Building Codes

May 19, 2023 by

History of Building Codes

Building Codes date back to approximately 1772 BC, when the Babylonian emperor, Hammurabi, enacted Building Codesthe Code of Hammurabi. Incidentally, here are those codes – or laws – that pertain to construction:

  • 228 – If a builder builds a house for someone and completes it, he shall give him a fee of two shekels in money for each sar (approximately 36 m2 or 388 ft2) of surface.
  • 229 – If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death.
  • 230 – If it kills the son of the owner, the son of that builder shall be put to death.
  • 231 – If it kills a slave of the owner, then he shall pay, slave for slave, to the owner of the house.
  • 232 – If it ruins goods, he shall make compensation for those goods, and inasmuch as he did not construct properly this house which he built and it fell, he shall re-erect the house from his own means.
  • 233 – If a builder builds a house for someone, even though it is not yet complete; if then the walls seem toppling, the builder must make the walls solid from his own means.

Steps in Unifying the Codes

In the early 1700’s AD, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson pushed for the development of Building Codes to provide minimum building standards for the health and safety of citizens. Then, in the early 1900’s, Insurance Companies, in an effort to reduce property loss claims from improper construction, lobbied for further development of codes.

The Building Officials and Code Administration (BOCA) was established in 1915 and developed the BOCA National Building Code (BOCA/NBC). Primarily, this code was used and enforced in the Northeastern United States. The International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), established in 1927, developed the Uniform Building Code (UBC), primarily used in the Midwest and Western United States. Finally, in 1940, the Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI) was established, and it developed the Standard Building Code (SBC), which was primarily used in the Southern United States.

Where are the Codes Today

In 1994, representatives from BOCA, ICBO, and SBCCI began the process of developing a comprehensive code to use nationally. The First Edition of the IBC (from 1997), updates every three years.

The current International Code Council codes are:

  • Building Codes
    • International Building Code
    • International Existing Building Code
    • International Green Construction Code
    • International Zoning Code
  • Mechanical/HVAC Codes
    • International Mechanical Code
    • International Energy Conservation Code
  • Plumbing Building Codes
    • International Plumbing Code
    • International Private Sewage Disposal Code
    • International Fuel Gas Code
  • Fire Building Codes
    • International Fire Code
  • Residential Building Codes
    • International Residential Code
  • Other Codes
    • ICC Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities
    • International Property Maintenance Code
    • International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
    • International Wildland Urban Interface Code

Additionally, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publishes a number of Codes and Standards including:

    • National Electrical Code® – NFPA 70
    • Health Care Facilities Code – NFPA 99
    • Life Safety Code® – NFPA 101
    • Building Construction and Safety Code – NFPA 5000

Building Codes

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10 Must-Have PE Exam Resources

May 19, 2023 by
NOTE: As per the NCEES Examinees Guide, books, notes, notebooks, etc. are no longer
permitted in the testing room. This does not diminish the importance of these Test-Prep
Resources as a method of study and preparation. For example, taking the time to
assemble a resource library will naturally help you categorize and document your
study materials, help you determine what’s essential to pass the exam, and keep all
your resources in one, easy-to-access tool.

These 10 Must-Have PE Exam Resources should be at the top of your PE Exam Test-Day Checklist

These resources are specifically listed for those taking a Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Exam but some are applicable to every test. Refer to the NCEES Examinee Guide for a list of approved and not approved items allowed in the exam room. Check out the links – the pictures are links, too – to find related information.

1 – Acceptable Form of ID

Acceptable forms of ID must be government issued and must include:

  • a valid expiration date
  • your name
  • date of birth
  • a recognizable photo
  • your signature

Valid U.S. military IDs that do not include a signature will be accepted.

2 – Exam Authorization

Bring a printed copy of your exam authorization to prove that you’re registered and approved to take the exam. This will help in avoiding delays at check-in.

3 – International Building Code

We recommend purchasing a copy of the International Building Code. After the exam, you can either use it in your practice or attempt to resell it.

4 – Approved Calculator

Review the Approved Calculators List on NCEES.org.

  • Don’t try to outsmart the system on this one.
5 – Timer

A timer is a definite must-have for the test. With 80 questions on the exam and eight hours to finish, that only gives you six minutes per question. In this six minutes, you must:

  • read the question
  • determine what the question is asking for
  • find your resources
  • solve the problem
  • mark the answer sheet

For the majority of questions – hopefully – this will be plenty of time, but there is always a certain percentage of the questions that will take you more than six minutes to solve/answer. By using a timer, you can stay on schedule, picking up a few precious minutes here and there to use towards those more difficult questions. The last thing you want on test day is to be well short of finishing when the proctor indicates you have 30 minutes left.

