Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference

ICC F14 Roofing Contractor Exam (2015 IBC/IRC/IPC)

National · Pearson Vue

Verified, not estimated. Every figure below is drawn from the official exam structure we maintain — question counts, passing standard and topic weighting. Practice questions are grounded in the source law with statute citations. We omit any figure we can't verify rather than guess at it.

Total questions

Passing score

70%

Exam time

180 min

Administered by

Pearson Vue

Format

Reference materials allowed

National State Portion 60 questions

Administration and General Requirements 15 Q · 25%

AdministrationCode Definitions and TermsJob Planning and SetupPermits and Permit ApplicationsInspections and Required Inspection TypesCertificate of OccupancyBuilding Official Authority and Enforcement PowersViolations, Stop Work Orders, and PenaltiesReferenced Codes and Standards ApplicabilityRoof Assembly and Roofing Material Definitions

Types of Roofing Material and Application 21 Q · 35%

Shingle RoofingFlat RoofHot Mopping and Other MembranesClay and Concrete Tile RoofingMetal Roof Panels and Metal Roof ShinglesWood Shingles and Wood ShakesSlate ShinglesSingle-Ply Membrane Roofing (Thermoset and Thermoplastic)Sprayed Polyurethane Foam and Liquid-Applied RoofingRoof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRoof Assemblies

Fasteners, Flashings, Drainage, and Scuppers 17 Q · 28%

FastenersFlashings and Accessory MaterialsRoof Drains, Gutters, and ScupperDrip edge installation requirements and fasteningValley lining materials and installation methodsCrickets and saddles for chimneys and penetrationsIce barriers and high-wind underlayment attachmentPrimary roof drainage design and minimum slope requirementsSecondary (emergency overflow) drain sizing and separation requirementsScupper minimum opening dimensions and sizing criteriaStorm drain pipe sizing based on 100-year rainfall ratesRoof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures +2 more

Re-roofing 7 Q · 12%

Remove Roofing Materials or Add Additional LayersRepair Roof Structure and Roof-Ceiling AssembliesRoof recover vs. roof replacement distinctions and limitationsConditions prohibiting roof re-cover (water-soaked deck, existing layer count, material type)Reinstallation and reuse of existing roofing materials (tile, slate, flashings, aggregate)Flashing reconstruction requirements during reroofingStructural load capacity requirements during reroofing installationCombustible concealed space treatment when recovering over wood shingles or shakesMinimum slope and secondary drainage exemptions for reroofing over positively draining roofs

Key Distinctions

Rooftop penthouse (IBC 1510.2/1510.2.3)vsRooftop bulkhead used for other purposes (IBC 1510.8.2)

A penthouse used only to shelter mechanical or electrical equipment, tanks or vertical shaft openings in the roof assembly is counted as part of the story below the roof deck, while a penthouse or bulkhead used for any other purpose (e.g., janitorial storage) is counted as an additional story of the building.

IBC 2015 Chapter 15 — Sections 1510.2 and 1510.2.3

Metal roof panelvsMetal roof shingle

Per IRC 2015 R202, a metal roof panel is an interlocking metal sheet with an installed weather exposure of not less than 3 square feet per sheet, while a metal roof shingle has an installed weather exposure of less than 3 square feet per sheet.

IRC 2015 Section R202 (METAL ROOF PANEL; METAL ROOF SHINGLE)

Overflow scuppers (IRC R903.4.1)vsOverflow drains (IRC R903.4.1)

Overflow scuppers must be not less than three times the size of the roof drains (minimum 4-inch opening height, inlet flow line 2 inches above the roof low point), whereas overflow drains are permitted to be the same size as the roof drains.

IRC 2015 Section R903.4.1

Metal roof shingle valley flashing (IBC 1507.5.7)vsClay/concrete tile and wood shingle/shake valley flashing (IBC 1507.3.9, 1507.8.8, 1507.9.9; IRC R905.3.8)

Metal roof shingle valley flashing extends at least 8 inches from the centerline each way with a splash diverter rib not less than 3/4 inch high at the flow line; tile and wood shingle/shake valley flashing extends not less than 11 inches each way with a rib not less than 1 inch high.

IBC 2015 Chapter 15 — Section 1507.5.7 Flashing

Roof recover (IBC 1511.3.1.1)vsRoof replacement (IBC 1511.3)

A recover leaves the existing covering in place and is not permitted where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering (only one application may remain), while a roof replacement includes removal of all existing layers of roof covering down to the roof deck, excepting an ice barrier membrane adhered to the deck that may remain and be covered with an additional layer of ice barrier membrane.

IBC 2015 Section 1511.3.1.1

Coal-tar built-up roofing minimum design slopevsOther built-up, modified bitumen, thermoplastic single-ply and sprayed polyurethane foam minimum design slope

Coal-tar built-up roofs are permitted a design slope of not less than 1/8 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal, while built-up (other than coal tar), modified bitumen, thermoplastic single-ply and sprayed polyurethane foam roofs require not less than 1/4 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal.

