ICC 93 Tall Mass Timber Buildings Exam
Questions and Answers Best rated A+
Guaranteed Success Latest Update
1. What is the maximum allowable building height in feet for a Type IV-A tall mass
timber building under the 2021 IBC?
A) 85 feet
B) 180 feet
C) 270 feet
D) 320 feet
Correct Answer: C) 270 feet
Rationale: The 2021 International Building Code (IBC) introduced three new
construction types for tall mass timber buildings. Type IV-A permits the greatest height,
allowing structures up to 270 feet, which is approximately 18 stories. This is a significant
increase compared to the other types, reflecting the enhanced fire protection required
for this construction type .
2. Which of the following is NOT classified as a structural mass timber product?
A) Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)
B) Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam)
C) Particleboard
D) Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT)
Correct Answer: C) Particleboard
Rationale: The primary mass timber products recognized for structural use in building
construction include Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam),
Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT), and Dowel-Laminated Timber (DLT). Particleboard is a
,wood-based panel product but is not classified as a structural mass timber product for
building construction .
3. What is the minimum fire-resistance rating required for the primary structural
frame in Type IV-A construction?
A) 1 hour
B) 2 hours
C) 3 hours
D) No rating required
Correct Answer: C) 3 hours
Rationale: According to 2021 IBC Table 601, the primary structural frame in Type IV-A
construction requires a 3-hour fire-resistance rating. This high level of protection is a
defining characteristic of Type IV-A, which relies heavily on noncombustible protection
to achieve the required fire performance for very tall buildings .
4. In Type IV-C construction, what is the requirement regarding the exposure of
mass timber?
A) No exposed timber is permitted
B) Full timber exposure is permitted
C) Only ceilings may be exposed
D) Only 20% of walls may be exposed
Correct Answer: B) Full timber exposure is permitted
Rationale: Type IV-C is the most permissive of the tall mass timber construction types in
terms of timber exposure. It allows full exposure for ceilings, walls, beams, and columns.
This is in contrast to Type IV-A (which requires full noncombustible protection) and Type
IV-B (which has limits on exposed areas) .
5. What is the standardized design charring rate for mass timber?
A) 0.5 inches per hour
B) 1.0 inches per hour
,C) 1.5 inches per hour
D) 2.0 inches per hour
Correct Answer: C) 1.5 inches per hour
Rationale: A key factor in the fire-resistance design of mass timber is its charring rate.
Under standard fire exposure, the design charring rate for mass timber elements is
approximately 1.5 inches (38 mm) per hour. This rate is used to calculate the remaining
un-charred cross-section that retains structural capacity during a fire .
6. What is the primary function of an intumescent coating applied to mass timber?
A) To improve the aesthetic appearance of the wood
B) To reduce moisture absorption
C) To swell when exposed to heat, forming an insulating char layer
D) To increase the structural capacity of the member
Correct Answer: C) To swell when exposed to heat, forming an insulating char
layer
Rationale: Intumescent coatings are fire-protective paints or varnishes. When exposed
to high temperatures, they undergo a chemical reaction that causes them to expand
significantly, creating a thick, insulating char-like layer. This layer protects the underlying
wood from rapid heating, delaying ignition and slowing the combustion process .
7. Which standard is used to test the surface burning characteristics (flame spread
and smoke development) of building materials?
A) ASTM E84
B) ASTM E119
C) ASTM D198
D) ASTM C518
Correct Answer: A) ASTM E84
Rationale: ASTM E84, "Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials," is used to measure the flame spread and smoke development of
, interior finish materials. This test is important for evaluating the fire performance of
exposed timber surfaces in mass timber buildings .
8. Which agency is typically responsible for certifying the adhesive systems used in
structural mass timber products?
A) The local building department
B) The lumber mill operator
C) APA - The Engineered Wood Association (or similar accredited agency)
D) The general contractor
Correct Answer: C) APA - The Engineered Wood Association (or similar accredited
agency)
Rationale: Third-party certification agencies, such as APA – The Engineered Wood
Association, provide product certification and quality assurance for mass timber
products. They ensure that the adhesives and manufacturing processes used meet the
required standards for structural performance and durability .
9. What is the correct inspection sequence for a mass timber connection?
A) Inspect only after all connections are complete
B) Inspect before, during, and after connection installation
C) Inspect only at the end of each floor
D) Inspect only when the contractor requests it
Correct Answer: B) Inspect before, during, and after connection installation
Rationale: Mass timber connections are critical to structural integrity and require multi-
stage inspection. This includes an inspection before installation (checking materials and
preparation), during installation (ensuring proper placement), and after installation
(verification). This ensures quality assurance and code compliance .
10. What is the fire-resistance rating required for interior bearing walls in Type IV-
A construction?
