Michigan Building Inspector License Practice Exam
Questions With Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A licensed building inspector is reviewing plans for a new mixed-use building in Detroit. The
design includes a wood-frame construction type assigned to Type V-A per the Michigan
Building Code. During plan review, the inspector must verify the fire-resistance rating of the
exterior load-bearing walls. Which of the following is the minimum fire-resistance rating
required for exterior load-bearing walls in a Type V-A building that is located 15 feet from the
property line?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 0 hours (no rating required)
Answer: A. 1 hour
2. An inspector is checking the fire-resistance rating of a fire wall separating two buildings in a
shopping center. The wall is constructed of reinforced concrete and has a thickness of 8
inches. According to the Michigan Building Code, what is the minimum fire-resistance rating
required for this fire wall?
A. 2 hours
B. 3 hours
C. 4 hours
D. 5 hours
Answer: B. 3 hours
3. While inspecting a new commercial building, an inspector notes that the building's fire alarm
system is not connected to a central station. The building is a Group A-2 occupancy with an
occupant load of 300. What is the maximum allowable occupant load for which a local fire alarm
system (without central station monitoring) is permitted by the Michigan Building Code?
A. 300 occupants
B. 500 occupants
C. 1,000 occupants
D. No limit
Answer: B. 500 occupants
4. An inspector is conducting a final inspection on a single-family residence. The residence has
a slab-on-grade foundation with no crawlspace. According to the Michigan Residential Code,
what is the minimum required clearance between the top of the footing and the bottom of the
foundation wall?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 24 inches
D. No clearance is required if the slab is poured monolithically with the footing
Answer: B. 12 inches
,5. During a rough-in inspection of a residential building, the inspector observes that the
plumbing vent pipe is installed with a slope of 1/4 inch per foot. The pipe is 3 inches in
diameter. What is the maximum horizontal distance allowed between a fixture trap and the vent
connection, per the Michigan Plumbing Code?
A. 6 feet
B. 8 feet
C. 10 feet
D. 12 feet
Answer: C. 10 feet
6. An inspector is reviewing the structural plans for a new steel-framed building. The plans
indicate that the steel columns are designed with a slenderness ratio (KL/r) of 200. According
to the AISC Steel Construction Manual and Michigan adopted standards, what is the maximum
allowable slenderness ratio for compression members?
A. 120
B. 150
C. 200
D. No limit is specified
Answer: C. 200
7. While inspecting the foundation of a new commercial building, the inspector notices that the
concrete footings are not placed on undisturbed soil. The contractor has placed a layer of
compacted fill beneath the footings. What is the maximum allowable thickness of compacted
fill that can be placed beneath footings without a geotechnical report, according to the
Michigan Building Code?
A. 12 inches
B. 24 inches
C. 36 inches
D. No fill is allowed without a geotechnical report
Answer: D. No fill is allowed without a geotechnical report
8. A new building is being constructed with a flat roof. The inspector checks the roof drain
system and finds that the primary roof drain has a diameter of 4 inches. According to the
Michigan Building Code, what is the maximum allowable spacing between roof drains on a flat
roof?
A. 10 feet apart
B. 20 feet apart
C. 30 feet apart
D. The spacing is not specified; it must be engineered
Answer: D. The spacing is not specified; it must be engineered
9. An inspector is evaluating a newly installed HVAC system in a commercial building. The
system uses ductwork that runs through a fire-resistance-rated assembly. The ductwork is not
protected by a fire damper. What is the maximum allowable size of the duct opening in the
fire-resistance-rated assembly before a fire damper is required, according to the Michigan
Mechanical Code?
A. No size limit if the duct is non-combustible
, B. Any size duct requires a fire damper
C. Ducts with a cross-sectional area of 100 square inches or less
D. Ducts with a cross-sectional area of 200 square inches or less
Answer: C. Ducts with a cross-sectional area of 100 square inches or less
10. During the inspection of a new restaurant, the inspector checks the commercial kitchen
exhaust hood. The hood has a Type I classification and is installed over a gas-fired cooking
appliance. According to the Michigan Mechanical Code, what is the minimum clearance
required between the hood and the cooking surface?
