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The Complex Buildings exam

The technical exam for the most complex buildings: all of Part 3 including high buildings (3.2.6, SB-4) and interconnected floor spaces, plus farm buildings, environmental separation, selected HVAC, plumbing and Part 9 items, and Part 12.

Large and complex buildingsTechnical

multiple choice questions
70
multiple choice questions
to finish
3 hours
to finish
to pass
70%
to pass
you work from the code
Open book
you work from the code

Last updated

Who needs it

Building officials and BCIN designers working on high buildings and buildings with interconnected floor spaces. It also grants the Large Buildings qualification.

Passing Complex Buildings also covers: Large Buildings.

Free Complex Buildings study guide

One chapter per section of the exam, following the Ministry's study guide for the Complex Buildings exam, in plain language, with every rule linked to the 2024 OBC article it comes from.

  1. 1Code structure, objectives and Division B Part 1Division A (except application of Part 8), Division B Part 1 (except frost depth), SA-1 and SB-1.5 min read
  2. 2Farm buildings (Part 2)Farm building scope, classification, size and construction, fire alarm, firefighting, emergency lighting, safety.5 min read
  3. 3Classification, construction types and fire-resistance (3.1)Major occupancy classification, multiple occupancies, combustible, noncombustible and encapsulated mass timber construction.6 min read
  4. 4Building size and construction relative to occupancy (3.2.1, 3.2.2)Building height and area, streets, multiple major occupancies, sprinkler triggers and the construction articles for every occupancy group.5 min read
  5. 5Spatial separation and exposure protection (3.2.3)Limiting distance and unprotected openings, exposing building face construction, wall-to-wall and wall-to-roof exposure, soffits.5 min read
  6. 6Fire alarm, firefighting, emergency lighting and floor openings (3.2.4, 3.2.5, 3.2.7 to 3.2.9)Fire alarm and detection, standpipes and sprinklers, firefighting access, emergency lighting and power.6 min read
  7. 7High buildings (3.2.6 and SB-4)Additional requirements for high buildings: limits to smoke movement, venting, elevators for firefighters.6 min read
  8. 8Safety within floor areas (3.3)Requirements for all floor areas and the specific rules for assembly, care and detention, residential and industrial occupancies.6 min read
  9. 9Exits (3.4)Number and location of exits, exit width and height, fire separation of exits, exit signs, types of exit facilities and fire escapes.6 min read
  10. 10Vertical transportation and service facilities (3.5, 3.6)Elevators, hoistway separations, service rooms, vertical and horizontal service spaces, and air duct and plenum systems.4 min read
  11. 11Health requirements and barrier-free design (3.7, 3.8)Room heights, windows, plumbing fixture counts, health care facility systems, food premises and barrier-free design.5 min read
  12. 12Special buildings and existing buildings (3.9 to 3.19)Portable classrooms, self-service storage, public pools and spas, rapid transit stations, tents, signs, rack storage, demountable stages.6 min read
  13. 13Structural, environmental separation and HVAC itemsLoads on guards, walls acting as guards and firewalls, all of Part 5, and the listed Part 6 design, duct, venting.6 min read
  14. 14Plumbing and Part 9 items used in large buildingsPlumbing facilities, fixture location and water temperature control from Part 7, and the listed Part 9 provisions on rooms, glass, windows.6 min read
  15. 15Energy, renovation and Division C administrationPart 12 (SB-10), Part 11 compliance alternatives, and the Division C items on design, permits, occupancy, notices.5 min read
Start with chapter 1

Practise for the Complex Buildings exam

Start with the free quiz. When you are ready, paid prep adds the full question bank and timed simulations in the real exam format.

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    • The Study room: each guide chapter beside the code PDF
    • Timed lookup drills and Find it fast search lists
    • A one page cheat sheet and a hint sheet for every exam
    • The Calculation Lab
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    • The words to search with every answer, to find it fast
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Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Complex Buildings exam?
70 multiple choice questions in 3 hours. You need 70% to pass.
Is the Complex Buildings exam open book?
Yes. The exam is open book: you work from the code, so knowing where to find an answer quickly matters as much as knowing it.