Chapter 4: Building and Fire Codes

Question 1

The occupant load factor used for swimming pool decks is:
A. 15 square feet per person
B. 30 square feet per person
C. 35 square feet per person
D. 50 square feet per person

Answer 1

B. 30 square feet per person

Question 2

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 outlined several provisions increasing the safety of the disabled, including all of the following, EXCEPT:
A. insulated stairwell landings
B. fire alarm systems with both visual and audible signaling devices
C. wheelchair ramps
D. areas of refuge

Answer 2

A. insulated stairwell landings

Question 3

According to Table 4-2, NFPA 5000 allows a maximum height of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ for Type II construction.
A. 65 feet
B. 85 feet
C. 160 feet
D. 180 feet

Answer 3

D. 180 feet

Question 4

According to Table 4-2, the maximum number of stories for a Residential Type I building is\_\_\_\_\_\_ stories.
A. 100
B. 150
C. 350
D. unlimited

Answer 4

D. unlimited

Question 5

According to Table 4-2, what is the fire resistance rating requirement for exterior walls in a Type II building?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

Answer 5

B. 2

Question 6

Building codes are more restrictive on more dangerous occupancy types, which include:
A. jails
B. hospitals
C. homes for the elderly
D. all of the above

Answer 6

D. all of the above

Question 7

According to Table 4-1, floor-ceiling assemblies in a Type I building should be rated for \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ hour(s).
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

Answer 7

B. 2

Question 8

The standard for the installation of standpipes is:
A. NFPA 13
B. NFPA 14
C. NFPA 72
D. NFPA 1710

Answer 8

B. NFPA 14

Question 9

According to the International Building Code, Type IV is what type of construction?
A. Fire resistive
B. Ordinary
C. Heavy timber
D. Wood frame

Answer 9

C. Heavy timber

Question 10

The minimum size of an emergency escape window is:
A. 5.0 square feet
B. 5.7 square feet
C. 6.0 square feet
D. 6.3 square feet

Answer 10

B. 5.7 square feet

Question 11

FILL IN THE BLANK

Occupant load factors are expressed in ______ area, unless marked “net.”

Answer 11

gross

Question 12

FILL IN THE BLANK

The model codes allow sprinkler ________, which lessen code requirements for some buildings.

Answer 12

trade-offs

Question 13

FILL IN THE BLANK

NFPA 5000 classifies a restaurant with 1000 occupants as a/an ________.

Answer 13

assembly occupancy > 1000 occupants

Question 14

Under the International Building Code, a church would be a/an _________ occupancy.

Answer 14

Assembly “A-3”

Question 15

The older model codes are called the _______ codes.

Answer 15

legacy

Question 16

The Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials is abbreviated___________.

Answer 16

ASTM E-84

Question 17

The three digit number used in the NFPA construction types stands for the _______ of each type of construction.

Answer 17

subcategory

Question 18

_________ buildings are ones that do not easily fit into an existing classification.

Answer 18

Hybrid

Question 19

The use of fixed burglar bars is ________ in all model codes.

Answer 19

prohibited

Question 20

The Steiner Tunnel Test results in a flame spread ______.

Answer 20

index

Question 21

DEFINE: ‘Exit access’
A. Operation in which elevators are recalled (usually) to the first floor
B. Rating index of 76-200
C. Operation in which a firefighter selects one of the elevators to access upper floors
D. Actual path from any point in a building to a fire-rated stairwell
E. Rating index of 0-25
F. Rated stairwell or exit passageway
G. Rating index of 26-75
H. Door to the exterior
I. Regulates the activities that take place in buildings
J. Regulates the design and construction of new buildings

Answer 21

D. Actual path from any point in a building to a fire-rated stairwell

Question 22

DEFINE: ‘Discharge’
A. Operation in which elevators are recalled (usually) to the first floor
B. Rating index of 76-200
C. Operation in which a firefighter selects one of the elevators to access upper floors
D. Actual path from any point in a building to a fire-rated stairwell
E. Rating index of 0-25
F. Rated stairwell or exit passageway
G. Rating index of 26-75
H. Door to the exterior
I. Regulates the activities that take place in buildings
J. Regulates the design and construction of new buildings

