PDD Practice Exam Question: 57

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lfollis

August 18, 2026 14:34

Practice Exam Question 57:

For this question, how would I know that the allowable floor area is per story, not per building? I was curious about this, so I looked at the code section in the IBC, but it doesn't seem very clear there either.

 

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  zkoita August 18, 2026 14:48 (Edited August 18, 2026 14:51)

  This was a tricky a question-
  My guess is because in the question, they give you 300,000 sq ft and 5 stories.
  Its an assumption but the 300,000 sq ft is divided by 5 stories = 60,000 sq ft.
  
  So, type V is out
  
  The question also says low carbon. Type 1 uses a lot of material that resist fire but also have a high embodied energy (think metals). 
  
  So, Type 1 is out
  
  Type IV is the best answer because it allows for low carbon materials like wood AND fulfills the sqft per floor requirement. 60,000< 184,000.
  
  I have had my issues with the answer explanations that NCARB provides. they are almost too abrupt and don't give the full picture.
  
  
  

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  kdegregorio166 August 18, 2026 14:58 (Edited August 18, 2026 15:03)

  I think to answer your question you have to know how the code works for this by reading and understanding the code section first: https://up.codes/viewer/illinois/ibc-2021/chapter/5/general-building-heights-and-areas#506

  I’m not saying it is particularly clear but the first part of this code section talks about floor area and then right after the table 506.2.1 it starts defining different circumstances (like single occupancy) PER STORY. 

  

  this channel is extremely helpful for all these complicated code questions:  https://youtu.be/zJKtq2z5N0o?is=qpQITSOvdM_-h0QF

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  lfollis August 18, 2026 15:18

  Thank you! I see it is defined in section 506.2.2 per story.

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  Ralph Hale August 19, 2026 16:08

  All, 
  
  I love this question so much - it's a good example of the best of NCARB's question-writing - where a lot of the other questions that are highlighted on the forum are at least somewhat flawed or ambiguous.
  
  This question quickly tests basic code knowledge (construction types materials), how to read the code table (sprinklered vs unsprinklered, construction type, and Area Factor), and client requests (low-carbon design) - on low-carbon design alone you can eliminate Type I, and 300,000/5 quickly tells you Type V has nowhere near enough allowable area factor - it's easy to answer if you understand those things, but is easy to answer incorrectly if you don't.  
  
  Best,
  Ralph, the Amber Book Team

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