Code Requirements, Laws, Standards & Sustainability - Part I Flashcards
Interior Designers will have to ________ their work to the regulations established by the ______, _________, & ________ organizations.
conform, state, federal, and local
True or False:
State governments usually have regulations affecting the energy consumption, environmental impact, flame, resistance and accessibility to the disabled of public buildings.
True
The most important set of ________ regulations is the Americans with Disabilities Act.
federal
As for local regulations, these usually have to do with changes to _______ building codes.
model
Model building codes are ______________ building codes used in a number of different jurisdictions.
standardized
_____________ have the basic authority to create and enforce building codes according to the 10th amendment of the United States Constitution.
Jurisdictions
In most jurisdictions, a __________________ is used to avoid the expense of creating a new code from scratch.
model building code
At present, the primary model building code in the United States is the ___________________________.
International Building Code (IBC)
A few jurisdictions still use the ______________________, the BOCA National Building Code, and the Standard Building Code.
Uniform Building Code
True or False:
There are a number of supplementary codes covering issues like fire detection and suppression, plumbing and mechanical systems.
True
True or False:
The reference standards in a building code are composed by the same authors as the rest of the code.
False. Reference standards have specific standards-writing organizations (not the same authors).
True of False:
Codes must be accepted like any other piece of legislation.
True
Do building codes usually contain specific material standards?
Yes
The primary source of specific material standards in the US is the ______________________.
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
What has ASTM established to determine whether materials and products meet these standards?
a comprehensive battery of tests
What is the most famous testing laboratory in the United States?
Underwriters Laboratory. There are a number of accredited locations where testing can be performed.
What are the most commonly performed tests?
Fire tests for construction assemblies and fire tests for finish materials
What are two different kinds of fire-resistive standards?
Those for building elements and those for finishes
Is the resistance to fire of building materials measured in hours?
Yes
Partitions can be considered either as fire ___________ or fire ___________.
fire partitions or fire barriers
The IBC defines a fire partition as a wall assembly which has a fire resistance rating of ____ hour and is used in one of the following:
Walls separating ____________.
Walls separating ________________.
_________ walls.
Walls separating ___________ in Group R-1, R-2, and I-I occupancies.
one
dwelling units
tenants’ spaces in covered malls
Corridor
guestrooms
When should a fire barrier be constructed? (Give two)
For separation when there are different occupancies.
For an enclosure where there are vertical exits.
Who sets the fire-resistive standards for finishes?
ASTM
Fire-resistive standards set by ASTM vary depending on the ________ and ____ of the finish. For instance, a room can have no more than 10% combustible trim in its wall or ceiling area.
setting and use of the finish
Interior designers need to know how buildings are classified according to occupancy. The IBC distinguishes 10 major types of occupancy groups. What are they?
(Hint: ABE F HIM RUS)
Assembly
Business
Educational
Factory and Industrial
Hazardous
Institutional
Mercantile
Residential
Utility
Storage
The 10 major occupancy classifications determine the type of fire suppression, __________, _________ and _______ that will be required in the building.
ventilation, sanitation, and egress
A building is designated as _________________ when it contains multiple types of occupancies (at least two different).
mixed occupancy
Each of the different spaces in a mixed occupancy building must conform to its own standard, but the __________ between the spaces must conform to the more strict set of standards.
partition(s)
What are the two unique types of mixed occupancy area?
accessory use and incidental use
An accessory use area is any space or room used along with the main occupancy, but which contains ____________ of the floor area of the main occupancy.
10% or less
An incidental use area is incidental (higher risk) to the main occupancy, but with the same occupancy classification. An incidental use area must be separated from the main occupancy by a ________________.
fire barrier
In order to simplify the fire-resistance classification of buildings according to construction type, the IBC has established _____ classes. How are they labeled?
five classes
Type I though Type V
with Type I having the highest fire resistance.
The 5 types of fire-resistance classification of buildings are further divided into subgroups. What are the subgroups and what does this indicate?
A and B subgroups. Indicates whether the building is fire-protected.
What does this construction type classification system help interior designers determine?
Helps them determine what sort of changes will need to be made in order to accommodate a given design scheme. Ex: A designer will know whether or not a comprehensive sprinkler system is mandated, which will help in designing an appropriate ceiling.