A) 1 hour
B) 2 hours
Questions and Answers Best rated A+
Guaranteed Success Latest Update
1. What is the maximum allowable building height in feet for a Type IV-A tall mass
timber building under the 2021 IBC?
A) 85 feet
B) 180 feet
C) 270 feet
D) 320 feet
Correct Answer: C) 270 feet
Rationale: The 2021 International Building Code (IBC) introduced three new
construction types for tall mass timber buildings. Type IV-A permits the greatest height,
allowing structures up to 270 feet, which is approximately 18 stories. This is a significant
increase compared to the other types, reflecting the enhanced fire protection required
for this construction type .
2. Which of the following is NOT classified as a structural mass timber product?
A) Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)
B) Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam)
C) Particleboard
D) Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT)
Correct Answer: C) Particleboard
Rationale: The primary mass timber products recognized for structural use in building
construction include Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam),
Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT), and Dowel-Laminated Timber (DLT). Particleboard is a
,wood-based panel product but is not classified as a structural mass timber product for
building construction .
3. What is the minimum fire-resistance rating required for the primary structural
frame in Type IV-A construction?
A) 1 hour
B) 2 hours
C) 3 hours
D) No rating required
Correct Answer: C) 3 hours
Rationale: According to 2021 IBC Table 601, the primary structural frame in Type IV-A
construction requires a 3-hour fire-resistance rating. This high level of protection is a
defining characteristic of Type IV-A, which relies heavily on noncombustible protection
to achieve the required fire performance for very tall buildings .
4. In Type IV-C construction, what is the requirement regarding the exposure of
mass timber?
A) No exposed timber is permitted
B) Full timber exposure is permitted
C) Only ceilings may be exposed
D) Only 20% of walls may be exposed
Correct Answer: B) Full timber exposure is permitted
Rationale: Type IV-C is the most permissive of the tall mass timber construction types in
terms of timber exposure. It allows full exposure for ceilings, walls, beams, and columns.
This is in contrast to Type IV-A (which requires full noncombustible protection) and Type
IV-B (which has limits on exposed areas) .
5. What is the standardized design charring rate for mass timber?
A) 0.5 inches per hour
B) 1.0 inches per hour
,C) 1.5 inches per hour
D) 2.0 inches per hour
Correct Answer: C) 1.5 inches per hour
Rationale: A key factor in the fire-resistance design of mass timber is its charring rate.
Under standard fire exposure, the design charring rate for mass timber elements is
approximately 1.5 inches (38 mm) per hour. This rate is used to calculate the remaining
un-charred cross-section that retains structural capacity during a fire .
6. What is the primary function of an intumescent coating applied to mass timber?
A) To improve the aesthetic appearance of the wood
B) To reduce moisture absorption
C) To swell when exposed to heat, forming an insulating char layer
D) To increase the structural capacity of the member
Correct Answer: C) To swell when exposed to heat, forming an insulating char
layer
Rationale: Intumescent coatings are fire-protective paints or varnishes. When exposed
to high temperatures, they undergo a chemical reaction that causes them to expand
significantly, creating a thick, insulating char-like layer. This layer protects the underlying
wood from rapid heating, delaying ignition and slowing the combustion process .
7. Which standard is used to test the surface burning characteristics (flame spread
and smoke development) of building materials?
A) ASTM E84
B) ASTM E119
C) ASTM D198
D) ASTM C518
Correct Answer: A) ASTM E84
Rationale: ASTM E84, "Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials," is used to measure the flame spread and smoke development of
, interior finish materials. This test is important for evaluating the fire performance of
exposed timber surfaces in mass timber buildings .
8. Which agency is typically responsible for certifying the adhesive systems used in
structural mass timber products?
A) The local building department
B) The lumber mill operator
C) APA - The Engineered Wood Association (or similar accredited agency)
D) The general contractor
Correct Answer: C) APA - The Engineered Wood Association (or similar accredited
agency)
Rationale: Third-party certification agencies, such as APA – The Engineered Wood
Association, provide product certification and quality assurance for mass timber
products. They ensure that the adhesives and manufacturing processes used meet the
required standards for structural performance and durability .
9. What is the correct inspection sequence for a mass timber connection?
A) Inspect only after all connections are complete
B) Inspect before, during, and after connection installation
C) Inspect only at the end of each floor
D) Inspect only when the contractor requests it
Correct Answer: B) Inspect before, during, and after connection installation
Rationale: Mass timber connections are critical to structural integrity and require multi-
stage inspection. This includes an inspection before installation (checking materials and
preparation), during installation (ensuring proper placement), and after installation
(verification). This ensures quality assurance and code compliance .
10. What is the fire-resistance rating required for interior bearing walls in Type IV-
A construction?
A) 1 hour
B) 2 hours
