PA - CODES & REGULATIONS
INTERNATIONAL ZONING EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the function of the organization ASTM International?
(view answer selection)
1.Protect consumer rights
2.Issues standards and testing procedures on materials and products
3.To assure safe and healthful working conditions
4.To create model building codes
5.To protect human health and the environment - ANSWER-2. The function of ASTM
International is to issue standards and testing procedures on materials and products.
You are analyzing how tall a building might be for a certain project that is located in an
urban area. The vertical distance from the grade plane to the peak of the proposed roof
is 40'. The vertical distance from the grade plane to the rake edge is 30'. What would be
the building height as defined by the IBC?
30'
40'
37'
35' - ANSWER-35'
As illustrated in Building Codes Illustrated, building height is defined by the IBC as the
vertical distance from the grade plane to the average height of the highest roof surface.
30' + 40' = = 35'.
You are doing a preliminary program and code analysis for a project that will be located
in an urban setting. Which of the following building codes would first be addressed in
the Programming Phase?
1.Allowable floor area
2.Property line setback
3.Egress door width
4.Occupant load - ANSWER-1. Allowable floor area would be addressed first. Occupant
load and egress door width would be addressed once rooms and circulation are being
laid out. Property line setbacks are a Zoning Code issue.
In doing a preliminary review of the building codes for a new project, you come across a
code that requires a minimum number of air changes in an hour for a space. What type
of code is this?
1.Life Safety Code
2.Prescriptive Code
3.Energy Code
4.Performance Code - ANSWER-4. A prescriptive code requires that each component is
built to a certain standard, e.g. Wall R-value at least 20.
, A performance code requires that the building as a whole performs to a certain
standard, e.g. uses less energy than the same building built to prescriptive code.
The Life Safety Code is the most widely used source for strategies to protect people
based on building construction, protection, and occupancy features that minimize the
effects of fire and related hazards.
Energy codes and standards set minimum efficiency requirements for new and
renovated buildings, assuring reductions in energy use and emissions over the life of
the building. Energy codes are a subset of building codes, which establish baseline
requirements and govern building construction.
You are laying out a preliminary space planning sketch for a new project and want to be
sure you are including any ADA provisions. In regards to the accessibility requirements
of the ADA, which of the following are exempt and not required to be accessible?
1.Raised areas used primarily for security or life safety
2.Types of bathroom faucets installed
3.Height of a bathroom sink
4.Maximum force permitted for the operation of a door - ANSWER-1. The following
areas are exempt and not required to be accessible: raised areas used primarily for
security or life safety (security stations, lifeguard towers), temporary facilities associated
with or needed for construction (trailers, scaffolding), unoccupied service areas
infrequently accessed for maintenance (catwalks, mechanical rooms), water slides,
animal containment areas, raised structures for officiating sporting events, and raised
boxing and wrestling rings.
You are reviewing a building project to redline, specifically focusing on ADA
requirements. What resource would you use to reference ADA standards?
1.ACLU Technical Guidelines
2.DOT ADA Guide
3.ADA 1990
4.ICC A117.1 - ANSWER-4. The ICC/ANSI A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings
and Facilities, is a nationally recognized standard of technical requirements for making
buildings accessible. We recommend you familiarize yourself generally with this
document for all NCARB exams.
In the preliminary Planning Phase for a project, you are reviewing a few things to be
sure you consider with a design. One area is accessible reach, or being sure that items
like light switches and door handles are within reach of someone in a wheelchair. By
code, what are the accessible ranges for these types of features?
A 24"-48"
B 12"-36"
C 15"-48"
D 18"-56" - ANSWER-C.
The accessible side reach range for these types of features is 15"-48".
INTERNATIONAL ZONING EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the function of the organization ASTM International?
(view answer selection)
1.Protect consumer rights
2.Issues standards and testing procedures on materials and products
3.To assure safe and healthful working conditions
4.To create model building codes
5.To protect human health and the environment - ANSWER-2. The function of ASTM
International is to issue standards and testing procedures on materials and products.
You are analyzing how tall a building might be for a certain project that is located in an
urban area. The vertical distance from the grade plane to the peak of the proposed roof
is 40'. The vertical distance from the grade plane to the rake edge is 30'. What would be
the building height as defined by the IBC?
30'
40'
37'
35' - ANSWER-35'
As illustrated in Building Codes Illustrated, building height is defined by the IBC as the
vertical distance from the grade plane to the average height of the highest roof surface.
30' + 40' = = 35'.
You are doing a preliminary program and code analysis for a project that will be located
in an urban setting. Which of the following building codes would first be addressed in
the Programming Phase?
1.Allowable floor area
2.Property line setback
3.Egress door width
4.Occupant load - ANSWER-1. Allowable floor area would be addressed first. Occupant
load and egress door width would be addressed once rooms and circulation are being
laid out. Property line setbacks are a Zoning Code issue.
In doing a preliminary review of the building codes for a new project, you come across a
code that requires a minimum number of air changes in an hour for a space. What type
of code is this?
1.Life Safety Code
2.Prescriptive Code
3.Energy Code
4.Performance Code - ANSWER-4. A prescriptive code requires that each component is
built to a certain standard, e.g. Wall R-value at least 20.
, A performance code requires that the building as a whole performs to a certain
standard, e.g. uses less energy than the same building built to prescriptive code.
The Life Safety Code is the most widely used source for strategies to protect people
based on building construction, protection, and occupancy features that minimize the
effects of fire and related hazards.
Energy codes and standards set minimum efficiency requirements for new and
renovated buildings, assuring reductions in energy use and emissions over the life of
the building. Energy codes are a subset of building codes, which establish baseline
requirements and govern building construction.
You are laying out a preliminary space planning sketch for a new project and want to be
sure you are including any ADA provisions. In regards to the accessibility requirements
of the ADA, which of the following are exempt and not required to be accessible?
1.Raised areas used primarily for security or life safety
2.Types of bathroom faucets installed
3.Height of a bathroom sink
4.Maximum force permitted for the operation of a door - ANSWER-1. The following
areas are exempt and not required to be accessible: raised areas used primarily for
security or life safety (security stations, lifeguard towers), temporary facilities associated
with or needed for construction (trailers, scaffolding), unoccupied service areas
infrequently accessed for maintenance (catwalks, mechanical rooms), water slides,
animal containment areas, raised structures for officiating sporting events, and raised
boxing and wrestling rings.
You are reviewing a building project to redline, specifically focusing on ADA
requirements. What resource would you use to reference ADA standards?
1.ACLU Technical Guidelines
2.DOT ADA Guide
3.ADA 1990
4.ICC A117.1 - ANSWER-4. The ICC/ANSI A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings
and Facilities, is a nationally recognized standard of technical requirements for making
buildings accessible. We recommend you familiarize yourself generally with this
document for all NCARB exams.
In the preliminary Planning Phase for a project, you are reviewing a few things to be
sure you consider with a design. One area is accessible reach, or being sure that items
like light switches and door handles are within reach of someone in a wheelchair. By
code, what are the accessible ranges for these types of features?
A 24"-48"
B 12"-36"
C 15"-48"
D 18"-56" - ANSWER-C.
The accessible side reach range for these types of features is 15"-48".
