Everything you need for the B3 Building Plans Examiner exam — based on the 2021 International Building Code® (IBC)
6-hour structured review covering Public Safety and Special Construction, Building Planning, Wall Construction and Coverings, and more — weighted to match B3 exam percentages
Timed 80-question simulation matching the B3 exam format with detailed answer explanations
Digital flip-cards for key terms, code sections, and references from the 2021 International Building Code® (IBC)
Listen-and-learn audio covering high-yield B3 topics for studying on the go
Color-coded tab system for the 2021 International Building Code® (IBC) — find answers fast during your open-book exam
Insert sheets with key tables, formulas, and values from the 2021 International Building Code® (IBC) for blank code book pages
6-8 week structured program prioritized by B3 category weights — heaviest topics first
Intensive pre-exam review focusing on the highest-weighted B3 topics: Public Safety and Special Construction, Building Planning, Wall Construction and Coverings
Our study materials cover every category tested
Get a head start on your B3 Building Plans Examiner exam preparation with this preview of our comprehensive study guide. Sign up for full access to all study materials.
Use this guide the day before or morning of your exam for focused, intensive review
This review is designed for your final prep session right before taking the B3 exam. It focuses on the highest-value topics and most commonly tested material. The B3 exam covers all occupancies and construction types — you must be comfortable with commercial, institutional, and high-rise plan review.
Recommended Schedule:
Materials needed:
Tab Color Strategy:
| Color | Topic | IBC Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Means of Egress | Ch. 10 |
| Orange | Fire Protection | Ch. 7, 9 |
| Yellow | Construction Types & Heights/Areas | Ch. 5, 6 |
| Green | Building Planning & Occupancy | Ch. 3, 4 |
| Blue | Structural (Walls, Floors, Roofs) | Ch. 16, 19, 23 |
| Purple | Accessibility | Ch. 11 |
| Pink | Special Occupancies | Ch. 4 |
Public Safety and Special Construction is 46% of your exam — roughly 37 out of 80 questions. This is by far the largest category on any ICC exam. Master this section and you're nearly halfway to passing. Hours 1 and 2 are both devoted to this critical area.
The Foundation: Nearly every egress question starts with calculating occupant load. Get this wrong and everything downstream is wrong.
Formula: Occupant Load = Floor Area ÷ Occupant Load Factor (Table 1004.5)
Table 1004.5 — Key Occupant Load Factors (Most Tested):
| Use | Factor (sf/person) | Concentration |
|---|---|---|
| Assembly — standing space | 5 net | Very high |
| Assembly — unconcentrated (tables/chairs) | 15 net | High |
| Assembly — concentrated (fixed seating) | 7 net | High |
| Business areas | 150 gross | Low |
| Educational classroom | 20 net | Medium |
| Exercise rooms | 50 gross | Medium |
| Industrial | 100 gross | Low |
| Institutional sleeping areas | 120 gross | Low |
| Mercantile | 60 gross | Medium |
| Parking garages | 200 gross | Very low |
| Residential | 200 gross | Very low |
| Storage | 300 gross | Very low |
| Warehouses | 500 gross | Very low |
EXAM TRAP — Gross vs. Net:
Worked Example:
A 2-story business office building has 12,000 sf per floor (gross). What is the occupant load per floor?
>
OL = 12,000 sf ÷ 150 sf/person = 80 occupants per floor
Total building = 80 × 2 = 160 occupants
Common Test Questions:
Rule: The number of exits depends on occupant load:
| Occupant Load | Minimum Exits |
|---|---|
| 1–500 | 2 |
| 501–1,000 | 3 |
| 1,001+ | 4 |
Single Exit Conditions — Table 1006.3.4(1) — Stories with One Exit:
Studying for similar exams? These certifications share content with the B3 exam.
Created by Levi Mittag — a Certified Building Official, Field Inspection Supervisor, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with 19 ICC certifications and 26 years in the building industry.
7 days free, then $12/mo. All 27 exams included. No credit card required.
Not just practice questions — a complete study system with audio, tabbing, and strategy.
Built by an active supervisor who uses these methods to train his own inspection team.