BUILDING REGULATIONS AND CODES
CHAPTER #1 - EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction Materials - ANSWER-
Building a sample of the wall or floor/ceiling assembly in the laboratory and setting a
standard fire on one side of it
What are the 2 parts to the ASTM E119 test? - ANSWER-measures heat transfer
through the assembly
uses a high-pressure hose stream to simulate how well the assembly stands up to an
impact from falling debris and the cooling and eroding effects of water
1 hr
2 hr
3 hr
4 hr - ANSWER-What fire ratings can the ASTM E119 test provide for floors and
ceiling?
Tests the floor/ceiling construction - ANSWER-ASTM E119
NFPA 252 - ANSWER-Standard Methods for Fire Tests of Door Assemblies
Standard Methods for Fire Tests of Door Assemblies - ANSWER-Evaluates the ability of
the door assembly to resist the passage of flame, heat and gases. Fire endurance and
hose stream tests. Determines if the door will stay within its frame when subjected to a
standard blast from a fire hose.
NFPA 257 - ANSWER-Standard for Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies
Standard for Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies - ANSWER-Establish a
degree of fire protection in units of time for window openings in fire-resistive walls.
Determines the degree of protection from the spread of fire, including flame, heat and
hot gases
Flammability tests for finish materials determine the following - ANSWER--Whether a
material is flammable, if it burns or supports combustion
-The degree of flammability (spread rating)
-how much smoke and toxic gas the material produces when ignited.
ASTM E84 - ANSWER-Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials - Steiner Tunnel Test
, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials -
ANSWER-Rates the surface burning characteristics of interior finishes and other
building materials by testing, in a narrow test chamber, a sample piece with a controlled
flame at one end. Results are compared with Glass-reinforced cement board = 0 rating.
Red oak flooring = 100 rating
(A)I = 0-25 (most fire resistant)
(B)II = 26-75
(C)III = 76-200 - ANSWER-Flame-Spread Ratings
ASTM E662 - ANSWER-Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke
Generated by Solid Materials
Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid
Materials - ANSWER-Measures the amount of smoke given off by a flaming or
smoldering material or finish. Same as NFPA 258
Smoke density value range - ANSWER-0 - 800
450 or less - ANSWER-Most codes require a smoke density of _ for finish materials.
NFPA 253 - ANSWER-Flooring Radiant Panel Test
Flooring Radiant Panel Test - ANSWER-Tests sample of carpet in the normal horizontal
position and measures the flame spread in a corridor or exitway under the influence of a
fully developed fire in an adjacent space. Measures in watts per sq centimeter. Higher
number = more resistant. Same as ASTM E648
Material classes defined by flooring radiant panel test - ANSWER-Class I = not less
than 0.45W/cm/sq
Class II = not less than .22W/cm/sq
Methenamine Pill Test - ANSWER-Also Known as ASTM D2859 - Standard test method
for ignition characteristics of finished textile floor covering materials
ASTM D2859 - ANSWER-Standard Test Method for Ignition Characteristics of Finished
Textile Floor Covering Materials. Also known as the
Tests the door/glass openings - ANSWER-NFPA 252
NFPA 257
ASTM E119
Tests the floor finishes - ANSWER-NFPA 253 - floor radiant panel test
ASTM D2859 - Methenamine pill test
Tests the wall finishes - ANSWER-ASTM E84 - steiner tunnel test
CHAPTER #1 - EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction Materials - ANSWER-
Building a sample of the wall or floor/ceiling assembly in the laboratory and setting a
standard fire on one side of it
What are the 2 parts to the ASTM E119 test? - ANSWER-measures heat transfer
through the assembly
uses a high-pressure hose stream to simulate how well the assembly stands up to an
impact from falling debris and the cooling and eroding effects of water
1 hr
2 hr
3 hr
4 hr - ANSWER-What fire ratings can the ASTM E119 test provide for floors and
ceiling?
Tests the floor/ceiling construction - ANSWER-ASTM E119
NFPA 252 - ANSWER-Standard Methods for Fire Tests of Door Assemblies
Standard Methods for Fire Tests of Door Assemblies - ANSWER-Evaluates the ability of
the door assembly to resist the passage of flame, heat and gases. Fire endurance and
hose stream tests. Determines if the door will stay within its frame when subjected to a
standard blast from a fire hose.
NFPA 257 - ANSWER-Standard for Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies
Standard for Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies - ANSWER-Establish a
degree of fire protection in units of time for window openings in fire-resistive walls.
Determines the degree of protection from the spread of fire, including flame, heat and
hot gases
Flammability tests for finish materials determine the following - ANSWER--Whether a
material is flammable, if it burns or supports combustion
-The degree of flammability (spread rating)
-how much smoke and toxic gas the material produces when ignited.
ASTM E84 - ANSWER-Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials - Steiner Tunnel Test
, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials -
ANSWER-Rates the surface burning characteristics of interior finishes and other
building materials by testing, in a narrow test chamber, a sample piece with a controlled
flame at one end. Results are compared with Glass-reinforced cement board = 0 rating.
Red oak flooring = 100 rating
(A)I = 0-25 (most fire resistant)
(B)II = 26-75
(C)III = 76-200 - ANSWER-Flame-Spread Ratings
ASTM E662 - ANSWER-Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke
Generated by Solid Materials
Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid
Materials - ANSWER-Measures the amount of smoke given off by a flaming or
smoldering material or finish. Same as NFPA 258
Smoke density value range - ANSWER-0 - 800
450 or less - ANSWER-Most codes require a smoke density of _ for finish materials.
NFPA 253 - ANSWER-Flooring Radiant Panel Test
Flooring Radiant Panel Test - ANSWER-Tests sample of carpet in the normal horizontal
position and measures the flame spread in a corridor or exitway under the influence of a
fully developed fire in an adjacent space. Measures in watts per sq centimeter. Higher
number = more resistant. Same as ASTM E648
Material classes defined by flooring radiant panel test - ANSWER-Class I = not less
than 0.45W/cm/sq
Class II = not less than .22W/cm/sq
Methenamine Pill Test - ANSWER-Also Known as ASTM D2859 - Standard test method
for ignition characteristics of finished textile floor covering materials
ASTM D2859 - ANSWER-Standard Test Method for Ignition Characteristics of Finished
Textile Floor Covering Materials. Also known as the
Tests the door/glass openings - ANSWER-NFPA 252
NFPA 257
ASTM E119
Tests the floor finishes - ANSWER-NFPA 253 - floor radiant panel test
ASTM D2859 - Methenamine pill test
Tests the wall finishes - ANSWER-ASTM E84 - steiner tunnel test
