, Question 1
A 6-story mixed-use building has a 3-hour fire-resistance-rated horizontal
assembly separating a Group A-2 occupancy on floors 1-2 from Group R-2
dwelling units on floors 3-6. The building is fully sprinklered. Under the
Virginia Construction Code, which statement correctly describes the required
fire-resistance rating of the structural frame supporting the horizontal
assembly?
A. The structural frame must have a fire-resistance rating of not less than
that of the horizontal assembly, but the sprinkler system may permit a
one-hour reduction.
B. The structural frame must be protected to the same fire-resistance
rating as the horizontal assembly, and no reduction is permitted for
sprinklered buildings.
C. The structural frame is exempt from fire-resistance rating requirements
because the building is sprinklered.
D. The structural frame must have a fire-resistance rating of at least 1
hour, regardless of the horizontal assembly rating.
Correct Answer: B - The structural frame must be protected to
the same fire-resistance rating as the horizontal assembly, and no
reduction is permitted for sprinklered buildings.
RATIONALE
Section 704.2 of the VCC requires that structural frame elements
supporting a fire-resistance-rated assembly be protected to the same
rating as the assembly. Sprinkler trade-offs under Section 506.3 do not
reduce the required rating of the structural frame when it supports a
rated horizontal assembly. Options A, C, and D incorrectly apply
sprinkler reductions or misstate the requirement.
Page 2
, Question 2
During a plan review for a new Group B business occupancy, the designer
proposes to use a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated exterior wall assembly with
combustible trim attached to the exterior face. The wall is located 5 feet from
the property line. According to the VCC, what is the minimum required
fire-resistance rating for this exterior wall based on fire separation distance?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. No rating required because the building is sprinklered
Correct Answer: B - 2 hours
RATIONALE
Table 602 of the VCC specifies that for a Group B occupancy with a
fire separation distance of 5 feet, the exterior wall must have a 2-hour
fire-resistance rating. A 1-hour rating is insufficient, and sprinkler
systems do not waive exterior wall rating requirements based on fire
separation distance. Option D is incorrect because sprinklers do not
eliminate the requirement.
Question 3
A building official is reviewing a permit application for a 4-story Group R-2
apartment building with an automatic sprinkler system. The applicant proposes
to use a single exit stairway serving all floors, citing the sprinkler system as
justification. Under the VCC, which condition must be met to allow a single
exit for this building?
A. The building must be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system and
a fire alarm system with voice evacuation.
B. The building must have a maximum of four stories and not more than
4,000 square feet per floor, and the exit stairway must be enclosed with a
2-hour fire-resistance rating.
Page 3
, C. The building must have a maximum of four stories, not more than
4,000 square feet per floor, and the exit stairway must be enclosed with a
1-hour fire-resistance rating.
D. A single exit is never permitted for a Group R-2 building, regardless
of sprinklers or size.
Correct Answer: C - The building must have a maximum of four
stories, not more than 4,000 square feet per floor, and the exit
stairway must be enclosed with a 1-hour fire-resistance rating.
RATIONALE
Section 1006.3.2 of the VCC permits a single exit for Group R-2
buildings not exceeding four stories and 4,000 square feet per floor,
provided the exit stairway is enclosed with a 1-hour fire-resistance
rating. Option A adds unnecessary requirements, Option B incorrectly
specifies a 2-hour rating, and Option D is too restrictive.
Question 4
An existing 2-story building is undergoing a change of occupancy from Group
M to Group A-3. The building has a floor area of 8,000 square feet per floor
and is not sprinklered. Under the Virginia Existing Building Code, which of
the following is required for the change of occupancy?
A. The building must comply with the new construction requirements for
Group A-3, including sprinkler installation, because the change is to a
more hazardous occupancy.
B. The building must comply with the requirements of the IEBC for
change of occupancy, which may permit compliance alternatives based
on the relative hazard of the new occupancy.
C. The building is exempt from any upgrades because the occupancy
change does not increase the occupant load.
D. The building must be sprinklered only if the new occupant load
exceeds 100.