Answer 22

H. Door to the exterior

Question 23

DEFINE: ‘Exit’
A. Operation in which elevators are recalled (usually) to the first floor
B. Rating index of 76-200
C. Operation in which a firefighter selects one of the elevators to access upper floors
D. Actual path from any point in a building to a fire-rated stairwell
E. Rating index of 0-25
F. Rated stairwell or exit passageway
G. Rating index of 26-75
H. Door to the exterior
I. Regulates the activities that take place in buildings
J. Regulates the design and construction of new buildings

Answer 23

F. Rated stairwell or exit passageway

Question 24

DEFINE: ‘Phase I operation’
A. Operation in which elevators are recalled (usually) to the first floor
B. Rating index of 76-200
C. Operation in which a firefighter selects one of the elevators to access upper floors
D. Actual path from any point in a building to a fire-rated stairwell
E. Rating index of 0-25
F. Rated stairwell or exit passageway
G. Rating index of 26-75
H. Door to the exterior
I. Regulates the activities that take place in buildings
J. Regulates the design and construction of new buildings

Answer 24

A. Operation in which elevators are recalled (usually) to the first floor

Question 25

DEFINE: 'Phase II operation' A. Operation in which elevators are recalled (usually) to the first floor B. Rating index of 76-200 C. Operation in which a firefighter selects one of the elevators to access upper floors D. Actual path from any point in a building to a fire-rated stairwell E. Rating index of 0-25 F. Rated stairwell or exit passageway G. Rating index of 26-75 H. Door to the exterior I. Regulates the activities that take place in buildings J. Regulates the design and construction of new buildings

Answer 25

C. Operation in which a firefighter selects one of the elevators to access upper floors

Question 26

DEFINE: 'Class A Flame Spread Rating' A. Operation in which elevators are recalled (usually) to the first floor B. Rating index of 76-200 C. Operation in which a firefighter selects one of the elevators to access upper floors D. Actual path from any point in a building to a fire-rated stairwell E. Rating index of 0-25 F. Rated stairwell or exit passageway G. Rating index of 26-75 H. Door to the exterior I. Regulates the activities that take place in buildings J. Regulates the design and construction of new buildings

Answer 26

E. Rating index of 0-25

Question 27

DEFINE: 'Class B Flame Spread Rating' A. Operation in which elevators are recalled (usually) to the first floor B. Rating index of 76-200 C. Operation in which a firefighter selects one of the elevators to access upper floors D. Actual path from any point in a building to a fire-rated stairwell E. Rating index of 0-25 F. Rated stairwell or exit passageway G. Rating index of 26-75 H. Door to the exterior I. Regulates the activities that take place in buildings J. Regulates the design and construction of new buildings

Answer 27

G. Rating index of 26-75

Question 28

DEFINE: 'Class C Flame Spread Rating' A. Operation in which elevators are recalled (usually) to the first floor B. Rating index of 76-200 C. Operation in which a firefighter selects one of the elevators to access upper floors D. Actual path from any point in a building to a fire-rated stairwell E. Rating index of 0-25 F. Rated stairwell or exit passageway G. Rating index of 26-75 H. Door to the exterior I. Regulates the activities that take place in buildings J. Regulates the design and construction of new buildings

Answer 28

B. Rating index of 76-200

Question 29

DEFINE: 'Building Code' A. Operation in which elevators are recalled (usually) to the first floor B. Rating index of 76-200 C. Operation in which a firefighter selects one of the elevators to access upper floors D. Actual path from any point in a building to a fire-rated stairwell E. Rating index of 0-25 F. Rated stairwell or exit passageway G. Rating index of 26-75 H. Door to the exterior I. Regulates the activities that take place in buildings J. Regulates the design and construction of new buildings

Answer 29

J. Regulates the design and construction of new buildings

Question 30

DEFINE: 'Fire Code' A. Operation in which elevators are recalled (usually) to the first floor B. Rating index of 76-200 C. Operation in which a firefighter selects one of the elevators to access upper floors D. Actual path from any point in a building to a fire-rated stairwell E. Rating index of 0-25 F. Rated stairwell or exit passageway G. Rating index of 26-75 H. Door to the exterior I. Regulates the activities that take place in buildings J. Regulates the design and construction of new buildings

Answer 30

I. Regulates the activities that take place in buildings

Question 31

Standpipe hose valves are often tied to the locations of exits.

Answer 31

True

Question 32

There are four components to the means of egress.

Answer 32

False | 3

Question 33

Panic hardware is required in all businesses and storage facilities.

