CODES & ZONING EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
LA State Fire Marshal: - ANSWER-effective as of July 1, 2017: plans & specifications
for every structure built or remodeled in Louisiana must be drawn in accordance with
the requirements of the 2015 NFPA Life and Safety Code and also in accordance with
requirements of 2015 International Building Code
Whenever multiple codes conflict: - ANSWER-follow the more stringent and remember
that codes are the minimum
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA): - ANSWER--assures safe,
healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and providing training
-part of the US Department of Labor
-covers requirements for special work environments (constructions sites, shipyards,
sawmills, bakeries, commercial driving, power companies)
OSHA includes standards and regulations for: - ANSWER--walking/work surfaces
(ladders, stairs, etc.)
-means of egress
-power platforms and man-lifts
-ventilation and noise exposure
-radiation and hazardous exposure
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): - ANSWER-mandates accessibility via minimum
standards for ramps, railings, elevators, plumbing fixtures, doors and openings
-accessible route: continuous, unobstructed path connecting all accessible elements
and spaces in a building
Code enforcement: - ANSWER--enforced under police powers of the state
-delegated to a local jurisdiction
-administered by building officials, fire marshals, department of public works
Process of code enforcement: - ANSWER-1. submit building plans
2. fire marshal approval/permit issued
3. building inspections during construction (foundation, mech, elec, plumb, and final
inspection)
4. certificate of occupancy
5. if permit denied, board of appeals
Commercial projects in Baton Rouge: - ANSWER--submitted to DPW and State Fire
Marshal
-Fire Marshal reviews NFPA, IBC, ADA
, Residential projects in Baton Rouge: - ANSWER--submitted to DPW Permit &
Inspection division
-BR residential code is a modified version of IBC + 7 other codes
Permitting process: - ANSWER-how local governments enforce building codes--the
architect and builder submit plans for review before a permit will be issued
Building codes regulate issues of: - ANSWER--life safety
-fire safety
-structural safety
-health and welfare
-property protection
Building codes refer to: - ANSWER--the structure itself
-how it is constructed
-provisions required to protect people and stuff
Codes are generally _____ (not perspective); they describe _____ instead of requiring
specific materials or products. - ANSWER-performance based; building function
How buildings are categorized: - ANSWER--occupancy group (how is it being used)
-occupancy load (the number of people)
-construction type (flammability of material)
The building categorizations combined determine: - ANSWER--building area and height
limitations
-minimum number of exits and egress widths
-fire rating of construction assemblies
Occupancy group combined with construction type: - ANSWER-determines allowable
floor area and maximum height both in feet and number of stories
Construction Type I: - ANSWER-the most fire resistant and includes masonry,
reinforced concrete, and fire protected steel
Construction Type V: - ANSWER-the least fire resistant such as buildings framed with
small wood members
Fire Resistance Ratings: - ANSWER-specify the time in hours and fractions of an hour
that a material or assembly will resist fire exposure
-more fire resistive, the more expensive
-determined by the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
When a building contains two or more occupancies, it is considered _____ and each
type must be separated by a _____. - ANSWER-Mixed Occupancy; Fire Rated
Separation
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
LA State Fire Marshal: - ANSWER-effective as of July 1, 2017: plans & specifications
for every structure built or remodeled in Louisiana must be drawn in accordance with
the requirements of the 2015 NFPA Life and Safety Code and also in accordance with
requirements of 2015 International Building Code
Whenever multiple codes conflict: - ANSWER-follow the more stringent and remember
that codes are the minimum
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA): - ANSWER--assures safe,
healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and providing training
-part of the US Department of Labor
-covers requirements for special work environments (constructions sites, shipyards,
sawmills, bakeries, commercial driving, power companies)
OSHA includes standards and regulations for: - ANSWER--walking/work surfaces
(ladders, stairs, etc.)
-means of egress
-power platforms and man-lifts
-ventilation and noise exposure
-radiation and hazardous exposure
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): - ANSWER-mandates accessibility via minimum
standards for ramps, railings, elevators, plumbing fixtures, doors and openings
-accessible route: continuous, unobstructed path connecting all accessible elements
and spaces in a building
Code enforcement: - ANSWER--enforced under police powers of the state
-delegated to a local jurisdiction
-administered by building officials, fire marshals, department of public works
Process of code enforcement: - ANSWER-1. submit building plans
2. fire marshal approval/permit issued
3. building inspections during construction (foundation, mech, elec, plumb, and final
inspection)
4. certificate of occupancy
5. if permit denied, board of appeals
Commercial projects in Baton Rouge: - ANSWER--submitted to DPW and State Fire
Marshal
-Fire Marshal reviews NFPA, IBC, ADA
, Residential projects in Baton Rouge: - ANSWER--submitted to DPW Permit &
Inspection division
-BR residential code is a modified version of IBC + 7 other codes
Permitting process: - ANSWER-how local governments enforce building codes--the
architect and builder submit plans for review before a permit will be issued
Building codes regulate issues of: - ANSWER--life safety
-fire safety
-structural safety
-health and welfare
-property protection
Building codes refer to: - ANSWER--the structure itself
-how it is constructed
-provisions required to protect people and stuff
Codes are generally _____ (not perspective); they describe _____ instead of requiring
specific materials or products. - ANSWER-performance based; building function
How buildings are categorized: - ANSWER--occupancy group (how is it being used)
-occupancy load (the number of people)
-construction type (flammability of material)
The building categorizations combined determine: - ANSWER--building area and height
limitations
-minimum number of exits and egress widths
-fire rating of construction assemblies
Occupancy group combined with construction type: - ANSWER-determines allowable
floor area and maximum height both in feet and number of stories
Construction Type I: - ANSWER-the most fire resistant and includes masonry,
reinforced concrete, and fire protected steel
Construction Type V: - ANSWER-the least fire resistant such as buildings framed with
small wood members
Fire Resistance Ratings: - ANSWER-specify the time in hours and fractions of an hour
that a material or assembly will resist fire exposure
-more fire resistive, the more expensive
-determined by the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
When a building contains two or more occupancies, it is considered _____ and each
type must be separated by a _____. - ANSWER-Mixed Occupancy; Fire Rated
Separation
