requires hurricane straps rated for 175 mph winds. If each strap must resist 1,200 lbs of uplift force and you have 48 roof-to-wall connections, what is the total uplift resistance provided?
During construction of a beachfront property, you notice white crystalline deposits forming on the concrete surface. This indicates:
You discover expansive clay soil conditions during excavation for a residential foundation in Kona. The plasticity index is 28. What foundation system is most appropriate?
According to Hawaii building requirements, hurricane straps connecting roof trusses to wall plates must be rated for what minimum uplift force in high wind zones?
A concrete slab foundation in Hawaii requires a vapor barrier. Due to high humidity and frequent rainfall, what type of vapor barrier is most appropriate?
People Also Study
Business & Financial Management
120 questions · 70% to pass
Contract Administration
60 questions · 70% to pass
Project Management
60 questions · 70% to pass
Related Study Resources
Previous Question
A building project in Honolulu requires a concrete slab exposed to severe saltwater conditions. The structural engineer specifies a water-cement ratio not to exceed 0.40. If 600 pounds of cement are used, what is the maximum water content allowed?
Next Question
What is the maximum allowable deflection for a 20-foot roof beam under Hawaii's high wind load conditions?