Class 2 Test Answers
Class 2 Test Answers 1. Small ductwork could most easily be placed within which of the following types of structural systems? A. beam and girder steel B. flat plate concrete C. open-web steel joists D. twin T concrete B - A flat plate concrete structure consists of just a slab of concrete and columns, making it possible to run ductwork in any direction and in any position (except for the column locations) without interference from any structure. An open-web steel joist system would be the second easiest of those listed because small ductwork can be run through the webs of the joists.
2. What is NOT allowed in a return-air plenum? A. fire dampers B. electrical cable C. water supply pipes D. wood blocking D - Most building codes do not allow any combustible material in a return-air plenum (the space above the suspended ceiling). Electrical cable is allowed if it is enclosed in steel conduit.
3. The minimum clear width for a door is A. 30 in B. 32 in C. 34 in D. 36 in B - The minimum clear width for a door is 32 in.
4. A client has requested a new entry to her consulting business, which is located in an old, unsprinklered building. The client's space must conform to current IBC requirements. The current entrance consists of a pair of all-glass doors mounted on floor closers. The entrance opens onto a 1hour rated building corridor. What should the designer tell the client to expect regarding the new entrance? A. Smoke seals will have to be located around the edges of the glass doors. B. The glass doors will have to be replaced. C. One of the doors will have to be removed. D. The floor closers will have to be changed to hinges. B - Smoke seals will be required, but the most important thing is that the glass doors will have to be replaced, either with solid, 20-minute rated doors or with 20-minute rated doors with glass that is also 20-minute rated. Because this will significantly change the appearance of the existing entry, it is the first thing the client should be Page 1 of 18
Class 2 Test Answers
told to expect. Either pivoted floor closers or hinges may be used as long as they are also fire-rated and the door is side-swinging.
5. Changing a ceiling from gypsum wallboard to acoustic tile would most affect the room's A. reverberation B. sound transmission C. decibel loss D. impact insulation class A - Changing from wallboard to acoustic tile affects the total absorption of a room and thereby changes the reverberation time.
6. A compact filing system is an example of A. dead load B. dynamic load C. lateral load D. live load D - Live loads include the loads of people, furniture, snow, and equipment.
7. The device that controls the volume of air and its distribution in an HVAC system is called a A. convector B. grille C. register D. duct C - A convector transfers heat from a hot water system to the air. A grille may control the distribution of air but has no provisions for controlling the volume of air. A duct simply directs the transfer of air from one point to another.
8. In developing a signage system for a health care clinic, the designer decides that the room identification signs should be mounted perpendicular to the wall near the door to each room. What would be of LEAST concern in the design work? A. the color of the lettering and its background B. the amount the Braille lettering is raised above the surface C. whether or not the width of the accessible route was reduced D. the mounting height to the center of the sign A - Barrier-free design requires that objects do not protrude into the accessible path in such a way as to present a hazard. In addition, tactile signs must have a minimum 1/32 in raised surface, and accessible routes must not be reduced in width.
9. In designing a new space, the interior designer can influence life safety the most by coordinating with consultants concerning A. compartmentation Page 2 of 18
Class 2 Test Answers
B. C. D.
fire detection smoke control sprinklers
D - The interior designer would most likely be able to influence the design of sprinklers by coordinating with the mechanical or fire protection engineer during the construction documents phase of a project. For example, the interior designer could request that sprinklers be placed in certain positions or that additional sprinklers be installed. Compartmentation and smoke control are already designed by the architect and mechanical engineer in the original plans of the building, and there would be little the designer could do to change these elements. Fire detection is determined by the local building code and the type of building and occupancy, so little influence by the designer is possible.
10. According to the UBC, the minimum width of a stair when handrails are required on either side is A. 36 in B. 42 in C. 44 in D. 60 in C - Under the UBC, any stair 44 in or wider requires handrails on both sides.
11. Which is the most accurate statement about sound? A. A sound of 50 dB is twice as loud as a sound of 25 dB. B. A desirable goal of acoustic design is to eliminate all background noise. C. A 7 dB reduction of the noise within a room would be clearly noticeable. D. A good acoustic material absorbs all frequencies equally. C - Any change above 5 db is clearly noticeable.
