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TCFP PLANS EXAMINER I EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
- What is the primary purpose of the plans examiner in fire prevention? A. Enforcing building occupancy laws B. Ensuring compliance with fire and life safety codes C. Investigating fire origins D. Supervising fire drills Ensuring compliance with codes helps prevent hazards before construction begins.
- Which document is most often referenced when reviewing building plans? A. OSHA Safety Manual B. International Building Code (IBC) C. ISO Guidelines D. EPA Regulation Manual
The IBC is the standard for structural and fire safety building requirements.
- Who is responsible for ensuring that construction documents comply with the fire code? A. Fire Chief B. Fire Marshal C. Plans Examiner D. Building Inspector The Plans Examiner verifies compliance before permits are issued.
- Which fire protection system is most common in commercial construction? A. Smoke curtains B. Automatic sprinkler system C. Wet chemical hood suppression D. Fire pumps Sprinkler systems are the most widely required and used fire protection systems.
- What is the minimum fire-resistance rating for fire barriers separating occupancies? A. 1/2 hour B. 1 hour C. 2 hours D. 3 hours IBC typically requires a 2-hour rating when separating occupancies.
B. Site plan C. Elevation drawing D. Reflected ceiling plan The floor plan provides the horizontal view needed for layout analysis. 10.A "standpipe system" provides: A. Water for domestic use B. Water supply for firefighting hose connections C. Sprinkler head actuation D. Air pressurization Standpipes allow firefighters to connect hoses in multi-story buildings. 11.The term "AHJ" stands for: A. Authorized Hazard Jurisdiction B. Authority Having Jurisdiction C. Approved Housing Jurisdiction D. Accredited Hazard Judge The AHJ is the official responsible for enforcing code compliance. 12.The primary function of a fire-rated corridor is to: A. Support HVAC loads B. Provide a protected path of egress C. Reduce sound transmission D. House utility services Fire-rated corridors allow safe egress during emergencies by containing fire and smoke.
13.Smoke barriers must have a minimum fire-resistance rating of: A. 30 minutes B. 1 hour C. 2 hours D. 3 hours A 1-hour rating is typically required for smoke barriers to compartmentalize smoke spread. 14.What type of occupancy is a church classified under? A. Group A- 2 B. Group B C. Group A- 3 D. Group E A-3 occupancies include places of worship, libraries, and lecture halls. 15.Which NFPA standard governs portable fire extinguishers? A. NFPA 13 B. NFPA 25 C. NFPA 10 D. NFPA 30 NFPA 10 outlines selection, installation, and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. 16.A submitted plan should include a "legend" in order to: A. Show building elevation B. Display topography C. Indicate building codes
B. Door swing directions C. Building footprint and fire department access D. HVAC layout Site plans show how the structure sits on the property and FD access routes. 21.Group B occupancies are typically: A. Industrial plants B. Office buildings C. Restaurants D. Daycares Group B is for business uses like offices, banks, and professional services. 22.Fire alarm systems in hotels fall under which occupancy group? A. R- 1 B. A- 2 C. B D. I- 1 R-1 covers transient residential like hotels and motels. 23.Fire walls must extend: A. One floor above the roof B. Continuously from foundation to or through the roof C. Only to ceiling height D. Two stories high Fire walls must completely separate areas, including extending through the roof.
24.Combustible materials in a return air plenum: A. Are encouraged B. Are not allowed unless specifically permitted C. Require no special consideration D. May be installed freely Combustible materials in plenum spaces are highly regulated due to fire risk. 25.NFPA 13 is the standard for: A. Fire extinguishers B. Sprinkler system installation C. Exit signage D. Fire alarm systems NFPA 13 governs design and installation of sprinkler systems. 26.Plans submitted must be retained for how long (unless otherwise specified by law)? A. 30 days B. 1 year C. Duration of the construction project + legal retention period D. Until occupancy permit is granted Plans are typically retained throughout construction and in accordance with records policy. 27.Emergency lighting in the means of egress must operate for: A. 15 minutes B. 90 minutes
31.When evaluating a new fire alarm plan, the examiner must verify: A. Light fixture locations B. Water line sizing C. Device placement per NFPA 72 D. Type of windows used Proper device placement ensures effective detection and notification. 32.Which system removes smoke in a fire scenario? A. Fire pump B. Smoke control system C. Standpipe system D. Fire curtain Smoke control systems are used to maintain tenable conditions for evacuation. 33.A “Type V” construction building is typically: A. Concrete structure B. Wood-framed C. Steel-reinforced D. Noncombustible Type V construction consists entirely of combustible materials like wood. 34.What document indicates compliance with design criteria and codes? A. As-built drawings B. Code compliance report C. Fire log
D. Contractor’s proposal The report summarizes how the design meets relevant codes. 35.The term “fire area” refers to: A. The kitchen B. Area bounded by fire-resistance rated elements C. Fire pump zone D. Sprinkler head coverage Fire area is the enclosed space used for code compliance calculations. 36.Plans examiners check for egress based on: A. Carpet type B. HVAC zoning C. Occupant load and path width D. Exterior aesthetics Egress is designed around how many occupants need to evacuate and path width. 37.Occupant load is based on: A. Building volume B. Floor area and function C. Wall length D. Plumbing systems The function of the space and square footage determines allowable occupants. 38.The maximum common path of egress travel in most occupancies is: A. 25 feet
42.Which code determines the classification of occupancy type? A. NFPA 25 B. International Building Code C. Mechanical Code D. NEC The IBC defines occupancy classifications based on use and risk. 43.The plans examiner’s signature on approved drawings indicates: A. Construction must begin B. Documents comply with applicable codes C. No further changes allowed D. Inspection completed Signature confirms plan compliance, not completion of construction. 44.A plans examiner identifies the need for fire separation between: A. Bathroom and kitchen B. Different occupancy groups C. Classroom walls D. Office cubicles Occupancy separation helps prevent fire spread between high-risk areas. 45.If an assembly occupancy exceeds 300 people, what system is required? A. Water softener B. Fire alarm system with voice communication C. Solar panel disconnect D. Carpet guard Large assemblies require fire alarms with voice notification per NFPA 72.