A. 3 feet
B. 4 feet
C. 6 feet
D. The clearance is not specified; it must be based on the appliance manufacturer's instructions
Answer: D. The clearance is not specified; it must be based on the appliance manufacturer's
instructions
11. A building inspector is reviewing the fire escape plan for an existing three-story building
that is being converted into a Group B occupancy. The building has a single exit stairway. What
is the maximum occupant load permitted for this building if a single exit is allowed, according
to the Michigan Building Code?
A. 49 occupants
B. 50 occupants
C. 99 occupants
D. Not permitted for Group B with a single exit
Answer: B. 50 occupants
12. During a fire safety inspection, the inspector finds a fire door in a stairwell that is being held
open by a doorstop. The door is equipped with an automatic closing device. What is the proper
action for the inspector?
A. Immediately issue a violation notice for the door being held open
B. Allow the door to be held open if the building has a fire alarm system
C. Order the door to be closed and the doorstop removed
D. Document the condition but take no further action if the door is not in a means of egress
Answer: C. Order the door to be closed and the doorstop removed
13. An inspector is reviewing the fire alarm system design for a new high-rise building. The
building is a Group R-1 occupancy with a floor area of 10,000 square feet per floor. What is the
maximum allowable notification appliance circuit (NAC) length before voltage drop calculations
are required, per NFPA 72 as adopted by Michigan?
A. 100 feet
B. 200 feet
C. 500 feet
D. There is no maximum; voltage drop must be calculated for all circuits
Answer: D. There is no maximum; voltage drop must be calculated for all circuits
14. During the inspection of a newly constructed office building, the inspector checks the width
of the main entrance. The building must be accessible per the ADA and Michigan accessibility
code. What is the minimum clear width required for a door that is part of the accessible route?
Questions With Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A licensed building inspector is reviewing plans for a new mixed-use building in Detroit. The
design includes a wood-frame construction type assigned to Type V-A per the Michigan
Building Code. During plan review, the inspector must verify the fire-resistance rating of the
exterior load-bearing walls. Which of the following is the minimum fire-resistance rating
required for exterior load-bearing walls in a Type V-A building that is located 15 feet from the
property line?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 0 hours (no rating required)
Answer: A. 1 hour
2. An inspector is checking the fire-resistance rating of a fire wall separating two buildings in a
shopping center. The wall is constructed of reinforced concrete and has a thickness of 8
inches. According to the Michigan Building Code, what is the minimum fire-resistance rating
required for this fire wall?
A. 2 hours
B. 3 hours
C. 4 hours
D. 5 hours
Answer: B. 3 hours
3. While inspecting a new commercial building, an inspector notes that the building's fire alarm
system is not connected to a central station. The building is a Group A-2 occupancy with an
occupant load of 300. What is the maximum allowable occupant load for which a local fire alarm
system (without central station monitoring) is permitted by the Michigan Building Code?
A. 300 occupants
B. 500 occupants
C. 1,000 occupants
D. No limit
Answer: B. 500 occupants
4. An inspector is conducting a final inspection on a single-family residence. The residence has
a slab-on-grade foundation with no crawlspace. According to the Michigan Residential Code,
what is the minimum required clearance between the top of the footing and the bottom of the
foundation wall?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 24 inches
D. No clearance is required if the slab is poured monolithically with the footing
Answer: B. 12 inches
,5. During a rough-in inspection of a residential building, the inspector observes that the
plumbing vent pipe is installed with a slope of 1/4 inch per foot. The pipe is 3 inches in
diameter. What is the maximum horizontal distance allowed between a fixture trap and the vent
connection, per the Michigan Plumbing Code?
