[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":130},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-fire-blocking-code":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":51,"prev":128,"next":129},{"name":5,"tagline":6,"title":7,"description":8,"guideTitle":9,"guideDescription":10,"ogImage":11,"disclaimer":12,"practicePitch":13,"citationsTitle":14},"Free MHIC Training","Maryland home improvement exam prep","Free MHIC Exam Prep: Maryland Home Improvement Contractor Practice","Free, narrated MHIC exam prep: 147 real Maryland contractor scenarios, every choice explained, with the law cited where it applies.","MHIC Exam Study Guide","Every scenario in the free Maryland Contractor Simulator, written out as a practice question: the situation, your options, how each choice plays out, and the Maryland law where it applies.","/og/free-mhic-training.png","Free MHIC Training is free study material for the Maryland home improvement contractor exam. It is not affiliated with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission and is not legal advice.","The free Maryland Contractor Simulator puts you in situations like these across a 40-day contracting career, narrated, with your license on the line. No account needed.","Law and codes cited",{"slug":16,"title":17,"subtitle":18,"description":19,"maxTurns":20,"characterCount":21,"scenarioCount":22},"maryland-contractor-simulator","Maryland Contractor Simulator","Learn the law by living it.","You just got your MHIC license application approved and you're starting your home improvement business in Maryland. Navigate real contractor scenarios — contracts, permits, clients, subcontractors, and inspectors. Every choice teaches you the law through consequence, not memorization. Master all five exam areas to pass.",40,20,147,{"slug":24,"title":25},"permits-codes","Permits, Inspections & Building Codes",{"slug":27,"title":28,"description":29,"takeaway":30,"situation":31,"speaker":34,"speakerDescription":35,"speakerAvatar":36,"audioUrl":37,"choices":38,"citations":49},"fire-blocking-code","Where is fire blocking required under IRC R302.11?","In concealed combustible wall spaces at floor and ceiling levels, at stairway connections, and at other specified locations, using approved materials such…","In concealed combustible wall spaces at floor and ceiling levels, at stairway connections, and at other specified locations, using approved materials such as 2x lumber, 1/2-inch gypsum board, or mineral wool batts.",[32,33],"During a basement finish inspection, Inspector Williams points out that you're missing fire blocking in the wall cavities where they transition from the basement to the first floor.","\"This is IRC R302.11. Fire blocking is required at floor/ceiling levels in all concealed wall spaces. You need to fix this before I can pass the framing inspection.\"","Inspector Williams","County building inspector. Fair but thorough. Knows every code section by heart.","/media/characters/inspector_williams.png","/media/voices/fire_blocking_code.mp3",[39,44],{"text":40,"verdict":41,"label":42,"explanation":43},"Acknowledge the code requirement, install the fire blocking with approved materials (wood, gypsum, or mineral wool), and schedule the re-inspection","best","Correct","IRC R302.11 requires fire blocking at floor/ceiling levels, at stairway connections, and at other specified locations in concealed combustible wall spaces. Fire blocking prevents fire and hot gases from spreading through wall cavities between floors. Approved materials include 2x lumber, 1/2\" gypsum board, or mineral wool batts. It's a life-safety code requirement — install it, pass the inspection, move on.",{"text":45,"verdict":46,"label":47,"explanation":48},"Argue that the basement is below grade so fire blocking isn't required at the foundation sill","wrong","Wrong","Fire blocking is required at floor/ceiling transitions in concealed wall spaces regardless of whether the basement is below grade. The purpose is to prevent fire spread through balloon-framed or platform-framed wall cavities. The inspector is citing the correct code section. Arguing code interpretation with the inspector on a clear-cut requirement wastes everyone's time and marks you as a problem contractor.",[50],"IRC R302.11",[52,55,58,61,64,67,70,73,76,79,82,83,86,89,92,95,98,101,104,107,110,113,116,119,122,125],{"slug":53,"title":54,"topic":24},"sarah-permit-question","Who is responsible for permits on a Maryland home improvement job?",{"slug":56,"title":57,"topic":24},"dave-wants-no-permit","Can you skip permits if the homeowner asks you to?",{"slug":59,"title":60,"topic":24},"dave-comes-around","How do you build permit costs into a contract?",{"slug":62,"title":63,"topic":24},"permit-exemptions","Which home projects need a permit in Maryland?",{"slug":65,"title":66,"topic":24},"property-manager-volume","Do cosmetic bathroom refreshes in rentals need permits?",{"slug":68,"title":69,"topic":24},"unpermitted-work-discovered","What happens when an inspector finds work without a permit?",{"slug":71,"title":72,"topic":24},"dave-deck-problem","What is your liability when unpermitted work fails?",{"slug":74,"title":75,"topic":24},"inspection-day","How should you handle a problem the inspector finds?",{"slug":77,"title":78,"topic":24},"permit-inspection-sequence","Why do building inspections happen in stages?",{"slug":80,"title":81,"topic":24},"building-dept-permit-rush","How do you get a building permit approved faster?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":84,"title":85,"topic":24},"egress-window-requirement","When does a basement bedroom need an egress window?",{"slug":87,"title":88,"topic":24},"smoke-detector-requirements","Where are smoke alarms required after a renovation?",{"slug":90,"title":91,"topic":24},"gfci-requirements","Can a homeowner refuse GFCI outlets in the kitchen?",{"slug":93,"title":94,"topic":24},"handrail-dispute","When does a deck stairway need a handrail?",{"slug":96,"title":97,"topic":24},"bathroom-ventilation","Does a bathroom need an exhaust fan under the IRC?",{"slug":99,"title":100,"topic":24},"deck-ledger-connection","How must a deck ledger be attached to the house?",{"slug":102,"title":103,"topic":24},"energy-code-compliance","How is energy code compliance checked on an addition?",{"slug":105,"title":106,"topic":24},"accessibility-code-requirements","Does the ADA apply to a single-family bathroom remodel?",{"slug":108,"title":109,"topic":24},"retaining-wall-height","When does a retaining wall need an engineered design?",{"slug":111,"title":112,"topic":24},"load-bearing-wall-question","What is required before removing a load-bearing wall?",{"slug":114,"title":115,"topic":24},"building-on-easement","Can you build a deck over a utility easement?",{"slug":117,"title":118,"topic":24},"stormwater-management","When does a patio trigger stormwater management in Maryland?",{"slug":120,"title":121,"topic":24},"hoa-interference","Does a building permit override HOA approval?",{"slug":123,"title":124,"topic":24},"abandoned-project","How do you take over a job another contractor abandoned?",{"slug":126,"title":127,"topic":24},"diy-disaster-assessment","How do you assess a homeowner's failed DIY renovation?",{"slug":80,"title":81,"topic":24},{"slug":84,"title":85,"topic":24},1792184484119]