Interior designers are required to include fire detection and suppression devices in even the smallest devices. What is the simplest kind of fire detection system?
Smoke detector
More sophisticated systems not only detect fire or smoke, but activate fire suppression devices like ____________, _______________ and _________________.
sprinklers, ventilation systems, and foam dispensers.
It is necessary for at least some of the elements in a comprehensive fire suppression system to be ___________.
automatic
Who are fire detection and suppression systems designed by?
Mechanical engineers and specialized consultants
Who established the standards for sprinkler systems and other fire detection and suppression devices?
National Fire Protection Association
Building codes require ______________ in situations where broken glass could potentially injure someone.
safety glass
Fire-resistance-rated glazing
glass (or some other glazing material) that is used in a fire-resistance-rated wall assembly and has been tested according to ASTM E119.
Wired glass cannot be used in ______ or _________.
doors or sidelights
Guard
any building component which intends to prevent people from falling from a height.
How high are guards required to be?
42 inches above the floor
How many pounds per foot of pressure (in any direction) must guards be able to withstand?
50 lbs
True or false:
In order for a building to remain safe, a designer needs to know the occupant load of the space.
True
Occupant load
the number of people who will be staying in or moving through a given space
How is the occupant load of a space calculated?
by dividing the total area (sqft) by the occupant load factor
Occupant load factor
the amount of floor space that a building code assumes to be occupied by a single person in a given occupancy
The occupant load factor will change depending on…?
who is to occupy the space, as well as what the occupants will be doing there
True or False.
Building codes and regulations mandate a certain number of exits in various kinds and sizes of structures. Every building is required to have at least two exits.
False.
Building codes and regulations mandate a certain number of exits in various kinds and sizes of structures. Every building is required to have at least one exit.
What are the two main factors that determine whether a space requires two exits?
the occupancy and the occupant load of a space
If the occupant load is between _______ and _______, a space is required to have more than two exits.
501 and 1,000
A space may also be required to supply additional exits if the distance from a given spot in the space to the nearest exit is above a certain amount. This distance is known as _____________.
Common path of egress travel
Building codes mandate the arrangement and width of exits in commercial and other public buildings. In a room that needs two exits, the exits must be at least ______ the diagonal distance of the building or space they serve.
half
For a space that has been equipped with sprinklers and which requires two exits, the minimum separation between them is ________ the diagonal distance of the space.
one-third
Minimum exit width is calculated by multiplying the _____________ by the appropriate factor given in the building code.
occupant load
There are also strict maximum travel distances for buildings of various sizes and configurations.
The ________ _______ __________ is the greatest distance from any point in a building to the entrance of the nearest exit.
maximum travel distance
Who has established strict standards for corridors, doors, stairways, ramps, toilet stalls and more?
Americans with Disabilities Act
A corridor has to be at least __” across and __” at a doorway.
36
32
When the occupant load is _______________ the corridor must be at least 44” wide.
greater than 50
A corridor is allowed to have a slope of up to ___:___.
1:20
In a means-of-egress system, exit access areas are areas that do not have a protected _______________ and which lead to the entrance of an exit.
path of travel
The IBC of 2006 includes fire-rated corridors in this category.
Door handles must be ______ to _______.
easy to grasp
If door closers are used, they must be _______________ to allow handicapped individuals to enter and exit.
adjusted to be slow enough
The opening force of an automatic door must not exceed ______lbs per foot.
5 lbs
A fully opened door may only project into a hallway a maximum of ___inches.
7”
What is the minimum clear width of an exit door?
32”
A door threshold cannot be more than a ____” in height and has to be ________ such that a wheelchair can get over it easily.
1/2
beveled
The maximum height of a stair riser is ___” in commerical construction and the minimum depth of a stair tread in commercial construction is ___”.
7”
11”
There must be __________ stair rails on both sides of a stairway.
continuous
True or false:
The risers can be open in a public building and the selection of nosing styles is strictly limited.
False
The risers cannot be open in a public building and the selection of nosing styles is strictly limited.
Area of refuge
place in a building where those people who cannot use stairways can wait for assistance during an emergency evacuation.
Exit corridors must be at least 36” wide and are allowed to pass through ___________ & ___________.
kitchens and bathrooms
True or False
Every lock in residences does not need to open from the inside.
