ICC Building Code Professionals 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A building inspector finds that a contractor has covered framing before the required inspection. What is the correct action under the IBC?
- Issue a notice of violation only
- Require the contractor to uncover the work for inspection (Correct answer)
- Accept a third-party engineer's letter in lieu of inspection
- Proceed with the next inspection stage
Correct answer: Require the contractor to uncover the work for inspection
When required work is concealed before inspection, the building official has authority to require uncovering of that work at the permit holder's expense.
Question 2: What is the minimum tread depth for a stairway serving occupancies other than Group R-3 and R-4 under the IBC?
- 9 inches
- 10 inches (Correct answer)
- 11 inches
- 12 inches
Correct answer: 10 inches
The IBC requires a minimum tread depth of 10 inches for stairways in commercial occupancies, measured horizontally between vertical planes of nosings.
Question 3: Which ASHRAE standard is primarily referenced by the IECC for commercial building energy efficiency compliance?
- ASHRAE 55
- ASHRAE 62.1
- ASHRAE 90.1 (Correct answer)
- ASHRAE 189.1
Correct answer: ASHRAE 90.1
ASHRAE 90.1 (Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings) is the primary referenced standard in the IECC for commercial energy code compliance.
Question 4: Under the IBC, a building with a height greater than 55 feet is required to have what type of exit access stairway enclosure protection?
- Smoke-proof enclosures
- 1-hour fire-rated enclosures
- 2-hour fire-rated enclosures (Correct answer)
- Pressurized stairways
Correct answer: 2-hour fire-rated enclosures
Exit stairways in buildings over 55 feet in height must be enclosed with 2-hour fire-resistance-rated construction under the IBC.
Question 5: What does the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) 'prescriptive compliance method' primarily require when a building undergoes a Level 2 alteration?
- Full compliance with the current IBC
- Compliance only with the specific systems being altered
- Meeting all prescriptive requirements for work area and adjacent areas (Correct answer)
- Obtaining a variance for any noncomplying elements
Correct answer: Meeting all prescriptive requirements for work area and adjacent areas
The prescriptive compliance method in the IEBC for Level 2 alterations requires the work area and certain adjacent areas to meet applicable current code requirements.
Question 6: Which code governs the installation of fire sprinkler systems in new one- and two-family dwellings in jurisdictions that have adopted it?
- NFPA 13
- NFPA 13R
- NFPA 13D (Correct answer)
- NFPA 14
Correct answer: NFPA 13D
NFPA 13D covers the installation of sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings and manufactured homes.
Question 7: Under IBC seismic provisions, what Seismic Design Category (SDC) would apply to a Risk Category II building in an area with a mapped short-period spectral response acceleration (Ss) of 1.5g?
- SDC B
- SDC C
- SDC D
- SDC E (Correct answer)
Correct answer: SDC E
A Risk Category II structure with Ss ≥ 1.5g is assigned to Seismic Design Category E per IBC Table 1613.2.5.
ICC Building Code Professionals 3
A building inspector finds that a contractor has covered framing before the required inspection.
What is the correct action under the IBC?