CD's Building Codes & Regulations

Question 1

when and who published Englands first building code?

Answer 1

1189 by Henry Fitz-Elyne Assize. Latter in 1666 after the great fire the Act of Parliament set forth requirements for the rebuilding of the city. This law set up different classes of buildings and described permissible materials.

Question 2

what is the Metropolitan Building act of 1844?

Answer 2

an evolution of the 1666 building code where now they regulated heights, occupancies and building types.

Question 3

when and where was the 1st recorded code in America?

Answer 3

1625 in NYC. it regulated the types of roof coverings to protect buildings from chimney sparks.

Question 4

what is BOCA?

Answer 4

Building Officials Conference of America. created in 1915

Question 5

what is the Uniform Building Code?

Answer 5

started in 1927

Question 6

the standard building code?

Answer 6

started in 1945, published by the southern building code congress.

Question 7

what are the three codes that merged to form the IBC?

Answer 7

BOCA, UBC, & Standard Building Code

Question 8

what is NFPA?

Answer 8

National Fire Protection Association, first publication was in 2002.

Question 9

whats the one companion code the ICC doesnt publish?

Answer 9

the NEC or National Electrical Code

Question 10

what is the ANSI code that covers accessible design?

Answer 10

ANSI 117.1-1998

Question 11

what are these standard writing organizations stand for?
ASHRAE
IES
GA
ACI
AISI
AITC

Answer 11

ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers.
IES: Illuminating Engineering Society
GA: Gypsum Association
ACI: American Concrete Institute
AISI: American Iron & steel Institute
AITC: American Institute of Timber Construction

Question 12

what is the NFPA 5000?

Answer 12

its an alternative building code to the IBC

Question 13

what does ANSI do?

Answer 13

it doesnt publish or develop standards, instead it approves standards developed by other organizations. It ensures industry consensus & avoids duplication.

Question 14

what is NRTL?

Answer 14

National Recognized Testing Laboratory. Its an independant lab recognized by OSHA to test products & specifications

Question 15

what is ASTM E-119?

Answer 15

its the Standards Methods of Fire Tests of Building Construction. This test involves building a sample wall and testing how it resists a fire. Its goal is to determine the temp at which the surface or adjacent materials on the side of the assembly will combust,

Question 16

what is ASTM 252?

Answer 16

Fire tests of Door assembly. evaluates the ability of a door to resist the passage of flames & heat.

Question 17

What is NFPA 257?

Answer 17

Standard on Fire for Window Assemblies.

Question 18

What is ASTM E-84

Answer 18

Standard test method for surface burning characteristics of building materials. AKA Steiner Tunnel Test and it rates the surface buring characteristics of interior finishes.

Question 19

flame test ratings
Class:
A
B
C

Answer 19

A: 0-25 most resistant
B: 26-75
C: 76-200 least resistant

Question 20

ASTM E-119 is what?

Answer 20

the hourly rating for construction assemblies.

Question 21

what is a fire partition?

Answer 21

its a wall with a 1hr fire resistance rating. They must be securely attached and extend continuously though concealed spaces.

used in the following ways:

• Wall separating dwelling units
• walls separating guestrooms in R-1 groups
• Wall Separating tenant spaces
• corridor walls

Question 22

what is a fire barrier?

Answer 22

its a vertical or horizontal assembly that is designated to restrict the spread of fire or to allow safe egress. They must always be continuous to underside of deck. They may be req’d to have ratings over 1hr versus the partition that is only 1hr

used in the following ways:

• To enclose vertical exit enclosures (stairways), exit passages & incidental use areas.
• To separate different occupancies in a mixed occupancy bldg.
• to otherwise provide a fire barrier where specifically req’d by a code provision of the IBC

Question 23

with a fire barrier how are openings restricted?

Answer 23

25% of the aggregate width of a wall and any single opening can’t exceed 120’ (unless bldg has sprinklers)

Question 24

what is a fire wall?