False
It must be possible to open every lock in the residence from the inside.
True or False
Basements and second stories only need to have one exit.
True
Every basement and bedroom is required to have an ______ window that opens to a height of at least ____”.
access, 24
It is permissible for doors to open into rooms, since the low occupant load in a residence indicates that this will not ________ __________ in any significant way.
block passageways
Accessible routes must be designed so that they can be used by individuals in wheelchairs. To this end, the minimum clear width must be ____” throughout and at least _____” at doorways.
36”
32”
Doorways and passages cannot be more than ____ deep.
24”
The minimum passage width for two wheelchairs is ____”.
60”
If the accessible route is _______ 60” in width, then passing spaces of at least 60” x 60” must be provided at __________ no greater than ____________.
below
intervals no greater than 200 ft
The minimum clear floor space for a stationary wheelchair is _________.
30” x 48”
An accessible route may have a slope of as much as _____, but if it
is any greater a ramp is required.
1:20
Thresholds that exceed one-half inch in height and must be _________ so that the slope is never greater than ____.
beveled
1:2
There are specific clearances that are mandated so that a latch can be undone and the door can be ______________________________.
swung open without blocking the adjacent rooms or corridors
______________ include drinking fountains, bathtubs, showers, urinals, sinks, and lavatories.
Plumbing fixtures
Every toilet room must have a turning space of ___ ft in order to accommodate wheelchairs.
5
Public spaces are required to provide _______________ for wheelchair bound and standing individuals.
separate drinking fountains
A drinking fountain must have a clear space of _______” available for front approach.
30” x 48”
If the drinking fountain stands freely or is built into a wall without clear space underneath, there must be ________” in front to allow a parallel approach.
30” x 48”
ADA mandates that toilet rooms must have a minimum clear circular turning space of ____ft.
5
It is allowed, however, for the clear floor space and space for fixtures and controls to ___________________.
overlap with the turning space
According to the ADA, the amount of clearance depth required for a toilet depends on whether the toilet is ___________________-.
hung on the wall or mounted on the floor
In general, the door to the stall must provide a minimum clear opening of _____ and must _____________________.
32”
swing away from the stall enclosure
Grab bars must be mounted between ____” and ____” above the floor.
33” and 36”
The centerline of the toilet must be _______” from a wall with grab bars at _____________ of the closet.
16-18”
both the back and side
According to the ADA, urinals must be either of the stall type or must be ____________ with an elongated rim at a maximum height of _____” above the floor.
hung on the wall
17”
Clearance in front of the urinal
30” x 48”
A lavatory must allow access for a person in a wheelchair to move
___________ and easily use the water controls _________.
under the sink
with one hand
All pipes must be _________ or otherwise blocked from human contact.
insulated
How should mirrors be mounted?
With the bottom edge of the reflecting surface at a maximum height of 40 inches above the floor.
According to the ADA, a bathtub or shower must ___________.
have a seat
In a bathtub, any provided enclosure cannot obstruct _______________ or obstruct _____________________.
the controls
transfer from the wheelchair to the seat or into the tub
The tracks on which the enclosure rests cannot be mounted on _________________.
the rim of the tub
There are a couple of acceptable configurations for showers; one of them requires a ____________ seat, while the other only requires a _________ seat.
permanent
fold-out
Grab bars in a shower or bathtub must be provided between _____” and _____” above the floor.
33 and 36 inches
The maximum allowable vertical change in floor level for an accessible floor is _______ of an inch.
1/4”
The maximum allowable slope for an accessible ramp is _____.
1:12
According to ADA, all floor surfaces must be _______, ______, and _______________.
stable
hard
resistant to slipping
If there is carpet, the pile height can be no greater than ____.
1/2”
When there are changes in the height of the floor surface of less than ____ of an inch, no
_______________ is required.
1/4
edge treatment
If the change in floor surface is between 1/4” and 1/2”, the transition must be _______ with a slope no greater than ____.
beveled
1:2
If the change in floor surface is greater than ____”, a suitable transition and a ramp are required.
1/2”
The ADA mandates that ramps may have a slope no greater than _____.
1:12
The maximum rise of any ramp is _____”.
