Essentials of Fire Fighting (4th Edition-FF1)-Chapter 3 ...



Essentials of Firefighting (4th Edition)

Chapter 3-Building Construction

FF 1 Test Review (Statements)

▪ Basic knowledge of building construction allows firefighters to recognize potential dangers and plan for a safe and effective fire attack.

▪ Not all building code classification systems use the same terminology.

▪ Compartmentation in fire-resistive buildings retards fire spread.

▪ Most building codes have 5 classifications of construction types.

▪ Openings in partitions in Type I (fire-resistive) construction can provide pathways for fire spread.

▪ Fire load is the maximum heat that can be produced if all combustible materials in a given area burn.

▪ All fire walls are given a "time" fire rating.

▪ Construction classifications are based on the number of hours of fire protection provided by the structural members and their fire-resistance ratings.

▪ Wood shake roofs are not effective barriers against fire.

▪ Type I construction is known as fire-resistive construction.

▪ Type II construction is known as noncombustible or limited combustible construction.

▪ Type III construction is known as ordinary construction.

▪ Type IV construction is known as heavy timber construction.

▪ Type V construction is known as wood-frame construction.

▪ The primary concern of Type II (noncombustible or limited combustible) construction buildings is the contents of the building.

▪ Built-up roofs of felt, insulation, and roofing tar are of the most concern in Type II (noncombustible or limited combustible) construction.

▪ Fire and smoke spread into concealed spaces is a primary concern for Type III (ordinary) construction.

▪ Fire can burn unnoticed within concealed spaces by consuming materials within that space.

▪ Type III (ordinary) construction hazards can be reduced by placing fire stops in concealed spaces.

▪ Exterior and interior walls of Type IV (heavy-timber) construction are made of noncombustible or limited combustible materials.

▪ Type V (wood-frame) construction presents an almost unlimited potential for fire spread within the building of origin and to exposure buildings.

▪ Examples of Type IV (heavy timber) construction include churches, old factories, and old mills.

▪ The primary fire hazard with Type IV (heavy timber) construction is the massive amounts of combustible structural timbers.

▪ Heavy timber will remain stable for long periods of time under fire conditions but give off tremendous heat.

▪ Type V (wood-frame) construction is characterized by exterior walls, bearing walls, floors, roofs, and supports made completely of wood or other approved materials (smaller than Type IV-Heavy Timber).

▪ Fire coming from doors or windows and extending to the exterior of a structure must be monitored with Type V (wood-frame) construction.

▪ Interior walls may not be able to be distinguished as load-bearing just by looking at them.

▪ A party wall is a load-bearing wall that supports 2 adjacent structures.

▪ The risk of fire spread is considerable when a building is under construction.

▪ Cantilever walls are freestanding walls.

▪ Fire walls divide structures into smaller portions but do not prevent fire spread to other floors (lateral spread only).

▪ It is the responsibility of all personnel to monitor and report unsafe structural conditions.

▪ Large amounts of combustible materials in an area of a building is termed heavy fire loading.

▪ Warehouses often present heavy content loading.

▪ Combustible furnishings and finishes provide potential for rapid fire spread and toxic products of combustion.

▪ Disabled alarm systems may be found in building that are being renovated.

▪ Wood shake shingles are a common problem in wildland/urban interface fires.

▪ Proper vertical ventilation can slow the spread of fire in buildings with large, open spaces.

▪ Heavy content fire loading can be identified/corrected by proper inspection and code enforcement.

▪ Indicators of potential building collapse include:  unusual creaking, deteriorated mortar, and cracks or separations in walls, floors, and ceilings.

▪ Collapse zones should be set at 1 1/2 times the height of the building.

▪ Lightweight metal/wood truss systems are likely to fail completely if one member fails.

▪ After 5 to 10 minutes, lightweight metal/wood trusses will fail.

▪ Type V (wood-frame) construction is most commonly used to construct typical single-family residences.

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