Codes & Regulations

Question 1

Flashover

Answer 1

Conditions in material testing that amount to failure of the material; any of the following achieved during room corner test: heat released is greater than 1 mW / radiant flux on the floor exceeds 20 kW/m^2 / air temperature exceeds 600 C/1112 F / flames exit doorway / auto ignition of paper target on floor

Question 2

NFPA 1

Answer 2

Fire code

Question 3

NFPA 101

Answer 3

National Life Safety Code

Question 4

NFPA 70

Answer 4

National Electrical Code

Question 5

ASTM E119

Answer 5

Fire safety test for horizontal and vertical building assemblies. Wall assemblies and floor/ceiling assemblies. How well wall assemblies and floor/ceiling assemblies resist the passage of heat, flames and gasses.

Question 6

NFPA 252

Answer 6

Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assemblies or other openings. Testing the resistance of the passage of heat, flame, and gases.

Question 7

NFPA 257

Answer 7

Standard on Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies. Testing the resistance of the passage of heat, flame, and gases.

Question 8

ASTM E84

Answer 8

Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics (Steiner tunnel) of interior finishes and other building materials. heat flame and gases.

Question 9

NFPA 265

Answer 9

Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Room Fire Growth Contribution of Textile or Vinyl Wall Coverings on Full Height Panels and Walls

Question 10

NFPA 286

Answer 10

Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth

Question 11

NFPA 289

Answer 11

Standard Method of Fire Test for Individual Fuel Packages

Question 12

NFPA 701

Answer 12

Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films (like window treatments)

Question 13

Restrictive covenant / Restriction

Answer 13

a limit on how the owner of a property or building can use or improve the property; usually contained in the deed to the property; commonly used in subdivisions to limit setbacks, minimum square footage of houses, exterior materials, etc in order to keep the subdivision uniform.

Question 14

Affirmative covenant

Answer 14

Requires the buyer to perform a specific duty in the future (e.g. build and maintain a fence)

Question 15

Conditional covenant

Answer 15

Permits the property to revert to the original owner if the restrictions prescribed in the deed are not followed.

Question 16

buffer zone

Answer 16

a piece of land used to separate two incompatible uses

Question 17

CC&Rs

Answer 17

abbreviation for “covenants, conditions, and restrictions,” which are all the rules that apply to a property owner in a subdivision, condominium, or cooperative housing facility

Question 18

conditional use permit (CUP)

Answer 18

a permit given by a city or other zoning jurisdiction for a proposed use that would otherwise not be allowed in a particular zoning district ;; The conditional use permit gives the zoning jurisdiction a means of imposing special conditions on the proposed development, to ensure that the development will not adversely affect the surrounding neighborhood or the public safety and welfare.

Question 19

downzoning

Answer 19

a change in zoning resulting in a decrease of allowable density

Question 20

eminent domain

Answer 20

the right of a governmental jurisdiction to take ownership of private property for the public good while paying fair market value compensation to the owner

Question 21

height zoning

Answer 21

restrictions on the heights of buildings and structures established by local laws

Question 22

landlocked

Answer 22

descriptive of a parcel of land that does not border any public road

Question 23

spot zoning

Answer 23

the application of specific zoning regulations given to specific properties when nearby land is under different zoning

Question 24

variance

Answer 24

permission granted by a local jurisdiction to deviate from the literal provisions of a zoning ordinance where strict adherence would cause undue hardship because of conditions or circumstances unique to an individual property

Question 25

zoning bylaw

Answer 25

the set of zoning regulations established by a local jurisdiction that regulates certain building practices within the jurisdiction

Question 26

An architect is working on a project that has a two-story concert hall with an occupancy of 15,000 people. How many stairwells are required?

Answer 26

4 - According to IBC 2015 section 1006.3.1 The required number of exits based on occupant load is as follows.

1 - 500 people =>2 exits or access to exits min.
501 - 1,000 people => 3
More than 1,000 people => 4

At 15,000 occupants, each floor would have a load of 7,500 people yielding 4 exits (stairwells)

Question 27

What are the two distinct planning methodologies?

Answer 27

The 2 distinct approaches to urban planning and design process are the Rational and Normative planning model.

Question 28

What is the Rational Planning Model?

Answer 28

This planning model initially emphasizes problem recognition and definition, which is a data-intensive process. Then, planning goals are established, along with evaluation criteria for making planning decisions. A wide range of planning alternatives is generated, and quantifiable methods are used for analyzing and selecting among the alternatives. Detailed implementation strategies are devised, and implementation progress is monitored. This monitoring contributes an important “feedback loop” to support the theories and knowledge base required for future planning endeavors.

Question 29

What is the Normative Planning Model?

Answer 29

The applications of the normative methods is manifested in collaboration, community engagement, and consensus-building. The thoughts, beliefs, and emotions of stakeholders are driving forces in planning decision making and action. In this process, the planner works with the community to define their “vision” for the future or what they want their community to be. Implementation strategies frequently involve the best actions to take as defined by the planning stakeholders.

Question 30

What is Barrier-Free Design?

Answer 30

This term is used to describe the effort of removing physical barriers from the “built environment” for people with disabilities. This addresses the issue of access.

Question 31

What does an acre equate to in square feet?

Answer 31

1 acre = 43560 sf