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Fire Code Plan Review for the Plans Examiner Exam, Fully Illustrated The Same Order on Every Plan Set

Occupancy groups, construction types, occupant load, exits and travel distance, rated assemblies and penetrations, sprinklers and standpipes, fire alarm, access roads and hydrants. Every topic has its own page: the drawing first, then what you need to remember. 68 illustrated pages.

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Every topic, its own pageEach requirement drawn on a plan or a section, with the explanation right beside it
68 illustrated pages9 parts, from the review method to the comment letter
Up-to-date sourcesIBC and IFC 2021/2024, NFPA 13, 14 and 72
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Look Inside the Book

Every page has one large drawing and a box with the numbers and code sections you need to know:

Seven review steps, each with its code chapter: IBC Ch. 3, 6, 5, 10, 7, 9 and IFC Ch. 5
Seven review steps, each with its code chapter: IBC Ch. 3, 6, 5, 10, 7, 9 and IFC Ch. 5
A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R, S, U and every sub-group, drawn on one block (IBC Ch. 3)
A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R, S, U and every sub-group, drawn on one block (IBC Ch. 3)
Types I to V; in II, III and V, A = protected, B = unprotected; plus IV-A, IV-B, IV-C, IV-HT.
Types I to V; in II, III and V, A = protected, B = unprotected; plus IV-A, IV-B, IV-C, IV-HT.
Table 1004.5 on one row: business 150 gross, classroom 20 net, chairs only 7 net.
Table 1004.5 on one row: business 150 gross, classroom 20 net, chairs only 7 net.
Group B corridor over 30 occupants: 1 hr unsprinklered, 0 hr sprinklered; dead ends 20 ft or 50 ft
Group B corridor over 30 occupants: 1 hr unsprinklered, 0 hr sprinklered; dead ends 20 ft or 50 ft
Fire wall to the roof, barrier to the deck, partition to the ceiling, smoke barrier sealed
Fire wall to the roof, barrier to the deck, partition to the ceiling, smoke barrier sealed
A-2: 5,000 sq ft or 100 occupants · A-1, E, F-1, M, S-1: 12,000 sq ft · Group R: always
A-2: 5,000 sq ft or 100 occupants · A-1, E, F-1, M, S-1: 12,000 sq ft · Group R: always
IFC 907.2 alarm triggers: A 300+, B 500+, E over 50, R-2 over 16 units
IFC 907.2 alarm triggers: A 300+, B 500+, E over 50, R-2 over 16 units

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These are real pages from the book. The table of contents is the full one: 9 parts and 64 topics.

The Problem Isn't You. It's How It Was Explained to You.

You're on the code summary sheet of a plan set. It says Type V-B, and you have to decide whether that building can go three stories with that floor area.

You open the construction types chapter and get five types, A and B subdivisions, a table of hourly ratings and cross-references to other chapters. It's all paragraphs, and nothing shows you what a Type II-A building actually looks like.

Types I to V; in II, III and V, A = protected, B = unprotected; plus IV-A, IV-B, IV-C, IV-HT.

In this book the five types are one cutaway drawing: Type I to Type V side by side, noncombustible next to combustible. In II, III and V, A means protected and B means unprotected, and IV-A, IV-B, IV-C and IV-HT each get their own spot.

The rest of the review works the same way: occupancy groups, occupant load, travel distance, rated assemblies, when sprinklers are required. Each one has its own page.

You look at the cutaway, you see where V-B sits, and you check the plan without going back to reread the chapter.

COMPARE FOR YOURSELF

Same Topic, Two Ways to Study It

THIS
  • The code: line after line after line
  • Occupancy groups explained only in words
  • You walk into the exam second-guessing
Classification of a building or portion thereof is to be determined on the basis of its intended use and the associated fire hazard and life safety risk. Where a proposed use is not specifically enumerated, classification is to follow the group whose characteristics it most nearly resembles. Assembly is subdivided into A-1 through A-5, Institutional into I-1 through I-4, Residential into R-1 through R-4, Factory into F-1 and F-2, and Storage into S-1 and S-2, each subject to the provisions of the corresponding sections, exceptions and referenced tables.
FOR THIS
  • Ten occupancy groups on one drawn city block
  • Every sub-group in a box
  • You see it and you get it
A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R, S, U and every sub-group, drawn on one block (IBC Ch. 3)
CONTENTS

Take a Look at the 9 Parts and 64 Topics

The review method, occupancy, construction type, occupant load and exits, egress components, passive protection, sprinklers and standpipes, fire alarm and access, and the full review put together: 68 pages, all illustrated

