ICC Spray-Applied Fireproofing Special
Inspector Examination Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
Under the International Building Code (IBC), specifically Chapter 17, the Special
Inspection Agency must be independent and have experience, competent
personnel, and equipment to conduct inspections. Who has the sole discretion to
approve a Special Inspector for a given project?
A. The contractor's quality control manager
B. The architect of record
C. The jurisdiction's building official
D. The fireproofing manufacturer's technical representative
Answer: C. The jurisdiction's building official
Rationale: The IBC grants the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), typically the
building official, the sole discretion to approve a Special Inspector for a specific
project. While certifications like the ICC Spray-Applied Fireproofing Special
Inspector certification provide a credential for the building official to evaluate,
they do not automatically qualify an individual as the Special Inspector on a
project .
Question 2
When conducting a visual inspection of spray-applied fire-resistive materials
(SFRM), what must the special inspector verify regarding the condition of the
finished application?
,A. The final color matches the manufacturer's standard sample.
B. The surface is free from defects such as gaps, voids, and delamination.
C. The material has been overcoated with a water-resistant sealer.
D. The surface texture is uniform and smooth without any roughness.
Answer: B. The surface is free from defects such as gaps, voids, and
delamination.
Rationale: A key duty of the special inspector is to verify the condition of the
finished application. This involves checking for visual defects in the SFRM,
including gaps, voids, and delamination, which could compromise the fire-
resistive integrity of the assembly . Appearance issues like color are not typically
structural or fire-resistive concerns.
Question 3
What is the primary standard that provides a standard set of procedures for on-
site inspection and reporting of installed SFRMs on structural steel or concrete?
A. ASTM E605
B. ASTM E736
C. ASTM E3431
D. ASTM E119
Answer: C. ASTM E3431
Rationale: ASTM E3431, "Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed
Spray-Applied Fire Resistive Material," establishes a standard set of procedures
for inspecting and reporting on SFRMs applied to structural steel or concrete .
While ASTM E605 and E736 are standard test methods for thickness/density and
bond strength, respectively, E3431 is specifically for the overall inspection
process.
Question 4
According to the IBC, what critical information must be included in the plans for
projects involving the fireproofing of many different structural shapes?
,A. The fireproofing contractor's license number
B. The required thickness of fireproofing material presented in tabular form
C. A copy of the manufacturer's material safety data sheets
D. The hourly wage rate for the special inspector
Answer: B. The required thickness of fireproofing material presented in tabular
form
Rationale: Building plans must clearly specify the fireproofing requirements.
When a project has many different structural shapes, the required thickness of
fireproofing material for each type (e.g., columns, beams, deck) must be
presented in a tabular form on the plans to avoid confusion and ensure proper
application .
Question 5
The IBC (Section 1704) mandates that the testing laboratory report on spray-
applied fireproofing must include verification of several minimum items. Which of
the following is NOT one of these required minimum verifications?
A. Structural member surface conditions
B. Application
C. Thickness and density
D. Manufacturer's profit margin
Answer: D. Manufacturer's profit margin
Rationale: IBC Section 1704 outlines the required information for special
inspection reports, including verification of structural member surface
conditions, application procedures, thickness, density, and bond strength . The
manufacturer's financial information is irrelevant to the inspection process.
Question 6
What is the required action if the special inspector identifies deviations from the
approved plans and specifications during the inspection?
A. Immediately halt all construction work on the project.
B. Notify the contractor of the deviations.
, C. Contact the local news media to report the violation.
D. Revise the plans and specifications to match the field conditions.
Answer: B. Notify the contractor of the deviations.
Rationale: A primary duty of the special inspector is to notify the contractor of
any deviations from the approved plans and specifications. If these deviations
are uncorrected, the inspector must then notify the architect or engineer of
record and the building official . The inspector does not have the authority to
halt work unilaterally or modify the plans.
Question 7
For what purpose is the NFCA Contractor Accreditation Program (CAP) Designated
Responsible Individual (DRI) designation primarily intended?
A. To serve as a critical first step for contractors toward earning the UL Qualified
SFRM Contractor designation.
B. To replace the need for a building permit.
C. To certify an individual as a licensed professional engineer.
D. To allow a contractor to self-certify their own work without third-party
inspection.
Answer: A. To serve as a critical first step for contractors toward earning the UL
Qualified SFRM Contractor designation.
Rationale: Achieving the NFCA CAP DRI status is a prerequisite and a critical first
step for fireproofing contractors seeking the UL Qualified SFRM Contractor (UL
QSFRM) designation, ensuring they meet rigorous industry standards .
Question 8
Which standard test method is used to determine the bond strength of spray-
applied fire-resistive materials?