IBC 2015 Chapter 15 — Section 1507.10.1 Slope

Salvaged aggregate surfacing (IRC R908.5)vsSalvaged slate, clay or cement tile (IRC R908.5)

Aggregate surfacing materials shall not be reinstalled regardless of condition, while existing slate, clay or cement tile may be reinstalled except for damaged, cracked or broken units.

IRC 2015 Section R908.5

IRC 2015 R105.3.2 permit application extensionvsIBC permit application extension

Under the residential code the building official may grant one or more extensions of the 180-day abandonment period for additional periods not exceeding 180 days each (written request, justifiable cause), whereas the commercial code limits each such extension to 90 days.

IRC 2015 Section R105.3.2

ASTM D7158 (asphalt shingle wind resistance)vsASTM D3161 (asphalt shingle wind resistance exception)

Asphalt shingles are required to be tested to ASTM D7158 and labeled for the required classification; shingles not included within the scope of ASTM D7158 must instead be tested and labeled for compliance with ASTM D3161 and the required classification.

IBC 2015 Chapter 15 — Section 1504.1.1 Wind Resistance of Asphalt Shingles

Drip edge at eavesvsDrip edge at rake edges

Per IBC 1507.2.9.3, underlayment is installed over the drip edge along eaves, while the drip edge is installed over the underlayment along rakes (laps 2 inches, fastened at a maximum of 12 inches on center).

IBC 2015 Chapter 15 — Section 1507.2.9.3 Drip Edge

Photovoltaic panel systemvsBuilding-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) product / photovoltaic panel / photovoltaic module

Only the photovoltaic panel system definition expressly includes rack support systems; a BIPV product functions as a component of the building envelope, a photovoltaic panel is a collection of modules mechanically fastened together and wired as a field-installable unit, and a photovoltaic module is the complete environmentally protected unit of solar cells and optics, exclusive of a tracker.

IBC 2015 Section 202 (PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL SYSTEM) and Section 1502.1

IBC 1508.1 above-deck thermal insulationvsIRC R906.1 above-deck thermal insulation

The commercial code permits above-deck insulation covered with an approved roof covering that passes the tests of NFPA 276 or UL 1256 when tested as an assembly, while the residential code permits it where covered with an approved roof covering and complying with FM 4450 or UL 1256.

IBC 2015 Chapter 15 — Section 1508.1 Roof Insulation, General

Key Terms

Penthouse (IBC 1510.2.3) IBC 2015 Chapter 15 — Sections 1510.2 and 1510.2.3

A rooftop structure whose use is limited to sheltering mechanical or electrical equipment, tanks, or vertical shaft openings in the roof assembly; any other use makes it an additional story, and it is limited to 18 feet above the roof deck on buildings other than Type I (28 feet where it encloses tanks or elevators traveling to the roof level; unlimited on Type I).

Bulkhead (IBC 1510.8.2) IBC 2015 Chapter 15 — Section 1510.8.2 Bulkheads

A rooftop structure that complies with Section 1510.2 as a penthouse when used to shelter mechanical or electrical equipment or vertical shaft openings, but is considered an additional story of the building when used for any other purpose.

Scupper (IBC 1502.1) IBC 2015 Section 1502.1 (SCUPPER)

An opening in a wall or parapet that allows water to drain from a roof; where used for secondary (emergency overflow) drainage, the opening dimension shall not be less than 4 inches and flow through the primary system is not considered in locating and sizing it.

Roof covering (IBC 1502.1 / Chapter 2) IBC 2015 Section 1502.1 and Section 202 (ROOF COVERING)

The covering applied to the roof deck for weather resistance, fire classification or appearance.

Single ply membrane (IRC R202) IRC 2015 Section R202 (SINGLE PLY MEMBRANE)

A roofing membrane that is field applied using one layer of membrane material, either homogeneous or composite, rather than multiple layers.

Metal roof panel (IRC R202) IRC 2015 Section R202 (METAL ROOF PANEL; METAL ROOF SHINGLE)

An interlocking metal sheet having an installed weather exposure of not less than 3 square feet per sheet.

Metal roof shingle (IRC R202) IRC 2015 Section R202 (METAL ROOF PANEL; METAL ROOF SHINGLE)

An interlocking metal sheet having an installed weather exposure of less than 3 square feet per sheet.

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) product (IRC R202) IRC 2015 Section R202 (BUILDING-INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC PRODUCT)

A building product that incorporates photovoltaic modules and functions as a component of the building envelope, such as an interlocking metal roof panel with factory-laminated solar cells serving as both roof covering and solar generating element.

Photovoltaic panel (IRC R202) IRC 2015 Section R202 (PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL)

A collection of photovoltaic modules mechanically fastened together, wired, and designed to provide a field-installable unit.

