F3 Fire Plans Examiner Exam Prep

F3 Fire Plans Examiner Study Guide

Exam Overview

Fire Plans Examiner (F3)

• Questions: 60 multiple-choice
• Time Limit: 3.5 hours (210 minutes)
• Format: Open book
• Cost: $320
• Code Books: 2021 IBC (International Building Code), 2021 IFC (International Fire Code)
• Passing Score: 75% (42 of 60 questions)

Exam Content Breakdown

1. General Administration – 12% (7 questions)
2. Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction – 20% (12 questions)
3. Fire Protection Systems (Plans) – 24% (14 questions)
4. Means of Egress (Plans) – 20% (12 questions)
5. Special Occupancies and Uses – 12% (7 questions)
6. Hazardous Materials (Plans) – 12% (7 questions)

1. General Administration (12% – 7 questions)

Plan Review Authority and Process

IFC Chapter 1 — Scope and Administration

• IFC 101: Scope — fire code applies to all buildings and premises
• IFC 103: Department of Fire Prevention — authority and duties
• IFC 105: Permits — operational and construction permits
• IFC 107: Inspections — authority to inspect during and after construction

Plan Review Fundamentals

• Plan submittal requirements: Fire protection plans, fire alarm shop drawings, sprinkler layout plans
• Review scope: Fire-resistance ratings, egress design, fire protection systems, hazardous material storage
• Approval process: Plans examiner reviews for code compliance, approves or returns with comments
• Alternative methods: IFC 104.9 — alternative materials and methods may be approved

IBC Chapter 1 — Administration

• IBC 104.1: Authority to approve or reject plans
• IBC 106: Floor and roof design loads shown on plans
• IBC 107: Submittal documents — construction documents reviewed for code compliance
• IBC 110: Certificate of occupancy requirements

2. Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction (20% – 12 questions)

IBC Chapter 6 — Types of Construction

Construction Types

• Type I (A & B): Noncombustible, highest fire-resistance ratings
• Type I-A: 3-hour structural frame, 2-hour floor, 1½-hour roof
• Type I-B: 2-hour structural frame, 2-hour floor, 1-hour roof
• Type II (A & B): Noncombustible, reduced ratings
• Type II-A: 1-hour structural frame, 1-hour floor, 1-hour roof
• Type II-B: 0-hour (unprotected noncombustible)
• Type III (A & B): Exterior noncombustible, interior combustible allowed
• Type III-A: 1-hour interior elements
• Type III-B: 0-hour interior elements
• Type IV: Heavy timber (mass timber)
• Type IV-A, IV-B, IV-C, IV-HT (heavy timber)
• Type V (A & B): Combustible construction
• Type V-A: 1-hour elements
• Type V-B: 0-hour (no requirements)

IBC Table 601 — Fire-Resistance Rating Requirements

• Critical table for plan review — must verify construction type matches rated assemblies on plans
• Verify structural frame, bearing walls, floor construction, and roof construction ratings

IBC Chapter 7 — Fire and Smoke Protection Features

Fire Walls (IBC 706)

• Create separate buildings for code purposes
• Must extend from foundation to or through roof
• Fire-resistance rating: 2 to 4 hours (IBC Table 706.4)
• Opening protection required

Fire Barriers (IBC 707)

• Separate occupancies, dwelling/sleeping units, incidental uses, control areas
• Fire-resistance rating per IBC Table 707.3.10
• Must extend from floor to underside of floor or roof deck above

Fire Partitions (IBC 708)

• Required for corridor walls, dwelling/sleeping unit separations, tenant separations
• Minimum 1-hour (½-hour for sprinklered dwelling unit separations)

Smoke Barriers (IBC 709)

• Required in Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies
• Minimum 1-hour fire-resistance rating

Shaft Enclosures (IBC 713)

• Required for floor openings (elevators, stairs, MEP shafts, etc.)
• 2-hour for buildings 4+ stories, 1-hour for buildings less than 4 stories

Opening Protectives

• Fire doors: Rated per IBC Table 716.5 based on wall type
• Fire windows: Rated per IBC Table 716.5
• Fire dampers: Required at duct penetrations of fire-resistance-rated assemblies

Penetrations and Joints

• IBC 714: Through-penetrations must be protected with listed firestop systems
• IBC 715: Fire-resistant joint systems required at joints in fire-resistance-rated assemblies
• ASTM E814: Test standard for firestop systems

3. Fire Protection Systems — Plans (24% – 14 questions)

IBC Chapter 9 / IFC Chapter 9 — Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems

Automatic Sprinkler Systems

• IBC 903.2: When sprinklers are required — by occupancy, area, height
• Group A: Required when occupant load >300 in fire area
• Group E: Required throughout
• Group H: Required throughout
• Group I: Required throughout
• Group R: Various thresholds per subcategory
• Sprinkler system types: Wet pipe, dry pipe, preaction, deluge
• NFPA 13: Standard for installation (referenced by IBC)
• Plan review: Verify sprinkler coverage, system type, water supply adequacy