Existing Conditions Analysis

Question 1

Existing Conditions (Analysis)

Answer 1

Evaluate, assess, and document existing conditions of interior environments

Question 2

Construction Type

Answer 2

The materials and assemblies used in the construction of a building. Based on varying degrees of fire resistance and combustibility.

Question 3

Occupancy Classification (IBC 302.1)

Answer 3

Formal designation of the primary purpose of the building, structure, or portion thereof. Structures shall be classified into one or more of the occupancy groups specified in this section based on the nature of the hazards and risks of the building occupants generally associated with the intended purpose of the building or structure.

Question 4

Name The Five Construction Type Categories

IBC 602

Answer 4

(602. 2) Types I & II: Building elements specified in Table 601 are of noncombustible materials, except as permitted in Section 603.
(602. 3) Type III: The exterior walls are noncombustible materials and the interior building elements are of any material permitted by this code. Fire-retardent-treated wood framing and sheathing comply with Section 2303.2 shall be permitted within exterior wall assemblies of a 2-hour rating or less.
(602. 4) Type IV: The building elements are mass timber or noncombustible materials and have fire-resistance rating in accordance with Table 601. Mass timber elements shall meet the fire-resistance-rating requirements of this section based on either the fire-resistance rating of the noncombustible protection, the mass timber, or combination of both and shall determined in accordance with Section 703.2.
(602. 5) Type V: Type od construction in which the structural elements, exterior walls and interior walls are of any materials permitted by this code.

Question 5

What is the most fire restrictive construction type?

Answer 5

Type I

Question 6

What is the least fire restrictive construction type?

Answer 6

Type V

Question 7

What are the two subgroups for construction types and their meaning?

Answer 7

The subgroups have an A or B suffix, which indicates whether the construction is fire protected or not.

Question 8

What is occupancy classification?

Answer 8

Occupancy classification is based on the usage of risk factors or hazards of space. These risk factors consider the typical characteristics of a typical environment, the activity that will occur in the space, and the occupants using the space. Risk factors may include spacitial characteristics (low light levels, fixed seating, and high sound levels), fuel loads (amount of finished materials, upholstered furniture, and other flammable contents), the concentration of occupants, characteristics of the occupants (mobility, age, alertness), and sometimes the familiarity of the occupants with the building.

This refers to how people would react and exit in an emergency. Occupancy classification is fundamental in setting construction features and occupant safety limitations.

Question 9

What is the difference between occupancy classification and occupancy type?

Answer 9

Occupancy classification refers to an entire building. Whereas occupancy type refers to individual spaces in a building.

Question 10

An _______________ must be assigned to every building or space within a building.

Answer 10

Occupancy Classification

Question 11

Can the occupancy classification for a building with different types of tenants be classified as one?

Answer 11

No. Each tenant must be determined separately.

Question 12

What are three things you need to know before the occupancy classification can be determined?

Answer 12

1. The type of activity occurring
2. The expected number of occupants
3. Whether any unusual hazards or risk factors are present

Question 13

What is occupant load (OL)?

Answer 13

The number of people that is assumed to safely occupy a space or building.

Question 14

What are the Occupancy Classification groups?

Answer 14

Assembly (Group A)
Business (Group B)
Educational (Group E)
Factory or Industrial (Group F)
Hazardous (Group H)
Institutional (Group I)
Mercantile (Group M)
Residential (Group R)
Storage (Group S)
Utility or Miscellaneous (Group U)

Question 15

Type of Risk Factors and Hazards in Occupancies

Answer 15

• Number of occupants (large vs small gathering)
• If occupants are resting or sleeping
• Alertness of occupants (mental capabilities and inherent distractions caused by activities going on in the space)
• Mobility of the occupants (consider physical abilities, age, and security measures)
• Familiarity of occupants with the space or building
• Typical characteristics of the space used for a specific activity (includes fixed seating and aisles, light levels, noise levels, etc.)
• Potential for spread of fire (due to airborne flammable particles, storage or hazardous materials, combustible finishes, decoration or contents, etc.)