Page 4
A 6-story mixed-use building has a 3-hour fire-resistance-rated horizontal
assembly separating a Group A-2 occupancy on floors 1-2 from Group R-2
dwelling units on floors 3-6. The building is fully sprinklered. Under the
Virginia Construction Code, which statement correctly describes the required
fire-resistance rating of the structural frame supporting the horizontal
assembly?
A. The structural frame must have a fire-resistance rating of not less than
that of the horizontal assembly, but the sprinkler system may permit a
one-hour reduction.
B. The structural frame must be protected to the same fire-resistance
rating as the horizontal assembly, and no reduction is permitted for
sprinklered buildings.
C. The structural frame is exempt from fire-resistance rating requirements
because the building is sprinklered.
D. The structural frame must have a fire-resistance rating of at least 1
hour, regardless of the horizontal assembly rating.
Correct Answer: B - The structural frame must be protected to
the same fire-resistance rating as the horizontal assembly, and no
reduction is permitted for sprinklered buildings.
RATIONALE
Section 704.2 of the VCC requires that structural frame elements
supporting a fire-resistance-rated assembly be protected to the same
rating as the assembly. Sprinkler trade-offs under Section 506.3 do not
reduce the required rating of the structural frame when it supports a
rated horizontal assembly. Options A, C, and D incorrectly apply
sprinkler reductions or misstate the requirement.
Page 2
, Question 2
During a plan review for a new Group B business occupancy, the designer
proposes to use a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated exterior wall assembly with
combustible trim attached to the exterior face. The wall is located 5 feet from
the property line. According to the VCC, what is the minimum required
fire-resistance rating for this exterior wall based on fire separation distance?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. No rating required because the building is sprinklered
Correct Answer: B - 2 hours
RATIONALE
Table 602 of the VCC specifies that for a Group B occupancy with a
fire separation distance of 5 feet, the exterior wall must have a 2-hour
fire-resistance rating. A 1-hour rating is insufficient, and sprinkler
systems do not waive exterior wall rating requirements based on fire
separation distance. Option D is incorrect because sprinklers do not
eliminate the requirement.
Question 3
A building official is reviewing a permit application for a 4-story Group R-2
apartment building with an automatic sprinkler system. The applicant proposes
to use a single exit stairway serving all floors, citing the sprinkler system as
justification. Under the VCC, which condition must be met to allow a single
exit for this building?
A. The building must be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system and
a fire alarm system with voice evacuation.
B. The building must have a maximum of four stories and not more than
4,000 square feet per floor, and the exit stairway must be enclosed with a
2-hour fire-resistance rating.
Page 3
, C. The building must have a maximum of four stories, not more than
4,000 square feet per floor, and the exit stairway must be enclosed with a
1-hour fire-resistance rating.
D. A single exit is never permitted for a Group R-2 building, regardless
of sprinklers or size.
Correct Answer: C - The building must have a maximum of four
stories, not more than 4,000 square feet per floor, and the exit
stairway must be enclosed with a 1-hour fire-resistance rating.
RATIONALE
Section 1006.3.2 of the VCC permits a single exit for Group R-2
buildings not exceeding four stories and 4,000 square feet per floor,
provided the exit stairway is enclosed with a 1-hour fire-resistance
rating. Option A adds unnecessary requirements, Option B incorrectly
specifies a 2-hour rating, and Option D is too restrictive.
Question 4
An existing 2-story building is undergoing a change of occupancy from Group
M to Group A-3. The building has a floor area of 8,000 square feet per floor
and is not sprinklered. Under the Virginia Existing Building Code, which of
the following is required for the change of occupancy?
A. The building must comply with the new construction requirements for
Group A-3, including sprinkler installation, because the change is to a
more hazardous occupancy.
B. The building must comply with the requirements of the IEBC for
change of occupancy, which may permit compliance alternatives based
on the relative hazard of the new occupancy.
C. The building is exempt from any upgrades because the occupancy
change does not increase the occupant load.
D. The building must be sprinklered only if the new occupant load
exceeds 100.
Page 4
