ICC PLANS EXAMINATION COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST
RELEASED
The ICC Plans Examination is designed to evaluate a candidate's ability to review construction plans for
compliance with the adopted building codes, referenced standards, life-safety provisions, structural
requirements, accessibility requirements, fire protection, and related construction documents. The
examination is intended for building plans examiners, code officials, permit technicians advancing into
plan review, and other professionals responsible for code compliance during the design review process.
Exam Coverage
Building Classification
o Determine occupancy groups, mixed occupancies, accessory occupancies, and incidental
uses.
Construction Types
o Identify allowable construction types and associated fire-resistance requirements.
Height and Area
o Calculate allowable building height, stories, frontage increases, sprinkler increases, and
allowable area.
Means of Egress
o Review occupant loads, exit capacity, travel distance, common path, exits, and accessible
means of egress.
Fire Protection Systems
o Evaluate sprinkler systems, standpipes, alarms, fire partitions, smoke barriers, and fire-
resistance ratings.
Accessibility
o Verify accessible routes, parking, entrances, toilet facilities, elevators, and ICC A117.1
compliance.
Structural Review
, o Interpret structural drawings, design loads, wind, seismic, snow, foundations, and
framing details.
Building Services
o Review mechanical, plumbing, electrical coordination affecting building code
compliance.
Energy Efficiency
o Confirm insulation, glazing, lighting, building envelope, and energy conservation
requirements.
Construction Documents
o Verify completeness of plans, specifications, schedules, notes, and required code
information.
Special Occupancies
o Review hazardous occupancies, institutional buildings, high-rise buildings, and special
construction provisions.
Fire-Resistance Construction
o Evaluate fire walls, fire barriers, shafts, penetrations, joint systems, and opening
protectives.
Site and Exterior Requirements
o Confirm setbacks, fire separation distance, access roads, grading, drainage, and exterior
wall requirements.
Referenced Standards
o Apply ICC-referenced standards when reviewing construction documents.
1.
A commercial office building renovation proposes
relocating several interior walls without changing
occupancy classification or occupant load. During plan
review, what should receive the greatest initial attention?
A. Decorative finish schedules only
,B. Whether relocated walls affect required exits, fire-
resistance ratings, accessibility, and structural integrity
C. Furniture layout exclusively
D. Paint specifications only
Answer: B
Rationale: Interior alterations may affect life safety, fire
protection, accessibility, and structural performance even
without occupancy changes.
2.
A proposed mixed-use building contains retail space below
residential apartments. During plan review, which
consideration is most critical before evaluating individual
room layouts?
A. Landscaping details
B. Occupancy classifications and separation requirements
between uses
C. Interior paint colors
D. Window treatments
Answer: B
, Rationale: Proper occupancy classification determines
many subsequent code requirements including fire
separation.
3.
While reviewing construction documents for a new
building, why should the code analysis sheet be examined
before reviewing detailed architectural drawings?
A. It identifies intended code compliance assumptions
affecting the remainder of the review.
B. It replaces structural calculations.
C. It eliminates accessibility review.
D. It determines contractor qualifications.
Answer: A
Rationale: The code analysis establishes the design basis
used throughout the project.
4.
An architect submits revised drawings after initial
comments. Which review practice most effectively ensures
code compliance while reducing duplicate effort?
A. Review only revised sheets.
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST
RELEASED
The ICC Plans Examination is designed to evaluate a candidate's ability to review construction plans for
compliance with the adopted building codes, referenced standards, life-safety provisions, structural
requirements, accessibility requirements, fire protection, and related construction documents. The
examination is intended for building plans examiners, code officials, permit technicians advancing into
plan review, and other professionals responsible for code compliance during the design review process.
Exam Coverage
Building Classification
o Determine occupancy groups, mixed occupancies, accessory occupancies, and incidental
uses.
Construction Types
o Identify allowable construction types and associated fire-resistance requirements.
Height and Area
o Calculate allowable building height, stories, frontage increases, sprinkler increases, and
allowable area.
Means of Egress
o Review occupant loads, exit capacity, travel distance, common path, exits, and accessible
means of egress.
Fire Protection Systems
o Evaluate sprinkler systems, standpipes, alarms, fire partitions, smoke barriers, and fire-
resistance ratings.
Accessibility
o Verify accessible routes, parking, entrances, toilet facilities, elevators, and ICC A117.1
compliance.
Structural Review
, o Interpret structural drawings, design loads, wind, seismic, snow, foundations, and
framing details.
Building Services
o Review mechanical, plumbing, electrical coordination affecting building code
compliance.
Energy Efficiency
o Confirm insulation, glazing, lighting, building envelope, and energy conservation
requirements.
Construction Documents
o Verify completeness of plans, specifications, schedules, notes, and required code
information.
Special Occupancies
o Review hazardous occupancies, institutional buildings, high-rise buildings, and special
construction provisions.
Fire-Resistance Construction
o Evaluate fire walls, fire barriers, shafts, penetrations, joint systems, and opening
protectives.
Site and Exterior Requirements
o Confirm setbacks, fire separation distance, access roads, grading, drainage, and exterior
wall requirements.
Referenced Standards
o Apply ICC-referenced standards when reviewing construction documents.
1.
A commercial office building renovation proposes
relocating several interior walls without changing
occupancy classification or occupant load. During plan
review, what should receive the greatest initial attention?
A. Decorative finish schedules only
,B. Whether relocated walls affect required exits, fire-
resistance ratings, accessibility, and structural integrity
C. Furniture layout exclusively
D. Paint specifications only
Answer: B
Rationale: Interior alterations may affect life safety, fire
protection, accessibility, and structural performance even
without occupancy changes.
2.
A proposed mixed-use building contains retail space below
residential apartments. During plan review, which
consideration is most critical before evaluating individual
room layouts?
A. Landscaping details
B. Occupancy classifications and separation requirements
between uses
C. Interior paint colors
D. Window treatments
Answer: B
, Rationale: Proper occupancy classification determines
many subsequent code requirements including fire
separation.
3.
While reviewing construction documents for a new
building, why should the code analysis sheet be examined
before reviewing detailed architectural drawings?
A. It identifies intended code compliance assumptions
affecting the remainder of the review.
B. It replaces structural calculations.
C. It eliminates accessibility review.
D. It determines contractor qualifications.
Answer: A
Rationale: The code analysis establishes the design basis
used throughout the project.
4.
An architect submits revised drawings after initial
comments. Which review practice most effectively ensures
code compliance while reducing duplicate effort?
A. Review only revised sheets.