Photovoltaic module (IRC R202) IRC 2015 Section R202 (PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE)

A complete, environmentally protected unit consisting of solar cells, optics and other components, exclusive of a tracker, designed to generate DC power where exposed to sunlight.

Photovoltaic panel system (IBC 202 / 1502.1) IBC 2015 Section 202 (PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL SYSTEM) and Section 1502.1

A system that incorporates discrete photovoltaic panels that convert solar radiation into electricity, including rack support systems.

Roof replacement (IBC 1511.3) IBC 2015 Section 1511.3

Reroofing work that includes removal of all existing layers of roof coverings down to the roof deck, except that an ice barrier membrane adhered to the deck may remain and be covered with an additional layer of ice barrier membrane.

Roof recover (IBC 1511.3.1.1) IBC 2015 Section 1511.3.1.1

Installation of a new covering over an existing roof, not permitted where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering.

Cricket or saddle (IBC 1503.6) IBC 2015 Chapter 15 — Section 1503.6 Crickets and Saddles

A sheet metal or matching roof-covering element required on the ridge side of any chimney or penetration greater than 30 inches wide measured perpendicular to the slope; unit skylights flashed per the manufacturer's instructions are excepted.

Ice barrier (IBC 1507.2.8.2; IRC R905.1.2) IBC 2015 Chapter 15 — Section 1507.2.8.2 Ice Barrier

Two layers of cemented underlayment or a self-adhering polymer modified bitumen sheet extending from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line (detached accessory structures with no conditioned floor area excepted), and, on slopes of 8:12 or greater, applied not less than 36 inches measured along the roof slope from the eave edge.

Substantial improvement / restoration of substantial damage (IRC R105.3.1.1) IRC 2015 Section R105.3.1.1

Proposed work in a flood hazard area whose value equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the building before the damage occurred or before the improvement is started, which requires existing portions of the entire structure to comply with the flood-resistant provisions of Section R322.

Formulas to Know

Overflow scupper sizing and placement (IRC R903.4.1)

Scupper opening size = not less than 3 × size of the roof drains; minimum opening height 4 inches; inlet flow line located 2 inches above the low point of the roof served (overflow drains, by contrast, may be the same size as the roof drains)

Position of felt interlayment strips with wood shakes (IRC R905.8.7)

Lower edge of each 18-inch-wide No. 30 (minimum) felt strip is placed above the butt end of the shake it covers a distance equal to 2 × the weather exposure, so no felt is exposed to the weather

Substantial improvement threshold in flood hazard areas (IRC R105.3.1.1)

Work is a substantial improvement when value of proposed work ≥ 50% of the market value of the building before the damage occurred or before the improvement is started; for damaged buildings the value of proposed work includes the cost to repair the building to its predamaged condition

Cooling tower size limits on a roof deck (IBC 1510.4)

Base area shall not exceed one-third the area of the supporting roof deck; on roofs more than 50 feet above grade plane, noncombustible construction is required where base area is greater than 250 square feet or height above the roof deck is greater than 15 feet

Asphalt shingle fastener count and steep-slope trigger (IRC R905.2.6)

Not less than 4 fasteners per strip shingle or 2 per individual shingle; where roof slope exceeds 21 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (175-percent slope), install as required by the manufacturer

Fastener penetration for clay/concrete tile (IBC 1507.3.6)

Corrosion-resistant fasteners not less than 11 gage with a 5/16-inch head, of sufficient length to penetrate the deck a minimum of 3/4 inch or through the thickness of the deck, whichever is less

Asphalt shingle nail penetration (IRC R905.2.5)

Galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum or copper roofing nails, minimum 12-gage (0.105 inch) shank with minimum 3/8-inch-diameter head, length sufficient to penetrate not less than 3/4 inch into the roof sheathing

High-wind underlayment fastening pattern (IBC 1507.2.8.1)

Where V(asd) ≥ 120 mph: cap-nail grid pattern of 12 inches between side laps with 6-inch spacing at the side laps, all laps a minimum of 4 inches (the lower tier, V(asd) greater than 110 mph, is fastening along the overlap at not more than 36 inches on center)

Sprayed polyurethane foam coating time window (IBC 1507.14.3; IRC R905.14.3)Apply liquid-applied protective coating not less than 2 hours nor more than 72 hours following application of the foam

Shake-roof allowance in lieu of classified covering (IBC Table 1505.1, footnote c) — stated limits

No. 1 cedar or redwood shakes and No. 1 shingles installed per Section 1505.7 permitted on buildings not more than two stories above grade plane with not more than 6,000 sq ft projected roof area, where fire-separation distance from the leading edge of the roof to the lot line is a minimum of 10 feet on all sides except street fronts or public ways (footnote b's 6 feet applies to nonclassified coverings on Group R-3 and U buildings)

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