Full_Building_Code Flashcards
(34 cards)
What is the first thing to determine when applying the building code?
The building’s use and occupancy classification.
Why does occupancy affect fire safety design?
Occupancy determines the expected number of people, their familiarity with the space, and their vulnerability in an emergency.
How does assembly occupancy differ from business occupancy?
Assembly occupancies have more people per square foot and higher panic risk, requiring greater egress capacity.
What types of occupancy are considered most vulnerable?
Schools, assembly spaces, and healthcare facilities due to high density and less familiar users.
What are the five major construction types from most to least fire-resistant?
Type I (most resistant), Type II, Type III, Type IV (Heavy Timber), Type V (least resistant).
How does construction type influence building height and area?
More fire-resistant types allow greater height and area without additional protection.
What is the fire resistance benefit of heavy timber (Type IV)?
Charring slows fire penetration, preserving structural integrity longer than light wood framing.
What must be added to unprotected steel to improve fire resistance?
Protection such as fireproofing spray, drywall, or concrete encasement.
What is a fire-rated assembly?
A combination of materials tested to resist fire for a specified duration (e.g., 1-hour, 2-hour).
How do fire walls affect allowable area?
Fire walls divide a building into separate areas, each treated as its own building for area limits.
What is a demising wall?
A wall that separates tenant or dwelling units, typically fire-rated to limit spread.
What is a UL Listing?
A standardized assembly tested by Underwriters Laboratories to confirm fire rating compliance.
What defines the egress path?
A continuous, unobstructed path from any occupied point to a public way.
What is the rule about egress door swing?
Egress doors must swing in the direction of travel when serving large occupant loads.
How is egress stair fire rating typically handled?
Stairs must be enclosed in 1- or 2-hour rated assemblies depending on the building size and use.
What is a dead-end corridor and why is it dangerous?
A corridor with only one exit direction; it limits escape routes during fire.
What is an area of refuge?
A space within a stairwell for mobility-impaired individuals to wait for rescue.
What affects maximum travel distance in egress?
Fire rating of materials, sprinklers, and type of occupancy.
How is plumbing fixture count calculated?
By occupant load, determined by use and floor area per person (e.g., 100 SF/person for offices).
Why do theaters require more plumbing fixtures than offices?
Because occupants use restrooms at the same time (e.g., during intermissions).
Why is there often a higher fixture count for women’s restrooms?
To reflect longer usage times and accommodate equitable access.
What is the light and vent requirement for habitable rooms?
Typically 8% of the floor area for daylight, 4% operable for ventilation.
Which rooms are considered habitable?
Living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms.
Why aren’t bathrooms and kitchens required to meet the same light/vent rules?
Because they typically have mechanical exhaust systems.
