Practice Test Geeks(CFI) Certified Flooring Installer Practice Test
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Surface Preparation & Safety Procedures Flashcards

7 cards from real CFI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Surface Preparation & Safety Procedures flashcards as text

  1. When installing flooring over radiant heat, the maximum recommended subfloor surface temperature at time of installation is:

    Answer: 85°F (29°C)

    Most manufacturers specify that radiant-heated subfloor temperatures must not exceed 85°F during installation to avoid premature adhesive set.

  2. A floor self-leveling compound is specified at a maximum pour depth of 1 inch per lift. What should the installer do if a depression is 2 inches deep?

    Answer: Apply in two separate lifts, allowing the first to cure per manufacturer specs

    Exceeding the maximum pour depth causes shrinkage cracking; applying in multiple lifts as recommended ensures proper cure.

  3. Before applying a skim coat of embossing leveler over existing resilient flooring, the installer should verify:

    Answer: The existing floor is structurally sound and fully bonded

    Embossing leveler requires a stable, fully adhered substrate; any loose sections will telegraph through the new flooring.

  4. Which OSHA standard specifically governs the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica in construction?

    Answer: 29 CFR 1926.1153

    29 CFR 1926.1153 is OSHA's silica standard for construction, setting a PEL of 50 µg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA.

  5. When scarifying a concrete subfloor to remove a thick adhesive residue, the installer should use:

    Answer: A mechanical scarifier or shot blaster

    Mechanical scarifiers and shot blasters efficiently remove thick adhesive residue and profile the concrete surface for re-bonding.

  6. What is the correct disposal method for empty containers of solvent-based flooring adhesive on a job site?

    Answer: Follow local hazardous waste regulations for disposal

    Empty solvent-based adhesive containers are classified as hazardous waste and must be disposed of per local and EPA regulations.

  7. An installer finds that a wood subfloor has a moisture content of 14% in a region where the flooring MC is 7%. What is the best course of action?

    Answer: Allow the subfloor to dry and retest before installation

    A 7% MC differential far exceeds the typical 4% maximum allowed; the subfloor must dry to an acceptable range before installation.