Commercial Building Inspector B2 flashcards

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) requires verification of continuous air barrier performance in commercial buildings to minimize uncontrolled air leakage.

• Essential for energy efficiency.
• Can be verified by visual inspection or whole-building pressurization test.
• Tests overall envelope leakage.

Memory trick: Air barrier: Seal it tight, then blow it to check it's right.

In Group B occupancies equipped with an automatic sprinkler system throughout, exit access corridors are not required to have a fire-resistance rating.

• Applies to Group B occupancies.
• Requires full automatic sprinkler system.
• Referenced in IBC Table 1020.1.

Memory trick: Corridor's fire shield depends on the building's sprinkler 'B'est practice.

Fire walls are required to have a specific fire-resistance rating determined by the occupancy groups and construction types of the buildings they separate, ensuring complete fire separation.

• IBC Table 706.4 specifies ratings.
• Rating depends on occupancy and construction type.
• Higher rating governs when multiple apply.

Memory trick: Fire wall: Occupancy and construction decide the hourly shield.

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is the primary code referenced by the International Building Code (IBC) for establishing minimum energy efficiency requirements in commercial and residential buildings.

• IECC covers building envelope, HVAC, water heating, lighting, and power.
• ASHRAE 90.1 is often an alternative compliance pathway.
• Aims to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Memory trick: For energy, the IECC is the primary key.

A ramp is required as part of an accessible route when the change in elevation exceeds 1/2 inch (12.7 mm), as per accessibility standards.

• Accessible routes must connect all accessible building entrances to public ways.
• Changes in elevation over 1/2 inch necessitate a ramp or elevator.
• Beveled surfaces can accommodate smaller changes in elevation.

Memory trick: Half an inch high, a ramp you must apply.

Standpipe systems are categorized into classes (I, II, III) based on their intended users and the building's characteristics.

• Class I: Fire department use only (2.5-inch hose connection).
• Class II: Occupant use (1.5-inch hose connection).
• Class III: Both fire department and occupant use (1.5-inch and 2.5-inch connections).

Memory trick: Standpipe class: Height, stories, and who's the hero.

The basic wind speed (V) is the 3-second gust wind speed at 33 feet (10 m) above ground in Exposure Category C, used as the starting point for wind load calculations.

• Determined from IBC Figure 1609.3 maps.
• Represents the 3-second gust speed.
• Used with importance factor, exposure category, and other coefficients to calculate design wind pressures.

Memory trick: Wind speed: Map it out, that's your starting point.

The minimum clear width for a required exit door in a means of egress is 32 inches (813 mm), measured between the face of the door and the stop when the door is open 90 degrees.

• Applies to all required exit doors.
• Measurement is 'clear width' not nominal door size.
• Allows for passage of wheelchairs and safe egress.

Memory trick: Thirty-Two, for safe passage through.

Emergency lighting systems must maintain illumination for a specified minimum duration following a power outage to facilitate safe egress.

• Required in most commercial and public buildings.
• Standard duration is 90 minutes.
• Ensures visibility for safe exit.

Memory trick: When the lights go out, 90 minutes keeps the path bright.

Fireblocking is required in concealed spaces of combustible construction to subdivide them into smaller compartments, limiting the spread of flame and smoke.

• Required in walls, floors, ceilings, attics, and crawl spaces.
• Limits concealed space dimension to 10 feet.
• Materials typically include 2-inch nominal lumber or 1/2-inch gypsum board.

Memory trick: Fireblocking: Keep the concealed fire within a 10-foot box.

Before structural demolition of a building or structure can commence, a comprehensive demolition plan must be submitted to and approved by the building official, detailing the procedures and safety measures.

• Mandated by IBC 3303.1 for all structural demolition.
• Ensures worker and public safety.
• Covers sequence of operations, equipment, and protection measures.
• Approval is a prerequisite for obtaining a demolition permit.

Memory trick: Before the wrecking ball swings, a plan the official brings.

Where accessible routes are required, the corresponding means of egress must also be accessible. This typically means that if a building requires two exits, it must also provide two accessible means of egress.

• Tied directly to the requirement for accessible routes.
• Generally, if two exits are required, two accessible means of egress are also required.
• Applies to all stories where accessible routes are required.

Memory trick: Accessible exits mirror the total exit count; if you need two ways out, they both need to be accessible.

A dedicated room or area in certain buildings that centralizes controls and information for fire department operations during an emergency.