Answer 33

False

Question 34

The standard for elevators is ASME A17.1

Answer 34

True

Question 35

There are 5 types of construction.

Answer 35

True

Question 36

Building codes regulate the area in square feet per floor before fire walls are required.

Answer 36

True

Question 37

Model codes are regulatory documents.

Answer 37

True

Question 38

One of the most important test standards is ASTM E-117.

Answer 38

False

Question 39

The International Code Council and NFPA prepare both building and fire codes.

Answer 39

True

Question 40

It has been said that 90 percent of a building code deals with fire safety.

Answer 40

False | 75%

Question 41

``` 1: Which type of fire-rated structural frame does an IA fire-resistive construction have? A: One hour B: Two hour C: Three hour D: Four hour ```

Answer 41

C: Three hour

Question 42

``` 2: The third number in the NFPA numbering system for construction type represents wwhich construction element? A: Beams and columns B: Floor construction C: Rating of load-bearing walls D: Attic space ```

Answer 42

B: Floor construction

Question 43

``` 3: According to the International Building Code, which type of occupancy would a prison be considered? A: A-3 B: A-4 C: I-2 D: I-3 ```

Answer 43

D: I-3

Question 44

``` 4: Sprinkler tradeoffs include all of the following except A: Allowable area and height. B: Reduction in egress requirements. C: Structural fire resistance. D: Occupancy classification. ```

Answer 44

D: Occupancy classification.

Question 45

``` 5: What is the occupancy load for an assembly area measuring 50 x 60 that is of concentrated use and lacks fixed seating? A: 100 B: 268 C: 364 D: 429 ```

Answer 45

D: 429

Question 46

``` 6: In what year was The Americans with Disabilities Act introduced? A: 1985 B: 1987 C: 1990 D: 1993 ```

Answer 46

C: 1990

Question 47

7: Which of the following is included in the Americans with Disabilities Act? A: Visual and audible signaling devices B: Ramps for wheelchairs C: Increased fire extinguisher height D: Both A and B

Answer 47

D: Both A and B

Question 48

``` 8: Under which Phase of an elevator operation will the elevator respond to the first floor of a lobby? A: 1 B: 2 C: 3 D: 4 ```

Answer 48

A: 1

Question 49

9: Where would you find the power controls for a hydraulic elevator? 9: Where would you find the power controls for a hydraulic elevator? A: First floor B: Top floor C: Basement area D: Electrical room B: Top floor C: Basement area D: Electrical room

Answer 49

A: First floor

Question 50

``` 10: Where would you find the power controls for an electric elevator? A: First floor B: Top floor C: Basement area D: Electrical room ```

Answer 50

B: Top floor

Question 51

SHORT ANSWER | What types of construction are regulated in the International Building Code?

Answer 51

- Type I: Fire resistive - Type II: Noncombustible - Type III: Ordinary - Type IV: Heavy Timber - Type V: Wood Frame

Question 52

SHORT ANSWER | What are the two varieties of elevator lifting mechanisms?

Answer 52

Electrical cable and hydraulic piston

Question 53

SHORT ANSWER | What requirements do building codes set for emergency egress?

Answer 53

Any of the following: - Number of exit stairwells - Travel distance - Width of a doorway

Question 54

SHORT ANSWER | What factors are considered in setting the requirements for emergency egress?

Answer 54

Any of the following: - occupant load - number of exit paths or doors for each room - number of exit paths or doors for the building - rated corridors - door hardware - exterior emergency escape and rescue windows - burglar bars

Question 55

SHORT ANSWER | What are elevator door restrictors?

Answer 55

Elevator door restrictors are metal bars used to prevent the occupants of an elevator stuck between floors from opening the car and shaft doors and falling down the elevator shaft below.

Question 56

CASE SCENARIO A local architect has asked you for the requirements in a Type II subcategory 222 building for the exterior bearing walls. What are the hourly requirements? (Use the table on page 68 to help you)

Answer 56

The floors supporting more than one floor or one floor should be 2 hours. The floor supporting only the roof should be 1 hour.

Question 57

CASE SCENARIO Within a sprinklered Type III building, the area per floor and number of stories allowed for a storage occupancy of ordinary hazard is regulated by the allowable height and area tables. What is the allowable building area per floor and number of stories? (Use the table on page 71 to help you.)

Answer 57

The number of stories is 4, and the area per floor is 26,000 square feet.