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California Building Plans Examiner - I6 State
Certification Exam QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS
California Building Plans Examiner - I6 State Certification Exam
Point-Form Exam Coverage (ICC I6 Content Outline)
Based on the ICC I6 Content Outline , the exam covers the following weighted areas:
01. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION (10%)
• Project documentation completeness: plans, specs, calculations
• Licensed professional requirements (architect/engineer stamps)
• Design calculations verification
• Alternative materials and methods approval
• Estimated project valuation for fee determination
02. BUILDING PLANNING (30%)
• Site plan compliance: setbacks, fire separation, access, flood zones
• Allowable height and area increases (open perimeter, sprinklers)
• Use and occupancy classification (A, B, E, R, I, etc.)
• Special detailed requirements: atria, high-rise buildings, hazardous occupancies
• Type of construction verification (I through V)
• Accessibility compliance (CBC Chapter 11B)
• Interior environment: lighting, ventilation, sanitation
03. FOOTINGS AND FOUNDATIONS (6%)
• Soil reports and bearing capacity
• Footing sizing, setbacks, frost depth
• Reinforcement requirements
• Stepped footings, piles, piers
• Foundation walls: reinforcement, anchor bolts, damp proofing
04. FLOOR CONSTRUCTION (4%)
• Floor system spans, bearing, connections
• Subflooring thickness and grade
• Crawlspace ventilation and access
05. WALL CONSTRUCTION AND COVERINGS (10%)
• Wood, steel, masonry, and concrete wall systems
• Exterior wall coverings: veneers, siding, weather-resistant barrier
• Interior wall coverings: thickness, fastening, sanitation
06. ROOF/CEILING CONSTRUCTION (4%)
• Roof/ceiling assemblies: spans, trusses, insulation
• Roof coverings: classification, slope, flashing, drainage
07. PUBLIC SAFETY AND SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION (40%)
• Means of egress: exit access, exits, exit discharge
• Number, width, and arrangement of exits (occupant load calculations)
• Stairways and ramps: rise, run, landings, handrails, guards
• Exit doors and egress windows: swing, size, hardware
• Fire alarm and sprinkler systems requirements
• Area and occupancy separations: fire-resistance ratings
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• Fire-resistive construction: materials, assemblies, shaft enclosures
• Interior finishes: flame spread, smoke developed classifications
• Safety glazing requirements
• Opening protectives, penetrations, joint systems
• Fireplaces and chimneys: clearances, flues
250 Scenario-Based Questions (Exam-Relevant)
Each question is scenario-based (>15 words) with answer and italicized rationale.
Question 1
A developer submits plans for a new restaurant with fixed seating for 180 people plus standing areas.
According to CBC Table 1004.5, what occupant load factor should be applied to the standing area for this
Group A-2 occupancy?
A) 5 net square feet per person
B) 7 net square feet per person
C) 15 net square feet per person
D) 20 net square feet per person
Answer: A
*CBC Table 1004.5 assigns 5 sq ft per person for standing areas in Group A-2 occupancies, while dining
areas use 15 sq ft for fixed seats or 11 sq ft for unfixed seats.*
Question 2
A building official receives a complete permit application for a mixed-use building. Under California
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Government Code § 65940, what is the maximum time allowed to review the application before
approval or disapproval?
A) 15 calendar days
B) 30 calendar days
C) 45 calendar days
D) 60 calendar days
Answer: B
Government Code § 65940 requires local agencies to approve or disapprove a complete application
within 30 days, unless extended by written agreement.
Question 3
During plan review for a Type IIB construction building, the plans show exterior bearing walls located 9
feet from the property line. What minimum fire-resistance rating is required?
A) 1-hour
B) 2-hour
C) 3-hour
D) No rating required
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Answer: B
*For exterior bearing walls within 10 ft of property line, Type IIB requires 2-hour fire-resistance rating
per CBC Table 601.*
Question 4
A plans examiner reviews a 40,000 sq ft office building (Group B) with an NFPA 13 sprinkler system
throughout. The building has open perimeter on all four sides. What is the allowable area increase
permitted due to the sprinkler system?