Note: Cell phones are NOT allowed in the exam room at any time. Do not plan to use your smart phone app as your timer or else …

6 – Resource Library

In addition to the International Building Code, you need to have those resources that are specific to your particular exam. A good rule is that if you used a resource – code book, handbook, chart, graph – when solving practice problems during your preparation, then include them in your Test-Prep Resource Library©*

If you used something once or twice, make a copy of that particular resource only. Your Resource Library is not intended to be every notebook, textbook, study guide, Post-It Note®, scrap of paper you can find. You will see people hauling in so much material you might feel under-prepared.

Don’t!

There is no way they can use all that stuff in the limited amount of time available. The good news is you’ll be amused by the fact they spent a lot of time and effort getting their collection to the test site while you waltzed in carrying a box of binders.

7 – Binders of Solved Example Problems

If you’ve taken any of the Crash Courses we offer, then you are well aware of our endorsement for working example problems. You can take all the review courses you can find, read all the study guides you want, and use any number of other preparation routines, but you still won’t beat the benefit of working problems. We built our Test-Prep Resource Library©* by finding example questions for each of the topics shown for the specific exam. Working through the problems will allow you to add to the supplemental materials you found helpful. Then, assemble everything into your five-binder library. These five binders, plus a few Code books, are all you will need to pass your PE Exam.

8 – Equations, Formulas, & Conversions

Although this one seems a bit obvious, I can assure you there will be a question or two that requires some obscure equation or conversion factor you don’t have. Find a good source of equations and conversion factors – in a book or online – and add those to your library.

9 – Engineering Economics Resources

Almost all the PE Exams have an Engineering Economic analysis problem or two. During your preparation time, determine the most typical type of analysis problems – depreciation, present worth, future worth, equivalent uniform annual benefits – and find applicable tables and charts to solve these problems.

10 – Snacks and Nonalcoholic Drinks

Make certain your snacks (i.e. hard candy, candy bars, gum) and drinks can be opened and consumed with little or no noise that would disturb the other examinees. There is nothing more annoying in a testing room than someone attempting to quietly open a candy wrapper. In their efforts, they usually make considerably more noise than if they would have just opened it normally. Your goal is to quickly have a snack without anyone noticing.

That’s it … our 10 Must-Have PE Exam Resources!

10 Must-Have PE Exam Resources

Engineering Design Resources

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NCEES
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Due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, web addresses or links in these materials may have changed.

Any resemblance in the images in this material to actual people or locations is merely coincidental. EngineeringDesignResources.com prohibits reprinting, copying, changing, reproducing, publishing, uploading, posting, transmitting, or using in any other manner images in this material.

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PE Exam Success – The 10 Best Ways To Be Prepared

May 19, 2023 by

PE Exam Success – The 10 Best Ways To Be Prepared explains the top methods to dramatically increase your odds for success on the PE Exam.

PE Exam Success Results Vary Primarily Due To The Use Of Effective Exam Preparation Methods …

Or Not!

PE Exam Success

Prepare Smarter Not Harder!

As you are preparing to take an engineering PE exam, it will help to keep these in mind:

1 – Build A Solid Test-Prep Resource Library©*

*NOTE: As per the NCEES Examinees Guide, books, notes, notebooks, etc. are no longer permitted in the testing room. This does not diminish the importance of a Test-Prep Resource Library© as a method of study and preparation. Taking the time to assemble a resource library will naturally help you categorize and document your study materials, help you determine what’s essential to pass the exam, and keep all your resources in one easy-to-access tool.

This one is a must-do. Of all the other nine PE Exam Success – The 10 Best Ways To Be Prepared ideas listed here, this one, in our opinion, is by far the most important.

If you will take the time to:

  • Collect all the relevant information pertaining to each of the topics shown for your particular test, including:
    • Example PE Exam Problems with Solutions
    • Equations
    • Commentary
    • Charts and Tables
  • Assemble the information into binders.
  • Devise some method of retrieval to locate information quickly.
  • Spend a portion of your allotted study time to review and fine-tune your reference binders.

…your odds of successfully passing the PE Exam will dramatically increase.

The Study Guides found at EngineeringDesignResources.com are full of example problems, equations, commentary, and ideas for your Test-Prep Resource Library©

2 -Know the Codes

Depending on which PE Exam you are taking, it would be well worth your time to spend time reading through and becoming very familiar with the Code – or Codes – that are primary to your industry, such as:

  • Mechanical Engineering – The International Mechanical Code, The International Energy Efficiency Code, and The International Plumbing Code
  • Electrical Engineering – The National Electrical Code and The Life Safety Code – NFPA 101
  • Civil Engineering – The International Building Code
  • Structural Engineering – The International Building Code
  • Architectural Engineering – The International Codes – Building, Mechanical, Energy Efficiency, and Plumbing – and The National Electrical Code
3 – Know The Format

Most of the PE Exams are 80 multiple choice questions taken over an eight hour period – 40 questions in the four-hour morning session and 40 questions in the four-hour afternoon session.

That means 480 minutes to read the questions, understand what’s being asked, find the applicable resource, work the problem, and mark the answer on the test page – the Scantron.