IThe Review Method · pp. 5-9
  1. One Plan, Seven Steps, Always the Same Order
  2. Reading the Plan Set: Which Sheet Answers What
  3. Which Edition Applies: Adoption and Local Amendments
  4. Code Words That Change the Answer
  5. Tabbing Your Codebooks for an Open-Book Exam
IIOccupancy Classification · pp. 10-16
  1. The Occupancy Map: Ten Groups on One Page
  2. Assembly Groups A-1 to A-5
  3. The 50-Occupant Line: Assembly or Business?
  4. E, I and R: Where People Sleep or Can't Self-Evacuate
  5. F, S and H: Factory, Storage and High Hazard
  6. Mixed Occupancies: Accessory, Nonseparated, Separated
  7. Incidental Uses: The Small Rooms That Need a Rating
IIIConstruction Type, Height and Area · pp. 17-23
  1. The Five Construction Types in One Cutaway
  2. Table 601: Hourly Ratings of the Building Elements
  3. Table 602: Exterior Walls and Fire Separation Distance
  4. Allowable Height: Feet and Stories Are Two Checks
  5. Allowable Area: NS, S1, SM and S13R
  6. Frontage Increase, Worked Step by Step
  7. Fire Walls: When One Building Becomes Two
IVOccupant Load and Exits · pp. 24-31
  1. Occupant Load: Area ÷ Load Factor
  2. Gross vs. Net: What You Subtract and What You Don't
  3. Worked Example: A Mixed Floor With Office, Training Room and Storage
  4. Egress Width: 0.3 in Stairs, 0.2 in Everything Else
  5. How Many Exits From the Story
  6. Single-Exit Spaces and Common Path of Egress Travel
  7. Exit Separation: Half the Diagonal, One-Third If Sprinklered
  8. Travel Distance Measured on the Plan
VEgress Components · pp. 32-38
  1. Corridors: Fire Rating and Dead Ends
  2. Doors: Swing, Clear Width and Hardware
  3. Stairways: Risers, Treads, Width and Handrails
  4. Interior Exit Stairways: 1 Hour or 2 Hours
  5. Exit Discharge and the 50% Exception
  6. Exit Signs and Emergency Lighting
  7. Accessible Means of Egress and Areas of Refuge
VIPassive Fire Protection · pp. 39-45
  1. Fire Wall, Fire Barrier, Fire Partition, Smoke Barrier: Four Lines on the Plan
  2. Shafts and Vertical Openings
  3. Opening Protectives: Which Door Goes in Which Wall
  4. Through-Penetrations: F Rating and T Rating
  5. Membrane Penetrations: Outlet Boxes and the 16 sq in Rule
  6. Fire Dampers and Smoke Dampers
  7. Reading a Listed Assembly on the Drawings
VIISprinklers and Standpipes · pp. 46-54
  1. When Sprinklers Are Required: IFC 903.2
  2. NFPA 13, 13R or 13D: Which System Fits the Building
  3. Hazard Classification: Light, Ordinary 1 and 2, Extra 1 and 2
  4. Density/Area: The Numbers Behind the Design
  5. Sprinkler Spacing and Coverage
  6. Reviewing the Hydraulic Calculation
  7. Standpipes: When and Which Class
  8. Standpipe Hose Connections and Pressure
  9. Fire Department Connection: Location and Signage
VIIIFire Alarm, Access and Water Supply · pp. 55-62
  1. When a Fire Alarm Is Required: IFC 907.2
  2. Pull Stations and Notification Appliances
  3. Smoke Detectors and Duct Detectors
  4. Fire Apparatus Access Roads: 150 ft, 20 ft, 13 ft 6 in
  5. Dead Ends and Turnarounds
  6. Aerial Access for Buildings Over 30 ft
  7. Fire Flow: Appendix B on One Page
  8. Hydrants, Key Boxes and Addressing
IXPutting the Review Together · pp. 63-68
  1. Special Cases You Must Flag: High-Rise, H and High-Piled
  2. Full Review Walkthrough: A Two-Story Office
  3. Writing the Comment Letter
  4. Plan Review Checklist in Review Order
  5. The Most Frequent Plan Review Mistakes
  6. Where to Look It Up: Quick Reference

One Page, One Topic, All Clear

Think of it this way:

Plans for a 4,000 sq ft office floor with a training room land on your desk, and the first call is the occupant load, because exits, door swing and hardware all follow from that number.

You open the occupant load page and see area ÷ load factor on one row: unconcentrated tables and chairs 15 net, commercial kitchen 200 gross, with gross and net drawn right on the floor plan.

Group B corridor over 30 occupants: 1 hr unsprinklered, 0 hr sprinklered; dead ends 20 ft or 50 ft

Same with exit separation, travel distance, through-penetrations, sprinkler triggers and access roads: each one on its own page.

Fire Plans Examiner Illustrated is 9 parts and 64 topics, all drawn, and at the end a full walkthrough of a two-story office, the comment letter and a checklist in review order.

What you see drawn, you don't have to memorize.

What's Inside Fire Plans Examiner Illustrated:

Ipp. 5-9

The Review Method

The seven review steps in a fixed order, which sheet answers what, which code edition applies, the code words that change the answer and how to tab your codebooks.

IIpp. 10-16

Occupancy Classification

The ten occupancy groups on one page, Assembly A-1 to A-5, the 50-occupant line, E, I and R, F, S and H, mixed occupancies and incidental uses.

