Residential Plans Examiner (R3) Practice Exam
Residential Plans Examiner (R3) Practice Exam
About Residential Plans Examiner (R3) Practice Exam
The Residential Plans Examiner exam is designed for professionals responsible for reviewing construction plans and documentation for one- and two-family homes, as well as their accessory structures, ensuring compliance with local building codes and regulations. Key responsibilities of a Residential Plans Examiner include:
- Documenting any deficiencies identified during the plan review process, indicating what corrections are necessary before approval or permit issuance.
- Determining if modifications to the plans are required.
- Ensuring that all submitted documentation is complete and accurate.
- Clearly illustrating the proposed work prior to issuing any permits.
Exam Information
- Exam Title: Residential Plans Examiner
- Exam ID: R3
- Certification Type: National Certification
- Code Year: 2018
- Total Questions: 60
- Duration of Exam: 2 hours
- Exam Format: Open Book
- Passing Score: 75% or higher
- Exam Mode: Online Proctored Exam
Exam Content Outline
The Residential Plans Examiner (R3) Exam includes the following topics:
Domain 1- Understanding Administrative (5%)
1.1 Permits (3%)
- Assess whether a permit is necessary and if the submission is complete and adheres to the One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code.
1.2 Correspondence (2%)
- Communicate with applicants regarding any additional information required, noting any deficiencies in their submissions or confirming approval to proceed. Officially mark approved sets of drawings.
1.3 Site (10%)
- Site Plan: Verify that the building's location complies with local ordinances, including fire separation regulations, fire access, flood hazard areas, setbacks, and legal easements. (8%)
- Final Grade: Confirm that the final grading directs water away from the foundation and does not negatively impact adjacent properties. (2%)
Domain 2- Architectural and Life Safety (25%)
2.1 Room Sizes (3%)
- Ensure rooms have adequate dimensions, ceiling heights, heating, lighting, and ventilation.
2.2 Means of Egress (8%)
- Check that there are sufficient exits with appropriate widths, stairs, guards, rails, and openings.
2.3 Fire Protection (5%)
- Verify compliance with fire safety measures, including rated walls, draft stopping, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems.
2.4 Glazing (3%)
- Ensure that glazing and foam plastic elements meet safety standards.
2.5 Exterior (3%)
- Check that exterior materials have the proper anchorage, support, and weather-resistant barriers, and confirm the sizing and specifications for sheathing, plaster, stucco, and metal lath.
2.6 Specialty Structures (3%)
- Verify compliance with requirements for specialty structures, including pools, spas, fireplaces, and storage buildings.
Domain 3 - Structural (25%)
3.1 Design Loads (2%)
- Confirm that the design loads used by the architect are appropriate.
3.2 Footings (3%)
- Ensure footings are designed at the correct depth and size, extend below the frost line, and have appropriate drainage for basements and crawl spaces. Assess soil type and bearing capacity.
3.3 Foundation Walls (5%)
- Verify that foundation walls are correctly sized and positioned above grade, and check materials and reinforcement for compliance with code standards.
3.4 Structural Elements (7%)
- Ensure that structural components (beams, girders, trusses, headers, joists, rafters, columns, piers, walls, and bracing) are properly designed to support loads.
3.5 Lateral Bracing (5%)
- Assess that lateral bracing meets required load conditions, including wind and seismic loads.
3.6 Construction Design (1%)
- Verify that designs for wall systems below the lowest finished floor in flood-prone areas comply with relevant standards.
3.7 Pre-manufactured Construction (2%)
- Ensure that any pre-manufactured elements are used according to their specifications.
Domain 4 - Energy Efficiency (5%)
- Energy Compliance: Verify that the building’s envelope, mechanical systems, and appliances meet energy-saving provisions as indicated in the plans. (5%)
Domain 5 - Mechanical (10%)
- Mechanical Equipment and Appliances (2%)
- Ensure that mechanical systems have adequate protection, support, space, and clearance.
Room Volume
- Verify sufficient room volume for combustion air or alternate ventilation provisions. (2%)
- Venting and Termination: Ensure proper venting applications and terminations. (2%)
- Fuel Gas Pipe Sizes: Confirm that fuel gas piping is sized appropriately to supply adequate gas to appliances and equipment. (2%)
- Fuel-Burning Equipment: Ensure compliance for systems that use fuel-burning equipment, including interior grills, pool heaters, hydronic heating systems, and decorative appliances, checking for proper access and clearances. (2%)
Plumbing (10%)
- Fixtures: Verify that the minimum required plumbing fixtures are provided in the correct locations with adequate clearances. (3%)
- Clearances and Support: Ensure that there is sufficient clearance and support for plumbing piping and fittings. (3%)