12. What term is used to denote the member supporting the treads in a wood stairway? A. carriage B. header C. saddle D. stringer A
13. In a plenum, how can a fire be prevented from spreading horizontally? A. install sprinkler systems B. use fire-rated dividers C. use fiberglass material D. install fire dampers B - In the space between a suspended ceiling and the structural floor above, fire-rated dividers are required if partitions do not extend through the plenum. Fire dampers are used in partitions and other fire-rated separations to allow fire-rated openings for duct work.
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Class 2 Test Answers
14. When advising a client on where to attach fasteners to support wall-hung bookshelves in a residence, the interior designer should recommend that they be placed A. 12 in on center B. 16 in on center C. 24 in on center D. across the double top plate B - Standard residential wood house framing is 16 in on center.
15. What type of slab CANNOT be penetrated for a stair opening? A. reinforced concrete B. post and beam C. waffle slab D. post tensioned D - Post-tensioned slabs could not be penetrated, because a stair opening would probably require cutting an area larger than the spacing of the post-tensioning cables. In addition, if one of the cables were severed, the slab could collapse. In the other types of slabs listed, the locations of reinforcing and beams could be easily determined, and those elements could be avoided or reinforced when cutting large or small openings.
16. What type of system would be best for an open office plan so the heating and cooling for each workstation could be individually controlled? A. all-air B. all-water C. radiant panel D. air-water A - An all-air system can be subdivided into as many individually controlled areas as needed. Radiant panels could be used, but it would be awkward to locate them in the ceiling and the cost would be much higher than that of an all-air system.
17. Core drilling would be most difficult in which type of structural system? A. concrete over steel deck B. flat slab concrete C. one-way pan joist concrete D. post-tensioned concrete D - A post-tensioned concrete slab contains tendons under high tension. Normally, these tendons are located throughout the slab, which would make it very difficult, if not impossible, to drill a small hole through the structure. Concrete over steel decking has little or no reinforcement and is easy to core drill. A flat slab concrete slab has reinforcing, but that reinforcement can be located with X-raying, and cutting one reinforcing bar is not usually a problem. With a one-way pan joist system it is easy to locate the joists and drill through the thinner slab.
18. In a nonresidential building, how many stair risers equals a flight? A. 1 B. 2 Page 4 of 18
Class 2 Test Answers
C. D.
3 12
B - According to the UBC and other current codes, a series of two or more risers is a flight.
19. In addition to meeting the requirements of the ADA, what other accessibility requirements should the interior designer be most concerned with when doing design development for a commercial project? A. ANSI A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities B. scoping provisions of the local building code C. ADAAG D. the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards B - Scoping provisions tell the designer how much of something is required. Although there are scoping provisions in the ADA, local codes may be more stringent, in which case the interior designer must conform to the most restrictive requirements. ANSI A117.1 may or may not be applicable in a given jurisdiction. If it has been adopted by the local building code, it is important to review to see if the requirements are more restrictive than those of the ADA. The latest edition of A117.1 leaves scoping up to local jurisdiction. ADAAG is the ADA Accessibility Guidelines and is part of the ADA, so this option is irrelevant. The Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards are applicable to federal buildings and projects that receive federal funding and would not be used for a commercial project.
20. According to the IBC, dead-end corridors in unsprinklered buildings are limited to a maximum of A. 10 ft B. 20 ft C. 40 ft D. 50 ft B - The IBC limits dead-end corridors to 20 ft in unsprinklered buildings.
21. When selecting interior partition finishes to meet flame-spread standards, the most important considerations are A. the occupancy group, and the location in the building where the finishes will be used B. whether or not the building has an automatic sprinkler system, and the construction type C. whether or not the partition is a fire barrier, and the ratings of assemblies in the partition D. the hourly rating of the partition on which the finish will be installed, and the construction type A - Building codes limit flammability of finishes based on the occupancy of the building and whether the finishes are in an exit or not. A sprinkler system may allow a reduction in one flame-spread class rating but it is not the overriding variable. Flame-spread requirements are also independent of the rating of the assembly on which the finishes are placed.
