Free International Code Council Fire-Inspector-II Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 2

A code official may allow the occupant load to exceed the building code requirements if additional exit facilities are provided, all egress requirements are met, and the maximum occupancy does not exceed one occupant per 10 sq. ft. of occupiable floor area.

Reference to Fire Inspector Documentation:

1. 2021 International Building Code (IBC) – Table 1004.5 (Occupant Load Factor)

The minimum safe occupancy load factor is 10 sq. ft. per occupant, meaning no space can have more than 1 person per 10 sq. ft.

Fire code officials can approve increased occupancy only if extra exits are provided, ensuring compliance with egress and fire safety rules.

2. 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) – Section 1004.2 (Increased Occupant Load Allowance)

Allows for an increased occupant load only if additional exits and egress requirements are met but never beyond 1 person per 10 sq. ft.

Detailed Explanation of Answer Choices:

Option A (Incorrect): 1 occupant per 3 sq. ft. is too high and would violate egress safety regulations.

Option B (Incorrect): 1 occupant per 5 sq. ft. still exceeds safety limits.

Option C (Incorrect): 1 occupant per 7 sq. ft. is not the minimum required standard.

Option D (Correct): 1 occupant per 10 sq. ft. is the minimum limit for allowing an increased occupant load under IFC 1004.2 and IBC Table 1004.5.

Thus, the correct and verified answer is: D. 10.

IFC Section 108 (Board of Appeals) outlines the board’s role: it hears appeals on fire code official decisions (Section 108.1), can interpret the code (B), approve alternatives (C) per Section 104.9, and establish procedural rules (D) per Section 108.2. However, the board cannot “waive” code requirements outright (A)—it can only grant variances or approve alternatives that still meet the code’s intent, not eliminate requirements entirely. Waiving implies nullification, which exceeds the board’s authority; that power rests with the fire code official or legislative amendments. Thus, A is the exception.

In organic coating processes where Class I liquids are exposed to air, fire codes require Class I, Division I electrical installations in hazardous locations to prevent ignition of flammable vapors.

The "immediate vicinity" around pumps or equipment where vapors may accumulate extends 10 feet horizontally from the vapor liberation point in all directions.

Reference to Fire Inspector Documentation:

1. 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) – Section 1503.2.1 (Electrical Installations in Organic Coating Processes)

IFC 1503.2.1 requires that electrical components must be rated for Class I, Division I within 10 feet of vapor sources.

This prevents ignition hazards in locations with flammable vapors.

2. NFPA 33 – Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials (2021 Edition) – Section 6.5.2

NFPA 33, Section 6.5.2 states that a 10-foot horizontal zone is considered hazardous and requires Class I, Division I electrical installation.

Detailed Explanation of Answer Choices:

Option A (Incorrect): 5 feet is too short and does not provide sufficient protection from vapor migration.

Option B (Correct): 10 feet is the correct required distance per IFC 1503.2.1 and NFPA 33.

Option C (Incorrect): 20 feet is beyond the required hazardous zone.

Option D (Incorrect): 50 feet is excessive and not required by code.

Thus, the correct and verified answer is: B. 10.

Exit Announcements in Motion Picture Theaters

According to the International Fire Code (IFC) 2021, Section 403.9.1.2, motion picture theaters must provide an audible announcement informing occupants of exit locations no more than 5 minutes prior to the start of each program.

This requirement ensures that audience members are aware of exit locations in case of an emergency, enhancing fire safety in crowded venues.

2. Verification of Other Options

Option B (10 minutes) – Exceeds the IFC maximum timeframe. Incorrect.

Option C (20 minutes) – Not specified in the IFC as a valid timeframe. Incorrect.

Option D (30 minutes) – Far beyond the required timeframe and would likely be ineffective. Incorrect.

Reference Sources:

International Fire Code (IFC) 2021 – Section 403.9.1.2 (Theater Exit Announcements)

NFPA 101: Life Safety Code (Theater Occupancy Requirements)

ICC Fire Inspector II Study Guide (2021)

Minimum Working Space Width for Electrical Equipment Panels

According to National Electrical Code (NEC) 110.26(A)(2) and International Fire Code (IFC) 2021, Section 604.3, the minimum working space width for electrical equipment must be at least the width of the equipment or 30 inches, whichever is greater.

Since the equipment panel in the question is 66 inches wide, the required working space width must be at least 66 inches.

2. Why 66 Inches is the Correct Answer

The minimum clearance width must be equal to the width of the electrical equipment if the panel itself is wider than 30 inches.

