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The Large Buildings exam

The technical exam for Part 3 buildings that are not high buildings: Part 3 fire protection, occupant safety and accessibility (except the high-building rules), 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 who review or design Part 3 buildings (larger or higher-hazard buildings outside Part 9) that are not high buildings. Passing Complex Buildings also grants the Large Buildings qualification, so many candidates go straight to Complex.

Covered by: Complex Buildings. Passing one of those also qualifies you for Large Buildings.

Free Large Buildings study guide

One chapter per section of the exam, following the Ministry's study guide for the Large 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-1.6 min read
  2. 2Farm buildings (Part 2)Farm building scope, classification, size and construction, fire alarm, firefighting, emergency lighting, safety.6 min read
  3. 3Classification, construction types and fire-resistance (3.1)Major occupancy classification, multiple occupancies, combustible, noncombustible and encapsulated mass timber construction.7 min read
  4. 4Building size and construction relative to occupancyBuilding height and area, streets, multiple major occupancies, sprinkler triggers and the construction articles for every occupancy group.6 min read
  5. 5Spatial separation and exposure protectionLimiting distance and unprotected openings, exposing building face construction, wall-to-wall and wall-to-roof exposure, soffits.6 min read
  6. 6Fire alarm, firefighting, emergency lighting and floor openingsFire alarm and detection, standpipes and sprinklers, firefighting access, emergency lighting and power.6 min read
  7. 7Safety 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
  8. 8Exits (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
  9. 9Vertical transportation and service facilities (3.5, 3.6)Elevators, hoistway separations, service rooms, vertical and horizontal service spaces, and air duct and plenum systems.6 min read
  10. 10Health 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.6 min read
  11. 11Special 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
  12. 12Guard and firewall loads, 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
  13. 13Plumbing 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
  14. 14Energy, renovation and Division C administrationPart 12 (SB-10), Part 11 compliance alternatives, and the Division C items on design, permits, occupancy, notices.6 min read
Start with chapter 1

Practise for the Large 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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    • A short timed Large Buildings quiz
    • Free practice questions, every answer explained and cited
    • 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
    Start the free quiz

  • Large Buildings prep

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    • The words to search with every answer, to find it fast
    • Timed 70 question, 3 hour simulations with the code PDF, like the real exam
    • Practice by study guide section or question type
    • Progress by section, weakest first
    • Everything in the free account
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Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Large Buildings exam?
70 multiple choice questions in 3 hours. You need 70% to pass.
Is the Large 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.
Do I need the Large Buildings exam if I pass a higher exam?
Passing Complex Buildings also qualifies you for Large Buildings, because that exam covers its material. Check the Ministry rules for your role before you book.