Questions and Answers
It is critical that you memorize sections of the code.
False
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).
Institutions (Type I group) are places where the occupants have limitations or special restrictions placed on them.
Signup and view all the answers
Group E occupancies must be considered Group A occupancies if they have more than 50 occupants.
Signup and view all the answers
A key determinant for residential classification is people sleeping in the building.
Signup and view all the answers
Conditions that affect the type of Group I (Institutional) occupancy include:
Signup and view all the answers
Match the description of the occupancy to its occupancy rating.
Signup and view all the answers
Occupancy classifications trigger specific requirements for allowable height and area.
Signup and view all the answers
Learn the table of contents and use the index of the code.
Signup and view all the answers
The code recognizes that changes (in materials and methods) may change more rapidly than the code.
Signup and view all the answers
A mercantile business selling limited quantities of a hazardous material must be classified as a high hazard (Group H) occupancy.
Signup and view all the answers
An italicized term found in the code indicates __________.
Signup and view all the answers
From the list below, select all the answers that are IBC occupancy groups.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the item description to its meaning in the code (all these items will be found in the margin of the code page).
Signup and view all the answers
Control areas are ways we deal with hazardous materials in different building occupancy types.
Signup and view all the answers
When interpreting a code section, it is critical that you examine the code definitions for the terms used in the code section.
Signup and view all the answers
Group A Assembly occupancies have 50 or more occupants.
Signup and view all the answers
According to our author, the one key word to understanding how building codes are developed is intent.
Signup and view all the answers
As a designer, you would use the ICC-ES to do what?
Signup and view all the answers
A code is a general requirement that must be interpreted for a specific application to a specific project.
Signup and view all the answers
Different portions of the code(s) are written by different authors.
Signup and view all the answers
Special use buildings may at first seem to fit into typical occupancy groups, but characteristics of the building require additional code provisions.
Signup and view all the answers
The development of new codes and/or code provisions must precede the development of new building types, components, and methods.
Signup and view all the answers
The [a] should make a progression from [b] to [c] in analyzing a [d].
Signup and view all the answers
From the choices provided, select all the special uses and occupancies.
Signup and view all the answers
When using the IBC and considering special uses and occupancies, a large department store is termed an ________ building.
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Signup and view all the answers
In a mall, if a tenant space has an occupancy load of 55, it must have _____ means of egress from the tenant space.
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Signup and view all the answers
A [a] is a roofed or covered [b] area into which [c] or more [d] have their main entrances.
Signup and view all the answers
Malls are limited to 4 stories at one point and can be no more than 4 stories above grade.
Signup and view all the answers
The minimum width of exit passageways from a mall is ____ inches.
Signup and view all the answers
The maximum distance of travel from a point in a tenant space in a mall to an exit is _______ ft.
Signup and view all the answers
The wall separating an anchor building from the covered mall are to be rated ______ hour fire wall.
Signup and view all the answers
Fire partitions between tenants in a mall must have a minimum fire resistance of _____ hour.
Signup and view all the answers
High rise buildings have occupancy loads above even the highest reaching fire fighting ladders and equipment.
Signup and view all the answers
For high rise buildings, the ______ are the primary means of egress.
Signup and view all the answers
In a high rise building, a two-way communication system for firefighters operating between (select all correct answers) is required.
Signup and view all the answers
In high rise construction, shafts and vertical penetrations must be enclosed to prevent the spread of smoke and fire.
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Signup and view all the answers
Select all the correct characteristics of the required emergency power in a high rise building.
Signup and view all the answers
Atrium codes have developed as a sort of hybrid between mall and high rise building codes.
Signup and view all the answers
The greatest concern about atrium fire and life safety involves the control of fire.
Signup and view all the answers
Atriums are required to have smoke management systems.
Signup and view all the answers
Select all the items required by IBC code for an atrium.
Signup and view all the answers
Service stations are normally considered a Group M occupancy.
Signup and view all the answers
For an open parking garage, the open area on a tier must be at least _____% of the total wall area for that tier.
Signup and view all the answers
The minimum required clear height for an open parking garage for each floor level is _____ ft.
Signup and view all the answers
A major difference between open and closed parking garages is ______________.
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Signup and view all the answers
The designer is faced with an iterative process when developing a building and determining its area, height, and type(s) of materials.
Signup and view all the answers
Buildings cannot contain more than one occupancy type.
Signup and view all the answers
Building area is usually considered to exclude the thickness of the exterior walls of a building.
Signup and view all the answers
Building heights are measured to the average height of the highest roof thus allowing for pitched roofs, varying parapet heights, and rooftop equipment enclosures.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the term to its definition.
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Signup and view all the answers
The height restriction in feet for a building is generally independent of occupancy.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the building type to its general description.
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Signup and view all the answers
Basements may be excluded from the overall building area (in some cases).
Signup and view all the answers
Multiple buildings on a single site may be considered as separate buildings.
Signup and view all the answers
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?
Signup and view all the answers
Tables 504.3 and 504.4 establish building height. A building's height must meet both criteria: height in feet and number of stories.
Signup and view all the answers
Mezzanines must have a minimum of 7' clear headroom.
Signup and view all the answers
Mezzanines must always have two means of egress.
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Signup and view all the answers
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
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
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.