BCIN House exam practice questions (2024 Ontario Building Code)
The BCIN House exam covers Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code for houses: structure, stairs and guards, egress, fire protection, foundations, framing, the building envelope, Part 11 compliance alternatives, Part 12 / SB-12 energy efficiency and the supplementary standards. BCIN Prep has 180 original practice questions for it, timed 70-question mock exams in the real format, and every answer cites the exact section so you learn where things are in the compendium.
Practise free - 20 questions + mini mock, no signup
Exam format (source: Humber BCIN exam FAQ)
- 70 multiple-choice questions, 4 choices each
- 3 hours
- Pass mark 70% (49 correct)
- Open book: Digital 2024 Building Code Compendium via link supplied by Humber (own digital copy not allowed); hard copy recommended as backup
- Online, virtually proctored by Humber Polytechnic; fee CAD 150
Free PDF: BCIN Exam Checklist - format, 4-week study plan, exam-day pacing and a tick-box syllabus map.
Sample House questions
From the free set in the app. Try them, then check the answer and the code reference.
1. Unless stated otherwise in Part 9, the minimum 28-day compressive strength of unreinforced concrete for a garage floor is:
- 20 MPa
- 32 MPa
- 15 MPa
- 25 MPa
Show answer
B. 32 MPa - 9.3.1.6.(1)(a)
Garage floors, carport floors and all exterior flatwork need 32 MPa; interior floors need 20 MPa and other uses 15 MPa.
Garage floors, carport floors and all exterior flatwork need 32 MPa; interior floors need 20 MPa and other uses 15 MPa.
2. The minimum unobstructed width of a hallway within a dwelling unit, where no reduction applies, is:
- 860 mm
- 810 mm
- 710 mm
- 900 mm
Show answer
A. 860 mm - 9.5.4.1.(1)
Hallways in dwelling units are at least 860 mm wide; 710 mm is allowed only in the bedroom-wing case with a second exit.
Hallways in dwelling units are at least 860 mm wide; 710 mm is allowed only in the bedroom-wing case with a second exit.
3. The maximum rise for private stairs is:
- 190 mm
- 200 mm
- 210 mm
- 180 mm
Show answer
B. 200 mm - Table 9.8.4.1.
Private stairs: max rise 200 mm, min rise 125 mm.
Private stairs: max rise 200 mm, min rise 125 mm.
4. A bedroom egress window must provide an unobstructed open portion with a minimum area of:
- 0.50 m²
- 0.35 m²
- 0.37 m²
- 0.25 m²
Show answer
B. 0.35 m² - 9.9.10.1.(1)(b)
The open portion must be at least 0.35 m² with no dimension less than 380 mm.
The open portion must be at least 0.35 m² with no dimension less than 380 mm.
5. In general, suites of residential occupancy must be separated from adjacent rooms and suites by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating of at least:
- 30 min
- 1 h
- 45 min
- 2 h
Show answer
C. 45 min - 9.10.9.16.(1)
The base requirement for residential suites is a 45 min fire separation.
The base requirement for residential suites is a 45 min fire separation.
6. Using the apparent sound transmission class (ASTC) path, a dwelling unit shall be separated from every other space in which noise may be generated by construction providing an ASTC rating of not less than:
- 47
- 50
- 55
- 45
Show answer
A. 47 - 9.11.1.1.(1)(a)
ASTC 47 for the separating assembly plus adjoining constructions; the alternative is STC 50 for the separating assembly with flanking per 9.11.1.4.
ASTC 47 for the separating assembly plus adjoining constructions; the alternative is STC 50 for the separating assembly with flanking per 9.11.1.4.
What the House exam covers
Topics as organized in BCIN Prep, following the Ministry's exam syllabus.
| Topic | References |
|---|---|
| Div A Parts 1-3 - Compliance, objectives, functional statements | Div A Parts 1-3 (except 1.3.3.1A, parts of 1.3.3.5(1)) |
| Div B Part 1 - General (definitions, referenced standards) | Div B Part 1 |
| Div B Part 3 selected (fire separations, spatial separation, firewalls) | Div B 3.1-3.8 selected articles |
| Div B Part 4 selected (loads, foundations, materials) | Div B 4.1 selected, 4.2 (with exceptions), 4.3 |
| Div B Part 5 - Environmental separation | Div B Part 5 (except 5.4, 5.7, 5.8) |
| Div B Parts 6 and 7 selected (HVAC, plumbing) | 6.2.1.5(1), 6.3.2.9, 6.3.2.10(7); 7.1.2.1-2, 7.2.10.7B, 7.4.10.4, 7.6.1.7, 7.6.4 |
| 9.1-9.4 General, materials, structural | 9.1 selected, 9.3, 9.4 |
| 9.5-9.7 Rooms, glass, windows and doors | 9.5, 9.6, 9.7 |
| 9.8 Stairs, ramps, handrails, guards (+SB-7) | 9.8, SB-7 |
| 9.9 Means of egress | 9.9 |
| 9.10 Fire protection (+SB-2, SB-3) | 9.10, SB-2, SB-3 |
| 9.11 Sound transmission | 9.11 |
| 9.12-9.18 Excavation, dampproofing, drainage, footings, slabs, columns, crawl spaces (+SB-9) | 9.12-9.18, SB-9 |
| 9.19 Roof spaces | 9.19 |
| 9.20-9.22 Masonry/ICF walls, chimneys, fireplaces | 9.20-9.22 |
| 9.23-9.24 Wood-frame and steel stud framing | 9.23, 9.24, SB-1 |
| 9.25-9.30 Heat transfer/air/vapour, roofing, cladding, stucco, finishes, flooring | 9.25-9.30 |
| 9.31-9.34 Plumbing, HVAC, electrical facilities | 9.31, 9.33.6.14A(3), 9.34 |
| 9.35-9.41 Garages, cottages, log, park model trailers, slabs, change of use | 9.35, 9.37-9.41 |
| Part 11 - Compliance alternatives (Table 11.5.1.1.C) | 11.5 |
| Part 12 - Energy and water efficiency (+SB-12) | 12.1-12.4, SB-12 |
| Div C selected (conditional permits, posting, occupancy, notices, alternative solutions, rulings) | Div C 1.1.1.2, 1.2.1.1(1), 1.3 selected, 2.1, 2.4 |
| SA-1 Objectives and functional statements attributed | SA-1 |
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