California B2 Residential Remodeling – Building Planning Free Exam

Required guards at open-sided walking surfaces, including stairs, porches, balconies or landings, shall be not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) in height as measured vertically above the adjacent walking surface or the line connecting the nosings.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapter 3, Building Planning. Section R312, Guards and window fall protection. R312.1 Guards. R312.1.2 Height.

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. Chapter 3, Building Planning. Section R311, Means of egress. R311.7 Stairways. R311.7.10 Special Stairways. R311.7.10.1 Spiral stairways.

Unless otherwise allowed in Section R316.5, foam plastic, or foam plastic cores used as a component in manufactured assemblies, used in building construction shall have a flame spread index of not more than 75 and shall have a smoke-developed index of not more than 450 when tested in the maximum thickness and density intended for use in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL723. Loose-fill-type foam plastic insulation shall be tested as board stock for the flame spread index and smoke-developed index.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters. Building Planning. Section R316, Foam Plastic. R316.3 Surface burning characteristics.

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.

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.

For photovoltaic arrays occupying not more than 33 percent of the plan view total roof area, not less than an 18-inch (457 mm) clear setback is required on both sides of a horizontal ridge. For photovoltaic arrays occupying more than 33 percent of the plan view total roof area, not less than a 36-inch (914 mm) clear setback is required on both sides of a horizontal ridge.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapter 3, Building Planning. Section R324, Solar energy systems. R324.6 Roof Access and Pathways. R324.6.2 Setback at ridge.

Ramps serving the egress door required by Section R311.2 shall have a slope of not more than 1 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (8.3-percent slope). Other ramps shall have a maximum slope of 1 unit vertical in 8 units horizontal (12.5 percent).

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters, Building Planning. Section R311, Means of egress. R311.8 Ramps. R311.8.1 Maximum slope.

Handrails shall be continuous for the full length of the flight, from a point directly above the top riser of the flight to a point directly above the lowest riser of the flight. Handrail ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters, Building Planning. Section R311, Means of egress. R311 7 Stairways. R311.7.8 Handrails. R311.7.8.4 Continuity.

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.

Handrails where required on ramps shall be continuous for the full length of the ramp. Handrail ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals. Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not less than 1-112 inches (38 mm) between the wall and the handrails.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters, Building Planning. Section R311, Means of egress. R311.8 Ramps. R311.8.3 Handrails required. R311.8.3.3 Continuity.

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.

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.

For existing buildings and new construction, carbon monoxide alarms shall be provided in dwelling units where either or both of the following conditions exist.

1. The dwelling unit contains a fuel-fired appliance.
2. The dwelling unit has an attached garage with an
opening that communicates with the dwelling unit.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapter 3, Building Planning. Section R315, Carbon monoxide alarms. R315.2 Where Required. R315.2.1 Existing Buildings and New construction.

Carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling units shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's published instructions in the following locations:

1. Outside of each separate sleeping area in
the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
2. On every occupiable level of a dwelling
unit, including basements.
3. Where a fuel-burning appliance is heated within a
bedroom or its attached bathroom, a carbon monoxide
alarm shall be installed within the bedroom

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters, Building Planning. Section R315, Carbon monoxide alarms. R315.3 Location.

In areas subject to damage from termites as indicated by Table R301.2(1), protection shall be by one, or a combination, of the following methods:

1. Chemical termiticide treatment in
accordance with Section R318.2.
2. Termite-baiting system installed and
maintained in accordance with the label.
3. Pressure-preservative-treated wood in accordance
with the provisions of Section R317.1.
4. Naturally durable termite-resistant wood.
5. Physical barriers in accordance with Section R318.3
and used in locations as specified in Section R317.1.
6. Cold-formed steel framing in accordance
with Sections R505.2.1 and R603.2.1.

2019 California Residential Code. Chapters, Building Planning. Section R318, Protection against subterranean termites. R318.1 Subterranean termite control methods.