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Interview Questions?

steveray

steveray

SAWHORSE
Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Messages
13,823
Location
West of the river CT
Didn't see a great place to put this but...Have any you like? I'll start.

The amount of building officials doing this for a decade or more that totally blow this question blows my mind:

What are the typical triggers or requirements for means of egress illumination to have emergency power (and generally exit signage)?

I've gotten "public buildings" "places of assembly" and a whole host of other things really missing the most basic concept...
 
steveray said:
Didn't see a great place to put this but...Have any you like? I'll start.

The amount of building officials doing this for a decade or more that totally blow this question blows my mind:

What are the typical triggers or requirements for means of egress illumination to have emergency power (and generally exit signage)?

I've gotten "public buildings" "places of assembly" and a whole host of other things really missing the most basic concept...
Click to expand...

All buildings except Group "U" and one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.
 
Mr. Inspector said:
All buildings except Group "U" and one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.
Click to expand...
Almost:
You don't need illumination inside of dwelling units and sleeping units in R-1 and R-2 as well as R-3.
If those units open directly to the exterior ground level / exit discharge, then only exit discharge door door needs emergency power illumination, and even then only if the building required 2 or more exits.

A lot of multi-unit one story apartment complexes with no corridor could qualify.
 
Steveray, I admit that I can't answer that off the top of my head. I've been a building official for 30 years and a licensed architect for a lot longer than that. My guiding principle has always been that there's too much in the codes to remember, and they change, so rather than try to remember specifics I think it's far more important to understand where to find the answer in the code.

Hell, I still remember code requirements that were in the BOCA Basic Building Code. I worked under that for the first 30 years of my career -- some things just tend to stick. But many of those things changed under the IBC, sometimes subtle changes but sometimes major changes in philosophy as well as technical requirements. It's dangerous to go from memory.
 
Joe.B said:
What is your favorite color?
Click to expand...
Institutionalized people overwhelmingly choose yellow.

When I interviewed for the building inspector position for LA County, not one code question was asked. When I brought that up I was told that they would not know what to ask..

One of the panel mem=bers remarked that guys like me scare the Hell out of him because I know too much and can bring construction to a halt any time I want.

At that point I figured I was not getting the job so I asked if there was a lot of paperwork involved with the job. They all said Yes, lots of it. To which I said, "Paperwork and I do not get along. I ignore it, lose it and generally make a mess of paperwork...so be forewarned .... if you hire me don;t come around later complaining about paperwork."
 
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My favorite questions are on how the inspector will use their discretion. I like these because in order to answer properly, they have to have basic code knowledge, but how they answer tells me what kind of inspector they will be.

A question like: you are inspecting a house and notice the window has been relocated in the wall.

I expect them to ask clarifying questions: Does the now location create a structural issue? Is it moved from one room to another? etc.

Some times people say that the person must completely resubmit plans (even if there is no structural change). Some people say they would make a note on the file and move on. Some people say they wouldn't do anything.
 
When I was interviewed in Allentown PA for an inspection job the most important question the interviewer asked was would I pass a final inspection that doesn't comply to code if the mayor told me to. I said no. This question gave me second thoughts about working in this city. A few months later the mayor went to jail on corruption charges. I would not work at a place like that.
 
Mr. Inspector said:
i would like to know what section says that.
Click to expand...
Since you asked...Similar in 1013 for exit signage...

Basically when 2 or more exits are required, but now we have it for big bathrooms and electrical rooms...

(Amd) 1006.3 Illumination emergency power. The power supply for means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the premise’s electrical supply. In the event of power supply failure, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate the following areas:

Exit access corridors, passageways and aisles in rooms and spaces which require two or more means of egress.

Exit access corridors and exit stairways located in buildings required to have two or more exits.

Exterior egress components at other than the level of exit discharge until exit discharge is accomplished for buildings required to have two or more exits.

Interior exit discharge elements, as permitted in Section 1023.1, in buildings required to have two or more exits.

The portion of the exterior exit discharge immediately adjacent to exit discharge doorways in buildings required to have two or more exits.

Means of egress lighting in Group R-1 bed and breakfast establishments.

The egress side of access controlled egress doors in accordance with Section 1008.1.3.4 or doors equipped with delayed egress locks in accordance with Section 1008.1.8.6.

The emergency power system shall provide power for a duration of not less than 90 minutes and shall consist of storage batteries, unit equipment or an on-site generator. The installation of the emergency power system shall be in accordance with Section 2702.
 
Yankee Chronicler said:
Steveray, I admit that I can't answer that off the top of my head. I've been a building official for 30 years and a licensed architect for a lot longer than that. My guiding principle has always been that there's too much in the codes to remember, and they change, so rather than try to remember specifics I think it's far more important to understand where to find the answer in the code.

