Podcast
Questions and Answers
It is critical that you memorize sections of the code.
It is critical that you memorize sections of the code.
False
Group U buildings are normally occupied for extended periods but at unusual times.
Group U buildings are normally occupied for extended periods but at unusual times.
False
At a minimum, the code analysis of a project should include (select more than one answer).
At a minimum, the code analysis of a project should include (select more than one answer).
Institutions (Type I group) are places where the occupants have limitations or special restrictions placed on them.
Institutions (Type I group) are places where the occupants have limitations or special restrictions placed on them.
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Group E occupancies must be considered Group A occupancies if they have more than 50 occupants.
Group E occupancies must be considered Group A occupancies if they have more than 50 occupants.
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A key determinant for residential classification is people sleeping in the building.
A key determinant for residential classification is people sleeping in the building.
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Conditions that affect the type of Group I (Institutional) occupancy include:
Conditions that affect the type of Group I (Institutional) occupancy include:
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Match the description of the occupancy to its occupancy rating.
Match the description of the occupancy to its occupancy rating.
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Occupancy classifications trigger specific requirements for allowable height and area.
Occupancy classifications trigger specific requirements for allowable height and area.
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Learn the table of contents and use the index of the code.
Learn the table of contents and use the index of the code.
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The code recognizes that changes (in materials and methods) may change more rapidly than the code.
The code recognizes that changes (in materials and methods) may change more rapidly than the code.
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A mercantile business selling limited quantities of a hazardous material must be classified as a high hazard (Group H) occupancy.
A mercantile business selling limited quantities of a hazardous material must be classified as a high hazard (Group H) occupancy.
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An italicized term found in the code indicates __________.
An italicized term found in the code indicates __________.
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From the list below, select all the answers that are IBC occupancy groups.
From the list below, select all the answers that are IBC occupancy groups.
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Match the item description to its meaning in the code (all these items will be found in the margin of the code page).
Match the item description to its meaning in the code (all these items will be found in the margin of the code page).
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Control areas are ways we deal with hazardous materials in different building occupancy types.
Control areas are ways we deal with hazardous materials in different building occupancy types.
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When interpreting a code section, it is critical that you examine the code definitions for the terms used in the code section.
When interpreting a code section, it is critical that you examine the code definitions for the terms used in the code section.
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Group A Assembly occupancies have 50 or more occupants.
Group A Assembly occupancies have 50 or more occupants.
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According to our author, the one key word to understanding how building codes are developed is intent.
According to our author, the one key word to understanding how building codes are developed is intent.
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As a designer, you would use the ICC-ES to do what?
As a designer, you would use the ICC-ES to do what?
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A code is a general requirement that must be interpreted for a specific application to a specific project.
A code is a general requirement that must be interpreted for a specific application to a specific project.
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Different portions of the code(s) are written by different authors.
Different portions of the code(s) are written by different authors.
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Special use buildings may at first seem to fit into typical occupancy groups, but characteristics of the building require additional code provisions.
Special use buildings may at first seem to fit into typical occupancy groups, but characteristics of the building require additional code provisions.
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The development of new codes and/or code provisions must precede the development of new building types, components, and methods.
The development of new codes and/or code provisions must precede the development of new building types, components, and methods.
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The [a] should make a progression from [b] to [c] in analyzing a [d].
The [a] should make a progression from [b] to [c] in analyzing a [d].
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From the choices provided, select all the special uses and occupancies.
From the choices provided, select all the special uses and occupancies.
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When using the IBC and considering special uses and occupancies, a large department store is termed an ________ building.
When using the IBC and considering special uses and occupancies, a large department store is termed an ________ building.
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Find the total occupancy for a new mall with the following characteristics: 300,000 s.f. of gross leasing area, a food court with an area of 7000 s.f. and an assembly area with fixed seating for 400.
Find the total occupancy for a new mall with the following characteristics: 300,000 s.f. of gross leasing area, a food court with an area of 7000 s.f. and an assembly area with fixed seating for 400.
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In a mall, if a tenant space has an occupancy load of 55, it must have _____ means of egress from the tenant space.
In a mall, if a tenant space has an occupancy load of 55, it must have _____ means of egress from the tenant space.
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In a mall, an assembly area for _____ or more occupants is to be located in the building so that their main entrance is immediately adjacent to a principle entrance to the mall.
In a mall, an assembly area for _____ or more occupants is to be located in the building so that their main entrance is immediately adjacent to a principle entrance to the mall.
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A [a] is a roofed or covered [b] area into which [c] or more [d] have their main entrances.
