# CIC CRAM SHEET — Top 30 Facts for Test Day

**Virginia Commercial Improvement Contractor (CIC) — PSI exam**
**Pass: 70% · References: 2021 IBC, ANSI A117.1-2017, ACI 318-19, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, VA DPOR 18VAC50-22**

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## OCCUPANCY & HEIGHT (IBC Ch 5)

1. **Group B (Business) occupant load factor:** 150 sq ft gross/occupant (IBC Table 1004.5)
2. **Type II-B Group B max height:** 75 ft (Table 504.3, no sprinkler)
3. **Type I-A:** unlimited height
4. **Mercantile (M):** 60 sq ft gross/occupant
5. **Assembly concentrated (A):** 7 sq ft net/occupant

## EGRESS (IBC Ch 10)

6. **Egress door clear width minimum:** 32 inches (§1010.1.1)
7. **Corridor width:** 44 in. when occupant load 50+; 36 in. when <50 (§1020.3)
8. **Commercial stair: 7 in. max riser / 11 in. min tread** (§1011.5.2) — DIFFERENT from residential 7-3/4 / 10
9. **Accessible spaces:** ≥ 2 accessible means of egress (§1009.2)
10. **Stairs serving 4+ stories:** 2-hour interior exit stairway enclosure (§1023.2)

## FIRE SEPARATION (IBC Ch 7)

11. **Fire wall:** foundation to/through roof, full structural separation (§706)
12. **Fire door rating in 2-hr wall:** 90 min / 1-1/2 hr (Table 716.5)
13. **Fire door rating in 1-hr wall:** 45 min / 3/4 hr
14. **A-1 occupancy:** sprinklers required regardless of size (§903.2.1.1)
15. **A-2:** sprinklers if fire area > 5,000 sq ft OR occupant load > 100

## ACCESSIBILITY (ANSI A117.1-2017)

16. **Accessible door clear opening:** 32 in. min (§404.2.3)
17. **Van-accessible parking aisle:** 96 in. (8 ft) wide (§502.3.4)
18. **Standard accessible parking aisle:** 60 in. wide
19. **Side wall grab bar at WC:** 42 in. long min (§604.5.1)
20. **Rear wall grab bar at WC:** 36 in. long min
21. **Ramp slope max:** 1:12 (8.33%); max run 30 ft between landings (§405)
22. **Ramp landing:** min 60 × 60 in. at direction changes

## CONCRETE (ACI 318-19)

23. **Min f'c structural concrete:** 2,500 psi (§19.2.1.1)
24. **Min cover slab cast against earth:** 3 inches (§20.5.1.3)
25. **Min cover exposed to weather (>#5 bar):** 2 in.
26. **Min wall thickness (non-load-bearing):** 4 in. (§11.6.1)
27. **Slab-on-grade light commercial:** 4 in. typical

## OSHA 1926 — TOP CITATIONS

28. **Fall protection trigger:** 6 ft (1926.501)
29. **Excavation protective system required:** 5 ft+ depth (1926.652)
30. **Scaffold-to-wall gap max:** 14 in. (1926.451)
31. **Portable ladder above landing:** 3 ft min extension (1926.1053)
32. **HAZCOM SDS:** readily accessible at worksite (1926.59 / 1910.1200)

## VA DPOR (18VAC50-22)

33. **Class A contractor:** unlimited monetary scope; required for projects > $120,000
34. **Class B:** projects up to $120,000
35. **Class C:** projects up to $10,000
36. **CIC license:** required for commercial improvement projects (vs. HIC residential)
37. **Continuing education:** 3 hours annually for renewal

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## TEST-DAY PROTOCOL

- **Time per question:** ~2.5 min average (don't rush)
- **Strategy:** answer everything you know first, flag unknowns, return at end
- **Critical: check whether question references RESIDENTIAL (IRC) or COMMERCIAL (IBC)** — tread/riser differs
- **2,500 psi vs 3,000 psi:** ACI says 2,500 min, but most jobs spec 3,000+
- **44 in. vs 36 in. corridor:** check occupant load count
- **OSHA 6 ft trigger** — CONSTRUCTION (1926). General industry (1910) is 4 ft.

## COMMON GOTCHAS

- "**Cast AGAINST earth**" (3 in. cover) vs "**Exposed to weather/earth after forming**" (1.5–2 in.)
- "**Side wall** grab bar 42" vs "**Rear wall** grab bar 36"
- IBC §1010.1.1 says 32 in. CLEAR — not nominal door width (a 36" nominal door gives ~32" clear)
- A-1, A-2, A-3 occupancies have DIFFERENT sprinkler triggers
- Fire walls vs. fire barriers vs. fire partitions — different ratings, different uses

**Pass threshold: 70%. Don't speed-rush. Cite the section in your head before answering.**