That’s only SIX minutes per question.

This may seem like a lot of time … but it’s not.

Use some of your preparation time practicing answering questions at the rate of one every six minutes. This will help you gauge your pace for test day.

4 – Plan Your Study Time

Whether you have 12 months, 12 weeks, or 12 days – hopefully not 12 days – you can plan your time wisely to maximize the benefits of your study effort. Most likely, you have a job, maybe a family, other commitments, and probably some interests that take time. Sit down with the test outline for your particular PE Exam – found at NCEES.ORG – and plan out how to cover all the material you need to review in the amount of time available.

Refer back to ideas #1, #2, and #3 above.

Work through the process systematically, and you will be successful.

5 – Use The Right Tools

What tools does your industry use to make design easier?

  • Psychrometric Charts
  • Bending Stress Tables
  • Equations

PE Exam Success - The 10 Best Ways To Be Prepared

Whatever these tools are, make sure you have them on hand in your Test-Prep Resource Library© and be able to use them quickly. The last place to learn to use a tool is when you need it – under pressure.

Also, log onto NCEES.ORG for information on what’s allowed into the testing centers and what calculators are acceptable.

6 – Take Sample Tests

Ways to find sample PE Exams:

  • Search the internet
  • Search Amazon.com
  • Search your industry’s applicable websites – i.e. for Civil Engineering go to www.asce.org.

If you need assistance locating any resources, Contact Us.

7 – Work To Your Strengths

As with everything in life, we perform better and are more successful when we are doing those things we have already mastered. Only little gains will be realized trying to learn something new and gain proficiency while under the pressures of a deadline – test day.

As such, take the time to figure out what you know very well. Spend the majority of your time on these subjects. Polish your expertise, gain new insights, practice your skills. This hyper-focus on strengths will give you the confidence you need on Test Day to knock out a good portion of the questions.

8 – Get Help On Your Weaker Topics

For those topics that aren’t as engrained as you’d like, use some of your preparation time getting help from someone who is an expert. There are plenty of people who are willing and eager to help you attain your PE. Look for mentors in:

  • Your current company
  • Companies with which you previously worked
  • Local professional societies
  • National professional societies
  • Local schools, colleges, and universities
  • Online
9 – Exploit The Odds

Most of the PE Exams – with the exception of the Structural Depth exams – are 80 multiple choice questions, taken over an eight hour period. To pass the exam and receive your PE License, you need to correctly answer 70% of the questions.

That’s only 56 right answers – so weigh the odds in your favor!

Take the Electrical PE Exam as an example:

  1. You have a lot of experience in:
    • General Power Engineering – Measurement and Instrumentation (7.5% or six questions)
    • General Power Engineering – Special Applications (10% or eight questions)
    • Circuit Analysis – Devices and Power Electronic Circuits (9% or seven questions)
    • Rotating Machines and Electromagnetic Devices – Rotating Machines (12.5% or ten questions)
  2. Get tutoring in:
    • Transmission and Distribution – System Analysis (12.5% or ten questions)
    • Transmission and Distribution – Protection (10% or eight questions)
  3. Spend enough time reading through and learning the codes:
    • General Power Engineering – Codes and Standards (12.5% or ten questions)

That totals 59 correct answers – more than enough to pass the PE Exam.

10 – Eat Well And Get Plenty Of Rest

This one is really a no-brainer, but it never hurts to hear it again. Take the time to adjust your diet leading up to the PE Exam. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, poultry, fish, nuts, and lean protein. Drink lots of water – at least 1/2 ounce for every pound. So if you weigh 185 pounds that’s 93 ounces of water per day (12 x 8oz glasses).

Bonus – Prepare for Test Day in Advance

Lastly, begin to assemble all of your test-day resources well in advance of the PE Exam. You will probably want to pack:

  • Healthy snacks
  • Drinks – like water
  • Clothing or jackets that can be taken on or off quickly and quietly
  • Extra money
  • Any forms or documents that may be required at the testing facility
  • Directions to the testing facility
  • Hotel reservations, if needed
  • Your Test-Prep Resource Library©

If you will begin putting these things together in advance, then you won’t have to worry about them the night before the PE Exam.

You can find useful and effective study materials to help you prepare for your PE Exam at:

PE Exam Study Guides

PE Exam Success – The 10 Best Ways To Be Prepared

Engineering Design Resources
NCEES
Contact Us

Copyright©  All Rights Reserved

EngineeringDesignResources.com prohibits the use or reproduction of this material by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. This includes photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system.

Due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, web addresses or links in these materials may have changed.

Any resemblance in the images in this material to actual people or locations is merely coincidental. EngineeringDesignResources.com prohibits reprinting, copying, changing, reproducing, publishing, uploading, posting, transmitting, or using in any other manner images in this material.

Filed Under: PE Exam Prep Tagged With: , , , , ,