The specific code is chosen over the general code when the circumstance is in question.
Assignment #1
What is the purpose and scope of the International Residential Code?
Scope: This code applies to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal and demolition of detached one and two family dwellings and townhouses not more than 3 stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures not more than 3 stories above grade plane in height.
Purpose: To establish minimum requirements to provide a reasonable level of safety, health and general welfare through affordability, structural strength, means of egress, stability, sanitation, light and ventilation, energy conservation and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards and to provide a reasonable level of safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.
Assignment #2
What is a dead load? A live load?
Dead load: The weight of materials of construction incorporated into the building, including but not limited to walls, floors, roofs, ceilings, stairways, built-in partitions, finishes, cladding, and other similarly incorporated architectural and structural items, and fixed service equipment.
Live load: Those loads produced by the use and occupancy of the building or other structure and do not include construction or environmental loads such as wind load, snow load, rain load, earthquake load, flood load or dead load.
Assignment #3
Where natural light is used to satisfy the minimum illumination requirements, how is the minimum required amount of glazing determined? Where artificial light is used, what illumination level is mandated?
Habitable rooms shall have an aggregate glazing area of not less than 8% of the floor area of such rooms.
Where artificial light is used, it must be capable of producing an average illumination of 6 footcandles over the area of the room at a height of 30 inches above floor level.
For Writing Assignment #1, 2021 IRC Exam Study Course:
”When there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, which provision shall be applicable?”
The Specific requirement shall always take precedence.
Reference R102.1:
”Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable. Where, in any specific case, different sections of this code specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.”
For Writing Assignment #2, 2021 IRC Exam Study Course:
”What is the maximum snow load permitted when using the conventional construction provisions of the IRC?”
The maximum snow load permitted is 70psf or less.
Reference R301.2.3, and R301.6:
Wood-framed construction, cold-formed steel-framed construction and masonry and concrete construction, and structural insulated panel construction in regions with ground snow loads 70 psf (3.35 kPa) or less, shall be in accordance with Chapters 5, 6 and 8. Buildings in regions with ground snow loads greater than 70 psf (3.35 kPa) shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice. The roof shall be designed for the live load indicated in Table R301.6 or the ground snow load indicated in Table R301.2, whichever is greater.
Assignment #4
- What is the maximum allowable riser height in a stairway? Minimum allowable tread run? Within a flight of stairs, what is the maximum tolerance permitted between the smallest and greatest riser height? Between the smallest and greatest tread run?
Max height for a stairway - Standard = 7 3/4”, Spiral = 9 1/2”
Min tread run - 10”
Max height tolerance between treads - 3/8”
Between smallest and greatest tread run - 3/8”
Assignment #5
In what manner must the sill plate be connected to the foundation wall? What is the maximum size and spacing for anchor bolts?
Wooden sill plates are to be attached with minimum 1/2” diameter bolts, or approved anchors or anchor straps that provide equivalent anchorage not less than 7 bolt diameters or more than 12” of each end and spaced no more than 6ft on center. Bolts shall extend not less than 7” into concrete or grouted cells of concrete masonry units. There shall not be fewer than 2 bolts per plate section.