ICC F46 Framing Contractor Exam (2015 IBC/IRC)

Key Concepts

IRC vs. IBC scope. The IRC governs detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane with a separate means of egress, and their accessory structures not more than three stories above grade plane (IRC R101.2; IBC 101.2 Exception). Owner-occupied lodging houses with five or fewer guestrooms may be built to the IRC where equipped with a sprinkler system per Section P2904 (IRC R101.2, Exception 2).

Appendices. IBC appendix provisions "shall not apply unless specifically adopted" (IBC 101.2.1); IRC appendices apply only where "specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance" (IRC R102.5).

Referenced codes. The International Plumbing Code covers plumbing systems and all aspects of a medical gas system (IBC 101.4.3); the International Fuel Gas Code covers gas piping from the point of delivery to appliances (IBC 101.4.1).

Administration. The building official is appointed by the chief appointing authority (IBC 103.2); the building official appoints deputies, technical officers, inspectors and plan examiners with the concurrence of the appointing authority (IBC 103.3). Modifications granted by the building official must be "recorded and entered in the files of the department of building safety" (IRC R104.10). A permit may be suspended or revoked where issued in error or on incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information (IRC R105.6).

Permit time limits. An application is deemed abandoned 180 days after filing; IBC extensions are "not exceeding 90 days each" (IBC 105.3.2), while IRC extensions are "not exceeding 180 days each" (IRC R105.3.2). A permit becomes invalid unless work is commenced within 180 days, or if suspended/abandoned for 180 days; extensions of not more than 180 days each (IBC 105.5; IRC R105.5). Temporary structures: not more than 180 days (IRC R107.1).

ICC F46 Framing Contractor Exam (2015 IBC/IRC) — 11 questions, 22% of exam

Key Concepts

Soils and presumptive values - Expansive soil criteria: Plasticity Index of 15 or greater per ASTM D 4318 (IRC R403.1.8.1; IBC 1803.5.3). Where the Expansion Index test (ASTM D 4829) is run and the index is greater than 20, the soil is expansive and tests for Items 1, 2 and 3 are not required (IRC R403.1.8.1, Item 4). - In lieu of a complete geotechnical evaluation, compressible or shifting top/subsoils shall be removed to a depth and width sufficient to ensure stable moisture content in each active zone, and shall not be used as fill or shall be stabilized within each active zone by chemical, dewatering or presaturation methods (IRC R401.4.2). - Load-bearing values may be assumed from Table R401.4.1 in lieu of a geotechnical evaluation (IRC R401.4.1). - Where a floor is below finished ground level and no waterproofing per Section 1805 is provided, a subsurface investigation must determine whether ground water is above the lowest floor or within 5 feet below it (IBC 1803.5.4). - Compacted fill 12 inches in depth or less need not comply with an approved geotechnical report if in-place dry density is not less than 90 percent of maximum dry density at optimum moisture content (ASTM D1557), verified by special inspection per Section 1705.6 (IBC 1804.6, Exception).

Concrete, masonry and foundation walls - Precast concrete foundation panels: minimum compressive strength 5,000 psi at 28 days; freeze/thaw exposure requires air entrainment with minimum total air content 5 percent (IRC R402.3.1, Item 1). Cast-in-place values (2,500/3,000 psi) come from Table R402.2 and R404.1.3.3.1. Masonry systems: minimum 1,500 psi (IRC R402.4). - Slump determined per ASTM C 143 (IRC R404.1.3.3.4); mixing and delivery per ASTM C 94 (R404.1.3.3.2). - Coarse aggregate nominal maximum size: not more than one-fifth the narrowest distance between sides of forms, or three-fourths the clear spacing between bars or between a bar and the form (IRC R404.1.3.3.3). - Rubble stone masonry foundation walls: minimum thickness 16 inches, maximum 8 feet unbalanced backfill, soil pressure no greater than…

Key Concepts

Studs — size, height, grade - IRC R602.2: studs shall be a minimum No. 3, standard or stud grade; bearing studs not supporting floors and nonbearing studs may be utility grade, spaced per Table R602.3(5). - IRC R602.3.1, Exception 2: where snow loads are ≤ 25 psf and ultimate design wind speed is ≤ 130 mph, 2x6 studs supporting a roof load with not more than 6 feet of tributary length may be 18 feet maximum height at 16" o.c., or 20 feet at 12" o.c.; studs must be minimum No. 2 grade. - IBC 2308.2.2: maximum floor-to-floor height 11 feet 7 inches; exterior bearing wall and interior braced wall stud height shall not exceed 10 feet. - IRC R602.5: interior nonbearing walls may use 2x3 studs at 24" o.c., or — where not part of a braced wall line — 2x4 flat studs at 16" o.c.; capped with not less than a single top plate; fireblocked per R602.8. - IBC 2304.3.3 (Shrinkage): wood walls and bearing partitions shall not support more than two floors and a roof absent an analysis satisfactory to the building official. - IBC 2308.5.7: where stud height-to-least-thickness ratio exceeds 50 (and the wall is not covered by qualifying coverings/sheathing), bridging not less than 2 inches thick and the same width as the studs is required in every stud cavity.

Plates - IRC R602.3.2: double top plate, lapped at corners/intersections, end joints offset not less than 24 inches; joints need not occur over studs. - IBC 2308.5.3.2: end joints in double top plates offset not less than 48 inches, nailed per Table 2304.10.1. - IRC R602.3.3: members spaced more than 16" o.c. must bear within 5 inches of studs spaced 24" o.c.; Exceptions — top plates are two 2x6 or two 3x4; a third top plate; or solid blocking equal in size to the studs. - IBC 2308.3.1: sill anchorage with 1/2-inch bolts embedded at least 7 inches, spaced not more than 6 feet o.c., not less than two per piece, one bolt not more than 12 inches or less than 4 inches…

2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code

Key Concepts

General design and materials (IBC Ch. 23) - The analysis shall result in a system providing a complete load path capable of transferring loads from their point of origin to the load-resisting elements (IBC 1604.4). - Permitted wood design methods include allowable stress design, LRFD, conventional light-frame construction, AWC WFCM, and log structures in accordance with ICC 400 (IBC 2301.2 / 2302.1). - Structural composite lumber includes LSL, LVL, OSL and PSL; capacities established and monitored per ASTM D5456 (IBC 2302.1, 2303.1.10). - A certificate of inspection as to species and grade may replace a grade mark for precut, remanufactured or rough-sawn lumber and for sizes larger than 3 inches nominal thickness (IBC 2303.1.1.1). - Wood structural panels permanently exposed in outdoor applications shall be Exterior type, except roof sheathing exposed to the outdoors on the underside is permitted to be Exposure 1 (IBC 2303.1.5). Roof sheathing shall be bonded by exterior glue (IBC 2304.8.2). - Interior fire-retardant-treated wood: moisture content not over 28 percent per ASTM D3201 at 92-percent relative humidity (IBC 2303.2.7). Before use, FRTW is dried to 19 percent or less for lumber, 15 percent or less for wood structural panels (IBC 2303.2.8).

Trusses - For trusses with clear spans 60 feet or greater, the owner or owner's authorized agent shall contract with a qualified registered design professional for temporary installation restraint/bracing and permanent individual truss member restraint/bracing (IBC 2303.4.1.3). - IRC prescriptive truss framing where snow controls: buildings not greater than 60 feet in length perpendicular to the span, not greater than 36 feet in width parallel to the span, not more than three stories above grade plane, slopes not smaller than 3:12 or greater than 12:12; maximum design wind speed 140 mph, Exposure B or C, maximum ground snow load 70 psf (IRC R802.10.2.1).