General Contractor Practice Exam

For a parapet wall above a 2-hour roof assembly, what is the requirement?

1. Must be installed

2. Is not necessary

3. Should be reinforced

4. Must be fire-rated

The correct answer is: Is not necessary

For a parapet wall above a 2-hour roof assembly, the requirement is that it is not necessary in all cases. In building code guidelines, the purpose of a parapet wall is often to provide fire protection and prevent the spread of flames across a roof. When considering a 2-hour roof assembly, it is designed to offer significant fire resistance, and in many circumstances, the presence of a fully complying 2-hour assembly negates the need for an additional parapet wall for fire safety. However, it is important to note that local building codes may have specific stipulations regarding the necessity of parapets based on factors like the type of occupancy, proximity to property lines, or potential fire spread to adjacent structures. Therefore, while parapet walls can provide additional safety, they are not universally required when an adequate roof assembly is in place. This understanding emphasizes the importance of consulting local regulations and building codes to determine the requirements for any given project.