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IRC TEST - ALL TERMS Questions and
Answers
The International Residential Code is applicable to single-family
dwellings a maximum of _______________ stories in above-grade-
plane height.
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Ans: C
If there is a conflict in the code between a general requirement
and a specific requirement, the _______________ requirement shall
apply.
A. General
B. Specific
C. Least restrictive
D. Most restrictive
Ans: B
Provisions of the appendices do not apply unless _______________.
A. Specified in the code
B. Applicable to unique conditions
C. Specifically adopted
D. Relevant to fire or life safety
Ans: C
_______________ is the term used in the IRC to describe the
individual in charge of the department of building safety.
A. Building official
B. Code official
C. Code administrator
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D. Chief building inspector
Ans: A
The building official has the authority to _______________ the
provisions of the code.
A. Ignore
B. Waive
C. Violate
D. Interpret
Ans: D
Used materials may be utilized under which one of the following
conditions?
A. They meet the requirements for new materials
B. When approved by the building official
C. Used materials may never be used in new construction
D. A representative sampling is tested for compliance
Ans: B
The building official has the authority to grant modifications to
the code _______________.
A. for only those issues not affecting life safety or fire safety
B. for individual cases where the strict letter of the code is
impractical
C. where the intent and purpose of the code cannot be met
D. related only to administrative functions
Ans: B
Unless supporting a surcharge, retaining walls having a maximum
height of __________ inches, measured from the bottom of the
footing to the top of the wall, do not require a permit.
A. 30
B. 36
C. 48
D. 60
© 2025 All rights reserved
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Ans: C
Tests performed by _______________ may be required by the
building official where there is insufficient evidence of code
compliance.
A. The owner
B. The contractor
C. An approved agency
D. A design professional
Ans: C
A permit is not required for the construction of a one-story
detached accessory structure when it has a maximum floor area of
_______________ square feet.
A. 100
B. 120
C. 150
D. 200
Ans: D
Prefabricated swimming pools are subject to a building permit
where they have a minimum depth of _______________ .
A. 12 inches
B. 24 inches
C. 30 inches
D. 36 inches
Ans: B
Unless an extension is authorized, a permit becomes invalid when
work does not commence within _______________ after permit
issuance.
A. 90 days
B. 180 days
C. one year
D. two years
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Ans: B
The building permit, or a copy of the permit, shall be kept
_______________ until completion of the project.
A. At the job site
B. By the permit applicant
C. By the contractor
D. By the owner
Ans: A
When a building permit is issued, the construction documents
shall be approved _______________.
A. In writing or by stamp
B. And two sets returned to the applicant
C. And stamped as "Accepted as Reviewed"
D. Pending payment of the plan review fee
Ans: A
Unless otherwise mandated by state or local laws, the approved
construction documents shall be retained by the building official
for a minimum of _______________ from the date of completion of
the permitted work.
A. 90 days
B. 180 days
C. one year
D. two years
Ans: B
Where applicable, which one of the following inspections is not
specifically identified by the International Residential Code as a
required inspection?
A. Foundation inspection
B. Frame inspection
C. Fire-resistance-construction inspection
D. Energy efficiency inspection
© 2025 All rights reserved
IRC TEST - ALL TERMS Questions and
Answers
The International Residential Code is applicable to single-family
dwellings a maximum of _______________ stories in above-grade-
plane height.
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Ans: C
If there is a conflict in the code between a general requirement
and a specific requirement, the _______________ requirement shall
apply.
A. General
B. Specific
C. Least restrictive
D. Most restrictive
Ans: B
Provisions of the appendices do not apply unless _______________.
A. Specified in the code
B. Applicable to unique conditions
C. Specifically adopted
D. Relevant to fire or life safety
Ans: C
_______________ is the term used in the IRC to describe the
individual in charge of the department of building safety.
A. Building official
B. Code official
C. Code administrator
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
D. Chief building inspector
Ans: A
The building official has the authority to _______________ the
provisions of the code.
A. Ignore
B. Waive
C. Violate
D. Interpret
Ans: D
Used materials may be utilized under which one of the following
conditions?
A. They meet the requirements for new materials
B. When approved by the building official
C. Used materials may never be used in new construction
D. A representative sampling is tested for compliance
Ans: B
The building official has the authority to grant modifications to
the code _______________.
A. for only those issues not affecting life safety or fire safety
B. for individual cases where the strict letter of the code is
impractical
C. where the intent and purpose of the code cannot be met
D. related only to administrative functions
Ans: B
Unless supporting a surcharge, retaining walls having a maximum
height of __________ inches, measured from the bottom of the
footing to the top of the wall, do not require a permit.
A. 30
B. 36
C. 48
D. 60
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Ans: C
Tests performed by _______________ may be required by the
building official where there is insufficient evidence of code
compliance.
A. The owner
B. The contractor
C. An approved agency
D. A design professional
Ans: C
A permit is not required for the construction of a one-story
detached accessory structure when it has a maximum floor area of
_______________ square feet.
A. 100
B. 120
C. 150
D. 200
Ans: D
Prefabricated swimming pools are subject to a building permit
where they have a minimum depth of _______________ .
A. 12 inches
B. 24 inches
C. 30 inches
D. 36 inches
Ans: B
Unless an extension is authorized, a permit becomes invalid when
work does not commence within _______________ after permit
issuance.
A. 90 days
B. 180 days
C. one year
D. two years
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
Ans: B
The building permit, or a copy of the permit, shall be kept
_______________ until completion of the project.
A. At the job site
B. By the permit applicant
C. By the contractor
D. By the owner
Ans: A
When a building permit is issued, the construction documents
shall be approved _______________.
A. In writing or by stamp
B. And two sets returned to the applicant
C. And stamped as "Accepted as Reviewed"
D. Pending payment of the plan review fee
Ans: A
Unless otherwise mandated by state or local laws, the approved
construction documents shall be retained by the building official
for a minimum of _______________ from the date of completion of
the permitted work.
A. 90 days
B. 180 days
C. one year
D. two years
Ans: B
Where applicable, which one of the following inspections is not
specifically identified by the International Residential Code as a
required inspection?
A. Foundation inspection
B. Frame inspection
C. Fire-resistance-construction inspection
D. Energy efficiency inspection
© 2025 All rights reserved