Answer 24

it is a fire resistance rated wall that is used to separate a single structure into separate construction types or provide allowable area increases buy assembly what amounts to separate but attached buildings. they must extend from foundation threw the roof.

Question 25

what is a smoke barrier?

Answer 25

its a continuous verticle or horizontal membrane w/ a minimum fire resistance rating of 1hr thats designated & constructed to restrict the movement of smoke. openings in this barrier must be 20m rated.

Question 26

curtains and draperies need to conform to what flame resistant standards?

Answer 26

Groups A, E, I or R-1 & dorms in R-2. and pass NFPA 701.

Question 27

what are the administration requirements of the bldg code?

Answer 27

its the procedures for building officials to follow.

Question 28

what are the 10 different occupancy groups?

Answer 28

``` A - Assembly B - Business E - Educational F - Factory/ Industrial H - Hazardous I - Institutional M - Mercantile R - Residential S - Storage U - Utility ```

Question 29

knowing the building occupancy is needed to determine what?

Answer 29

max area, the number of floors allowed & how the building may need to be separated, occupancy calc, egress design, interior finish requirements, fire detection/ suppression. Ventilation and sanitation req'mts.

Question 30

how can you handle mixed occupancy bldgs?

Answer 30

Separate occupancy groups with a fire barrier. or permit under the most restrictive use.

Question 31

what is an accessory area?

Answer 31

its a secondary use area that is used in conjunction to the main occupancy and does not exceed 10% of the floor area of the main use. These accessory do not need be separated from the main occupancy w/ a fire barrier.

Question 32

what is an incidental area?

Answer 32

its an area that is incidental to the major occupancy & classified the same as a major occupancy portion of the bldg. These must be separated by a fire barrier per table 302.1.1 of the IBC.

Question 33

