I brought a few codes (references are unlimited in GA) and ended up looking up one question. My educated guess was vindicated. Like it was posted in another thread over here somewhere, the codes won't make or break the exam, but they can provide a free point or two. And since codes constantly change, I doubt NCEES expects you to know the CFM/person in a theather or minimum efficiency rating of a water source heat pump. However, they might ask about a definition or premise of a code (minimum ventiliation is based on occupancy and off-gassing of typical materials in space, or factors involved in calculating SEER).For those who have taken the HVAC Depth, Did you need the IMC? For those of you who are taking the exam are you taking it with?
Thanks,
Its been two years since I tested but I thought it said somewhere that you wont be asked code related questions. I didn't take any building codes and did just fine.
You won't need any local codes. The test is the same in all states. Only codes applicable to the entire country will be needed. Besides IMC, the ASHRAE guidelines mentioned here will be useful. There are very very few code questions (I passed HVAC last October). Look at the sample tests and questions and you get an idea what is needed. If your test teacher is so "knowledgeable" on the test - good luck! You'll need itI am taking the HVAC course and wondering if this is nesscary as well. I am taking a review course at UNCC. During the HVAC section of the review course he recommended bring the North Carolina Building code (based of IMC). Hopefully someone with some insight chimes in soon, otherwise if will be taking the office copy.
I would spend an hour sometime soon tabbing references on topics you think you've encountered often on your pracitice problems/exams. Need R-values? Find the table in the resources and tab it. Need refrigerant charts? Find it in the resources and tab it. Need thermal expansion coeffecients, outdoor air requirements, that complex transfer equation, etc? Find and tab it.Thanks for the replies. I just don’t think that it is worth me purchasing an IMC for the test. I could be wrong, but I’ll live with it.
I’m really starting to hate the ASHRAE books though. It seems like going from fundamentals 2005 to 2009 there were a lot of chapter changes. So when I’m working the practice tests I can’t find the sources for the answer. I just hope that the test references 2009 and not 2005.
Don't you have one at work? If not, I wonder about your experience requirements.Thanks for the replies. I just don’t think that it is worth me purchasing an IMC for the test. I could be wrong, but I’ll live with it.
I’m really starting to hate the ASHRAE books though. It seems like going from fundamentals 2005 to 2009 there were a lot of chapter changes. So when I’m working the practice tests I can’t find the sources for the answer. I just hope that the test references 2009 and not 2005.
In his(or her?) defense, my company has the most common codes for us on a website which allows us 24/7 access. We can view older and newer versions of each code instead of hauling multiple books around. The biggest downside to this setup is printing a copy, which I don't think is allowed since it would be reproducing copyrighted material without permission.Don't you have one at work? If not, I wonder about your experience requirements.
Good point, the copyright might be an issue in an exam. ASHRAE also offers the guidelines online for being up to date....In his(or her?) defense, my company has the most common codes for us on a website which allows us 24/7 access. We can view older and newer versions of each code instead of hauling multiple books around. The biggest downside to this setup is printing a copy, which I don't think is allowed since it would be reproducing copyrighted material without permission.
If his/her company only has one set of code books, it can still be a setback since the exam is on a Friday (a business day where coworkers might actually need access to their one copy).
I, like you, were fortunate and there were a few copies of older codes in our library that I brought along.
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