CMA Building Codes & Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the IBC, what is the maximum travel distance to an exit in a fully sprinklered office building (Group B)?
- 200 ft
- 250 ft
- 300 ft (Correct answer)
- 400 ft
Correct answer: 300 ft
The IBC allows a maximum exit access travel distance of 300 feet in a fully sprinklered Group B occupancy.
Question 2: Which agency publishes the National Electrical Code (NEC) that is referenced by most U.S. building codes?
- ICC
- NFPA (Correct answer)
- ANSI
- UL
Correct answer: NFPA
The National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Question 3: An accessible parking space required by the ADA must have a minimum width of:
- 8 feet (Correct answer)
- 9 feet
- 10 feet
- 12 feet
Correct answer: 8 feet
ADA Standards require accessible parking spaces to be at least 8 feet wide, with an adjacent access aisle of at least 5 feet.
Question 4: The IBC's 'separated use' method for mixed-occupancy buildings requires:
- Automatic sprinklers throughout the building
- Fire-resistance-rated separations between occupancies (Correct answer)
- A single means of egress system for all occupancies
- Each occupancy to have its own fire alarm system
Correct answer: Fire-resistance-rated separations between occupancies
The separated occupancy method requires fire-resistance-rated construction between the different occupancy groups.
Question 5: Under ASHRAE 90.1, the primary goal is to establish minimum requirements for:
- Indoor air quality in commercial buildings
- Energy efficiency in new buildings (Correct answer)
- Structural load resistance in high-wind zones
- Accessibility for persons with disabilities
Correct answer: Energy efficiency in new buildings
ASHRAE 90.1 sets minimum energy efficiency requirements for the design of new buildings, excluding low-rise residential.
Question 6: A 'change of occupancy' in an existing building typically triggers requirements for:
- Full compliance with the current code as if the building were new
- Compliance only with life safety provisions of the current code
- No additional requirements if no structural changes are made
- Code upgrades proportional to the scope of the change (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Code upgrades proportional to the scope of the change
Most code frameworks require upgrades commensurate with the level of the change, not full compliance, when an occupancy changes.
Question 7: Which of the following is NOT a recognized method under the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) for bringing an existing building into compliance?
- Prescriptive compliance method
- Work area method
- Performance compliance method
- Variance compliance method (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Variance compliance method
The IEBC recognizes prescriptive, work area, and performance methods; 'variance compliance method' is not an IEBC pathway.
CMA Building Codes & Regulations 2
Under the IBC, what is the maximum travel distance to an exit in a fully sprinklered office building (Group B)?