EXAM ELABORATIONS IRC BUILDING CODE
FINAL PAPER 2026 TEST PAPER QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A
◉ When the header joist span does not exceed ____ feet, the header
joist may be a single member the same size as the floor joist.
Answer: 4 ft.
(When the header joist span exceeds 4 feet the trimmer joists and
header joists shall be doubled)
R502.10 Framing of openings
◉ In combustible construction, where there is usable space both
above and below a floor/ceiling assembly, draft stops shall be
installed so that the area of the concealed space does not exceed ____
square feet. Answer: 1000 sq. ft.
(Draft-stopping shall divide the concealed space into approximately
equal areas.
R302.12 Draft-stopping
◉ The provisions of Section R505 Steel Floor Framing shall control
the construction of cold-formed steel floor framing for building not
,greater than ____ feet in length perpendicular to the joist span.
Answer: 60 ft.
(Read this section for more applicability limits).
R505.1.1 Applicability limits
◉ Flanges and lips of load-bearing cold-formed steel floor framing
members shall not be cut or ____. Answer: Notched
R505.3.5
◉ In cold-formed steel framing, floor cantilevers for the top floor of
a two- or three-story building or the first floor of a one-story
buidling shall not exceed ____. Answer: 24 in.
R505.3.6 Floor cantilevers
◉ Concrete slab-on-ground floors shall be a minimum of ____ inches
thick. Answer: 3.5 in.
R506.1 General
,◉ The connection between a deck ledger and a 2-inch nominal
lumber band joist shall be constructed with ____-inch lag screws or
bolts with washers. Answer: 1/2 in.
(In accordance with Table R507.2. See figures R507.2.1(1) and
R507.2.1(2)
R507.2 Deck ledger connection to band joist.
◉ For wood stud walls, end joints in top plates shall be offset at least
____ inches. Answer: 24 in.
R602.3.2 Top plate
◉ When joists, trusses or rafters are spaced more than 16 inches on
center and the bearing studs below are spaced 24 inches on center,
such members shall bear within ____ inches of the studs beneath.
Answer: 5 in.
(Read 3 exceptions in this section)
R602.3.3 Bearing studs
◉ Any wood stud in an exterior wall or bearing partition may be cut
or notched to a depth not exceeding ____ percent of its width.
Answer: 25%
, R602.6 Drilling and notching studs #1
◉ Wood studs in non bearing partitions may be notched to a depth
not exceeding ____ percent of a single stud width. Answer: 40%
R602.6 Drilling and notching studs #1
◉ Exterior wood frame walls shall be offset not more than ___ feet
from the designated braced wall line location. Answer: 4 ft.
(See figure R602.10.1.1)
R602.10.1.2 Offsets along a braced wall line.
◉ Braced wall lines greater than 16 feet shall have a minimum of ____
braced wall panels. Answer: two
R602.10.2.3 Minimum number of braced wall panels.
◉ Wall bracing Method PFG (Portal frame at garage door openings)
is limited to walls supporting ____ ____ and a _____. Answer: One story
Roof
(This method is also limited to Seismic Design Categories A, B and C.
FINAL PAPER 2026 TEST PAPER QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A
◉ When the header joist span does not exceed ____ feet, the header
joist may be a single member the same size as the floor joist.
Answer: 4 ft.
(When the header joist span exceeds 4 feet the trimmer joists and
header joists shall be doubled)
R502.10 Framing of openings
◉ In combustible construction, where there is usable space both
above and below a floor/ceiling assembly, draft stops shall be
installed so that the area of the concealed space does not exceed ____
square feet. Answer: 1000 sq. ft.
(Draft-stopping shall divide the concealed space into approximately
equal areas.
R302.12 Draft-stopping
◉ The provisions of Section R505 Steel Floor Framing shall control
the construction of cold-formed steel floor framing for building not
,greater than ____ feet in length perpendicular to the joist span.
Answer: 60 ft.
(Read this section for more applicability limits).
R505.1.1 Applicability limits
◉ Flanges and lips of load-bearing cold-formed steel floor framing
members shall not be cut or ____. Answer: Notched
R505.3.5
◉ In cold-formed steel framing, floor cantilevers for the top floor of
a two- or three-story building or the first floor of a one-story
buidling shall not exceed ____. Answer: 24 in.
R505.3.6 Floor cantilevers
◉ Concrete slab-on-ground floors shall be a minimum of ____ inches
thick. Answer: 3.5 in.
R506.1 General
,◉ The connection between a deck ledger and a 2-inch nominal
lumber band joist shall be constructed with ____-inch lag screws or
bolts with washers. Answer: 1/2 in.
(In accordance with Table R507.2. See figures R507.2.1(1) and
R507.2.1(2)
R507.2 Deck ledger connection to band joist.
◉ For wood stud walls, end joints in top plates shall be offset at least
____ inches. Answer: 24 in.
R602.3.2 Top plate
◉ When joists, trusses or rafters are spaced more than 16 inches on
center and the bearing studs below are spaced 24 inches on center,
such members shall bear within ____ inches of the studs beneath.
Answer: 5 in.
(Read 3 exceptions in this section)
R602.3.3 Bearing studs
◉ Any wood stud in an exterior wall or bearing partition may be cut
or notched to a depth not exceeding ____ percent of its width.
Answer: 25%
, R602.6 Drilling and notching studs #1
◉ Wood studs in non bearing partitions may be notched to a depth
not exceeding ____ percent of a single stud width. Answer: 40%
R602.6 Drilling and notching studs #1
◉ Exterior wood frame walls shall be offset not more than ___ feet
from the designated braced wall line location. Answer: 4 ft.
(See figure R602.10.1.1)
R602.10.1.2 Offsets along a braced wall line.
◉ Braced wall lines greater than 16 feet shall have a minimum of ____
braced wall panels. Answer: two
R602.10.2.3 Minimum number of braced wall panels.
◉ Wall bracing Method PFG (Portal frame at garage door openings)
is limited to walls supporting ____ ____ and a _____. Answer: One story
Roof
(This method is also limited to Seismic Design Categories A, B and C.
