ICC Testing and Quality Assurance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under ICC inspection protocols, what action must an inspector take when construction work is covered before a required inspection is approved?
- Issue a stop-work order and require the work to be uncovered (Correct answer)
- Accept the work based on contractor certification
- Schedule the next inspection and note the discrepancy
- Allow the work to remain if the contractor provides photos
Correct answer: Issue a stop-work order and require the work to be uncovered
ICC codes require that concealed work be exposed for inspection when it was covered before a required inspection was completed.
Question 2: Which ICC code provision addresses special inspection requirements for high-seismic-risk construction?
- IBC Chapter 16 seismic design requirements
- IBC Chapter 17 Special Inspections and Tests (Correct answer)
- IFC Chapter 9 fire suppression requirements
- IRC Chapter 6 wall construction provisions
Correct answer: IBC Chapter 17 Special Inspections and Tests
IBC Chapter 17 governs special inspections and structural tests, including enhanced requirements for construction in seismic design categories.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a Statement of Special Inspections (SSI) required by the IBC?
- To document the building owner's insurance coverage
- To identify the special inspections and tests required for a specific project (Correct answer)
- To record the final certificate of occupancy conditions
- To list all subcontractors working on the project
Correct answer: To identify the special inspections and tests required for a specific project
The SSI identifies the materials, systems, and work requiring special inspection and testing for a given construction project.
Question 4: When testing sprinkler systems per NFPA 13 as referenced by the IFC, what is the minimum hydrostatic test pressure required?
- 100 psi for 2 hours
- 200 psi for 2 hours
- 150 psi for 2 hours or 50 psi above system working pressure (Correct answer)
- 125 psi for 1 hour
Correct answer: 150 psi for 2 hours or 50 psi above system working pressure
NFPA 13 requires hydrostatic testing at 200 psi for 2 hours or 50 psi above the maximum system pressure, whichever is greater.
Question 5: Under the IBC, who is responsible for employing the special inspector for a construction project?
- The general contractor on behalf of the building department
- The building official directly
- The owner or the owner's authorized agent (Correct answer)
- The architect of record only
Correct answer: The owner or the owner's authorized agent
IBC Section 1705 places the responsibility for employing approved special inspectors on the owner or the owner's authorized agent.
Question 6: Which test is used to verify the compressive strength of concrete as required by the IBC for structural concrete?
- Slump test per ASTM C143
- Cylinder or cube compression test per ASTM C39 (Correct answer)
- Air content test per ASTM C231
- Unit weight test per ASTM C138
Correct answer: Cylinder or cube compression test per ASTM C39
ASTM C39 cylinder compression tests are the standard method to verify concrete compressive strength meets the specified f'c value.
Question 7: Under ICC energy code (IECC), what is required when a building fails a blower door pressurization test?
- The building must be demolished and rebuilt
- Air leakage deficiencies must be corrected and the building retested (Correct answer)
- A variance is automatically granted if leakage is within 20% of the limit
- The HVAC system capacity must be increased to compensate
Correct answer: Air leakage deficiencies must be corrected and the building retested
IECC requires that buildings failing the air leakage test have deficiencies corrected and be retested to demonstrate compliance.
ICC Testing and Quality Assurance 2
Under ICC inspection protocols, what action must an inspector take when construction work is covered before a required inspection is approved?