A [a] is a roofed or covered [b] area into which [c] or more [d] have their main entrances.
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Malls are limited to 4 stories at one point and can be no more than 4 stories above grade.
Malls are limited to 4 stories at one point and can be no more than 4 stories above grade.
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The minimum width of exit passageways from a mall is ____ inches.
The minimum width of exit passageways from a mall is ____ inches.
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The maximum distance of travel from a point in a tenant space in a mall to an exit is _______ ft.
The maximum distance of travel from a point in a tenant space in a mall to an exit is _______ ft.
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The wall separating an anchor building from the covered mall are to be rated ______ hour fire wall.
The wall separating an anchor building from the covered mall are to be rated ______ hour fire wall.
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Fire partitions between tenants in a mall must have a minimum fire resistance of _____ hour.
Fire partitions between tenants in a mall must have a minimum fire resistance of _____ hour.
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High rise buildings have occupancy loads above even the highest reaching fire fighting ladders and equipment.
High rise buildings have occupancy loads above even the highest reaching fire fighting ladders and equipment.
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For high rise buildings, the ______ are the primary means of egress.
For high rise buildings, the ______ are the primary means of egress.
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In a high rise building, a two-way communication system for firefighters operating between (select all correct answers) is required.
In a high rise building, a two-way communication system for firefighters operating between (select all correct answers) is required.
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In high rise construction, shafts and vertical penetrations must be enclosed to prevent the spread of smoke and fire.
In high rise construction, shafts and vertical penetrations must be enclosed to prevent the spread of smoke and fire.
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In high rise construction, in seismic design categories, a secondary water supply capable of supplying the hydraulic sprinkler demand for up to _____ minutes is required.
In high rise construction, in seismic design categories, a secondary water supply capable of supplying the hydraulic sprinkler demand for up to _____ minutes is required.
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In a high rise building stairway, doors that are locked from the stairway side must be capable of being unlocked simultaneously from the fire command center.
In a high rise building stairway, doors that are locked from the stairway side must be capable of being unlocked simultaneously from the fire command center.
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Select all the correct characteristics of the required emergency power in a high rise building.
Select all the correct characteristics of the required emergency power in a high rise building.
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Atrium codes have developed as a sort of hybrid between mall and high rise building codes.
Atrium codes have developed as a sort of hybrid between mall and high rise building codes.
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The greatest concern about atrium fire and life safety involves the control of fire.
The greatest concern about atrium fire and life safety involves the control of fire.
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Atriums are required to have smoke management systems.
Atriums are required to have smoke management systems.
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Select all the items required by IBC code for an atrium.
Select all the items required by IBC code for an atrium.
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Service stations are normally considered a Group M occupancy.
Service stations are normally considered a Group M occupancy.
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For an open parking garage, the open area on a tier must be at least _____% of the total wall area for that tier.
For an open parking garage, the open area on a tier must be at least _____% of the total wall area for that tier.
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The minimum required clear height for an open parking garage for each floor level is _____ ft.
The minimum required clear height for an open parking garage for each floor level is _____ ft.
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A major difference between open and closed parking garages is ______________.
A major difference between open and closed parking garages is ______________.
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The IBC code is organized to proceed from determining the occupancy first and then determining what heights and areas are allowable for the occupancy classification.
The IBC code is organized to proceed from determining the occupancy first and then determining what heights and areas are allowable for the occupancy classification.
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The designer is faced with an iterative process when developing a building and determining its area, height, and type(s) of materials.
The designer is faced with an iterative process when developing a building and determining its area, height, and type(s) of materials.
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Buildings cannot contain more than one occupancy type.
Buildings cannot contain more than one occupancy type.
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Building area is usually considered to exclude the thickness of the exterior walls of a building.
Building area is usually considered to exclude the thickness of the exterior walls of a building.
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Building heights are measured to the average height of the highest roof thus allowing for pitched roofs, varying parapet heights, and rooftop equipment enclosures.
Building heights are measured to the average height of the highest roof thus allowing for pitched roofs, varying parapet heights, and rooftop equipment enclosures.
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Match the term to its definition.
Match the term to its definition.
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When using table 504.3, an [a] is determined first then reading [b] the table leads to allowable [c] in sf and [d] in ft and stories.
When using table 504.3, an [a] is determined first then reading [b] the table leads to allowable [c] in sf and [d] in ft and stories.
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The height restriction in feet for a building is generally independent of occupancy.
The height restriction in feet for a building is generally independent of occupancy.
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Match the building type to its general description.