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Class 2 Test Answers
22. A residential client with a one-story house wants to remove an 8 ft section of a loadbearing wall to make an opening between two existing rooms. What is the most appropriate advice the interior designer can give? A. The opening can be framed, but a structural engineer will be needed. B. An architect will have to be retained to sign the drawings for the building department. C. The opening can be framed with a double 2" x 8" header. D. The proposed opening cannot be made because the wall is a load-bearing wall. A - Option B is incorrect because an architect would have to do more than just sign the drawings; structural calculations would be necessary. Option C is incorrect because the interior designer is not qualified to determine what type of header is needed. Option D is incorrect because the opening can be made as long as it is engineered properly by a qualified professional.
23. What would be the best combination of dimensions for a stair serving a sleeping loft in a condominium where space was at a premium and the floor-to-floor dimension was 9 ft 4 in? A. 7 in riser, 10 in tread B. 7 in riser, 11 in tread C. 8 in riser, 10 in tread D. 8 in riser, 11 in tread A - If space is at a premium and the floor-to-floor dimension is fixed, minimize the number of treads and the width of one so as to achieve the shortest possible total run. Choices B and C with the 8 in riser cannot be used because the code maximum for residential uses is 7他 in. The 7 in riser will work, so select the one with the narrowest tread, 10 in.
24. Exits may NEVER pass through A. kitchens B. foyers C. reception rooms D. lobbies A - Exits may never pass through kitchens.
25. The majority of building codes in the United States are established by A. federal codes B. model code writing agencies C. state governments D. local governments D - Any rights not specifically reserved for the federal government by the United States Constitution revert to individual states. The states, in turn, can delegate control of construction to local jurisdictions. Only a few states have a state building code. In nearly all cases, the local or state code is based on the IBC or one of the model codes.
26. The three parts of a means of egress include the I. public way Page 6 of 18
Class 2 Test Answers
II. III. IV. V. VI. A. B. C. D.
exit exit access exit enclosure exit discharge corridor
I, II, and III I, III, and VI II, III, and V II, IV, and V
C - Normally. the three parts are identified as they go from the least protected to the most protected: exit access, exit, and exit discharge.
27. When considering the initial space planning of an accessible toilet room, which of the following design elements should be of most concern? A. door swing and toilet position B. grab bar location and approach dimension C. stall depth and grab bar location D. door swing and approach dimension D - The size of accessible stalls, whether standard, end, or row type, is more or less fixed. Factors that could affect the total space required would be use of an in-swing door (which adds to the area required) and whether the design uses a side or front approach (latch side takes the least room). Grab bar locations and the toilet partition relative to the stall are fixed and would not be of initial concern.
28. The interior designer can design details to accommodate building movement caused by all of the following EXCEPT A. building expansion B. floor deflection C. seismic events D. wind sway A - Movement joints for building expansion must be designed into the original building structure by the architect. The interior designer can design slip joints for floor deflection, ceiling systems for seismic events, and slip joints for wind sway.
29. In working with an electrical engineer on a project, what information would the designer most likely put on the interior design power plan? A. switch locations B. dedicated outlets C. conduit sizing D. speaker locations B - The interior designer would not determine conduit size or put speaker locations on the power plan. This eliminates options C and D. Switch locations would be placed on the reflected ceiling plan. Page 7 of 18
Class 2 Test Answers
30. What would NOT be allowed in an access floor with removable panel? A. computer cable B. plumbing C. HVAC D. electrical conduit B - Computer cable and electrical conduit are commonly placed in access floors, such as below computer rooms. Duct work is also allowed. Plumbing is not allowed because pipe breaks can cause problems.
31. What ratings are the most important in evaluating the acoustic quality of a floor and ceiling assembly? I. STC II. NRC III. IIC IV. NC A. I and II B. I and III C. II and III D. III and IV B - Impact isolation class and sound transmission coefficient are both important ratings for evaluating transmission loss through a floor/ceiling assembly.
32. Where are flame-spread ratings in a building most restrictive? A. in exit enclosures B. on corridor floors C. in access ways to exits D. in enclosed spaces A - The most restrictive requirements for finish materials are in enclosed vertical exitway enclosures.
