You can read IBC and many other codes online for free

You can read IBC and many other codes online for free.  See link:

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2018  

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

For b101 or a101, what is rule of thumb for communication route between architect and contactor?

 

“for b101 or a101 say what is rule of thumb for communication route between architect and contactor?

if architects finds some dangerous moments from the construction site, he communicates to general contractor right away? or he has to talk to owner about it?

same for contractor, if he sees error on design drawings, he messages to architect through rfi or.. similar formal manners, or is it that he has to speak through the owner to architect?

I think I'm just confused that architect and contractor don't have direct contract between them.”

Answer: If architects finds some dangerous moments from the construction site, s/he need to first act like a normal person and do what a normal person would do, call 911 or whatever is needed. If you are talking about the normal protocol of communications, if an architect finds work not in compliance with the construction documents, s/he can reject the work per AIA contract.

General contractors communicate with the architects all the time, send RFIs and submittals to architects, etc., typically cc the owner too. General contractor is point of contact for the contractors, all sub-contractors’ communications to architect should go through the general contractor. The architect is the point of contact to the design team under architect’s contract, all communications to the architect’s design team should go through the architect.

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

Which of the following is correct when calculating building area increase based on frontage?

An architect is designing a 3-story high self-storage building. The building has a 10 feet set back to the north and the north property line is adjacent to a 60-feet wide public way. It has a 5 feet set back to the west and the west property line is adjacent to a 55-feet wide public way. The building is 48 feet to the east property line, and 45 feet to the south property line. Which of the following is correct when calculating building area increase based on frontage?

a.       The architect should use 30 feet as the yard width for all 4 sides.

b.      The architect should use the formula in IBC section 506.3.2 to calculate the weighted average yard width

c.       The side yards shall be center line of the public way

d.      The side yards can only be measured to the property line

Scroll down to see the answer:

 

Answer: a. The architect should use 30 feet as the yard width for all 4 sides.

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

An overflow scupper and downspout can drain to a covered trash enclosure below. What should the architect do?

 

A building has a roof area that is sloped at ¼” per foot. The roof area has overflow scuppers and downspouts. The architect discover an overflow scupper and downspout can drain to a covered trash enclosure below. What should the architect do?

a.       Relocate both the down spout and the overflow scupper

b.       Relocate the down spout but leave the overflow scupper at the original location

c.       Contact the owner and ask the owner’s opinion

d.       Contact the city to find out if the overflow scupper can be placed over a covered trash enclosure

 

Scroll down to see the answer:

 

Answer: a. Relocate both the down spout and the overflow scupper

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

Many of the problems I came up with are based on real problems...

 I have started to post the answers for the questions whenever I have time. I wish I could have more time, but between managing multiple projects, and acting as LEED administrator for many projects, and writing my other books for ARE exams, I can only pitch in time every now and then.

Many of the problems I came up with are based on real problems I encountered in my work as an architect, they should help you pass the ARE exams, but more importantly, they can help you become a better architect.

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

Which of the the types of buildings could have unlimited area?

 

IBC Section 507, Unlimited Area Buildings, includes the follow types of buildings that could have unlimited area:

a.        One-story buildings

b.        Two-story buildings

c.         Three-story buildings

d.        Both a and b

e.        a, b, and c

Scroll down to see the answer:

 

Answer: d. Both a and b

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

A door in a 1-hour rated wall needs to be:

 

A door in a 1-hour rated wall needs to be:

a.     1-hour rated

b.    45-minute rated

c.     30-minute rated

d.    Non-rated with an automatic closer

Scroll down to see the answer.

Answer: b. 45-minute rated

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

For a 6” bearing metal stud wall that is 12’ high, which of the following statements is correct?

 

For a 6” bearing metal stud wall that is 12’ high, which of the following statements is correct?

1.     It needs to have fixed bottom connection, and slip track top connection.

2.     It needs to have slip track bottom connection, and fixed top connection

3.     It needs to have fixed bottom connection, and fixed top connection

4.     It needs to have slip track bottom connection, and slip track top connection.

Scroll down to see the answer.

A: 3. It needs to have fixed bottom connection, and fixed top connection. A slip track top connection is only used for non-bearing walls.

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

Which of the following is correct when calculating building area increase based on frontage?

 

An architect is designing a 3-story high self-storage building. The building has a 10 feet set back to the north and the north property line is adjacent to a 60-feet wide public way. It has a 5 feet set back to the west and the west property line is adjacent to a 55-feet wide public way. The building is 48 feet to the east property line, and 45 feet to the south property line. Which of the following is correct when calculating building area increase based on frontage?

a.       The architect should use 30 feet as the yard width for all 4 sides.

b.      The architect should use the formula in IBC section 506.3.2 to calculate the weighted average yard width

c.       The side yards shall be center line of the public way

d.      The side yards can only be measured to the property line

 

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

An overflow scupper and downspout can drain to a covered trash enclosure below. What should the architect do?

 

A building has a roof area that is sloped at ¼” per foot. The roof area has overflow scuppers and downspouts. The architect discover an overflow scupper and downspout can drain to a covered trash enclosure below. What should the architect do?

a.       Relocate both the down spout and the overflow scupper

b.       Relocate the down spout but leave the overflow scupper at the original location

c.       Contact the owner and ask the owner’s opinion

d.       Contact the city to find out if the overflow scupper can be placed over a covered trash enclosure

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

FAQ and study materials for ARE exams

 

We have decided to post a series of  FAQ and study materials for ARE 5.0 exams including videos to help the ARE candidates. This is the first post in the series:

The difference between addendum, ASI, CCD and change order. See link:

https://youtu.be/vNRonrQv-4o

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

Question of the Day for ARE 5.0 exam candidates

I am going to start a "Question of the Day" series to ask one question each day, to see if our ARE candidates can answer it correctly. Other are welcome to post in this thread too.

Here is the first Question of the Day:

Does a fire riser room need to be fire rated?

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)