Match the building type to its general description.
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503.1, [dealing with low-hazard high-bay spaces] of the code allows one or more fire walls to divide a single structure into a number of separate buildings.
503.1, [dealing with low-hazard high-bay spaces] of the code allows one or more fire walls to divide a single structure into a number of separate buildings.
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Basements may be excluded from the overall building area (in some cases).
Basements may be excluded from the overall building area (in some cases).
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Multiple buildings on a single site may be considered as separate buildings.
Multiple buildings on a single site may be considered as separate buildings.
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You are designing a new executive center (Type III construction not sprinkled) and need to design a mezzanine with 12,000 square feet of floor area. What is the maximum floor area for the mezzanine the code will allow?
You are designing a new executive center (Type III construction not sprinkled) and need to design a mezzanine with 12,000 square feet of floor area. What is the maximum floor area for the mezzanine the code will allow?
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Tables 504.3 and 504.4 establish building height. A building's height must meet both criteria: height in feet and number of stories.
Tables 504.3 and 504.4 establish building height. A building's height must meet both criteria: height in feet and number of stories.
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Mezzanines must have a minimum of 7' clear headroom.
Mezzanines must have a minimum of 7' clear headroom.
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Mezzanines must always have two means of egress.
Mezzanines must always have two means of egress.
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You are given a building situation where the building sides are 60 ft instead of 50 ft. The new allowable area Aa is __________ sq.ft.
You are given a building situation where the building sides are 60 ft instead of 50 ft. The new allowable area Aa is __________ sq.ft.
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Study Notes
Building Code Fundamentals
- Memorization of specific code sections is not critical.
- Group U buildings are not typically occupied for extended periods at unusual times.
- Code analysis should cover all relevant options and requirements.
Occupancy Classifications
- Institutions (Type I Group) are designed for occupants with restrictions.
- Group E occupancies do not transform into Group A based on population thresholds.
- Residential classification often relies on whether people sleep in the building.
- Conditions for Group I (Institutional) occupancy are broad and encompass various factors.
Matching Occupancy Ratings
- Movie Theaters fall under Group A-1.
- Food Courts and Restaurants are classified as Group A-2.
- Churches are rated as Group A-3.
Regulatory Requirements
- Occupancy classifications dictate specific requirements for height and area.
- It is essential to learn the code's table of contents and utilize the index.
- Building officials can approve alternative designs due to rapid changes in materials and methods.
Code Definitions and Special Use Buildings
- Italicized terms in the code have specific definitions as outlined in the text.
- Special use buildings may appear to fit typical occupancy groups but need additional regulations.
Safety and Fire Codes
- Control areas are crucial for managing hazardous materials.
- Examination of code definitions is vital for accurate interpretation.
- Group A Assembly requires a minimum of 50 occupants.
High-Rise Building Regulations
- High-rise buildings often exceed traditional fire-fighting equipment reach.
- Stairs serve as the primary means of egress in high-rise structures.
- A two-way communication system is required between refuge rooms, fire command centers, and stairways.
- Enclosed shafts prevent smoke and fire propagation.
Atrium and Mall Safety
- Atriums necessitate smoke management systems to regulate air and smoke during emergencies.
- Malls require a minimum width of exit passageways set at 66 inches and must provide two means of egress if occupancy loads exceed 55.
- A fire wall of three hours is needed between anchor buildings and the mall.
Parking Garage Specifications
- Open parking garages must ensure 20% of total wall area is open.
- Minimum clear height requirement for each floor in open parking garages is 7 feet.
Compliance and Area Measurements
- Building area calculations typically exclude the thickness of exterior walls.
- Building height is measured to the average height of the highest roof surface.
- Buildings can have multiple occupancy types, contradicting previous beliefs.
Mezzanine Regulations
- Maximum floor area for a mezzanine in Type III construction is limited based on floor area ratios.
- Mezzanines must have at least 7 feet of clear headroom; however, they do not always require two means of egress.
Building Height and Area Restrictions
- Occupancy requires an analysis of both area and height according to specific tables (504.3 and 504.4).
- New code adjustments allow for low-hazard high-bay spaces and exclude basements from total building area under specific conditions.
Practical Application
- Under varying conditions, the maximum allowable area for a building changes significantly (e.g., from dimensions) and can yield exact scenarios for design considerations.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge of building code fundamentals, focusing particularly on occupancy classifications and regulatory requirements. This quiz covers various group ratings, conditions for occupancy types, and essential code analysis. Ideal for students and professionals interested in building safety standards.