• Required in high-rise buildings and others with complex systems.
• Must contain specific fire protection system controls.
• Provides critical information and communication for incident command.

Memory trick: Command center: All the brains for the fire, but the key box stays outside.

An accessible means of egress is a continuous, unobstructed path of travel from any accessible point in a building to a public way, required in accessible stories.

• Mandated by IBC Section 1009.1.
• Required from each accessible story.
• Alterations in existing buildings may trigger compliance.

Memory trick: Existing building, new accessible space? One accessible exit, no debate.

Fire alarm notification appliances in sleeping areas must provide a minimum sound level of 75 dBA at the pillow, or 15 dBA above the average ambient sound level, to ensure occupants are adequately alerted.

• Critical for waking occupants, especially during sleep.
• Measurement taken at the pillow level.
• NFPA 72 sets the standard for audibility.
• Visual alarms (strobes) are also required for hearing-impaired individuals.

Memory trick: Seventy-five at the pillow, no less, for a safe night's rest.

Standby power for smoke control systems must be provided by an emergency power system compliant with NFPA 110, Level 1, to ensure immediate and reliable operation during a power outage.

• Required for all smoke control systems.
• Must meet NFPA 110, Level 1 standards.
• Ensures power within 10 seconds of primary power failure.
• Includes fuel supply, testing, and maintenance protocols.

Memory trick: Smoke's Power: Level 1, no question, to prevent suffocation.

A fire command center is a dedicated room or area within a building where fire department personnel can monitor and control various fire protection and building systems during an emergency. It houses critical controls and information.

• Required in high-rise buildings and other specific occupancies.
• Consolidates emergency systems controls.
• Must be readily accessible to the fire department.

Memory trick: The Fire Command Center is where the 'Control Panel, Communication, and Key Box' all meet for emergencies.

Demolition plans submitted to the building official detail the scope, methods, and safety procedures for removal of building elements. The level of detail, particularly for structural components, dictates specific requirements like shoring plans.

• Required for most demolition activities.
• Content varies based on demolition complexity.
• Shoring/bracing plans are for structural or complex demolitions.

Memory trick: Demolition: Plan it, show the Method, control the Dust, but only Brace if it's structural.

The clear width of aisles serving fixed seating must be sufficient for safe egress, determined by the number of seats and how the aisle is served.

• IBC Section 1029.8.1 specifies aisle widths.
• Width depends on serving one or both sides.
• Minimums increase with occupant load.

Memory trick: Aisle for seats: One side, 3 feet wide; both sides, more space required.

A fire barrier used to separate incidental accessory occupancies (e.g., small storage rooms) from the main occupancy.

• Required to be fire-resistance rated.
• Rating depends on the hazard and main occupancy.
• IBC Table 707.3.10 provides specific ratings.

Memory trick: Incidental storage? Check the table, rate the wall, keep the fire small.

NFPA 13R is the standard for the installation of sprinkler systems in residential occupancies up to and including four stories in height, offering less stringent requirements than NFPA 13.

• Applies to Group R occupancies (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4).
• Limited to buildings four stories or less above grade plane.
• Provides a cost-effective sprinkler option for certain residential buildings.

Memory trick: 13R for Residential, Four stories or less, a sensible request.

Trash and linen chutes, along with their associated refuse rooms, must be enclosed in fire-resistance-rated construction to prevent fire spread between floors.

• Rating depends on building height (number of stories).
• 2-hour rating for chutes extending through more than 4 stories.
• Refuse room at base also requires rating.

Memory trick: Chute height: Over 4 stories, two hours to contain the fire.

The Performance Path (or Energy Cost Budget method) in the IECC allows compliance by demonstrating that the proposed building's total annual energy cost or energy use is less than or equal to that of a standard reference design.

• Requires detailed energy modeling and calculations.
• Compares proposed design to a 'budget' or 'reference' building.
• Offers flexibility in design as long as overall performance is met.

Memory trick: Energy code compliance: Prescribe, Perform, or Trade-Off to get it right.

The Fire Alarm Control Unit (FACU) must be located in a secure, protected area accessible to authorized personnel, ensuring its operational integrity and serviceability.

• Protected from unauthorized access.
• Protected from physical damage.
• Accessible to authorized personnel and emergency responders.
• Often in electrical rooms or dedicated closets.

Memory trick: FACU location: Secure, safe, and for the right hands only.

Temporary protective barriers (fences or enclosures) located 10 feet or less from a construction site must be at least 8 feet (2438 mm) high to protect the public from hazards.

