Under Tennessee residential building codes, what is the maximum allowable span for 2x8 floor joists at 16 inches on center using Southern Pine lumber?
Correct Answer
C) 13 feet 1 inch
Tennessee building code allows a maximum span of 13 feet 1 inch for 2x8 Southern Pine floor joists at 16 inches on center.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Per Tennessee's residential building code span tables, 2x8 Southern Pine floor joists spaced 16 inches on center have a maximum allowable span of 13 feet 1 inch. This value accounts for lumber species, joist size, and spacing.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 12 feet 6 inches
12 feet 6 inches understates the allowable span for this joist configuration. It may correspond to a smaller joist size (such as 2x6) or a wider spacing (such as 24 inches on center), not 2x8 at 16 inches OC.
Option B: 11 feet 10 inches
11 feet 10 inches is even shorter and would apply to a weaker combination — perhaps a smaller lumber size, lower grade, or wider spacing. It does not match 2x8 Southern Pine at 16 inches OC.
Option D: 14 feet 2 inches
14 feet 2 inches exceeds the code maximum for this configuration and would represent an unsafe span. This figure might be confused with the 2x10 span table or with a different species with higher allowable stress values.
Memory Technique
For 2x8 Southern Pine at 16" OC, remember '13-1' as in '13 feet and 1 inch — just past the 13-foot mark.' The fact that it barely exceeds 13 feet (rather than a round number) is a detail the exam uses to test whether you've actually studied the table versus guessing.
More Tennessee Questions
Calculate the Tennessee workers' compensation premium for a roofing contractor with a $180,000 annual payroll and a rate of $28.50 per $100 of payroll:
How many hours of continuing education are required for Tennessee contractor license renewal?
Calculate the workers' compensation experience modification factor for a contractor with $85,000 in expected losses and $68,000 in actual losses:
Under Tennessee lien law, what is the maximum time limit to enforce a mechanics lien after it has been filed?
Under Tennessee lien law, which party has priority when multiple liens are filed against the same property?
Under Tennessee building codes, what is the maximum allowable deflection for a residential floor joist with a 16-foot span under live load?
A homeowner in Nashville hires an unlicensed contractor for $8,000 worth of electrical work. The contractor demands payment but the work fails inspection. Under TCA 62-6, what recourse does the unlicensed contractor have?
Under Tennessee building codes, what is the minimum ceiling height required for habitable rooms in residential construction?
A Tennessee contractor has 8 employees working on a residential project. The total weekly payroll is $6,400. If the workers' compensation rate for residential construction is $8.50 per $100 of payroll, what is the weekly workers' compensation premium?
A contractor is installing a septic system for a new home in rural Tennessee. The estimated cost is $8,500. According to TCA 62-6, what licensing requirement applies?
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 residential contractor discovers structural damage during renovation that wasn't in the original scope. The additional work will cost $8,500. What does Tennessee law require?
Next Question
Under Tennessee lien law, when must a contractor provide preliminary notice to the property owner for work exceeding $3,000?