IBC 2025 – General Contractor Exam Study Guide (comprehensive code review
and exam preparation)
Which section of the IBC outlines permit exemptions for small buildings?
A) Section 101
B) Section 105
C) Section 111
D) Section 103 - correct answer ✔✔B) Section 105
A fence under what height is exempt from requiring a permit?
A) 6 ft
B) 7 ft
C) 8 ft
D) 10 ft - correct answer ✔✔B) 7 ft
Who issues a Certificate of Occupancy?
A) The building owner
B) The building inspector
C) The contractor
D) The jurisdiction's building official - correct answer ✔✔D) The jurisdiction's building official
What is the definition of "means of egress"?
A) The method for heating and cooling a building
B) A continuous and unobstructed path to safely exit a building
C) A type of fire barrier used in commercial construction
,D) The allowable load limit for structural members - correct answer ✔✔B) A continuous and
unobstructed path to safely exit a building
Which term refers to the purpose for which a building or part of it is used?
A) Occupancy
B) Classification
C) Hazard
D) Egress - correct answer ✔✔A) Occupancy
What is a "fire barrier"?
A) A protective structure surrounding a building site
B) A wall assembly designed to prevent fire spread
C) A device used in HVAC systems
D) An area used for evacuation during a fire - correct answer ✔✔B) A wall assembly designed to
prevent fire spread
Which term describes a wall that separates two buildings to prevent the spread of fire?
A) Fire Wall
B) Fire Barrier
C) Smoke Partition
D) Draft Stop - correct answer ✔✔A) Fire Wall
What is the minimum live load for office floor areas?
A) 30 psf
B) 40 psf
C) 50 psf
D) 60 psf - correct answer ✔✔B) 40 psf
,What is the maximum travel distance to an exit in a Group B occupancy without sprinklers?
A) 150 feet
B) 200 feet
C) 250 feet
D) 300 feet - correct answer ✔✔B) 200 feet
Which occupancy group includes educational buildings for children from kindergarten through
12th grade?
A) Group A
B) Group B
C) Group E
D) Group R - correct answer ✔✔C) Group E
What is the maximum allowable height for a building of Type III-B construction?
A) 55 feet
B) 65 feet
C) 75 feet
D) 85 feet - correct answer ✔✔B) 65 feet
In a fully sprinklered Group A-3 occupancy, what is the maximum occupant load that can have a
single exit?
A) 49 occupants
B) 99 occupants
C) 150 occupants
D) 300 occupants - correct answer ✔✔B) 99 occupants
, Which chapter of the IBC contains regulations on accessibility for individuals with disabilities?
A) Chapter 9
B) Chapter 10
C) Chapter 11
D) Chapter 15 - correct answer ✔✔C) Chapter 11
What is the required fire-resistance rating for an exterior wall of a Group S-1 building located 10
feet from a property line?
A) 0 hours
B) 1 hour
C) 2 hours
D) 3 hours - correct answer ✔✔B) 1 hour
In the IBC, what is the purpose of a smoke partition?
A) To prevent the spread of fire
B) To create a barrier to the movement of smoke
C) To provide structural support
D) To separate different occupancy types - correct answer ✔✔B) To create a barrier to the
movement of smoke
What is the minimum ceiling height required for habitable spaces?
A) 6 feet 8 inches
B) 7 feet
C) 7 feet 6 inches
D) 8 feet - correct answer ✔✔B) 7 feet
and exam preparation)
Which section of the IBC outlines permit exemptions for small buildings?
A) Section 101
B) Section 105
C) Section 111
D) Section 103 - correct answer ✔✔B) Section 105
A fence under what height is exempt from requiring a permit?
A) 6 ft
B) 7 ft
C) 8 ft
D) 10 ft - correct answer ✔✔B) 7 ft
Who issues a Certificate of Occupancy?
A) The building owner
B) The building inspector
C) The contractor
D) The jurisdiction's building official - correct answer ✔✔D) The jurisdiction's building official
What is the definition of "means of egress"?
A) The method for heating and cooling a building
B) A continuous and unobstructed path to safely exit a building
C) A type of fire barrier used in commercial construction
,D) The allowable load limit for structural members - correct answer ✔✔B) A continuous and
unobstructed path to safely exit a building
Which term refers to the purpose for which a building or part of it is used?
A) Occupancy
B) Classification
C) Hazard
D) Egress - correct answer ✔✔A) Occupancy
What is a "fire barrier"?
A) A protective structure surrounding a building site
B) A wall assembly designed to prevent fire spread
C) A device used in HVAC systems
D) An area used for evacuation during a fire - correct answer ✔✔B) A wall assembly designed to
prevent fire spread
Which term describes a wall that separates two buildings to prevent the spread of fire?
A) Fire Wall
B) Fire Barrier
C) Smoke Partition
D) Draft Stop - correct answer ✔✔A) Fire Wall
What is the minimum live load for office floor areas?
A) 30 psf
B) 40 psf
C) 50 psf
D) 60 psf - correct answer ✔✔B) 40 psf
,What is the maximum travel distance to an exit in a Group B occupancy without sprinklers?
A) 150 feet
B) 200 feet
C) 250 feet
D) 300 feet - correct answer ✔✔B) 200 feet
Which occupancy group includes educational buildings for children from kindergarten through
12th grade?
A) Group A
B) Group B
C) Group E
D) Group R - correct answer ✔✔C) Group E
What is the maximum allowable height for a building of Type III-B construction?
A) 55 feet
B) 65 feet
C) 75 feet
D) 85 feet - correct answer ✔✔B) 65 feet
In a fully sprinklered Group A-3 occupancy, what is the maximum occupant load that can have a
single exit?
A) 49 occupants
B) 99 occupants
C) 150 occupants
D) 300 occupants - correct answer ✔✔B) 99 occupants
, Which chapter of the IBC contains regulations on accessibility for individuals with disabilities?
A) Chapter 9
B) Chapter 10
C) Chapter 11
D) Chapter 15 - correct answer ✔✔C) Chapter 11
What is the required fire-resistance rating for an exterior wall of a Group S-1 building located 10
feet from a property line?
A) 0 hours
B) 1 hour
C) 2 hours
D) 3 hours - correct answer ✔✔B) 1 hour
In the IBC, what is the purpose of a smoke partition?
A) To prevent the spread of fire
B) To create a barrier to the movement of smoke
C) To provide structural support
D) To separate different occupancy types - correct answer ✔✔B) To create a barrier to the
movement of smoke
What is the minimum ceiling height required for habitable spaces?
A) 6 feet 8 inches
B) 7 feet
C) 7 feet 6 inches
D) 8 feet - correct answer ✔✔B) 7 feet
