California B2 Residential Remodeling – Building Planning Free Exam

Required handrails shall be of one of the following types or provide equivalent graspability.

Type I. Handrails with a circular cross section shall have
an outside diameter of not less than 1-1/4 inches (32 mm)
and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm). If the handrail is not
circular, it shall have a perimeter of not less than 4 inches
(102 mm) and not greater than 6-1/4 inches (160 mm) and a
cross section of not more than 2-1/4 inches (57 mm). Edges
shall have a radius of not less than 0.01 inch (0.25 mm).
Type II. Handrails with a perimeter greater than 6-1/4
inches (160 mm) shall have a graspable finger recess
area on both sides of the profile. The finger recess shall
begin within 3/4 inch (19 mm) measured vertically from
the tallest portion of the profile and have a depth of not
less than 5/16 inch (8 mm) within 7/8 inch (22 mm) below
the widest portion of the profile. This required depth shall
continue for not less than 3/8 inch (10 mm) to a level that
is not less than 1-3/4 inches (45 mm) below the tallest
portion of the profile. The width of the handrail above
the recess shall be not less than 1-1/4 inches (32 mm)
and not more than 23/4 inches (70 mm). Edges shall
have a radius of not less than 0.01 inch (0.25 mm).

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters, Building Planning. Section R311, Means of egress. R311.7 Stairways. R311.7.8 Handrails. R311.7.8.5 Grip-size.

Handrail height, measured above the finished surface of the ramp slope, shall be not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm).

2019 California Residential Code. Chapter 3, Building Planning. Section R311, Means of egress. R311.8 Ramps. R311.8.3 Handrails required. R311.8.3.1 Height.

Photovoltaic systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Sections R324.3.1 through R324.7.1and the California Electrical Code.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapter 3, Building Planning. Section R324. Solar energy systems. R324.3 Photovoltaic systems.

An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in townhouses.

Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required where additions or alterations are made to existing townhouses that do not have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system installed.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters, Building Planning. Section R313, Automatic fire sprinkler systems. R313.1 Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems.

Unless otherwise allowed in Section R316.5, foam plastic shall be separated from the interior of a building by an approved thermal barrier of not less than 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum wallboard, 23/32-inch (18.2 mm) wood structural panel or a material that is tested in accordance with and meets the acceptance criteria of both the Temperature Transmission Fire Test and the Integrity Fire Test of NFPA 275.2019 California Residential Code.

Chapter 3, Building Planning
Section R316, Foam Plastic.
R316.4 Thermal barrier.

Buildings and structures constructed in whole or in part in flood hazard areas, including A or V Zones and Coastal A Zones, as established in Table R301.2(1), and substantial improvement and repair of substantial damage of buildings and structures in flood hazard areas, shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions contained in this section. Buildings and structures that are located in more than one flood hazard area shall comply with the provisions associated with the most restrictive flood hazard area. Buildings and structures located in whole or in part in identified floodways shall be designed and constructed in accordance with ASCE 24.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapter 3. Building Planning. Section R322, Flood-resistant construction. R322.1 General.

Where provided, passenger elevators, limited-use and limited-application elevators or private residence elevators shall comply with ASME A17.1/CSA B44.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapter 3, Building Planning. Section R321, Elevators and platform lifts. R321.1 Elevators.

Guards shall be provided for those portions of open-sided walking surfaces, including stairs, ramps and landings, that are located more than 30 inches (762 mm) measured vertically to the floor or grade below at any point within 36 inches (914 mm) horizontally to the edge of the open side. Insect screening shall not be considered as a guard.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapter 3, Building Planning. Section R312, Guards and window fall protection. R312.1 Guards. R312.1.1 Where required.

This section applies to storm shelters where constructed as separate detached buildings or where constructed  as safe rooms within buildings for the purpose of providing refuge from storms that produce high winds, such as tornados and hurricanes. In addition to other applicable requirements in this code, storm shelters shall be constructed in accordance with ICC/NSSA-500.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters, Building Planning. Section R323 Storm shelters. R323.1, General.

Stationary storage battery systems shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and their listing, if applicable, and shall not be installed within the habitable space of a dwelling unit.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapter 3. Building Planning. Section R327, Stationary storage battery systems. R327.3 Installation.

The clear width at and below the handrails at spiral stairways shall be not less than 26 inches (660 mm) and the walkline radius shall be not greater than 24-1/2 inches (622 mm). Each tread shall have a depth of not less than 6-3/4 inches (171 mm) at the walkline. Treads shall be identical, and the rise shall be not more than 9-1/2 inches (241 mm). Headroom shall be not less than 6 feet 6 inches (1982 mm).

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters, Building Planning. Section R311, Means of egress. R311.7 Stairways. R311.7.10 Special Stairways. R311.7.10.1 Spiral stairways.

There shall be a floor or landing at the top and bottom of each ramp, where doors open onto ramps, and where ramps change directions. The width of the landing perpendicular to the ramp stope shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm).

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters, Building Planning. Section R311, Means of egress. R311.8 Ramps. R311.8.2 Landings required.

The installation of smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall comply with the following requirements:

1. Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be
located where ambient conditions, including humidity
and temperature, are outside the limits specified
by the manufacturer's published instructions.
2. Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not
be located within unfinished attics or garages
or in other spaces where temperatures can fall
below 40°F (4°C) or exceed 100°F (38°C).
3. Where the mounting surface could become
considerably warmer or cooler than the room, such
as a poorly insulated ceiling below an unfinished
attic or an exterior wall, smoke alarms and smoke
detectors shall be mounted on an inside wall.
4. Smoke alarms or smoke detectors shall be installed
a minimum of 20 feet horizontal distance from
a permanently installed cooking appliance.

Exception: Ionization smoke alarms with an alarm silencing switch or Photoelectric smoke alarms shall be permitted to be installed 10 feet (3 m) or greater from a permanently installed cooking appliance.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters, Building Planning. Section R314, Smoke alarms. R314.3 Location. R314.3.1 Installation near cooking appliances.

Smoke alarms shall be installed in the following locations:

1. In each sleeping room.
2. Outside each separate sleeping area in the
immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
3. On each additional story of the dwelling, including
basements and habitable attics and not including
crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings
or dwelling units with split levels and without an
intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke
alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for
the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level
is less than one full story below the upper level.
4. Smoke alarms shall be installed not less than
3 feet (914 mm) horizontally from the door or
opening of a bathroom that contains a bathtub
or shower unless this would prevent placement
of a smoke alarm required by this section.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters, Building Planning. Section R314, Smoke alarms. R314.3 Location.

Required guards shall not have openings from the walking surface to the required guard height that allow passage of a sphere 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters, Building Planning. Section R312, Guards and window fall protection. R312.1 Guards. R312.1.3 Opening limitations.