A. ASTM E84
B. ASTM E736
C. ASTM E605
D. ASTM E3431
Inspector Examination Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
Under the International Building Code (IBC), specifically Chapter 17, the Special
Inspection Agency must be independent and have experience, competent
personnel, and equipment to conduct inspections. Who has the sole discretion to
approve a Special Inspector for a given project?
A. The contractor's quality control manager
B. The architect of record
C. The jurisdiction's building official
D. The fireproofing manufacturer's technical representative
Answer: C. The jurisdiction's building official
Rationale: The IBC grants the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), typically the
building official, the sole discretion to approve a Special Inspector for a specific
project. While certifications like the ICC Spray-Applied Fireproofing Special
Inspector certification provide a credential for the building official to evaluate,
they do not automatically qualify an individual as the Special Inspector on a
project .
Question 2
When conducting a visual inspection of spray-applied fire-resistive materials
(SFRM), what must the special inspector verify regarding the condition of the
finished application?
,A. The final color matches the manufacturer's standard sample.
B. The surface is free from defects such as gaps, voids, and delamination.
C. The material has been overcoated with a water-resistant sealer.
D. The surface texture is uniform and smooth without any roughness.
Answer: B. The surface is free from defects such as gaps, voids, and
delamination.
Rationale: A key duty of the special inspector is to verify the condition of the
finished application. This involves checking for visual defects in the SFRM,
including gaps, voids, and delamination, which could compromise the fire-
resistive integrity of the assembly . Appearance issues like color are not typically
structural or fire-resistive concerns.
Question 3
What is the primary standard that provides a standard set of procedures for on-
site inspection and reporting of installed SFRMs on structural steel or concrete?
A. ASTM E605
B. ASTM E736
C. ASTM E3431
D. ASTM E119
Answer: C. ASTM E3431
Rationale: ASTM E3431, "Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed
Spray-Applied Fire Resistive Material," establishes a standard set of procedures
for inspecting and reporting on SFRMs applied to structural steel or concrete .
While ASTM E605 and E736 are standard test methods for thickness/density and
bond strength, respectively, E3431 is specifically for the overall inspection
process.
Question 4
According to the IBC, what critical information must be included in the plans for
projects involving the fireproofing of many different structural shapes?
,A. The fireproofing contractor's license number
B. The required thickness of fireproofing material presented in tabular form
C. A copy of the manufacturer's material safety data sheets
D. The hourly wage rate for the special inspector
Answer: B. The required thickness of fireproofing material presented in tabular
form
Rationale: Building plans must clearly specify the fireproofing requirements.
When a project has many different structural shapes, the required thickness of
fireproofing material for each type (e.g., columns, beams, deck) must be
presented in a tabular form on the plans to avoid confusion and ensure proper
application .
Question 5
The IBC (Section 1704) mandates that the testing laboratory report on spray-
applied fireproofing must include verification of several minimum items. Which of
the following is NOT one of these required minimum verifications?
A. Structural member surface conditions
B. Application
C. Thickness and density
D. Manufacturer's profit margin
Answer: D. Manufacturer's profit margin
Rationale: IBC Section 1704 outlines the required information for special
inspection reports, including verification of structural member surface
conditions, application procedures, thickness, density, and bond strength . The
manufacturer's financial information is irrelevant to the inspection process.
Question 6
What is the required action if the special inspector identifies deviations from the
approved plans and specifications during the inspection?
A. Immediately halt all construction work on the project.
B. Notify the contractor of the deviations.
, C. Contact the local news media to report the violation.
D. Revise the plans and specifications to match the field conditions.
Answer: B. Notify the contractor of the deviations.
Rationale: A primary duty of the special inspector is to notify the contractor of
any deviations from the approved plans and specifications. If these deviations
are uncorrected, the inspector must then notify the architect or engineer of
record and the building official . The inspector does not have the authority to
halt work unilaterally or modify the plans.
Question 7
For what purpose is the NFCA Contractor Accreditation Program (CAP) Designated
Responsible Individual (DRI) designation primarily intended?
A. To serve as a critical first step for contractors toward earning the UL Qualified
SFRM Contractor designation.
B. To replace the need for a building permit.
C. To certify an individual as a licensed professional engineer.
D. To allow a contractor to self-certify their own work without third-party
inspection.
Answer: A. To serve as a critical first step for contractors toward earning the UL
Qualified SFRM Contractor designation.
Rationale: Achieving the NFCA CAP DRI status is a prerequisite and a critical first
step for fireproofing contractors seeking the UL Qualified SFRM Contractor (UL
QSFRM) designation, ensuring they meet rigorous industry standards .
Question 8
Which standard test method is used to determine the bond strength of spray-
applied fire-resistive materials?
A. ASTM E84
B. ASTM E736
C. ASTM E605
D. ASTM E3431
