ICC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ICC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the required fire flow for a single-family dwelling with a fire area of 3,600 square feet under IFC Appendix B? → 1,000 gpm
2. Under the IBC, which Seismic Design Category (SDC) imposes the most stringent structural design and detailing requirements? → SDC F
3. What is the maximum travel distance allowed to reach a fire extinguisher in a typical commercial building? → 75 feet
4. Under the IPC, which venting method allows a single vent pipe to serve multiple fixtures on the same floor level without individual fixture vents? → Circuit vent
5. Which of the following describes the maximum allowed percentage of exterior wall openings for a building within 10 feet of a property line? → 10%
6. Which consensus standard is the primary reference for structural loads cited by the IBC? → ASCE 7
7. Which compliance pathway under IECC 2021 for commercial buildings allows trade-offs between envelope, lighting, and mechanical systems? → Total Building Performance (energy simulation)
8. What is the primary purpose of posting 'No Smoking' signs in areas where flammable liquids are dispensed? → To reduce ignition sources near flammable vapors
9. What is the minimum required fire separation distance for an exterior wall with no openings on a property used for Group A-2 occupancy? → 0 feet
10. Under IFC provisions, a means of egress must be maintained free of obstructions at all times. Which entity is responsible for this requirement during occupancy? → The owner or operator of the premises
11. A Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) achieves efficiency gains primarily through which mechanism? → Moving heat from surrounding air into the water rather than generating heat directly
12. In the IFC, 'hazardous materials' that exceed maximum allowable quantities trigger which requirement? → Reclassification as a Group H occupancy
13. Which approach is most effective for problem-solving in Building Codes? → Systematic analysis followed by evidence-based decision making
14. Under the International Mechanical Code, mechanical equipment rooms containing refrigeration systems must be equipped with: → A refrigerant detector and emergency exhaust system
15. What is the minimum ceiling height for habitable spaces according to the International Building Code (IBC)? → 7 feet
16. According to the NEC, a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is required for receptacles within how many feet of a sink edge in a residential bathroom? → All bathroom receptacles regardless of distance
17. A building's solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) requirement is MOST directly related to which climate characteristic? → Annual cooling degree days
18. Under the IBC, which occupancy classification applies to a building used as an assisted living facility housing 16 or more residents? → Group I-1
19. In ASHRAE 90.1, what is the primary method used to establish a baseline building model for the Energy Cost Budget path? → Appendix G Performance Rating Method
20. Under IECC 2021, what is the minimum continuous air barrier requirement for commercial buildings regarding tested leakage? → 0.25 cfm/ft² at 75 Pa
21. Under NEC Article 230, the service entrance conductors to a dwelling unit must have a minimum ampacity of what for a 200-ampere service? → 200 amperes
22. What is the required minimum distance between a Group A (assembly) occupancy exit and a hazardous materials storage area? → The exits must be separated by a fire barrier
23. What is the minimum required illumination level at the floor level for means of egress lighting under the IBC? → 1 foot-candle
24. Which IFC section governs the minimum required aisle width in high-piled combustible storage facilities? → Section 3206
25. A tank containing Class I flammable liquid must be bonded and grounded during dispensing operations primarily to prevent what hazard? → Accumulation of static electricity and ignition of vapors
26. What is the purpose of a 'Certificate of Occupancy' issued by a building department? → To certify that a building meets all code requirements and is safe for its intended use
27. What type of pipe is typically required for gas supply lines in a building? → Black steel
28. In ASHRAE 90.1, what does the acronym 'EUI' stand for and how is it used? → Energy Use Intensity — annual energy use per square foot of floor area
29. In the IBC, what is the required minimum fire-resistance rating for a fire barrier separating a stairway enclosure from the rest of a building? → 1 hour
30. In the NEC, a multiwire branch circuit must have a means to simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors at the: → Point where the circuit originates (panel)