RHFAC COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Learning and Developmental design considerations - ✔✔• Multiple features in
signage (written, icons/diagrams, colour-coding, numbering, etc.)
• Various modes of information sharing (verbal, visual, written, etc.)
Communication, such as written or verbal information, should consider:
• The level of language - words used should be simple, unambiguous and
easy to understand.
• Making use of relevant diagrams, pictures and icons to convey or illustrate
the information.
• Providing good and even lighting, with minimal glare, to make a person's body
language or facial expressions easier to see.
✔✔Mental health design considerations - ✔✔• Dimensions and definition of areas within
a physical space. Very large or
small, unstructured, or poorly defined spaces could increase anxiety or
claustrophobia.
• Planning to provide at least one clearly marked exit from each defined
space.
• Reducing excessive stimuli, such as noise, vibrations and distracting visual
aspects.
✔✔Building Code - ✔✔Detailed local regulations by which the building legislation is to
be met
minimum technnical standards to protect, health, safety and welfare of occupants
does not require retrofitting of existing buildings
generally apply to new construction and are concerned with the health and safety of a
building's occupants
✔✔Standards - ✔✔set of non-enforceable requirements or guidelines that are typically
set by different agencies and organizations
CSA is an example
✔✔Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - ✔✔provides that every individual has
the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination
✔✔Canadian Human Rights Act - ✔✔applies to federally regulated departments and
agencies
Each province or territory has its own anti-discrimination law
✔✔Employment Equity Act - ✔✔employers are required to remove any barriers to
employment
✔✔Accessible Canada Act - ✔✔provides for the development of accessibility standards
, ✔✔Building acts (legislation), regulations and codes - ✔✔regulation of building and
construction is a provincial or territorial responsibility except federal buildings (National
Building Code legislation used)
many provinces use variations on national building code
Ontario, Alberta, BC, Quebec have their own based on the NBC
✔✔Plan - ✔✔Top or horizontal view
✔✔Elevation - ✔✔vertical view of a building as seen from a flat plane
can be for the exterior (front, side, back) or the interior of a building
✔✔Section - ✔✔vertical view of a building as seen through a cross- section or cut
through the building
✔✔Site Plan - ✔✔bird's- eye view of a property that shows the location, orientation and
dimensions of a building on a lot, along with numerous Site details, including:
• Lot boundaries and dimensions
• Location of exterior elements and features, such as parking, walks, drives,
other buildings and easements
• Grade and elevation changes, topography, etc.
• Adjoining/adjacent intersections (this is important, as it impacts egress)
✔✔Floor Plan - ✔✔overhead view of the interior of a building, with the roof and upper
floors removed. It displays:
• Dimensions and arrangement of spaces in a building, including rooms, internal
circulation (halls, elevators, escalators, stairs), walls, windows, doors and other features
• Location of and access to main features (auditorium, seating areas, washroom,
service areas, etc.)
✔✔Landscape Plan - ✔✔orientation, flows, features and positioning of the various
elements
✔✔Interior Elevation - ✔✔vertical view of the details inside of a building for a specific
room or area. It displays:
• Height and location of interior walls, doorways, windows, trim and millwork
• Height and positioning of details, such as trim and millwork
• Height and positioning of accessories, such as washroom fixtures (grab bar,
toilet paper holder, etc.)
✔✔Exterior Elevation - ✔✔shows a vertical view of a building from the outside. Along
with conveying the appearance of the façade, it shows:
• Floor elevations (levels) together with dimensions of important heights
• Doors and entrances
• Features that are attached to the walls, such as signage, and light fixtures
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Learning and Developmental design considerations - ✔✔• Multiple features in
signage (written, icons/diagrams, colour-coding, numbering, etc.)
• Various modes of information sharing (verbal, visual, written, etc.)
Communication, such as written or verbal information, should consider:
• The level of language - words used should be simple, unambiguous and
easy to understand.
• Making use of relevant diagrams, pictures and icons to convey or illustrate
the information.
• Providing good and even lighting, with minimal glare, to make a person's body
language or facial expressions easier to see.
✔✔Mental health design considerations - ✔✔• Dimensions and definition of areas within
a physical space. Very large or
small, unstructured, or poorly defined spaces could increase anxiety or
claustrophobia.
• Planning to provide at least one clearly marked exit from each defined
space.
• Reducing excessive stimuli, such as noise, vibrations and distracting visual
aspects.
✔✔Building Code - ✔✔Detailed local regulations by which the building legislation is to
be met
minimum technnical standards to protect, health, safety and welfare of occupants
does not require retrofitting of existing buildings
generally apply to new construction and are concerned with the health and safety of a
building's occupants
✔✔Standards - ✔✔set of non-enforceable requirements or guidelines that are typically
set by different agencies and organizations
CSA is an example
✔✔Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - ✔✔provides that every individual has
the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination
✔✔Canadian Human Rights Act - ✔✔applies to federally regulated departments and
agencies
Each province or territory has its own anti-discrimination law
✔✔Employment Equity Act - ✔✔employers are required to remove any barriers to
employment
✔✔Accessible Canada Act - ✔✔provides for the development of accessibility standards
, ✔✔Building acts (legislation), regulations and codes - ✔✔regulation of building and
construction is a provincial or territorial responsibility except federal buildings (National
Building Code legislation used)
many provinces use variations on national building code
Ontario, Alberta, BC, Quebec have their own based on the NBC
✔✔Plan - ✔✔Top or horizontal view
✔✔Elevation - ✔✔vertical view of a building as seen from a flat plane
can be for the exterior (front, side, back) or the interior of a building
✔✔Section - ✔✔vertical view of a building as seen through a cross- section or cut
through the building
✔✔Site Plan - ✔✔bird's- eye view of a property that shows the location, orientation and
dimensions of a building on a lot, along with numerous Site details, including:
• Lot boundaries and dimensions
• Location of exterior elements and features, such as parking, walks, drives,
other buildings and easements
• Grade and elevation changes, topography, etc.
• Adjoining/adjacent intersections (this is important, as it impacts egress)
✔✔Floor Plan - ✔✔overhead view of the interior of a building, with the roof and upper
floors removed. It displays:
• Dimensions and arrangement of spaces in a building, including rooms, internal
circulation (halls, elevators, escalators, stairs), walls, windows, doors and other features
• Location of and access to main features (auditorium, seating areas, washroom,
service areas, etc.)
✔✔Landscape Plan - ✔✔orientation, flows, features and positioning of the various
elements
✔✔Interior Elevation - ✔✔vertical view of the details inside of a building for a specific
room or area. It displays:
• Height and location of interior walls, doorways, windows, trim and millwork
• Height and positioning of details, such as trim and millwork
• Height and positioning of accessories, such as washroom fixtures (grab bar,
toilet paper holder, etc.)
✔✔Exterior Elevation - ✔✔shows a vertical view of a building from the outside. Along
with conveying the appearance of the façade, it shows:
• Floor elevations (levels) together with dimensions of important heights
• Doors and entrances
• Features that are attached to the walls, such as signage, and light fixtures
