ICC Soils Inspector EC study guide
ICC Soils Inspector EC · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ICC Soils Inspector credential is one of the certification exams administered within the International Code Council's credentialing program, which the Code Council describes as "one of the most historic and prestigious credentialing programs for construction codes and standards." It is aimed at code officials, inspectors, and technicians who evaluate and inspect soils in the field - verifying site and soil conditions, identifying and classifying soils, observing fill placement and compaction, and documenting and reporting results in accordance with adopted codes. Candidates typically encounter multiple-choice items spanning site and soil evaluation, soil classification and identification, compaction and field testing, and code administration, inspection, and reporting. The ICC Soils Inspector EC study guide has 4 sections and about 1,413 words.
01Site and Soil Evaluation
Site and soil evaluation answers one question: does this lot, as graded and drained, have a soil profile that can accept and treat the design wastewater flow? Work from the lot outward - setbacks, slope, drainage patterns, floodplain, and the location of wells and surface water - then inward to the profile.
323 words, about 2 min02Soil Classification and Identification
The ribbon test and feel method classify soil by the proportions of sand, silt, and clay. Learn the boundaries: a long ribbon (5 cm or more) signals high clay; a weak, short ribbon with gritty feel is a sandy loam; smooth, floury feel with a weak ribbon is silt loam.
295 words, about 1 min03Soil Compaction and Field Testing
Compaction reduces porosity and permeability, which can cause ponding, surfacing, and poor treatment. Construction traffic, stockpiling, and smearing pit faces all compact soil.
285 words, about 1 min04Code Administration
Code administration covers permitting, plan review, inspections, variances, and enforcement. Know the sequence: application, site evaluation, design, permit issuance, installation inspections, and final approval.
510 words, about 3 min