33. To detail a doorframe for a conference room where privacy is critical, which of the following is LEAST likely to be required? A. an automatic door bottom B. a heavy-duty, silent door closer C. neoprene gasketing D. a solid-core door B - The noise created by a door closer might be objectionable for the short time the door was closing, but it would have no affect on privacy once the door was closed.
34. A client has requested that special security protection be provided for critical paper files containing corporate trade secrets, but at a reasonable cost. In designing the file room, the interior designer should suggest Page 8 of 18
Class 2 Test Answers
A. B. C. D.
card readers at the doors leading to the file room photoelectric beams within the room magnetic contacts on all doors leading to the file room electronic shielding of the file room
A - Card readers would be the most cost-effective solution because they could provide access control as well as notification if there was an attempt at unauthorized entry.
35. If all of the following are present, what must be modified to achieve acoustic separation in a perimeter office? A. acoustical tiles B. gypsum wallboard C. convector D. batt insulation C - Although all of the listed options could be modified to improve acoustic separation, a convector is the most troublesome and must be modified or it will allow sound to travel through the vents in one office, through the opening around the convector pipe, and out the vents in the adjacent office.
36. Which of the following is an INCORRECT statement about corridors? A. Corridor construction must be fire-rated. B. Corridors are part of the exit access. C. Corridors must be used exclusively for egress. D. Corridors are included in calculating travel distance. A - The main thing to remember is that corridors are part of the exit access. This means that they are used for calculating travel distance, but they do not necessarily have to be fire-rated (although they usually are). Also, by definition they must be used exclusively for egress.
37. During space planning, the designer must locate a 36 in door leading from a corridor, where limited space is available, into another room. One option is to orient the corridor either perpendicular or parallel to the wall separating the corridor from the room and to swing the door in any direction. The door will have a latch only, with no closer. In order to provide for accessibility and minimize the width of the corridor, which of the following door orientations and approach directions would best meet the criteria? A. front approach, door swings into room B. latch side approach, door swings into corridor C. hinge side approach, door swings into room D. front approach, door swings into corridor C - Required maneuvering clearances indicate that the side approach with the door swinging into the room only requires a minimum of 42 in (assuming the door has no closer). This would allow the use of a 44 in minimum corridor. The front approach (door swings into room) and latch side approach (door swings into corridor) both require a minimum of 48 in. The front approach (door swings into corridor) would require a 60 in corridor (a 36 in door plus 24 in of side clearance). Page 9 of 18
Class 2 Test Answers
38. If a material supplier says that adding his product to a wall assembly in a critical acoustic situation would increase the noise reduction (STC rating) between two rooms by slightly more than 3 dB, what should the designer's reaction be? A. Determine what the additional cost would be and then decide whether or not to use the product. B. Thank him for stopping by but explain that the amount of noise reduction his product provides does not make it worth the effort or cost. C. Specify it as long as it does not affect the construction cost by more than 5%. D. Inquire whether some modification can be made to the product to increase its rating to 6 dB. B - Because a change in intensity level of 3 dB is considered just perceptible, it would probably be better not to use the material, regardless of how low the added cost was. Trying to modify the material to 6 dB would also probably not be worth the trouble. If an STC rating of 6 dB or higher is needed, it would be better to look at another construction assembly instead of trying to make do with a modified material. Option D could be correct if the material was such that simply doubling it would result in a 6 dB increase rather than modifying it, but the question does not include enough information to make this determination.
39. What does the symbol shown indicate on a floor plan? A. column B. truss C. beam D. joist A - An H-shaped symbol represents a column in plan or a beam in section.
40. In a 90,000 ft2, single-story office building, what would be of greatest concern in space planning? A. dead-end corridors B. corridor widths C. horizontal exits D. travel distances 2
2
D - A 90,000 ft building would be approximately 300 ft or about 250 ft wide and 360 ft long. The size combined with typical rectangular planning of corridors would create very long distances to exits.
41. When doing design work for remodeling toilet rooms to make them accessible, the designer finds that it is impossible to provide adequate clearance on one side of a door. What is the best course of action? A. Propose to the client that walls be demolished and replanned to provide the necessary clearances. B. Apply to the building department for a variance because of the remodeling problem. C. Specify a power-assisted door opener that meets accessibility standards, and incorporate this into the design. Page 10 of 18
Class 2 Test Answers
D.