A) 10% increase
B) 20% increase
C) 30% increase
D) 300% increase
Answer: D
*CBC Section 506.3 allows a 300% area increase for sprinkler-protected buildings (multiplier of 3), plus
additional increases for open frontage.*
Question 5
A project includes a structural steel moment frame in a high seismic zone. The structural calculations are
California Building Plans Examiner - I6 State
Certification Exam QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS
California Building Plans Examiner - I6 State Certification Exam
Point-Form Exam Coverage (ICC I6 Content Outline)
Based on the ICC I6 Content Outline , the exam covers the following weighted areas:
01. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION (10%)
• Project documentation completeness: plans, specs, calculations
• Licensed professional requirements (architect/engineer stamps)
• Design calculations verification
• Alternative materials and methods approval
• Estimated project valuation for fee determination
02. BUILDING PLANNING (30%)
• Site plan compliance: setbacks, fire separation, access, flood zones
• Allowable height and area increases (open perimeter, sprinklers)
• Use and occupancy classification (A, B, E, R, I, etc.)
• Special detailed requirements: atria, high-rise buildings, hazardous occupancies
• Type of construction verification (I through V)
• Accessibility compliance (CBC Chapter 11B)
• Interior environment: lighting, ventilation, sanitation
03. FOOTINGS AND FOUNDATIONS (6%)
• Soil reports and bearing capacity
• Footing sizing, setbacks, frost depth
• Reinforcement requirements
• Stepped footings, piles, piers
• Foundation walls: reinforcement, anchor bolts, damp proofing
04. FLOOR CONSTRUCTION (4%)
• Floor system spans, bearing, connections
• Subflooring thickness and grade
• Crawlspace ventilation and access
05. WALL CONSTRUCTION AND COVERINGS (10%)
• Wood, steel, masonry, and concrete wall systems
• Exterior wall coverings: veneers, siding, weather-resistant barrier
• Interior wall coverings: thickness, fastening, sanitation
06. ROOF/CEILING CONSTRUCTION (4%)
• Roof/ceiling assemblies: spans, trusses, insulation
• Roof coverings: classification, slope, flashing, drainage
07. PUBLIC SAFETY AND SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION (40%)
• Means of egress: exit access, exits, exit discharge
• Number, width, and arrangement of exits (occupant load calculations)
• Stairways and ramps: rise, run, landings, handrails, guards
• Exit doors and egress windows: swing, size, hardware
• Fire alarm and sprinkler systems requirements
• Area and occupancy separations: fire-resistance ratings
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• Fire-resistive construction: materials, assemblies, shaft enclosures
• Interior finishes: flame spread, smoke developed classifications
• Safety glazing requirements
• Opening protectives, penetrations, joint systems
• Fireplaces and chimneys: clearances, flues
250 Scenario-Based Questions (Exam-Relevant)
Each question is scenario-based (>15 words) with answer and italicized rationale.
Question 1
A developer submits plans for a new restaurant with fixed seating for 180 people plus standing areas.
According to CBC Table 1004.5, what occupant load factor should be applied to the standing area for this
Group A-2 occupancy?
A) 5 net square feet per person
B) 7 net square feet per person
C) 15 net square feet per person
D) 20 net square feet per person
Answer: A
*CBC Table 1004.5 assigns 5 sq ft per person for standing areas in Group A-2 occupancies, while dining
areas use 15 sq ft for fixed seats or 11 sq ft for unfixed seats.*
Question 2
A building official receives a complete permit application for a mixed-use building. Under California
, Page 3 of 138
Government Code § 65940, what is the maximum time allowed to review the application before
approval or disapproval?
A) 15 calendar days
B) 30 calendar days
C) 45 calendar days
D) 60 calendar days
Answer: B
Government Code § 65940 requires local agencies to approve or disapprove a complete application
within 30 days, unless extended by written agreement.
Question 3
During plan review for a Type IIB construction building, the plans show exterior bearing walls located 9
feet from the property line. What minimum fire-resistance rating is required?
A) 1-hour
B) 2-hour
C) 3-hour
D) No rating required
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Answer: B
*For exterior bearing walls within 10 ft of property line, Type IIB requires 2-hour fire-resistance rating
per CBC Table 601.*
Question 4
A plans examiner reviews a 40,000 sq ft office building (Group B) with an NFPA 13 sprinkler system
throughout. The building has open perimeter on all four sides. What is the allowable area increase
permitted due to the sprinkler system?
A) 10% increase
B) 20% increase
C) 30% increase
D) 300% increase
Answer: D
*CBC Section 506.3 allows a 300% area increase for sprinkler-protected buildings (multiplier of 3), plus
additional increases for open frontage.*
Question 5
A project includes a structural steel moment frame in a high seismic zone. The structural calculations are
