1
Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Demolition Class
B Contractor Exam ICC L&I Actual Exam
2026/2027 with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam-Style Questions | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | Demolition Regulations & Permitting | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Safety, Hazard Control & Site Preparation | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Structural Demolition Techniques | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Utilities & Environmental Compliance | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Professional Practice, Ethics & Business Management | Q41 – Q50
Instructions: Choose the single best answer. Pass: 35 correct in 90 minutes.
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: DEMOLITION REGULATIONS & PERMITTING Q1 –
Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A Class B demolition contractor in Philadelphia is preparing to demolish a three-
story rowhouse on a narrow street in Fishtown. Before submitting the permit
application to L&I, the contractor must verify that the demolition plan addresses
structural stability of adjacent properties. Under the Philadelphia Building Code
and IBC provisions, which document must typically accompany the permit
application for this type of demolition?
A. A geotechnical soil report prepared within the last 12 months
,2
B. A structural engineering report assessing the impact on adjoining buildings ✓
CORRECT
C. A fire marshal approval letter for dust suppression methods
D. A historical preservation waiver from the Philadelphia Historical Commission
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under IBC Section 3303 and Philadelphia Building Code Title 4,
demolition permit applications for structures adjacent to other buildings must
include a structural engineering report evaluating the stability of adjoining
structures and the proposed method of demolition. A geotechnical report is not
typically required for standard rowhouse demolition, and fire marshal approval is
unrelated to structural stability assessment. On the exam, always associate
structural impact with engineering documentation, not fire or preservation offices.
Question 2 of 50
A contractor submits a demolition permit for a commercial warehouse in the
Kensington section of Philadelphia. L&I returns the application with a notice that
the site is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area. Before the permit can be
issued, the contractor must demonstrate compliance with additional requirements.
What is the primary regulatory concern L&I is addressing?
A. The contractor must install temporary flood barriers before demolition begins
B. The contractor must obtain a separate environmental impact statement
C. The contractor must ensure asbestos abatement is completed during low-tide
periods
D. The contractor must address potential impacts to the floodplain and stormwater
management ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Philadelphia L&I and the IBC require that demolition in Special Flood
Hazard Areas account for floodplain management and stormwater controls to
prevent sediment and debris from entering waterways. Temporary flood barriers
are not a standard demolition permit condition, and asbestos timing is unrelated to
flood zones. Remember that floodplain issues always tie back to stormwater and
environmental controls, not structural timing.
,3
Question 3 of 50
During a pre-demolition meeting, the Philadelphia L&I inspector informs the
contractor that a neighboring property owner has filed a formal objection to the
demolition permit. Under Philadelphia Code and standard demolition permitting
procedures, what is the contractor's most appropriate next step?
A. Request a hearing before the Board of Building Standards and proceed with site
preparation only ✓ CORRECT
B. Immediately begin demolition before the objection escalates to a court
injunction
C. Offer the neighbor financial compensation to withdraw the objection
D. File a new permit application under a different project name
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a valid objection is filed to a Philadelphia demolition permit, the
contractor must follow the administrative hearing process through the Board of
Building Standards or applicable appeals board; site preparation may continue if
legally permissible, but demolition cannot proceed until the objection is resolved.
Beginning demolition during an active objection violates the permit stay, and filing
under a different name constitutes permit fraud. On exam day, always select the
administrative/legal pathway over aggressive or deceptive alternatives.
Question 4 of 50
A contractor is demolishing a multi-family dwelling in West Philadelphia and must
comply with Philadelphia's "Demolition by Neglect" ordinance requirements. The
inspector notes that the building has been vacant for 18 months and has
deteriorated significantly. What is the primary purpose of this ordinance as it
applies to this project?
A. To require the contractor to rebuild the structure using original materials
B. To penalize property owners who allow buildings to deteriorate to the point of
requiring demolition ✓ CORRECT
C. To mandate that all demolition debris be donated to historic preservation
societies
, 4
D. To require contractors to hire only Philadelphia residents for the demolition
crew
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Philadelphia's Demolition by Neglect ordinance is designed to hold
property owners accountable for allowing structures to fall into dangerous
disrepair, often imposing fines or liens before demolition is approved. It does not
mandate rebuilding with original materials or debris donation, nor does it establish
local hiring requirements for demolition crews. When you see "Demolition by
Neglect" on the exam, think property owner accountability and code enforcement,
not workforce or materials.
Question 5 of 50
A demolition contractor is reviewing the permit conditions for a total demolition of
a four-story mixed-use building in Center City. The permit stipulates that the
contractor must notify adjacent property owners within a specific distance before
commencing work. Under standard Philadelphia L&I and IBC requirements, which
distance typically triggers this notification requirement?
A. 25 feet in all directions from the demolition site
B. 50 feet or the adjacent property line, whichever is applicable under local
ordinance ✓ CORRECT
C. 100 feet only for buildings over three stories in height
D. 200 feet for all commercial demolitions regardless of building height
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Philadelphia L&I generally requires notification to owners of properties
within 50 feet or those sharing a property line with the demolition site, consistent
with IBC safeguards for adjacent structures during demolition. The 100-foot and
200-foot distances are excessive for standard notification and are not standard
Philadelphia requirements. In practice, always verify the exact notification radius
in your local jurisdiction, but 50 feet is the most commonly tested standard.