Suggest that a unisex toilet be built nearby that complies with all accessibility requirements.
C - The solution that is least expensive and most sensitive to accessibility requirements is to provide a powerassisted door opener.
42. Which two factors most typically determine whether a room must have at least two exits? A. occupancy and travel distance B. occupant load and occupancy C. travel distance and occupant load D. exit width factor and occupancy The two most important variables are the use of the space (occupancy) and the number of people that must exit the space (occupant load).
43. An accessible route must serve A. all accessible spaces and parts of a building B. the corridors, stairs, elevators, and toilet rooms of a building C. entrances, parking, toilet rooms, corridors, and drinking fountains D. entrances, corridors, toilet rooms, and elevators except those available only for maintenance personnel A - An accessible route must serve all accessible spaces and parts of a building.
44. What type of sprinkler head should be used for a decorative, open-grid, wood-slat ceiling suspended from the structural floor above? A. upright B. pendant C. sidewall D. recessed A - Upright sprinklers disperse the water upward so coverage is provided above and below the suspended woodslat ceiling.
45. A restaurant on the ground floor contains 3500 ft2 of dining area, a 1000 ft2 kitchen, and a 1200 ft2 bar. What is the total occupant load? (Use the following table.) Use Assembly areas, concentrated use (without fixed seats); i.e. auditoriums, dance floors, lodge rooms Assembly areas, less-concentrated use; i.e. conference rooms, dining rooms, drinking establishments, exhibit rooms, lounges, stages)
Occupant Load Factor (ft2 / occupant) 7 15
Hotels and apartments
200
Kitchen - commercial
200 Page 11 of 18
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Offices
100
Stores, ground level
30
A. B. C. D.
202 occupants 318 occupants 380 occupants 410 occupants
B - From the table, assembly areas including restaurants and bars have an occupant load of 15. Commercial kitchens have an occupant load of 200. Therefore, 2 2 (3500 ft ) รท (15 ft /occupant) = 233 occupants 2 2 (1000 ft ) รท (200 ft /occupant) = 5 occupants 2 2 (1200 ft ) รท (15 ft /occupant) = 80 occupants TOTAL = 318 occupants
46. The minimum number of toilet fixtures required for an interior design remodeling is determined by occupant load and A. accessibility requirements B. building type C. occupancy group D. square footage C - The International Plumbing Code and similar model codes base toilet fixture requirements on the basic use or occupancy of the building.
47. The structure above a small opening cut in a masonry loadbearing wall would be supported with a A. beam B. header C. lintel D. trimmer C - Option A is incorrect because a beam is used for structural framing and to span large openings. Option B is incorrect because a header refers to a lintel in wood frame construction. Option D is incorrect because a trimmer is a double thickness of wood framing around an opening running parallel to the direction of the joists.
48. During the design development phase of design, what method would NOT be used to reduce potential noise problems in a room whose exact size and shape had not yet been determined? A. Design the room to have the largest ceiling surface area possible. B. Plan for sound-absorbent material on the walls of the room. C. Study ways to increase the transmission loss of the room's partitions. D. Minimize the length of the wall separating the room from noisier areas. A - Options B, C, and D are all important considerations in controlling both noise within a room and noise being transmitted from outside a room. A large ceiling might be useful for applying sound-absorbent material, but the size of the ceiling is already determined by the time design development begins. Page 12 of 18
Class 2 Test Answers
49. Which test gives the most accurate evaluation of the safety of a partition system? A. ASTM E84, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials B. Steiner tunnel test C. room corner test D. ASTM E119, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials D - ASTM E119 tests the entire assembly, not just the finish materials like ASTM E84 (also known as the Steiner tunnel test). The ASTM E119 test is best at evaluating any barrier, like a partition, that is intended to prevent the spread of fire.
