, Question 1
A 5-story mixed-use building has a 3-hour fire-resistance-rated structural
frame. The building is fully sprinklered. Under the Virginia CBC 2026, what is
the maximum allowable height in feet for a Group R-2 occupancy constructed
of Type IB construction?
A. 120 feet
B. 160 feet
C. 180 feet
D. 200 feet
Correct Answer: B - 160 feet
RATIONALE
For Type IB construction, Table 504.3 of the Virginia CBC 2026
permits a maximum height of 160 feet for Group R-2 occupancies
when the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler
system. Option A (120 ft) applies to Type IIA, Option C (180 ft) is for
Type IA, and Option D (200 ft) is not permitted for R-2 in Type IB.
Question 2
In a Group A-2 restaurant with an occupant load of 250, the main exit is
required to have a minimum width based on the egress capacity. If the
occupant load factor is 15 sq ft per person and the calculated egress width is
0.2 inches per occupant, what is the minimum required width of the main exit
in inches?
A. 40 inches
B. 44 inches
C. 50 inches
D. 56 inches
Correct Answer: C - 50 inches
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Egress width = occupant load × 0.2 in. = 250 × 0.2 = 50 inches.
Section 1005.3.2 of the Virginia CBC 2026 requires a minimum width
of 50 inches for this occupant load. Options A, B, and D do not meet
the calculated egress width or the minimum door width requirements.
Question 3
A building official is reviewing a permit application for a new Group E
elementary school. The architect proposes a corridor with a 1-hour
fire-resistance rating and a 45-minute fire door assembly. Which of the
following statements is most accurate regarding the door assembly?
A. The door assembly must have a 1-hour rating to match the corridor
rating.
B. The door assembly must have a 20-minute rating because it is in a
corridor.
C. The door assembly must have a 45-minute rating as proposed, which is
permitted for a 1-hour corridor.
D. The door assembly must have a 90-minute rating because it is a
school.
Correct Answer: C - The door assembly must have a 45-minute
rating as proposed, which is permitted for a 1-hour corridor.
RATIONALE
Table 716.1(2) of the Virginia CBC 2026 permits a 45-minute fire
door assembly in a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated corridor for Group E
occupancies when the door is equipped with a closing device. Option
A is incorrect because the door rating need not match the wall rating.
Option B is too low, and Option D is excessive.
Page 3
, Question 4
During a plan review for a new high-rise office building (Group B, 120 feet
tall), the designer uses a smoke-proof enclosure for the exit stairways. Which
of the following is a required feature of a smoke-proof enclosure under the
Virginia CBC 2026?
A. A vestibule with a minimum 1-hour fire-resistance rating and a smoke
detector.
B. A balcony or ventilated vestibule with a minimum 1-hour
fire-resistance rating and a means to prevent smoke infiltration.
C. A pressurized stairwell with a minimum 0.10-inch water column
pressure.
D. A direct exit to the exterior at each floor level.
Correct Answer: B - A balcony or ventilated vestibule with a
minimum 1-hour fire-resistance rating and a means to prevent
smoke infiltration.
RATIONALE
Section 1023.11 of the Virginia CBC 2026 defines a smoke-proof
enclosure as a continuous exit enclosure with a vestibule or balcony
that is ventilated and separated by 1-hour fire-resistance-rated
construction. Option A is incomplete because it lacks the
ventilation/balcony requirement. Option C describes a pressurized
stairwell, which is an alternative method. Option D is not required for
smoke-proof enclosures.
Question 5
A building official is evaluating a proposed ramp for a Group M retail store.
The ramp has a slope of 1:10, a rise of 30 inches, and a length of 25 feet.
According to the Virginia CBC 2026 and ICC A117.1, which of the following
is true regarding the need for handrails and landings?
A. Handrails are required on both sides, and a landing is required at the
Page 4
A 5-story mixed-use building has a 3-hour fire-resistance-rated structural
frame. The building is fully sprinklered. Under the Virginia CBC 2026, what is
the maximum allowable height in feet for a Group R-2 occupancy constructed
of Type IB construction?
A. 120 feet
B. 160 feet
C. 180 feet
D. 200 feet
Correct Answer: B - 160 feet
RATIONALE
For Type IB construction, Table 504.3 of the Virginia CBC 2026
permits a maximum height of 160 feet for Group R-2 occupancies
when the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler
system. Option A (120 ft) applies to Type IIA, Option C (180 ft) is for
Type IA, and Option D (200 ft) is not permitted for R-2 in Type IB.
Question 2
In a Group A-2 restaurant with an occupant load of 250, the main exit is
required to have a minimum width based on the egress capacity. If the
occupant load factor is 15 sq ft per person and the calculated egress width is
0.2 inches per occupant, what is the minimum required width of the main exit
in inches?
A. 40 inches
B. 44 inches
C. 50 inches
D. 56 inches
Correct Answer: C - 50 inches
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Egress width = occupant load × 0.2 in. = 250 × 0.2 = 50 inches.
Section 1005.3.2 of the Virginia CBC 2026 requires a minimum width
of 50 inches for this occupant load. Options A, B, and D do not meet
the calculated egress width or the minimum door width requirements.
Question 3
A building official is reviewing a permit application for a new Group E
elementary school. The architect proposes a corridor with a 1-hour
fire-resistance rating and a 45-minute fire door assembly. Which of the
following statements is most accurate regarding the door assembly?
A. The door assembly must have a 1-hour rating to match the corridor
rating.
B. The door assembly must have a 20-minute rating because it is in a
corridor.
C. The door assembly must have a 45-minute rating as proposed, which is
permitted for a 1-hour corridor.
D. The door assembly must have a 90-minute rating because it is a
school.
Correct Answer: C - The door assembly must have a 45-minute
rating as proposed, which is permitted for a 1-hour corridor.
RATIONALE
Table 716.1(2) of the Virginia CBC 2026 permits a 45-minute fire
door assembly in a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated corridor for Group E
occupancies when the door is equipped with a closing device. Option
A is incorrect because the door rating need not match the wall rating.
Option B is too low, and Option D is excessive.
Page 3
, Question 4
During a plan review for a new high-rise office building (Group B, 120 feet
tall), the designer uses a smoke-proof enclosure for the exit stairways. Which
of the following is a required feature of a smoke-proof enclosure under the
Virginia CBC 2026?
A. A vestibule with a minimum 1-hour fire-resistance rating and a smoke
detector.
B. A balcony or ventilated vestibule with a minimum 1-hour
fire-resistance rating and a means to prevent smoke infiltration.
C. A pressurized stairwell with a minimum 0.10-inch water column
pressure.
D. A direct exit to the exterior at each floor level.
Correct Answer: B - A balcony or ventilated vestibule with a
minimum 1-hour fire-resistance rating and a means to prevent
smoke infiltration.
RATIONALE
Section 1023.11 of the Virginia CBC 2026 defines a smoke-proof
enclosure as a continuous exit enclosure with a vestibule or balcony
that is ventilated and separated by 1-hour fire-resistance-rated
construction. Option A is incomplete because it lacks the
ventilation/balcony requirement. Option C describes a pressurized
stairwell, which is an alternative method. Option D is not required for
smoke-proof enclosures.
Question 5
A building official is evaluating a proposed ramp for a Group M retail store.
The ramp has a slope of 1:10, a rise of 30 inches, and a length of 25 feet.
According to the Virginia CBC 2026 and ICC A117.1, which of the following
is true regarding the need for handrails and landings?
A. Handrails are required on both sides, and a landing is required at the
Page 4
