CCS Building Codes & Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which code establishes minimum requirements for the design and construction of buildings to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare in the US?
- ASTM E119
- International Building Code (IBC) (Correct answer)
- CSI MasterFormat
- ANSI A117.1
Correct answer: International Building Code (IBC)
The International Building Code (IBC) sets minimum requirements for building design and construction to protect public health, safety, and general welfare.
Question 2: Under the IBC, what does 'occupancy classification' determine?
- The number of stories permitted
- The applicable construction and fire protection requirements (Correct answer)
- The zoning district designation
- The required number of parking spaces
Correct answer: The applicable construction and fire protection requirements
Occupancy classification determines the applicable construction type, fire protection, egress, and other life-safety requirements for a building.
Question 3: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design are enforced through which mechanism for new construction?
- Local zoning ordinances
- Title II and Title III of the ADA, backed by DOJ enforcement (Correct answer)
- International Plumbing Code
- OSHA construction safety standards
Correct answer: Title II and Title III of the ADA, backed by DOJ enforcement
Title II (public entities) and Title III (places of public accommodation) of the ADA require accessible design, enforced by the Department of Justice.
Question 4: A construction specifier discovers that a local amendment conflicts with the state-adopted version of the IBC. Which governs?
- The IBC always supersedes local amendments
- The local amendment, since local jurisdictions can be more restrictive (Correct answer)
- NFPA 101 takes precedence over both
- The architect's professional judgment controls
Correct answer: The local amendment, since local jurisdictions can be more restrictive
Local jurisdictions may adopt amendments that are more restrictive than the model code, and those local amendments legally govern within that jurisdiction.
Question 5: Which NFPA standard is known as the 'Life Safety Code' and addresses means of egress and fire protection?
- NFPA 13
- NFPA 70
- NFPA 101 (Correct answer)
- NFPA 72
Correct answer: NFPA 101
NFPA 101 is the Life Safety Code, covering means of egress, fire protection features, and occupancy requirements to protect building occupants.
Question 6: When a specifier references ASTM E84 in a specification, what property is being regulated?
- Structural load capacity of wall assemblies
- Surface burning characteristics (flame spread and smoke development) of building materials (Correct answer)
- Thermal resistance (R-value) of insulation
- Impact resistance of glazing systems
Correct answer: Surface burning characteristics (flame spread and smoke development) of building materials
ASTM E84 is the Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials, measuring flame spread index and smoke-developed index.
Question 7: Which IBC construction type allows the greatest use of combustible construction materials?
- Type I-A
- Type II-B
- Type IV-HT (Heavy Timber)
- Type V-B (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Type V-B
Type V-B is the least restrictive IBC construction type, permitting combustible framing members of any size with no fire-resistance rating required.
CCS Building Codes & Standards 2
Which code establishes minimum requirements for the design and construction of buildings to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare in the US?