A. 6 feet
B. 8 feet
C. 10 feet
D. 12 feet
Answer: C. 10 feet
6. An inspector is reviewing the structural plans for a new steel-framed building. The plans
indicate that the steel columns are designed with a slenderness ratio (KL/r) of 200. According
to the AISC Steel Construction Manual and Michigan adopted standards, what is the maximum
allowable slenderness ratio for compression members?
A. 120
B. 150
C. 200
D. No limit is specified
Answer: C. 200
7. While inspecting the foundation of a new commercial building, the inspector notices that the
concrete footings are not placed on undisturbed soil. The contractor has placed a layer of
compacted fill beneath the footings. What is the maximum allowable thickness of compacted
fill that can be placed beneath footings without a geotechnical report, according to the
Michigan Building Code?
A. 12 inches
B. 24 inches
C. 36 inches
D. No fill is allowed without a geotechnical report
Answer: D. No fill is allowed without a geotechnical report
8. A new building is being constructed with a flat roof. The inspector checks the roof drain
system and finds that the primary roof drain has a diameter of 4 inches. According to the
Michigan Building Code, what is the maximum allowable spacing between roof drains on a flat
roof?
A. 10 feet apart
B. 20 feet apart
C. 30 feet apart
D. The spacing is not specified; it must be engineered
Answer: D. The spacing is not specified; it must be engineered
9. An inspector is evaluating a newly installed HVAC system in a commercial building. The
system uses ductwork that runs through a fire-resistance-rated assembly. The ductwork is not
protected by a fire damper. What is the maximum allowable size of the duct opening in the
fire-resistance-rated assembly before a fire damper is required, according to the Michigan
Mechanical Code?
A. No size limit if the duct is non-combustible
, B. Any size duct requires a fire damper
C. Ducts with a cross-sectional area of 100 square inches or less
D. Ducts with a cross-sectional area of 200 square inches or less
Answer: C. Ducts with a cross-sectional area of 100 square inches or less
10. During the inspection of a new restaurant, the inspector checks the commercial kitchen
exhaust hood. The hood has a Type I classification and is installed over a gas-fired cooking
appliance. According to the Michigan Mechanical Code, what is the minimum clearance
required between the hood and the cooking surface?
A. 3 feet
B. 4 feet
C. 6 feet
D. The clearance is not specified; it must be based on the appliance manufacturer's instructions
Answer: D. The clearance is not specified; it must be based on the appliance manufacturer's
instructions
11. A building inspector is reviewing the fire escape plan for an existing three-story building
that is being converted into a Group B occupancy. The building has a single exit stairway. What
is the maximum occupant load permitted for this building if a single exit is allowed, according
to the Michigan Building Code?
A. 49 occupants
B. 50 occupants
C. 99 occupants
D. Not permitted for Group B with a single exit
Answer: B. 50 occupants
12. During a fire safety inspection, the inspector finds a fire door in a stairwell that is being held
open by a doorstop. The door is equipped with an automatic closing device. What is the proper
action for the inspector?
A. Immediately issue a violation notice for the door being held open
B. Allow the door to be held open if the building has a fire alarm system
C. Order the door to be closed and the doorstop removed
D. Document the condition but take no further action if the door is not in a means of egress
Answer: C. Order the door to be closed and the doorstop removed
13. An inspector is reviewing the fire alarm system design for a new high-rise building. The
building is a Group R-1 occupancy with a floor area of 10,000 square feet per floor. What is the
maximum allowable notification appliance circuit (NAC) length before voltage drop calculations
are required, per NFPA 72 as adopted by Michigan?
A. 100 feet
B. 200 feet
C. 500 feet
D. There is no maximum; voltage drop must be calculated for all circuits
Answer: D. There is no maximum; voltage drop must be calculated for all circuits
14. During the inspection of a newly constructed office building, the inspector checks the width
of the main entrance. The building must be accessible per the ADA and Michigan accessibility
code. What is the minimum clear width required for a door that is part of the accessible route?