Hell, I still remember code requirements that were in the BOCA Basic Building Code. I worked under that for the first 30 years of my career -- some things just tend to stick. But many of those things changed under the IBC, sometimes subtle changes but sometimes major changes in philosophy as well as technical requirements. It's dangerous to go from memory.
Click to expand...
You are overthinking it....When you need 2 then you need to show them where they are/ light the way...If there is only one, your brain is going to tell you which way you came in automatically...
 
steveray said:
Since you asked...Similar in 1013 for exit signage...

Basically when 2 or more exits are required, but now we have it for big bathrooms and electrical rooms...

(Amd) 1006.3 Illumination emergency power. The power supply for means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the premise’s electrical supply. In the event of power supply failure, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate the following areas:

Exit access corridors, passageways and aisles in rooms and spaces which require two or more means of egress.

Exit access corridors and exit stairways located in buildings required to have two or more exits.

Exterior egress components at other than the level of exit discharge until exit discharge is accomplished for buildings required to have two or more exits.

Interior exit discharge elements, as permitted in Section 1023.1, in buildings required to have two or more exits.

The portion of the exterior exit discharge immediately adjacent to exit discharge doorways in buildings required to have two or more exits.

Means of egress lighting in Group R-1 bed and breakfast establishments.

The egress side of access controlled egress doors in accordance with Section 1008.1.3.4 or doors equipped with delayed egress locks in accordance with Section 1008.1.8.6.

The emergency power system shall provide power for a duration of not less than 90 minutes and shall consist of storage batteries, unit equipment or an on-site generator. The installation of the emergency power system shall be in accordance with Section 2702.
Click to expand...

You are using a older or newer edition of the code than my area. We are using 2018 IBC. 1006 is "number of exits and exit access doorways". 1008 "Means of egress illumination" does not mention anything about the number of exits required when emergency lights are required. I would like to know which edition of the IBC you use and what exactly the section says about 2 required exits.
 
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Mr. Inspector said:
You are using a older or newer edition of the code than my area. We are using 2018 IBC. 1006 is "number of exits and exit access doorways". 1008 "Means of egress illumination" does not mention anything about the number of exits required when emergency lights are required. I would like to know which edition of the IBC you use and what exactly the section says about 2 required exits.
Click to expand...
Old interview question/ answer and cut and paste.....Better? The concept has not changed much...And I do not expect a code section in an interview, but some details would be great...Hell, I'll take IBC Ch. 10 for like a 60% answer....

1008.3.2​

In the event of power supply failure in buildings that require two or more exits or access to exits, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas:

  1. 1.Interior exit access stairways and ramps.
  2. 2.Interior and exterior exit stairways and ramps.
  3. 3.Exit passageways.
  4. 4.Vestibules and areas on the level of discharge used for exit discharge in accordance with Section 1028.2.
  5. 5.Exterior landings as required by Section 1010.1.5 for exit doorways that lead directly to the exit discharge.

1008.3.3​

In the event of power supply failure, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas:

  1. 1.Electrical equipment rooms.
  2. 2.Fire command centers.
  3. 3.Fire pump rooms.
  4. 4.Generator rooms.
  5. 5.Public restrooms with an area greater than 300 square feet (27.87 m2).
  6. 6.Means of egress components, other than those within sleeping rooms, of Group R-1 bed and breakfast establishments.
 
I have been a Building Official for only 3 years now and I have interviewed at about five locations for the position of Building Official in order to land my job. I can tell you that these are not the kinds of questions I have ever been asked in an interview either in person or in paper format.
 
2018 IBC
1008.3 Emergency power for illumination.
The power supply for means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the premises’ electrical supply.

1008.3.1 General.
In the event of power supply failure in rooms and spaces that require two or more means of egress, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas:

1. Aisles.

2. Corridors.

3. Exit access stairways and ramps.

1008.3.2 Buildings.
In the event of power supply failure in buildings that require two or more means of egress, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas:

1. Interior exit access stairways and ramps.

2. Interior and exterior exit stairways and ramps.

3. Exit passageways.

4. Vestibules and areas on the level of discharge used for exit discharge in accordance with Section 1028.1.

5. Exterior landings as required by Section 1010.1.6 for exit doorways that lead directly to the exit discharge.

1008.3.3 Rooms and spaces.
In the event of power supply failure, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas:

1. Electrical equipment rooms.

2. Fire command centers.

3. Fire pump rooms.

4. Generator rooms.

5. Public restrooms with an area greater than 300 square feet (27.87 m2).
 
rktect 1 said:
I have been a Building Official for only 3 years now and I have interviewed at about five locations for the position of Building Official in order to land my job. I can tell you that these are not the kinds of questions I have ever been asked in an interview either in person or in paper format.
Click to expand...
All touchy feely and not technical?
 
I stopped interviewing for chief building official jobs years ago because it became apparent that the administrations were all looking for someone who would make life easy for their friends.
 
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