50. In starting a design project in a multi-use building, what information would an interior designer need to determine? I. construction type II. adjacent occupancies III. sprinkler condition IV. fire zone classification V. accessibility requirements A. I, II, and III B. I, IV, and V C. II, III, and IV D. II, IV, and V A - This question implies that the design process cannot proceed without some basic data that the interior designer might not otherwise have about a building. The most important pieces of information are construction type, adjacent occupancies, and sprinkler condition. Construction type could affect the maximum area of the client's proposed use and how the designer would have to detail shaft walls and structural enclosures. Adjacent occupancy groups would affect what rating the designer felt would be needed between the client's space and the existing spaces. Knowing whether or not a building was fully sprinklered would affect maximum allowable area, finishes, and other design and detailing decisions. Fire-zone classifications are generally irrelevant for interior design work. Accessibility requirements are necessary, but the requirements themselves do not relate to the building.
51. A designer is planning a library in which tall bookshelves will be used. If the project is located in a city that has adopted the International Building Code, where would the designer look to find requirements on the minimum allowable space between the top of the shelving and the sprinkler heads in the ceiling? A. IBC B. International Mechanical Code C. NFPA13 D. IPC C - The International Building Code refers to NFPA13 in detailing the requirements of sprinkler system design and installation. The other model codes refer to NFPA13 as well. Page 13 of 18
Class 2 Test Answers
52. With whom should the interior designer consult to determine where to put stacks in libraries? A. mechanical engineer B. library planner C. structural engineer D. fire protection designer C - Although all of these professionals may need to be consulted regarding book stacks, option C is the best choice. Because book stacks in libraries are very heavy, a structural engineer needs to determine if the existing floor is capable of supporting the weight. This would be the most important determining factor in early space planning and stack location. Issues of air supply, stack types, and sprinkler locations could be based on the final locations of stacks.
53. Which of the following is NOT true about noise reduction between two rooms? A. Noise reduction increases with an increase in the transmission loss of the wall separating the two rooms. B. The stiffness of the wall can affect noise reduction. C. To improve noise reduction, the designer should place absorptive materials on both sides of the wall. D. An increase in wall area separating the two rooms is detrimental. C - Although placing absorptive materials on both sides of the wall would not hurt and would decrease the noise level in the "noisier" room, the three most important variables are the wall's transmission loss, stiffness (dampening qualities), and area.
54. In a fully sprinklered office building, how many sprinklers would be required in a room measuring 20 ft x 25 ft? A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 6 C - The only way to locate sprinklers such that the maximum spacing between heads is 15 ft and the maximum spacing from the walls is 7½ ft is to use four heads.
55. Exits are always A. protected by fire-rated construction B. limited in length C. corridors or stairways D. required in buildings without sprinklers A - Exits are not limited in length (because they are protected), can be something as simple as a door, and are usually required in buildings with sprinklers.
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Class 2 Test Answers
56. What are the most important design elements to incorporate into a hotel, to provide safe egress for physically disabled people? I. visual alarms II. audible alarms III. flashing smoke detectors IV. large emergency lettering V. tactile signage A. I and II B. I and III C. II and IV D. II and V A - Emergency warning systems must provide both visual and audible alarms.
57. The two most important factors in determining the number of exits required for a particular room or space are A. occupancy and the distance from the room exit to the building exit B. the exit widths and common path of egress travel C. the occupant load and building size D. the occupancy and the occupant load D - The occupancy and occupant load are used to determine the number of exits.
58. Working under the IBC, a designer has calculated that a total exit width of 8 ft is required from a store. What combination of door widths would meet most exiting requirements? A. one 36 in door remotely located from a pair of 34 in doors B. a pair of 32 in doors remotely located from one 38 in door C. three 36 in doors remotely located D. three 34 in doors remotely located C - Options A, B, and D include doors that would provide less than a clear 32 in wide opening.
59. If a material does not burn, it is considered to be A. fire retardant B. fire rated C. flame resistant D. noncombustible D - By definition, a material that does not ignite or burn is considered noncombustible.
60. In order to specify an acceptable type of wall covering, which of the following tests should the designer require that the wall covering pass? A. methenamine pill test B. smoke density chamber test C. Steiner tunnel test Page 15 of 18
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D.
vertical ignition test
C - The Steiner tunnel test (ASTM E84) is used to measure the flammability of wall finishes and is the test most often required in building codes. The methenamine pill test is for carpet. The smoke density test does not measure flame spread, which is of vital importance. The vertical ignition test is for window coverings.