``` Type I Type II Type III Type IV Type V ```

Answer 33

``` Type I: Non combustible Type II: Non combustible Type III:Combustible Type IV: Combustible Type V: Combustible ```

Question 34

Describe the difference with the 5 construction types?

Answer 34

TYPE I-A--Fire Resistive Non-combustible (Commonly found in high-rise buildings and Group I occupancies). TYPE I-B--Fire Resistive Non-Combustible (Commonly found in mid-rise office & Group R buildings). TYPE II-A--Protected Non-Combustible (Commonly found in newer school buildings). TYPE II-B--Unprotected Non-Combustible (Most common type of non-combustible construction used in commercial buildings). Building constructed of non-combustible materials but these materials have no fire resistance. TYPE III-A--Protected Combustible (Also known as "ordinary" construction with brick or block walls and a wooden roof or floor assembly which is 1 hour fire protected). TYPE III-B--Unprotected Combustible (Also known as "ordinary" construction; has brick or block walls with a wooden roof or floor assembly which is not protected against fire. These buildings are frequently found in "warehouse" districts of older cities.) TYPE IV--Heavy Timber TYPE V-A--Protected Wood Frame (Commonly used in the construction of newer apartment buildings; there is no exposed wood visible.) 1 Hr. Exterior Walls 1 Hr. Structural Frame 1 Hr. Floor/Ceiling/Roof TYPE V-B--Unprotected Wood Frame (Examples of Type V-N construction are single family homes and garages. They often have exposed wood so there is no fire resistance.)

Question 35

when you add a sprinkler system that allows you to increase what?

Answer 35

the area and height.

Question 36

what are the 3 parts to means of egress?

Answer 36

the exit access, the exit & the exit discharge

Question 37

what is the min separation between two exits in a single room?

Answer 37

>1/2 the diagonal if unsprinkled & 1/3rd if sprinkled

Question 38

what is the min separation between two exits in a building?

Answer 38

>1/2 the diagonal if unsprinkled & 1/3rd if sprinkled

Question 39

what is the minimum corridor width?

Answer 39

44" if the occupancy is greater than 50 36" when the occ load is < 50 36" in a dwelling unit

Question 40

egress can't pass threw what types of spaces?

Answer 40

kitchens, closets, storerooms or spaces used for similar purposes.

Question 41

what is the min rating for doors in a corridor?

Answer 41

20m

Question 42

what is the min rating for an exit passageway or corridor?

Answer 42

1HR and its a fire partition designation. unless it meets table 55.11

Question 43

what are circumstances where dead end corridors are allowed?

Answer 43

- less than 20' in length - Where the length is less than 2.5 X the least width of the corridor - B&F occ may have 50' dead ends.

Question 44

Egress doors must hinge swings, except?

Answer 44

Exceptions: 1. Private garages, office areas, factory and storage areas with an occupant load of 10 or less. 2. Group I-3 occupancies used as a place of detention. 3. Critical or intensive care patient rooms within suites of health care facilities. 4. Doors within or serving a single dwelling unit in Groups R-2 and R-3. 5. In other than Group H occupancies, revolving doors complying with Section 1008.1.4.1. 6. In other than Group H occupancies, horizontal sliding doors complying with Section 1008.1.4.3 are permitted in a means of egress. 7. Power-operated doors in accordance with Section 1008.1.4.2. 8. Doors serving a bathroom within an individual sleeping unit in Group R-1. 9. In other than Group H occupancies, manually operated horizontal sliding doors are permitted in a means of egress from spaces with an occupant load of 10 or less. Doors shall swing in the direction of egress travel where serving a room or area containing an occupant load of 50 or more persons or a Group H occupancy.

Question 45

for corridors, smoke barriers what is the partition rating and the door assembly rating?

Answer 45

1hr or less/ 20m door - not needed if sprinkled.

Question 46

for fire partitions, exit passageways what is the partition rating and the door assembly rating?

Answer 46

1hr/ 3/4hr for doors

Question 47

what is the req'd rating for stair enclosures in buildings over 4 stories?

Answer 47

2hr walls, 1.5hr doors

Question 48

what is the req'd rating for stair enclosures in buildings under 4 stories?

Answer 48

1hr

Question 49

what occ is a rated stair enclosure not req'd?

Answer 49

B & M when sprinkled

Question 50

whats the min width of a stair?

Answer 50

44"

Question 51

what is the min stair riser?

Answer 51

4"

Question 52

what is the max stair riser?

Answer 52

7"

Question 53

what is the min stair tread?

Answer 53

11"

Question 54

what are the requirements for stair landings?

Answer 54

there must be one at the top & bottom of a stair. the min depth has to be minimally the width of the stair or 48" min. The max distance between landings vertically is 12'.

Question 55

what are requirements for intermediate handrails on stairs?

Answer 55

stairs wider than 5' need that hand rail

