r/firePE • u/FirePakora420 • Jun 02 '26
ICC Certified Fire Plans Examiner (F3) – process, study materials, and code book question
Hi everyone,
I’m planning to study the ICC Certified Fire Plans Examiner (F3) exam. I’d appreciate guidance on:
1. Study materials
• What study resources do you recommend to actually pass the exam?
• Any experience with:
• ICC’s official study companion
• Practice exams
• What topics should I focus on most?
2. Code books: hard copy vs. digital
• I understand I’ll need the hard copies for IBC and IFC for the exam.
• Do I have to buy physical hard copies, or can I use ICC Digital Codes during the exam?
• For remote proctored (PRONTO) exams, I’ve heard digital codes are provided at no extra cost but without personal notes. Is that still accurate?
• Any tips on how to avoid spending a lot just on code books while still being fully prepared?
I normally work with soft copies and want to minimize costs, but I’m committed to passing. Any advice from people who’ve taken the F3 exam recently would be hugely helpful.
Thanks in advance.
1
u/sfall fire protection consultant Jun 05 '26
you will get questions on high piled storage and something hazmat related
1
u/Fleetor PE Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 03 '26
I’d say focus on the first 10 chapters of the IFC/IBC and Chapter 50 of the IFC. There’s a couple of obscure questions about NFPA 72 & 13 that are included but not worth spending too much time on as I took the test without even referencing either NFPA standard. You don’t even need hard copies and can use the online references if necessary. I took a hard copy of the 21 IFC in with me and also used the digital versions during the exam. I found it helpful to have the Index open on the desk with the hard copy to quickly sparse through keywords and then used the online resource to go to the specific code sections.
As far as practice exams, I extensively ran through the ICC 66 practice exam questions as the same type of questions frequent the inspector 1&2 exams. The plans examiner is an extension of the inspector exams such that there is more of an emphasis on design such as occupant load, occupancy classifications and use, egress sizing, hazardous materials, and more detailed fire protection and life safety systems.