ICC B3 Building Plans Examiner Cheat Sheet

504.3=height | 504.4=stories | 506.2=area

Vertical vs horizontal limit

1. Need max fire rating→Type I-A(3-hr frame)
2. Budget wood frame ok→Type V-B(0-hr frame)
3. Mass timber high-rise→Type IV-A(Up to 18 stories)
4. Need area increase→Check frontage(Section 506.3)
5. Multiple occupancies→Section 508(Separated or nonseparated)

Chapter 3

Occupancy classification

Chapter 6

Five construction types

Type I-A

3-hour frame rating

Type V-B

0-hour frame rating

Section 508

Mixed occupancy rules

Table 504.3

Max height, feet

Table 504.4

Max stories above grade

Table 506.2

Allowable area factor

NS

No sprinkler system

S1

Sprinklered, one story

Section 506.3

Frontage area increase

Chapter 14

Exterior wall coverings

Chapter 11

Accessibility scoping only

Section 1104

Accessible route

ICC A117.1

NOT an approved reference

Chapter 12

Interior environment

Wall=strongest | Barrier=vertical | Partition=corridor | Smoke=air only

Standalone vs component

1. Sizing a stairway→0.3 in/occupant
2. Sizing a corridor→0.2 in/occupant
3. Sprinklered + voice alarm→Reduce factor(0.15 or 0.2)
4. Occupant load over 49→Provide 2 exits
5. Common path too long→Add second exit(Table 1006.2.1)
6. Need travel distance limit→Table 1017.2

Table 1004.5

Occupant load factors

Business areas

150 gross sf/occupant

Assembly, unconcentrated

15 net sf/occupant

Stairways

0.3 in per occupant

Other components

0.2 in per occupant

Section 1006.2.1

Common path limits

Stairs=0.3 in | Other=0.2 in | Sprinklered=0.15-0.2 in

Fire rating vs smoke control

1. Separate buildings on one lot→Fire wall(Section 706)
2. Enclose exit stairway→Fire barrier(Section 707)
3. Rate a corridor wall→Fire partition(Section 708)
4. Compartmentalize I-2/I-3 smoke→Smoke barrier(Section 709)
5. Limit smoke only→Smoke partition(Section 710)

Table 1017.2

Travel distance limits

Group B

200 to 300 ft

Section 1011.5.2

Stair riser and tread

Max riser

7 inches

Min tread

11 inches

Section 1020.3

Corridor width rule

Business 150 | Mercantile 60 | Assembly 15 | Warehouse 500

Total path vs first segment

1. Exit stairwell finish→Class A or B typical(Verify Table 803.13)
2. Need most fire resistant→Class A(FSI 0-25)
3. Hazardous glazing location→Safety glazing(Section 2406.4)
4. Need fire door rating→Table 716.1(2)

Table 601

Rating by element

Table 705.5

Rating by separation

Section 706

Fire walls

Section 707

Fire barriers

Section 708

Fire partitions

Section 709

Smoke barriers

Section 710

Smoke partitions

Exits need stricter class

Section 903.2

Sprinkler triggers

Section 903.2.8

All Group R areas

Section 907.2

Fire alarm triggers

Section 907.2.1

Group A, 300+ occupants

Table 716.1(2)

Fire door ratings

Table 803.13

Finish class by location

Class A

FSI 0-25

Class B

FSI 26-75

Class C

FSI 76-200

Section 2406.4.1

Glazing in doors

Section 2406.4.5

Wet surfaces, under 60 in