This ensures safe maintenance and emergency access to electrical components.

3. Verification of Other Options

Option A (30 inches) – Incorrect, because the equipment is wider than 30 inches, requiring a larger clearance.

Option B (36 inches) – Incorrect, as this is not the requirement for a 66-inch-wide panel.

Option D (78 inches) – Incorrect, as the clearance does not need to exceed the width of the panel.

Reference Sources:

National Electrical Code (NEC) 2023 – Section 110.26(A)(2) (Working Space Width Requirements)

International Fire Code (IFC) 2021 – Section 604.3 (Electrical Equipment Clearance Requirements)

ICC Fire Inspector II Study Guide (2021)

Smoke alarm requirements for individual guest rooms in hotels are specified in the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) Section 907.2.11.3 and NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code).

IFC 907.2.11.3 – Smoke Alarms in Group R-1 Occupancies (Hotels and Motels):

Requires smoke alarms in sleeping areas to be interconnected so that when one alarm is activated, it will trigger all alarms within the guest room or suite.

This ensures that occupants in different areas of the same guest room are alerted simultaneously to fire hazards.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

A. Their batteries must be checked every six months.

The IFC and NFPA 72 require smoke alarm batteries to be checked, but they do not mandate a six-month inspection schedule.

B. They must automatically sound a fire alarm throughout the hotel.

Smoke alarms within an individual guest room do not have to activate the entire hotel’s fire alarm system.

C. They must initiate an automatic fire suppression or sprinkler system.

Smoke alarms are designed for early detection and warning, not for activating fire suppression systems.

✅ Correct Answer: D. They must be interconnected so that one alarm will activate all alarms within the guest rooms.

Platforms used for access to aboveground tanks storing flammable or combustible liquids are regulated by 2021 IFC, Section 5704 – Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids.

IFC 5704.2.7.4 – Access to Aboveground Tanks:

"Platforms, ladders, and stairways providing access to aboveground tanks storing flammable or combustible liquids shall be of noncombustible construction."

This ensures that in case of fire, the access structures do not contribute to the spread of flames.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

A. At least 4 ft. wide. – The IFC does not specify a required width for platforms.

C. Built of nonferrous, nonsparking metal. – While important in hazardous areas, this is not a general requirement for platforms accessing aboveground tanks.

D. Located no closer than 3 ft. to the side of the tank. – There is no specific 3-ft. clearance requirement in the IFC for platforms.

✅ Correct Answer: B. Built of noncombustible construction.

A container in a clean-agent extinguishing system must be refilled or replaced if it experiences a loss of more than 5% of its original weight or a loss in original pressure of more than 3%. This requirement ensures the system maintains sufficient agent concentration for fire suppression.

Reference to Fire Inspector Documentation:

1. NFPA 2001 – Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems (2022 Edition)

NFPA 2001, Section 7.3.2.1 states that a container must be refilled or replaced if the weight loss exceeds 5% or the pressure loss exceeds 3% from the original fill pressure.

These limits are set to maintain system effectiveness and ensure that a clean-agent system can properly discharge in case of a fire.

2. 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) – Chapter 9 (Fire Protection Systems)

IFC 904.10 requires that clean-agent systems be maintained per NFPA 2001 to ensure reliability.

Detailed Explanation of Answer Choices:

Option A (Correct): 3% pressure loss is the correct threshold beyond which a container must be replaced or refilled.

Option B (Incorrect): While 5% is correct for weight loss, it is not the correct value for pressure loss.

Option C (Incorrect): A 10% pressure loss is too high and would compromise system performance before reaching the replacement threshold.

Option D (Incorrect): 12% is well beyond the acceptable loss limit and would pose a significant safety risk.

Thus, the correct and verified answer is: A. 3

IFC Section 3804.1 classifies aerosol storage as Group H (high-hazard) if flammable, fitting option A. Options B and C are subgroups (H-2, H-3), while D (Group S-1) is for moderate-hazard storage, not applicable. This is consistent with the study guide's occupancy classifications.

References: Fire Inspector II Study Guide, IFC Section 3804.1.

IFC Section 3103.8.2 (Separation of Temporary Tents) requires tents larger than 15,000 sq. ft. to be separated by at least 20 feet to prevent fire spread, unless connected by a corridor meeting specific requirements (not indicated here). Each tent at 20,000 sq. ft. exceeds this threshold, necessitating 20 feet of separation. Option A (0 ft.) applies only to smaller tents, B (10 ft.) is insufficient, and D (25 ft.) exceeds the minimum. Thus, C is correct.