30 inches
Any change in elevation greater than 30 inches requires ________________________.
a level landing before the next round of ramp
The minimum clear width for a ramp is ___” and the minimum landing length is either ____ or an amount equal to the widest ramp intersecting at the landing.
36”
60”
If the landing changes directions, it must be at least ____” square.
60”
Any ramp with a rise greater than
___” or a length greater than ___” must have handrails on both sides.
60”
72”
The top of the handrail must be between ___” and ____” above the ramp, and the handrails must extend at least a foot beyond the ends of the ramp.
34”
38”
The handrails must have a diameter of _____ x _____.
1 1/4” x 1 1/2”
The handrail on an accessible stairway must extend ______________.
beyond the upper and lower risers
The handrails must be continuous on __________________.
both sides of the stairs
The top of the handrail for stairs must be between ____” and ____” above the stair nosing and must extend a minimum of 1 foot beyond the end of the stairs.
34” and 38”
For stairs, there must be ____” and ____” of clear space between the handrail and the wall.
1 1/4” to 1 1/2”
When an exit stairway is part of an accessible route in a building without sprinklers, there must be ____ of clear width between the handrails.
4’
A protruding object with a lower edge less than ___” above the floor is assumed to be detectable with a cane and therefore, _____________.
27”
may protrude any amount
A protruding object may not reduce the clear width required for an accessible route or ______________.
or maneuvering space
If the vertical clearance of an area adjacent to an accessible route is reduced to less than ____”, a __________ or other barrier must be provided.
80”
guardrail
The walking surfaces in front of stairs, hazardous vehicle areas or any other hazardous locations must have detectable warning surfaces unless ___________________.
there is a guardrail or some other method of warning
The texture of a detectable warning surface must _________________.
contrast with the surrounding surface
Doors which lead to potentially dangerous areas must have different ______________.
textures than normal doors in the building
Detectable warnings are required on walking surfaces in front of hazardous _________ areas.
vehicular
The international symbol for accessibility must be placed on parking spaces, ________________.
passenger loading zones, accessible entrances and toilet and bathing facilities
According to the ADA, in terms of signage, all __________ rooms and spaces must be identified.
permanent
The lettering of a sign must be between _____” and ____” high and must be raised ____” above the surface of the sign.
5/8” and 2”
1/32”
The letters must be in all uppercase in a _____ _______ or simple serif font and must be accompanied by _________________.
sans serif
grade 2 Braille
Any __________ must be at least ____” high and must be accompanied by verbal descriptions.
pictograms
6”
Permanent identification signs must have an __________ or other glare-resistant finish and must be composed such that characters and symbols ___________________.
eggshell matte
contrast with the background
Permanent identification signs must be mounted on the wall adjacent to the _______ side of the door and must be approachable to within ____ “ without encountering protruding objects or standing within the swing of the door.
latch
3”
The mounting height (from centerline of sign) of the sign must be ____”.
60”
True or False
In situations where there is no wall space on the left side of the door, the sign should be placed on the nearest adjacent wall.
True
Directional signs must have lettering a minimum of ____” high with a ___________ ratio from 3:5 to 1:1.
3”
width-to-height
The contrast and finish requirements for __________ signs are the same as those for permanent room identification signs.
directional
The _____, mandates that alarms (emergency warning systems) be audible and visible.
ADA
The ADA has established that the maximum vertical reach dimension for accessibility is _____”.
48”
True or False
An audible alarm must exceed the usual sound level in the room by at least 10 db.
False.
An audible alarm must exceed the usual sound level in the room by at least 15 db.
A visual alarm must be composed of flashing lights with a frequency of approximately _________________.
1 cycle per second
The general rule for alarms is that they must be _______________ to visually and hearing-impaired individuals.
immediately recognizable
Interior designers can consult with ____________________ to determine the appropriate alarm system for a given project.
emergency alarm specialists
True or False
The ADA has placed restrictions on the types and arrangements of the phones that can be made available in a public setting.
True.
In situations where public telephones are provided, at least ____ of the telephones must comply with the requirements of the ADA.
one
When there are ____ or more banks of telephones, at least ____ telephone at each bank must comply with these requirements.
two
one
If there are _____ or more public pay telephones, at least one of the interior public telephones must be a _____ telephone.
four
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