BUILDING CODES EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Jurisdictions - ANSWER--Codes are a set of regulations, ordinances, and other
statutory requirements put together by various organizations
-Jurisdictions choose which codes they will follow and enforce
-Once codes are adopted, they become the LAW in that jurisdiction
Standards - ANSWER-Is a definition, recommended practice, test method,
classification, or required specification that must be met
•Developed by trade associations, government agencies and standards writing
associations
•Standards have no legal standing until a jurisdiction adopts an individual standard
•Standards are usually used to supplement codes, they are typically referenced by
codes
Local Codes - ANSWER-In addition to codes and standards, there are more specific
codes with jurisdiction
•Include: local municipal ordinance, health codes, zoning regulations, historic
preservation laws, and neighborhood conservation restrictions
Fire Codes - ANSWER--ICC
-International Fire Code(IFC)
-NFPA
-Uniform Fire Code (UFC)
Address building conditions that are hazardous and could cause explosion
•Type of occupancy, use of space, type of materials stored, way materials are stored
•For example: you can't specify a paint/chemical storage area beside a heating system
Life Safety Codes (LSC) - ANSWER-Not a building code
•Concentrates on problems involving the removal or evacuation of all persons from a
building
•Purpose: to "establish minimum requirements that will provide reasonable degree of
safety from fire in buildings and structures"
Plumbing Codes - ANSWER-Called the IPC (International Plumbing Code) by the ICC
• NFPA's version is UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code)
,•Most chapters in the plumbing code are geared toward an engineer and the
professional pluming contractor
•Need help with plumbing on a project?? Collaborate with a licensed engineer to design
the system
•So what's your job??
•Most helpful to designers in determining the minimum number and types of fixtures
required by the specified classification
Mechanical Codes - ANSWER-Mechanical engineers and professional installers use
these codes the most
•As a designer, you should be familiar with some of the general requirements and
technology
•Jurisdictions may choose between:
• IMC: International Mechanical Code (ICC)
•UMC: Uniform Mechanical Code (NFPA)
Electrical Codes - ANSWER-NFPA publishes the NEC (National Electric Code) which is
one of the oldest existing codes
Sustainability Codes - ANSWER-California Green Building Standards Code (CGBSC)
consists of multiple chapters, covering the key sustainability features of a building such
as water conservation and energy efficiency.
•Green vs. sustainable
•Green: describes an attribute or multiple characteristics, such as an "energy efficient
building" and a "low-emitting finish"
•Sustainable: must meet 3 specific benchmarks: environmental responsibility, economic
strength, social responsibility
Residential Codes - ANSWER-International Residential Codes (IRC)
•Main codes used for construction of single family and duplex residences
•Covers the typical residence that is not more than three stories high and has a
separate means of egress
•Stand alone code
•NFPA does not have a separate residential code, however it does address single
family homes in the Life Safety Codes
Existing Building Codes - ANSWER-2003: the 1st International Existing Building Code
(IEBC) was published by the ICC
•Purpose: to provide requirements for reasonable upgrades and improvements
depending on the type and extent of the work
•Typically the IEBC will be more lenient than the appropriate chapter in the building
code or LSC
•Responsibility of the designer to know whether or not their jurisdiction has adopted the
IEBC
(ADA)Protects individuals with disabilities in area of: - ANSWER-Title 1: Employment
, •Title 2: State and local government services and transportation
•Title 3: Public accommodations and commercial facilities
•Title 4: Telecommunications services
ADA - ANSWER-Prohibits discrimination based on disability
•Disability is defined as: "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a
major life activity"
•The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)
•The Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS)
•The Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines (FHAG
Designs are Expressed to a client through: - ANSWER-•Sketches
•Renderings
•Three Dimensional models
•Supplemented by floor plans
design process - ANSWER--Programming
Determining the needs of the client
and the necessary pieces of the project
- Schematic Design Developing an overall "scheme" for
the project...big picture design
-Design Development
Refinement of the design...attention
given to each aspect, individual
spaces, and every detail of the project
- Construction Documents
DESIGN HAS FINISHED and the focus shifts to communicating everything
necessary for construction
How constructed documents are created - ANSWER-- Scoope of project
-Pricing (Bid) situation
-Firm Philosophy and practice
-design features
-form the basis for legal
contracts! They are the
legally binding element
between the client and the
contractor.