IIIpp. 17-23

Construction Type, Height and Area

The five construction types in one cutaway, Tables 601 and 602, allowable height and area, the frontage increase worked step by step and fire walls.

IVpp. 24-31

Occupant Load and Exits

Occupant load with gross vs. net, a worked mixed floor, egress width, number of exits, common path, exit separation and travel distance measured on the plan.

Vpp. 32-38

Egress Components

Corridors and dead ends, doors, stairways, interior exit stairways, exit discharge, exit signs and lighting, accessible egress and areas of refuge.

VIpp. 39-45

Passive Fire Protection

Fire walls, barriers, partitions and smoke barriers, shafts, opening protectives, through- and membrane penetrations, dampers and listed assemblies.

VIIpp. 46-54

Sprinklers and Standpipes

When sprinklers are required, NFPA 13, 13R or 13D, hazard classes, density/area, spacing, hydraulic calcs, standpipes and the fire department connection.

VIIIpp. 55-62

Fire Alarm, Access and Water Supply

When a fire alarm is required, pull stations and notification, smoke and duct detectors, access roads, turnarounds, aerial access, fire flow, hydrants and key boxes.

IXpp. 63-68

Putting the Review Together

Special cases to flag, a full two-story office review, the comment letter, the checklist in review order, the most frequent mistakes and a quick reference.

At the end of the book: A full two-story office review walkthrough, a comment letter guide, a checklist in review order and a where-to-look-it-up quick reference.

SHOW ME WHAT'S INSIDE

Plus: 2 Free Books

Plans Examiner Practice Questions

BONUS 1: «Plans Examiner Practice Questions»

Value on its own: US$ 17.90

Exam-style questions with the answer explained and the code section to look up, so you practice finding things fast, not just memorizing.

15 Plan Review Mistakes, Before & After

BONUS 2: «15 Plan Review Mistakes, Before & After»

Value on its own: US$ 14.90

The most frequent plan review mistakes, each one drawn wrong and then right, so you catch them on the plans before they reach the field.

Fire Plans Examiner Illustrated with 2 Free Books

  • Fire Plans Examiner Illustrated: 68 illustrated pagesUS$ 63
  • BONUS 1: Plans Examiner Practice QuestionsUS$ 17.90
  • BONUS 2: 15 Plan Review Mistakes, Before & AfterUS$ 14.90
  • High-resolution PDF to printIncluded
Total value US$ 95.80
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Who This Book Is For

You're studying for the certification

You're studying for the certification

Each topic is one drawn page in the same order as a real review, so every night of study picks up where the last one ended.

Your exam date is set

Your exam date is set

Every number comes with its code section, so in an open-book exam you know which book and which chapter to open.

You already review plans

You already review plans

You keep the method on your desk: occupancy, construction type, occupant load, egress and protection, checked in the same order on every set.

Everything You Get Today

US$ 95.80US$ 27
YES, I WANT FIRE PLANS EXAMINER ILLUSTRATED FOR US$ 27

📄 This is a digital PDF book sent to your email: nothing is printed or shipped.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it for me if I already do inspections and now have to review plans?

Yes. It doesn't explain what a sprinkler is. It shows how an examiner reads the plans, in a fixed order, with the code section for each check.

Where does the content come from?

From the IBC and IFC (2021 and 2024 editions) and NFPA 13, 13R, 13D, 14, 72 and 10, cross-checked against the ICC Fire Plans Examiner exam bulletin. Every number comes with its section so you can check it against your adopted edition and local amendments. If your jurisdiction is still on an older edition, such as 2018, some section numbers and thresholds may differ: check each one in your adopted code.

Is this official material?

No. It's an independent study book. It doesn't reproduce code text or tables: it explains them and tells you where to find them. It isn't a course, and it doesn't come with a certificate or continuing education credits.

Does it replace a course or the codebooks?

No. The exam is taken with the official codes only, so this book doesn't go into the testing room, and the edition your AHJ adopted always governs. What you bring in is your own codebooks: part 1 shows how to tab them in review order, so you know which book and chapter to open.

Are the practice questions the ones on the exam?

No. They're written for this book, with the answer explained and the code section to look up. They aren't official exam questions.

When and how do I get it?

The book and the 2 bonus books come as a PDF by email, to the address you enter at checkout.

Do I have to pay every month?

No. It's a one-time payment.

Can I have it on paper?

Yes. The PDF is ready to print, so you can keep it at the office or next to your codebooks.

How does the refund work?

You have 30 days. We refund everything if the file won't open, if the book isn't what you see on this page, if you were charged twice or if the email doesn't arrive: just email us.

Before You Close This Page

No more rereading chapters that don't stick.

Types I to V in one cutaway, and you've got it.

You walk into the exam knowing where everything is.

Drawings make studying faster.

The book is right below.

One-time payment: US$ 27 · Guarantee: 30 days · PDF by email

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📄 This is a digital PDF book sent to your email: nothing is printed or shipped.