61. A designer selecting glass to meet the requirements for safety glazing in a hazardous location should specify A. tempered or laminated glass B. tempered or wire glass C. heat-strengthened glass or wire glass D. laminated glass or wire glass A - Only tempered and laminated glass are considered to be safety glazing, because they meet the requirements of 16 CFR 1201.
62. What is included in the rise of a stair? A. the vertical distance from one nosing to the next B. the average height of a step C. the distance from finish floor slab to finish floor slab D. the number of steps between landings 63. Which test is most frequently used to evaluate carpet in the United States? A. flooring radiant panel test B. Steiner tunnel test C. methenamine pill test D. methods of fire tests of building construction and materials C - All carpet manufactured or sold in the United States is required to pass the pill test. The flooring radiant panel test is used for corridor flooring and types of flooring in only a few occupancies. The Steiner tunnel test can be used, but is not a realistic test on carpet because the material is tested on top of the tunnel.
64. A designer is developing a space plan for a full floor tenant in a high-rise building. What two things does the designer need to know when determining the maximum travel distance? A. the construction type and height of the building B. the occupancy classification and whether the design involves an exit or exit access C. the occupancy classification and whether the building is sprinklered D. the construction type and whether the building is sprinklered C- The primary consideration for travel distance is whether or not the building is sprinklered. Then the codes may decrease the distance for certain occupancies.
65. In which building type are fire-resistive construction requirements likely to be LEAST restrictive? A. Type I B. Type II Page 16 of 18
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C. D.
Type III Type IV
D - The most restrictive building type is Type I, while the least restrictive is Type V.
66. In a small lecture hall, it would be best to avoid A. a sound amplification system B. a vaulted ceiling C. carpet D. parallel walls B - A vaulted ceiling would focus sound reflections into one concentrated area and produce annoying echoes or quiet spots in the hall.
67. Which type of sink is best for barrier-free design? A. vanity B. pedestal C. wall hung D. free standing C - All the sink installations listed as possible options can work if they meet the measurement requirements, but a wall-hung lavatory gives the most open access, usually exceeding the minimum requirements.
68. In specifying new window coverings and track to replace building standard window coverings, what coordination is LEAST important for the interior designer to undertake? A. asking the electrical engineer if the new light reflectance is detrimental B. verifying that the building owner does not care about the change in the building's exterior appearance C. determining if the mechanical engineer objects to the replacement plans D. checking with the architect to see that the new coverings do not adversely affect the heating of the glass A - New window coverings can affect the exterior appearance of a building and the heat load, which affects the mechanical system. Also, they can put additional heat stress on glass, causing cracking or breaking. Although light reflectance might be affected, it would be minor and probably not affect the overall light quality in the room.
69. Insulation is used in interior walls to A. prevent heat transmission from one side to the other B. improve the strength of the wall C. improve the acoustic characteristics of the wall D. increase the fire resistance of the wall C - For interior partitions, insulation is only good to dampen sound within the cavity of the partition.
70. Exit access corridors in nonsprinklered buildings must have a rating of A. 30 minutes Page 17 of 18
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B. C. D.
45 minutes 1 hour 2 hours
C - According to the IBC, exit access corridors must have a 1-hour rating.
71. ASTM is an example of A. a model code group B. an industry standard-writing organization C. a testing laboratory D. a federal code writing agency B - ASTM is the American Society for Testing and Materials and is one of the organizations that establish a wide variety of standards covering testing methods, products, definitions, and more. Although its committees develop test methods, it is not a testing laboratory.
72. Which of the following is an INCORRECT statement about fire-rated door assemblies? A. Either hinges or rated pivots may be used. B. Under some circumstances a closer is not needed. C. Labeling is required for both the door and frame. D. Glass area is limited based on rating. B - Closers are always required with fire-rated door assemblies (protected openings).
73. As measured from the nosing, a handrail for barrier-free design must have a height of A. 28 in to 32 in B. 30 in to 34 in C. 32 in to 36 in D. 34 in to 38 in D - As measured from the nosing, a handrail for barrier-free design must be 34 in to 38 in high.
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