-Projects that meets clients and design expectations
- serve to communicate design intentions in a complete manner
Contract Documents Overview - ANSWER--agreement
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Jurisdictions - ANSWER--Codes are a set of regulations, ordinances, and other
statutory requirements put together by various organizations
-Jurisdictions choose which codes they will follow and enforce
-Once codes are adopted, they become the LAW in that jurisdiction
Standards - ANSWER-Is a definition, recommended practice, test method,
classification, or required specification that must be met
•Developed by trade associations, government agencies and standards writing
associations
•Standards have no legal standing until a jurisdiction adopts an individual standard
•Standards are usually used to supplement codes, they are typically referenced by
codes
Local Codes - ANSWER-In addition to codes and standards, there are more specific
codes with jurisdiction
•Include: local municipal ordinance, health codes, zoning regulations, historic
preservation laws, and neighborhood conservation restrictions
Fire Codes - ANSWER--ICC
-International Fire Code(IFC)
-NFPA
-Uniform Fire Code (UFC)
Address building conditions that are hazardous and could cause explosion
•Type of occupancy, use of space, type of materials stored, way materials are stored
•For example: you can't specify a paint/chemical storage area beside a heating system
Life Safety Codes (LSC) - ANSWER-Not a building code
•Concentrates on problems involving the removal or evacuation of all persons from a
building
•Purpose: to "establish minimum requirements that will provide reasonable degree of
safety from fire in buildings and structures"
Plumbing Codes - ANSWER-Called the IPC (International Plumbing Code) by the ICC
• NFPA's version is UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code)
,•Most chapters in the plumbing code are geared toward an engineer and the
professional pluming contractor
•Need help with plumbing on a project?? Collaborate with a licensed engineer to design
the system
•So what's your job??
•Most helpful to designers in determining the minimum number and types of fixtures
required by the specified classification
Mechanical Codes - ANSWER-Mechanical engineers and professional installers use
these codes the most
•As a designer, you should be familiar with some of the general requirements and
technology
•Jurisdictions may choose between:
• IMC: International Mechanical Code (ICC)
•UMC: Uniform Mechanical Code (NFPA)
Electrical Codes - ANSWER-NFPA publishes the NEC (National Electric Code) which is
one of the oldest existing codes
Sustainability Codes - ANSWER-California Green Building Standards Code (CGBSC)
consists of multiple chapters, covering the key sustainability features of a building such
as water conservation and energy efficiency.
•Green vs. sustainable
•Green: describes an attribute or multiple characteristics, such as an "energy efficient
building" and a "low-emitting finish"
•Sustainable: must meet 3 specific benchmarks: environmental responsibility, economic
strength, social responsibility
Residential Codes - ANSWER-International Residential Codes (IRC)
•Main codes used for construction of single family and duplex residences
•Covers the typical residence that is not more than three stories high and has a
separate means of egress
•Stand alone code
•NFPA does not have a separate residential code, however it does address single
family homes in the Life Safety Codes
Existing Building Codes - ANSWER-2003: the 1st International Existing Building Code
(IEBC) was published by the ICC
•Purpose: to provide requirements for reasonable upgrades and improvements
depending on the type and extent of the work
•Typically the IEBC will be more lenient than the appropriate chapter in the building
code or LSC
•Responsibility of the designer to know whether or not their jurisdiction has adopted the
IEBC
(ADA)Protects individuals with disabilities in area of: - ANSWER-Title 1: Employment
, •Title 2: State and local government services and transportation
•Title 3: Public accommodations and commercial facilities
•Title 4: Telecommunications services
ADA - ANSWER-Prohibits discrimination based on disability
•Disability is defined as: "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a
major life activity"
•The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)
•The Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS)
•The Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines (FHAG
Designs are Expressed to a client through: - ANSWER-•Sketches
•Renderings
•Three Dimensional models
•Supplemented by floor plans
design process - ANSWER--Programming
Determining the needs of the client
and the necessary pieces of the project
- Schematic Design Developing an overall "scheme" for
the project...big picture design
-Design Development
Refinement of the design...attention
given to each aspect, individual
spaces, and every detail of the project
- Construction Documents
DESIGN HAS FINISHED and the focus shifts to communicating everything
necessary for construction
How constructed documents are created - ANSWER-- Scoope of project
-Pricing (Bid) situation
-Firm Philosophy and practice
-design features
-form the basis for legal
contracts! They are the
legally binding element
between the client and the
contractor.
-Projects that meets clients and design expectations
- serve to communicate design intentions in a complete manner
Contract Documents Overview - ANSWER--agreement