• Applies to construction adjacent to public ways.
• Height requirement is for barriers close to the building.
• Protects against falling debris and unauthorized entry.

Memory trick: Eight feet high, when the public's nigh.

IBC 703.3 allows small, unprotected openings in fire-resistance-rated walls, provided the aggregate area does not exceed 100 square inches per 100 square feet of wall area, and no single dimension exceeds 10 inches.

• Applies to penetrations for pipes, conduits, etc.
• Must meet aggregate area and individual dimension limits.
• Does not apply to openings for doors or windows, which always require protection.

Memory trick: A C-note (100) for an opening, no more than 10 inches high or wide, keeps the fire from growing.

For areas with fixed seating, the occupant load is determined by the actual number of seats provided, as this directly reflects the maximum capacity of the space.

• Applies to auditoriums, theaters, lecture halls, and similar spaces.
• Area-based factors are used for non-fixed seating or open floor areas.
• Crucial for determining means of egress capacity and plumbing fixture counts.

Memory trick: Fixed seats, count them all, for the occupant load to enthrall.

A fire alarm system consists of interconnected components designed to detect fire, alert occupants, and transmit signals for emergency response, including initiation devices, notification appliances, and a control unit.

• Initiation devices: manual boxes, automatic detectors, sprinkler flow/tamper switches.
• Notification appliances: horns, strobes, speakers.
• Control unit: central processing unit for signals.
• Ancillary components: annunciators, power supplies.

Memory trick: Fire Alarm's Core: Detect, Notify, Control, but not the pump's role.

The fire-resistance rating required for fire barriers or fire walls separating different occupancy groups within a building, specifically Group B (Business) and Group R-2 (Residential), as defined in IBC Table 508.4.

• Applies to both horizontal and vertical separations.
• Rating depends on the specific occupancy groups involved.
• IBC Table 508.4 is the primary reference.

Memory trick: Separate occupancies: Check the table, find the groups, get the fire rating.

IBC Chapter 34 (or the International Existing Building Code - IEBC) provides the framework for applying current code requirements to alterations, repairs, additions, and changes of occupancy in existing buildings, balancing safety with practical considerations.

• Governs modifications to buildings not originally built under the current code.
• Establishes thresholds for compliance with new code provisions.
• Aims to improve safety in existing structures without requiring full reconstruction.

Memory trick: Existing buildings, Chapter 34's wisdom, helps avoid a code collision.

The minimum width of a corridor is determined by the occupant load it serves, ensuring adequate egress capacity.

• IBC Table 1020.2 specifies minimum corridor widths.
• Occupant load dictates the required width.
• Minimum width ensures safe and efficient egress.

Memory trick: Corridor width: Count the people, then open the path.

The minimum specified compressive strength (f'c) for concrete used in floor slabs directly supported by grade.

• Typically 2,500 psi for general commercial/industrial use.
• Higher strengths may be required for heavy loads or specific environmental conditions.
• Specified by structural engineer and concrete mix designer.

Memory trick: For a solid slab, 2500 is the strong foundation start.

Firestop systems are crucial for maintaining the fire-resistance rating of assemblies when penetrated by pipes, conduits, or cables, preventing the spread of fire and smoke.

• Rating must match the assembly penetrated.
• Tested in accordance with ASTM E814 or UL 1479.
• Includes F-rating (flame) and T-rating (temperature).
• Specific systems for different penetrating items (e.g., plastic pipe, metal conduit).

Memory trick: Penetration's seal, assembly's appeal, match the fire's zeal.

The minimum distance from the surface of the concrete to the outermost steel reinforcement, as specified by ACI 318, for interior slabs.

• Ensures bond between concrete and steel.
• Provides fire protection for reinforcement.
• Protects against corrosion.

Memory trick: For interior slabs, 3/4 inch is the concrete's armor.

Techniques used to achieve specified fire-resistance ratings for wood-framed floor assemblies.

• Gypsum wallboard is the most common method.
• Specific thickness and type of gypsum are critical.
• Assemblies must be tested and listed (e.g., UL).

Memory trick: Wood needs a 'Gyp'sum shield to resist the fire.

Type IB construction is a fire-resistive construction type where the building elements are noncombustible and have a higher fire-resistance rating than Type IIB, but lower than Type IA.

• Noncombustible construction.
• Floor assemblies supporting multiple floors/roofs require 2-hour rating.
• Bearing walls and structural frames typically require 2-hour rating.

Memory trick: Building types determine fire's might, check the table for your code's light.

