Fortunately for us, the ARE is not designed to be a test based on memorizing tons of specific numbers. We are tested on our general understanding and familiarity of concepts. (Albeit, there’s a lot of concepts to learn!) However, there are a few things that you will be tested on based from memory. When wondering what to memorize, consider if it applies to the HEALTH, SAFETY, OR WELLFARE of our occupants. Those will be the facts they will test us to insure we know. This list is not exhaustive, but it’s a good place to start. Review the study guide for each exam division for a full list of the information you’ll need to know.
If memorization stresses you out, just take a break and look at the turtle. Breathe. You’re doing fine, just like this turtle.
Note: This information primarily relates to PA (Programming & Analysis), PPD (Project Planning & Design), PDD (Project Development and Documentation), CE (Construction and Evaluation).
Math
Tip: On the test pay attention to the units. If you are doing a quantity take off in feet, the prices for the materials may be in yards.
When doing structural calculations, pay attention to the units provided in the question, compared to the units in the provided formulas.
Yards to Feet
Linear: 1 Yard = 3 Feet 1 yd = 3 ft
Area: 1 Square Yard = 9 Square Feet 1 yd2 = 9 ft2
Volume: 1 Cubic Yard = 27 Cubic Feet 1 yd3 = 27 ft3
For Converting Yards to Feet Remember: Linear, Square, Cubic: 3, 9, 27
Other Numbers to Remember
Kilo = 1,000
Mega = 1,000,000
1 acre = 43,560 SF
1 ton of air conditioning = (approx.) 12,000 BTU / hr
(for sizing AC units)
To find the Water Pressure at any height = .433 psi x the vertical distance
Wind Pressure = (Wind Speed/20)2
1 MBF = 1,000 board feet (bd-ft) (MBF is just a way to say “1,000 board feet”)
Calculating Board Feet
Thickness” x Width” x Length” / 144″
1 Board Foot = 1″ Thick x 12″ Wide x 12″ Long
For example, a 2×4 10′ long has 6.67 board feet
2″ x 4″ x 120″ / 144″ = 6.67 board feet
Note: Board feet is calculated with the nominal size, not the actual size. In the previous example, a 2×4 is actually 1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″, but that isn’t taken into consideration when measuring board feet.
Common Math Equations
π = 3.14
Area of a Circle = π r 2
Circumference of a Circle = 2 π r or π d
Slopes = Rise / Run
Slope Percentage = Rise / Run x 100
Structural Engineering Equations
F = P/A Stress = Load / Area
Area is the cross-sectional area on which the load is applied
Accessibility
Accessible Routes
An accessible route needs to have a minimum clear width of 36″. You can reduce this clear with to 32″ for a maximum of 2′. (Note: an accessible route is any hallway, corridor, or path where your occupants will travel.)
Accessible routes need to align with the primary circulation paths.
At least one accessible route shall be provided to an accessible building entrance from all accessible parking spaces, accessible loading zones, public streets, public sidewalks, and public transportation stops.
The slope of any walking surface (other than a ramp) cannot exceed 1:20.
Ramps
Minimum clear width for a ramp: 36″
Landings are required every 30″ of vertical rise and every 30′ of run, as well as at the top and bottom of a ramp.
Handrails
The top surface of handrails shall be 34”-38” from the finish floor
Handrails need to extend beyond the ramp 12″ min.
Doors
The minimum clear width of a door opening is 32”. (Note: a 32” door provides a 31” clear width. To provide this clear width 36” doors are usually specified because they are easier to source than a 34” door.)
On the pull side of a door, there must be a min. 18” clear from the latch to an adjacent wall or obstruction
On the push side of a door, there must be a min. 12” clear from the latch to an adjacent wall or obstruction
Remember, it’s harder to pull a door open than it is to push it in, thats why the pull side requires 18” and the push side only requires 12”
Doors cannot block more than 1/2 of the required egress width when swinging open. When fully opened, doors cannot reduce the required egress width by more than 7″.
You need 48″ clear between two consecutive doors. If the doors swing in the same direction, the 48″ is measured from the edge of the opened door to the opening of the other. If two doors swing into to the same space, the minimum required distance between the edge of the door leafs is 48″.
Vertical Clearance
You need to have a minimum ceiling height of 80″ (6′-8″). If the ceiling height drops below this height, you need a cane detection rail.
Building Code
Means of Egress: a continuous, unobstructed path of exit travel from any occupied portion of a building to a public way.
3 Components of Building Egress: Exit Access, Exit, and Exit Discharge
Exit Access: unprotected, or minimally protected areas
Exit: “That portion of a means of egress system between the exit access and the exit discharge or public way.” The exit is the protected route in the egress system. Exits must be fire-rated assemblies and be continuously protected until they reach the exit discharge. Exits include fire-rated stairways, protected passageways, and areas of refuge within the building.
Exit Discharge: The portion of the egress system that connects the exit to the public way or place of safety.
Exit Access Travel Distance measured from the furthest point in an unprotected, or minimally protected room to the Exit. Travel distance is usually measured with paths running parallel to the walls, taking into account the furniture that will be in the building when it’s occupied.
Common path of egress travel: the path an occupant takes from the furthest point on a building level, until two separate paths of travel to two different exits are available or an exit-access doorway.
Dead End: When two exits are required in a building, a corridor cannot have a dead end. A dead end is defined as a length of 20’ unless there are sprinklers, which will permit for a 50’ dead end in some occupancies.
Door Swing: Doors serving an occupant load of 50 or more occupants must swing in the direction of egress travel.
The distance between two exits (example: doors in a room) must be a minimum of half of the diagonal of the room area. If the building is fully-sprinklered the length is a minimum of one-third the diagonal distance.
See this link for diagrams and additional information: https://www.northernarchitecture.us/building-codes/means-of-egress.html
Egress Width Requirements
The minimum corridor width for non-sprinklered buildings is .2″ x Occupant Load or the minimum width in Table 1020.2, whichever is greater. (For most occupancies it’s 44″ min.; for dwellings and occupancies under 50 persons its 36″) For sprinklered buildings it’s .15″ x the Occupant Load or the min. width per Table 1020.2.
For non-sprinklered buildings, the minimum width for egress stairs is .3″ x Occupant Load or the minimum width in Table 1020.2, whichever is greater.
For sprinklered buildings, the minimum width for egress stairs is .2″ x Occupant Load or the minimum width in Table 1020.2, whichever is greater.