ICC R5 study plan

ICC R5 · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Building Planning and Foundations

Map the building planning domain into a checklist of subtopics: occupancy classification, allowable height and area, fire separation distance, and foundation requirements
Locate and tabulate the code sections governing type of construction and allowable area increases so you can cite them without hunting
Work through at least 15 practice problems on occupancy classification and mixed-occupancy rules, writing the reasoning for each answer
Build a one-page reference sheet of key tables and definitions you will reuse all eight weeks

A completed building-planning subtopic checklist with code citations filled in for at least 80% of line items

Week 2

Solve allowable height and area problems using both the tabular values and the frontage and sprinkler increase formulas
Explain the difference between fire separation distance and fire-resistance-rated separation in your own words, with two worked examples
Diagram foundation and footing requirements, including minimum depth, frost protection, and drainage
Complete a timed 25-question set on building planning and score your accuracy by subtopic

A scored 25-question practice set with a written error log identifying each missed concept and the code basis

Week 3

Outline floor, wall, and roof construction requirements by assembly type: light-frame, masonry, concrete, and steel
Summarize wall-bracing, anchorage, and load-path requirements and how they differ across construction types
Sketch typical floor and roof framing details and label the required connectors and fasteners
Work 15 practice problems on framing, cutting, notching, and boring limits for structural members

A hand-drawn or digital set of three labeled construction details (floor, wall, roof) with code citations for each labeled element

Week 4

Complete the construction-domain practice set and record accuracy by subtopic
Identify where wall and roof assemblies intersect with fire-resistance-rated construction requirements
List the fire-resistance rating requirements for structural elements by construction type and building element
Review all error logs from weeks 1 through 4 and re-study the three weakest subtopics

A mid-plan diagnostic summary showing per-domain accuracy percentages and a ranked list of your five weakest subtopics

Week 5

Map the life-safety provisions: means of egress components, occupant load, travel distance, and exit access
Calculate occupant loads and required egress width for at least five different occupancy scenarios
Compare the sprinkler, standpipe, and fire-alarm requirements that commonly appear on the exam
Explain separation, protection, and opening-protection requirements for fire-resistance-rated assemblies

Five fully worked occupant-load and egress-width calculations with diagrams showing travel distance and exit access

Week 6

Summarize administrative requirements: permits, inspections, plan review, and the responsibilities of the owner, designer, and contractor
Outline the energy-efficiency provisions for the building envelope, including insulation, fenestration, and air sealing
Describe interior-environment requirements for lighting, ventilation, and moisture control
Complete a 30-question mixed set covering administration and energy efficiency

A comparison table of permit, inspection, and administrative responsibilities plus a scored 30-question practice set

Week 7

Take a full-length timed practice exam under exam conditions and record your score by domain
Review every missed question and write the correct reasoning and code reference for each
Re-drill the two heaviest domains until you reach at least 75% accuracy on each
Build a final one-page summary sheet for each of the five domains

A full-length practice exam score report with per-domain breakdown and a completed remediation log for every missed item

Week 8

Re-take a second full-length practice exam and compare scores against week 7
Review only your summary sheets and error logs, not new material
Drill your remaining weak subtopics with short 10-question sets until accuracy exceeds 80%
Confirm exam-day logistics and finalize your reference-sheet memorization list

A final readiness report showing both practice exam scores, per-domain accuracy trends, and confirmation that every domain exceeds 70%

Week 2: Can solve allowable height and area problems with frontage and sprinkler increases without referencing notes, at 70% or better accuracy

Week 4: Mid-plan diagnostic completed with per-domain accuracy recorded and the five weakest subtopics ranked

Week 6: All five domains have been studied at least once and a summary sheet exists for each

Week 7: Full-length practice exam passed at 70% or better overall with no domain below 60%

Week 8: Second full-length practice exam shows improvement over week 7 and every domain exceeds 70% accuracy