Question 56

what are the appropriate dimensions for hand rails?

Answer 56

between 32 and 38" 1.5" in dia. must extend 12" beyond top riser and 12" + a tread depth at the bottom.

Question 57

how does the code define a high rise?

Answer 57

75'

Question 58

what is the min head room for stairs?

Answer 58

6'-8"

Question 59

what is the dimensions of a guard rail?

Answer 59

42" & a 4" dia sphere cant pass threw anywhere.

Question 60

skim chapter 31 & 32 for fire stuff

Answer 60

--

Question 61

what is the min STC rating between dwelling units?

Answer 61

50

Question 62

area of refuge?

Answer 62

an area where people unable to use stairways can remain temporarily while waiting for assistance.

Question 63

automatic closing?

Answer 63

as applied to a door that is normally held in the open position but is released to close upon activation by a smoke detector or other type of fire alarm system.

Question 64

common path of egress travel?

Answer 64

the portion of exit access that occ must travel before diverging in the two separate paths of egress.

Question 65

corridor?

Answer 65

an enclosed exit access component that defines & provides a path of egress travel to an exit. A corridor may or may not be protected depending on the particular requirements of the building code.

Question 66

exit passageway?

Answer 66

a horizontal, fully enclosed, portion of an exit that is only used as a means of egress. An exit passageway leads from an exit doorway to an exit dischage. A example is an exit from the door at the ground level of an interior stairway that leads through the building to an outside door.

Question 67

Fire assembly?

Answer 67

an assembly of a fire door, fire window or fire damper, including all required anchorage, frames, sills and hardware.

Question 68

flame spread index?

Answer 68

the numerical value assigned to a material tested in accordance with ASTM E 84

Question 69

Horizontal Exit?

Answer 69

an exit through a minimum 2hr rated wall that divides a building into two or more separate exit access areas to afford safety from fire and smoke.

Question 70

non combustible?

Answer 70

a material that wont ignight and conforms to ASTM E 136

Question 71

when is panic hardware req'd

Answer 71

on E and A groups that have more than 50

Question 72

what is the difference between A & B construction types.

Answer 72

A means that all structural members of a building has additional fire rated coating or cover by means of GWB, spray on or other methods. B means unprotected and no additional fire proofing.

Question 73

TYPE I-A?

Answer 73

-Fire Resistive Non-combustible (Commonly found in high-rise buildings and Group I occupancies).

Question 74

TYPE I-B?

Answer 74

--Fire Resistive Non-Combustible (Commonly found in mid-rise office & Group R buildings).

Question 75

TYPE III-A?

Answer 75

--Protected Combustible (Also known as "ordinary" construction with brick or block walls and a wooden roof or floor assembly which is 1 hour fire protected).

Question 76

TYPE III-B?

Answer 76

-Unprotected Combustible (Also known as "ordinary" construction; has brick or block walls with a wooden roof or floor assembly which is not protected against fire. These buildings are frequently found in "warehouse" districts of older cities.)

Question 77

TYPE V-A?

Answer 77

-Protected Wood Frame (Commonly used in the construction of newer apartment buildings; there is no exposed wood visible.) 1 Hr. Exterior Walls 1 Hr. Structural Frame 1 Hr. Floor/Ceiling/Roof

Question 78

TYPE IV-?

Answer 78

-Heavy Timber

Question 79

TYPE V-B?

Answer 79

Unprotected Wood Frame (Examples of Type V-N construction are single family homes and garages. They often have exposed wood so there is no fire resistance.)

Question 80

TYPE II-A?

Answer 80

-Protected Non-Combustible (Commonly found in newer school buildings).

Question 81

TYPE II-B-?

Answer 81

-Unprotected Non-Combustible (Most common type of non-combustible construction used in commercial buildings). Building constructed of non-combustible materials but these materials have no fire resistance.

Question 82

``` what is the fire rating for structural members type Ia & b type II a& b type III a&b type IV type V a& b ```

Answer 82

``` type I: a=3hr b=2hr type II: a=1hr, b=0hr type III: a=1hr, b=0hr type IV: HT type V: a=1hr, b=0hr ```

Question 83

``` flame spread index: class A: class B: class C: ```

Answer 83

A: 0-25 (most restrictive) B:26-75 C:76-200

Question 84

in the construction types what is the corresponding ratings for floor construction?

Answer 84

``` Type 1A: 2hr Type 1B: 2hr Type 2A: 1hr Type 2B:0 hr Type 3A: 1hr Type 3B:0 Type 4:0 Type 5A : 1hr Type 5B: 0hr ```

Question 85

in the construction types what is the corresponding ratings for baring walls??

Answer 85

``` Type 1A: 3hr Type 1B: 2hr Type 2A: 1hr Type 2B:0 hr Type 3A: 2hr Type 3B: 2hr Type 4:2 Type 5A : 1hr Type 5B: 0hr ```

Question 86

what is the door rating in a 1hr cooriodor

Answer 86

20m

Question 87

what is the door rating in a 1hr fire barrier?

Answer 87

1hr