A structural concrete topping over precast hollow-core concrete planks is used to create a composite floor system, enhancing load distribution, diaphragm action, and fire resistance.

• Minimum 2 inches (51 mm) thick.
• Required for composite action.
• Provides a level surface and contributes to fire resistance.
• Reinforcement in topping may be required.

Memory trick: Planks need a hat, 2 inches flat, for strength and fire, that's where it's at.

Floor finishes in commercial kitchens must meet specific hygienic requirements to prevent contamination and facilitate cleaning, as mandated by building and health codes.

• Must be nonabsorbent.
• Must be easily cleanable.
• Resistant to grease and chemicals.
• Typically tile, sealed concrete, or seamless resilient flooring.

Memory trick: Kitchen floors clean and dry, germs and spills, we deny.

Key steps and conditions required for a concrete subfloor to ensure proper adhesion and performance of resilient floor coverings.

• Moisture control is paramount.
• Surface must be clean, dry, and smooth.
• Adhesive compatibility with subfloor and flooring is crucial.

Memory trick: For resilient floors, dry and clean means a happy sheen.

Achieving a fire-resistance rating for wood floor assemblies often involves protecting the underside with gypsum wallboard, with specific thicknesses and types required for different ratings.

• Type X gypsum wallboard is required for fire-rated assemblies.
• 5/8 inch thickness commonly provides a 1-hour rating.
• Part of a tested and approved fire-resistance rated assembly.
• Protection is for the combustible wood elements.

Memory trick: Wood's fire shield, gypsum's yield, Type X's field.

The minimum uniformly distributed live load required by the IBC for the design of floor systems in retail sales areas.

• Found in IBC Table 1607.1.
• Accounts for occupants, merchandise, and movable fixtures.
• Critical for structural design and safety.

Memory trick: Retail floors need 100 pounds of strength for shoppers and wares.

The minimum fire-resistance rating required for an assembly that separates adjacent occupancies of different hazard levels within a building.

• Determined by occupancy groups involved.
• Found in IBC Table 508.4.
• Critical for life safety and fire containment.

Memory trick: Occupancy separation ratings are like firewalls between different building functions.

Fire-retardant-treated wood has specific limitations on its use, primarily concerning exposure to moisture and high temperatures, to ensure its effectiveness.

• Not permitted where exposed to weather.
• Not permitted within 6 inches of the ground.
• Not permitted in interior applications with relative humidity > 95%.
• Permitted in concealed spaces up to 150°F (66°C).

Memory trick: FRTW fears the wet, the ground, and sun's direct fret.

The IBC specifies minimum nominal thicknesses for masonry bearing walls to ensure adequate structural capacity and stability when supporting floors or roofs.

• Minimum 6 inches (152 mm) nominal thickness.
• Applies to walls supporting floors or roofs.
• Thicker walls may be required based on height, loads, or fire rating.
• Non-bearing walls can be thinner (e.g., 4 inches).

Memory trick: Bearing wall's strength, 6 inches in length, for floors to rest, it passes the test.

The thickness of spray-applied fire-resistive materials (SFRM) is critical for achieving the specified fire-resistance rating of steel structural members, depending on the member's geometry (W/D ratio).

• Thickness depends on the W/D ratio (heated perimeter/area) of the steel member.
• Higher W/D ratio generally requires more SFRM thickness for the same rating.
• Specific thicknesses are found in approved fire-resistance rated assembly designs (e.g., UL listings).
• A 2-hour rating is a common requirement for floor beams in many construction types.

Memory trick: Steel's heat shield, W/D's yield, UL's field.

Type IIA construction is a noncombustible construction type where structural elements, including floors, are required to have a 1-hour fire-resistance rating.

• Noncombustible construction.
• Floor assemblies require 1-hour rating.
• Bearing walls and structural frames also require 1-hour rating.
• Less fire-resistive than Type IB.

Memory trick: Building types determine fire's might, check the table for your code's light.

ACI 318 provides specific limitations on the size and location of openings in concrete slabs, especially two-way slabs, to maintain structural integrity without requiring additional reinforcing.

• Limits depend on slab type (one-way, two-way).
• Limits depend on location (column strip, middle strip).
• Limits depend on whether specific reinforcement is provided.
• Unreinforced openings in middle strips are limited to 8 times slab thickness.

Memory trick: Holes in the slab, by ACI's grab, middle-strip's max, 8x thickness, no lax.

