FCC Building Codes & Construction Regulations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Florida Building Code, how often is the code updated?
- Every year
- Every two years
- Every three years (Correct answer)
- Every five years
Correct answer: Every three years
The Florida Building Code is updated on a three-year cycle, aligned with the International Code Council update cycle.
Question 2: Which type of construction requires the most fire-resistive materials under the Florida Building Code?
- Type I (Correct answer)
- Type II
- Type III
- Type V
Correct answer: Type I
Type I construction requires the highest degree of fire resistance, with structural elements made of noncombustible materials with the highest fire-resistance ratings.
Question 3: A Florida contractor is building a single-family home in a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). Which counties are designated as HVHZ?
- Dade and Broward (Correct answer)
- Palm Beach and Monroe
- Dade and Monroe
- Broward and Palm Beach
Correct answer: Dade and Broward
Miami-Dade and Broward counties are the only two counties in Florida designated as High-Velocity Hurricane Zones.
Question 4: What document must be posted at a construction site in Florida to allow inspections to proceed?
- Contractor's license certificate
- The recorded Notice of Commencement and approved permit card (Correct answer)
- Insurance certificate and surety bond
- Owner's notarized authorization letter
Correct answer: The recorded Notice of Commencement and approved permit card
The recorded Notice of Commencement and approved permit card must be posted at the job site so the building inspector can verify the project before proceeding.
Question 5: Under Florida law, which entity has the authority to issue a Stop-Work Order on a construction project?
- Only the Florida DBPR
- The local building official or the DBPR's workers' compensation division (Correct answer)
- Only a circuit court judge
- Only the licensed contractor of record
Correct answer: The local building official or the DBPR's workers' compensation division
Both the local building official and the DBPR's Division of Workers' Compensation have authority to issue Stop-Work Orders on Florida construction projects.
Question 6: Under the Florida Building Code, what is the minimum R-value required for insulation in an exterior wall in Climate Zone 2 (most of Florida)?
- R-13 (Correct answer)
- R-15
- R-19
- R-21
Correct answer: R-13
Climate Zone 2, which covers most of Florida, requires a minimum of R-13 insulation in exterior walls.
Question 7: Which code governs the mechanical systems (HVAC) in Florida residential construction?
- Florida Building Code – Residential, Chapter 12 (Correct answer)
- Florida Fire Prevention Code
- NFPA 90A adopted by reference
- Florida Mechanical Code adopted separately from the FBC
Correct answer: Florida Building Code – Residential, Chapter 12
Mechanical systems in Florida residential construction are governed by the Florida Building Code – Residential, Chapter 12, which is based on the International Residential Code's mechanical provisions.
FCC Building Codes & Construction Regulations 3
Under the Florida Building Code, how often is the code updated?