46.Fire dampers are used in: A. Electrical panels B. HVAC ductwork passing through rated assemblies C. Exit stairs D. Elevator shafts Fire dampers close during fire to prevent ductwork from spreading smoke/fire. 47.A construction permit may be denied if: A. The contractor is inexperienced B. The project is residential C. Plans violate fire code D. The budget is too low Permit approval is based solely on compliance with codes. 48.A means of egress system consists of: A. Only the exit stair B. Exit access, exit, and exit discharge C. Roof hatch D. Parking area All components must provide continuous, unobstructed path to a public way. 49.A plans examiner must maintain objectivity by: A. Accepting client gifts B. Following code standards consistently C. Consulting with contractors privately
C. Paper archive D. School hallway Retail stores typically involve moderate combustibility—ordinary hazard. 54.Fire-resistance ratings are verified using: A. Wall paint type B. UL listings and assemblies C. Insulation brand D. Furniture tags UL provides approved assemblies with verified fire-resistance ratings. 55.Plans examiners coordinate closely with: A. Media outlets B. Real estate agents C. Building officials and fire marshals D. Interior decorators Collaboration ensures all aspects of construction meet safety codes. 56.A fire lane must have a minimum width of: A. 16 feet B. 20 feet C. 24 feet D. 28 feet Fire lanes must be at least 20 feet wide to accommodate fire apparatus. 57.Panic hardware is required on doors in: A. Mechanical rooms
B. Assembly occupancies with occupant load over 50 C. Storage closets D. Private offices Panic hardware ensures quick exit during emergencies in high-occupancy areas. 58.Occupant load calculations are based on: A. Ceiling finish B. Function of space and floor area C. Door width D. Wall color Function and square footage determine safe occupancy levels per IBC. 59.The maximum rise of a step in a stairway is: A. 6 inches B. 7 inches C. 7.75 inches D. 8 inches IBC allows a maximum stair rise of 7.75 inches for safety and accessibility. 60.Construction Type II buildings are: A. Wood-framed B. Noncombustible, limited fire resistance C. Fully fireproofed D. Balloon-framed Type II uses noncombustible materials but may lack fire-resistance ratings.
NFPA 25 ensures that sprinkler systems are properly maintained and operational. 65.The purpose of a fire alarm control panel (FACP) is to: A. Control HVAC systems B. Receive and transmit fire signals C. Regulate water flow D. Control lighting FACP manages and monitors inputs/outputs of the fire alarm system. 66.What is a “turning radius” minimum for fire apparatus access? A. 10 feet B. 28 feet inside / 50 feet outside C. 35 feet D. 60 feet IFC recommends turning radius sufficient for fire truck maneuvering— typically 28’/50’. 67.Construction documents must identify: A. Carpet style B. Occupancy classification and construction type C. Employee salaries D. Furniture color Plans must clearly state the building’s occupancy group and type for code compliance. 68.A plans examiner uses which document to verify alarm installation compliance?
A. IBC
B. NFPA 13
C. NFPA 72
D. NFPA 25
NFPA 72 is the national standard for fire alarm systems. 69.Manual pull stations are typically required to be: A. Within 5 feet of exit doors B. In janitor closets C. On the roof D. Behind glass Pull stations must be readily accessible near exits for easy activation. 70.The minimum slope for accessible ramps is: A. 1: B. 1: C. 1: D. 1: ADA and IBC require a 1:12 slope for wheelchair accessibility. 71.A building with multiple tenants must: A. Share kitchens B. Be evaluated for mixed occupancy separation C. Use the same interior designer D. Combine exit signage Mixed occupancies may require separation based on risk and code.
