FSD Building Codes & Safety Standards 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which edition of NFPA 90A is most commonly adopted by jurisdictions referencing the 2021 IBC?
- NFPA 90A-2012
- NFPA 90A-2015
- NFPA 90A-2018 (Correct answer)
- NFPA 90A-2021
Correct answer: NFPA 90A-2018
The 2021 IBC references NFPA 90A-2018 as the standard for installation of air-conditioning and ventilating systems.
Question 2: Under NFPA 90A, what is required when a fire damper is installed in a location that is inaccessible after construction?
- The damper must be replaced with a fire-rated duct wrap
- An access door or panel must be provided before the space is closed in (Correct answer)
- The AHJ must approve the inaccessible location in writing
- A remote actuator must be installed
Correct answer: An access door or panel must be provided before the space is closed in
NFPA 90A requires that access doors or panels be installed before construction closes in a fire damper, ensuring future inspection and maintenance access.
Question 3: Which IBC table identifies the fire-resistance rating requirements for shaft enclosures based on the number of stories connected?
- Table 601
- Table 707.4 (Correct answer)
- Table 716.1
- Table 1020.1
Correct answer: Table 707.4
IBC Table 707.4 specifies the fire-resistance rating of shaft enclosures based on the number of stories the shaft connects.
Question 4: What is the key difference between a 'fire partition' and a 'fire barrier' under the IBC regarding damper requirements?
- Fire partitions never require fire dampers; fire barriers always do
- Fire barriers may allow more exceptions to damper requirements than fire partitions
- Fire partitions have lower fire-resistance ratings and may have different damper exceptions than fire barriers (Correct answer)
- There is no difference — both terms are interchangeable in the IBC
Correct answer: Fire partitions have lower fire-resistance ratings and may have different damper exceptions than fire barriers
Fire partitions typically have lower ratings (1-hour) than fire barriers (1-2+ hours) and the IBC provides different sets of exceptions for each assembly type.
Question 5: According to NFPA 80, what additional requirement applies when a fire door is installed adjacent to a fire damper in the same opening?
- The door must have a vision panel
- The fire door and damper must be listed as a unit assembly (Correct answer)
- The damper must be activated by the door closure
- Fire doors and dampers cannot share the same opening
Correct answer: The fire door and damper must be listed as a unit assembly
When a fire door and fire damper are installed in the same opening, NFPA 80 requires them to be tested and listed as a combined unit assembly.
Question 6: Under the IBC, which of the following conditions exempts a smoke damper from being required at a duct penetration of a smoke barrier?
- The duct is round rather than rectangular
- The HVAC system serving the space is shut down upon smoke detection (Correct answer)
- The duct is constructed of heavy-gauge steel
- The building is less than three stories
Correct answer: The HVAC system serving the space is shut down upon smoke detection
The IBC permits an exception to smoke dampers when the HVAC system is arranged to shut down automatically upon detection of smoke, provided other conditions are met.
Question 7: Which standard establishes the classification system for fire doors and other opening protectives that must be coordinated with fire damper ratings?
- NFPA 80 (Correct answer)
- NFPA 101
- UL 10C
- ASTM E119
Correct answer: NFPA 80
NFPA 80 (Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives) establishes the classification and installation requirements for opening protectives that must align with assembly ratings.
FSD Building Codes & Safety Standards 5
Which edition of NFPA 90A is most commonly adopted by jurisdictions referencing the 2021 IBC?