Construction Supervisor License Practice Exam

How thick must fire brick used in smoke chambers be to reduce the total thickness to 6 inches?

1. 1 inch

2. 2 inches

3. 4 inches

4. 8 inches

The correct answer is: 2 inches

To determine the thickness of fire brick needed in smoke chambers, one must consider the required total thickness of 6 inches. Fire brick is typically utilized for its ability to withstand high temperatures and to insulate smoke chambers adequately. If the total thickness of the structure is to be 6 inches, and one section of the system (the smoke chamber in this case) is composed of fire brick, understanding how much of that thickness is due to other structural components is important. The indicated answer suggests that the thickness of the fire brick should be 2 inches. This choice implies that 4 inches of additional materials or thickness will be found elsewhere or that there might be an allowance for structural support that does not require fire brick. By having a thickness of 2 inches for the fire brick, the total system would correctly add up to 6 inches, maintaining both structural integrity and functional insulation against heat. The other options would either exceed the total thickness or not provide sufficient insulation and strength, as they do not allow for an effective balance of materials within the confines of that 6-inch total. Therefore, having the fire brick set at 2 inches ensures that it fits within the required specifications for smoke chambers while allowing for the required total thickness.