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Building Codes & Regulations Flashcards

7 cards from real FPE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Building Codes & Regulations flashcards as text

  1. Under NFPA 101, the 'two-means-of-egress' rule for new construction requires that a second exit be accessible when the common path of egress travel exceeds what distance in a sprinklered Business occupancy?

    Answer: 100 feet

    NFPA 101 Section 38.2.5 permits a common path of egress travel up to 100 feet in sprinklered Business occupancies before a second means of egress is required.

  2. The IBC requires a 'high-rise building' to comply with additional fire safety measures when the occupied floor is located above what height?

    Answer: 75 feet

    IBC Section 403.1 defines a high-rise building as one with an occupied floor more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

  3. Which IBC section requires a 'smoke control system' in covered mall buildings exceeding a certain floor area?

    Answer: Section 404

    IBC Section 404 governs atriums and requires smoke control systems; covered mall provisions in Section 402 reference smoke control requirements as well, but Section 404 is the primary atrium smoke control section.

  4. Under IBC Chapter 10, what is the minimum clear width of a door in the means of egress for an occupant load greater than 50 persons?

    Answer: 36 inches

    IBC Section 1010.1.1 requires a minimum clear width of 32 inches for egress doors, but when serving an occupant load greater than 50, the minimum is 34 inches — and ADA requirements often result in 32-inch clear being the practical minimum.

  5. A change of occupancy from Group S-2 (low-hazard storage) to Group A-2 (restaurant) in an existing building would primarily require compliance review for:

    Answer: Fire protection, egress, and all applicable code requirements for the new occupancy

    A change of occupancy under the IEBC triggers a comprehensive review ensuring the building meets fire protection, life safety, egress, and structural requirements for the new, more hazardous occupancy.

  6. In IBC Chapter 7, what distinguishes a 'fire barrier' from a 'fire wall'?

    Answer: Fire walls must be structurally independent; fire barriers rely on the building structure for support

    The key distinction is structural independence: fire walls (IBC Section 706) must remain standing if the structure collapses, while fire barriers (IBC Section 707) rely on the building structure for support.

  7. Which IBC table is used to determine the fire-resistance rating requirements for structural members based on the construction type?

    Answer: Table 601

    IBC Table 601 specifies the fire-resistance rating requirements for structural elements — primary structural frame, bearing walls, floor/roof construction — organized by construction type (I through V).