ICC General Requirements Practice Exam

Which risk category would an elementary school most likely fall into?

1. I (1)

2. II (2)

3. III (3)

4. IV (4)

The correct answer is: III (3)

An elementary school is classified under Risk Category II (2) according to the ICC guidelines. Risk categories are determined based on potential occupancy and the consequences of a failure. An elementary school, as a public assembly building intended for educational use, accommodates a population of children, which can influence risk assessment due to factors such as the vulnerability of this population and the importance of ensuring their safety in the event of a disaster or structural failure. Risk Category I (1) typically applies to structures with little or no risk to human life, such as agricultural buildings, while Risk Category III (3) and Risk Category IV (4) apply to buildings that house larger groups of people or essential infrastructure, such as hospitals or emergency services. Therefore, determining a school as Risk Category II (2) aligns with its use, the expected occupancy load, and the need for a higher level of structural integrity when compared to buildings classified under lower risk categories.