The IBC specifies minimum uniformly distributed live loads for various occupancy types, including office areas, to ensure floors are designed to safely support their anticipated use.

• Minimum 50 psf for general office areas.
• Higher loads for specific areas (e.g., corridors, heavy equipment).
• Applies to the floor area, not just the raised floor components.
• Used in structural design calculations.

Memory trick: Loads on the floor, check the code's score, for safety and more.

The minimum thickness of two-way concrete slabs without beams is governed by ACI 318, considering span length, yield strength of reinforcement, and concrete weight.

• Calculated using formulas based on clear span (L_n).
• Absolute minimum thickness is 5 inches (127 mm).
• Formulas vary for interior, edge, and corner panels.
• L_n/33 for interior panels, f_y = 60,000 psi.

Memory trick: Slab's thinness, span's fitness, ACI's witness.

A rigid diaphragm is a floor or roof system that is assumed to have infinite in-plane stiffness, distributing lateral forces to vertical resisting elements (shear walls or frames) based on their relative stiffness.

• Typically includes cast-in-place concrete slabs.
• Assumed to deform negligibly in its own plane.
• Distributes lateral forces based on element stiffness.
• Simplifies lateral load analysis for seismic and wind.

Memory trick: Diaphragm's dance, lateral chance, stiffness's glance.

A vapor retarder beneath a concrete slab on grade is essential to prevent moisture migration from the ground into the building, protecting floor finishes and indoor air quality.

• Required by IBC for slabs on grade.
• Minimum Class A material per ASTM E1745.
• Maximum permeance of 0.01 perm.
• Installed directly under the slab.

Memory trick: Moisture's foe, a perm so low, under the slab, where roots don't grow.

The minimum depth a footing must extend below the undisturbed ground surface, as mandated by code for structural stability.

• Applies to all foundation types.
• Ensures stability and prevents undermining.
• Separate from frost depth requirements.

Memory trick: Foundations need to dig at least a foot deep to stand tall.

The smallest acceptable nominal width for a wood sill plate anchored to a foundation wall.

• Provides a bearing surface for wall framing.
• Must be pressure-treated when in contact with concrete.
• Minimum width ensures adequate bearing and connection strength.

Memory trick: Smallest sill plate width is two, anchoring securely for me and you.

The minimum distance between the surface of the reinforcing steel and the exterior surface of the concrete.

• Protects rebar from corrosion.
• Provides fire resistance.
• Ensures proper bond and structural integrity.

Memory trick: Cover the rebar well, so rust won't start, and the concrete plays its part.

The minimum required nominal thickness for masonry foundation walls, based on the building's height and load.

• Thickness ensures stability and load-bearing capacity.
• Varies with number of stories supported.
• May increase with backfill height or specific design requirements.

Memory trick: Wall thickness depends on how many stories it must uphold.

Horizontal structural members in a roof that span between main supports (like trusses or beams) to support the roof decking.

• Transfer loads from roof deck to primary structural members.
• Typically run perpendicular to trusses/rafters.
• Can be made of wood, steel, or cold-formed steel.

Memory trick: Roof components work together like puzzle pieces to hold up the sky.

Methods used to insulate steel structural members from high temperatures during a fire, preventing them from losing strength and maintaining structural integrity for a specified duration.

• Steel loses strength rapidly at high temperatures.
• Methods include encasement, spray-applied fire-resistive materials (SFRM), intumescent coatings, and gypsum board wraps.
• Selection depends on required rating, aesthetics, and cost.

Memory trick: Steel needs a fire suit: encasement is the thickest armor.

The potential negative effects on foundation stability when a temporary dewatering system is turned off and the groundwater table rises.

• Reduces soil effective stress.
• Decreases soil bearing capacity.
• Can cause excessive foundation settlement.

Memory trick: Water comes back, the soil gets soft, and the foundation might drop off.

The requirement for parapet walls, especially masonry, to be specifically designed or braced to resist lateral forces, particularly wind loads, once they exceed a certain height above the roof.

• Referenced by IBC Section 1404.7.1 and 1609.
• Critical for high-wind regions.
• Prevents collapse or damage to the parapet and roof system.

Memory trick: Parapets, like sails, need bracing to resist the wind.

Minimum depth a footing must extend into sound, undisturbed bedrock, as per code, for stability and bearing.

• 12 inches minimum embedment.
• Ensures proper bearing and prevents erosion/undermining.
• Applies even if bedrock is shallow.

Memory trick: Even solid rock needs a foot of cover, for a foundation that won't hover.