Question 6 of 50
An L&I inspector arrives at a demolition site in South Philadelphia and discovers
that the contractor has begun interior gutting work without posting the demolition
Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Demolition Class
B Contractor Exam ICC L&I Actual Exam
2026/2027 with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam-Style Questions | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | Demolition Regulations & Permitting | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Safety, Hazard Control & Site Preparation | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Structural Demolition Techniques | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Utilities & Environmental Compliance | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Professional Practice, Ethics & Business Management | Q41 – Q50
Instructions: Choose the single best answer. Pass: 35 correct in 90 minutes.
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: DEMOLITION REGULATIONS & PERMITTING Q1 –
Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A Class B demolition contractor in Philadelphia is preparing to demolish a three-
story rowhouse on a narrow street in Fishtown. Before submitting the permit
application to L&I, the contractor must verify that the demolition plan addresses
structural stability of adjacent properties. Under the Philadelphia Building Code
and IBC provisions, which document must typically accompany the permit
application for this type of demolition?
A. A geotechnical soil report prepared within the last 12 months
,2
B. A structural engineering report assessing the impact on adjoining buildings ✓
CORRECT
C. A fire marshal approval letter for dust suppression methods
D. A historical preservation waiver from the Philadelphia Historical Commission
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under IBC Section 3303 and Philadelphia Building Code Title 4,
demolition permit applications for structures adjacent to other buildings must
include a structural engineering report evaluating the stability of adjoining
structures and the proposed method of demolition. A geotechnical report is not
typically required for standard rowhouse demolition, and fire marshal approval is
unrelated to structural stability assessment. On the exam, always associate
structural impact with engineering documentation, not fire or preservation offices.
Question 2 of 50
A contractor submits a demolition permit for a commercial warehouse in the
Kensington section of Philadelphia. L&I returns the application with a notice that
the site is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area. Before the permit can be
issued, the contractor must demonstrate compliance with additional requirements.
What is the primary regulatory concern L&I is addressing?
A. The contractor must install temporary flood barriers before demolition begins
B. The contractor must obtain a separate environmental impact statement
C. The contractor must ensure asbestos abatement is completed during low-tide
periods
D. The contractor must address potential impacts to the floodplain and stormwater
management ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Philadelphia L&I and the IBC require that demolition in Special Flood
Hazard Areas account for floodplain management and stormwater controls to
prevent sediment and debris from entering waterways. Temporary flood barriers
are not a standard demolition permit condition, and asbestos timing is unrelated to
flood zones. Remember that floodplain issues always tie back to stormwater and
environmental controls, not structural timing.
,3
Question 3 of 50
During a pre-demolition meeting, the Philadelphia L&I inspector informs the
contractor that a neighboring property owner has filed a formal objection to the
demolition permit. Under Philadelphia Code and standard demolition permitting
procedures, what is the contractor's most appropriate next step?
A. Request a hearing before the Board of Building Standards and proceed with site
preparation only ✓ CORRECT
B. Immediately begin demolition before the objection escalates to a court
injunction
C. Offer the neighbor financial compensation to withdraw the objection
D. File a new permit application under a different project name
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a valid objection is filed to a Philadelphia demolition permit, the
contractor must follow the administrative hearing process through the Board of
Building Standards or applicable appeals board; site preparation may continue if
legally permissible, but demolition cannot proceed until the objection is resolved.
Beginning demolition during an active objection violates the permit stay, and filing
under a different name constitutes permit fraud. On exam day, always select the
administrative/legal pathway over aggressive or deceptive alternatives.
Question 4 of 50
A contractor is demolishing a multi-family dwelling in West Philadelphia and must
comply with Philadelphia's "Demolition by Neglect" ordinance requirements. The
inspector notes that the building has been vacant for 18 months and has
deteriorated significantly. What is the primary purpose of this ordinance as it
applies to this project?
A. To require the contractor to rebuild the structure using original materials
B. To penalize property owners who allow buildings to deteriorate to the point of
requiring demolition ✓ CORRECT
C. To mandate that all demolition debris be donated to historic preservation
societies
, 4
D. To require contractors to hire only Philadelphia residents for the demolition
crew
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Philadelphia's Demolition by Neglect ordinance is designed to hold
property owners accountable for allowing structures to fall into dangerous
disrepair, often imposing fines or liens before demolition is approved. It does not
mandate rebuilding with original materials or debris donation, nor does it establish
local hiring requirements for demolition crews. When you see "Demolition by
Neglect" on the exam, think property owner accountability and code enforcement,
not workforce or materials.
Question 5 of 50
A demolition contractor is reviewing the permit conditions for a total demolition of
a four-story mixed-use building in Center City. The permit stipulates that the
contractor must notify adjacent property owners within a specific distance before
commencing work. Under standard Philadelphia L&I and IBC requirements, which
distance typically triggers this notification requirement?
A. 25 feet in all directions from the demolition site
B. 50 feet or the adjacent property line, whichever is applicable under local
ordinance ✓ CORRECT
C. 100 feet only for buildings over three stories in height
D. 200 feet for all commercial demolitions regardless of building height
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Philadelphia L&I generally requires notification to owners of properties
within 50 feet or those sharing a property line with the demolition site, consistent
with IBC safeguards for adjacent structures during demolition. The 100-foot and
200-foot distances are excessive for standard notification and are not standard
Philadelphia requirements. In practice, always verify the exact notification radius
in your local jurisdiction, but 50 feet is the most commonly tested standard.
Question 6 of 50
An L&I inspector arrives at a demolition site in South Philadelphia and discovers
that the contractor has begun interior gutting work without posting the demolition
