BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND FIRE BEHAVIOR FACTORS

OBJECTIVES List the five classification of buildings and explain the characteristics of each classification Identify the strengths and concerns for each building construction classification Module 4 Overview BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CLASSIFICATIONS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CLASSIFICATIONS

OBJECTIVES List and explain the critical fire behavior factors that relate to tactical operations for an assigned fire scenario. FIRE BEHAVIOR FACTORS FIRE TRAVEL PREDICTIONS Module 4 Overview

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CLASSIFICATIONS

Understanding the strengths, concerns, and specific characteristics of construction types is critical As structural elements become weakened, gravity will take over and pull the building down.

BUILDING CLASSIFICATIONS Fire-resistive Noncombustible Heavy-timber Ordinary Wood-frame

“STRENGTHS”

“CONCERNS”

Stair case

FIRE BEHAVIOR FACTORS

Heat Release is contingent upon: Type of Fuel Physical Arrangements Rate of conservation to a gas

THE NATURAL VERTICAL STRATIFICATION OF HEAT WITHIN A BURNING STRUCTURE 200 O F 400 O F 900 O F 1200 O F

FLASHOVER PREVENTION Ventilation Water application

Backdraft potential

Back draft prevention Ventilate high in structure

Fire Travel Predictions

Fire and heat travel is determined by Construction of building Building layout Fuel load Built-in fire protection features Air handling systems Fire department ventilation

Fire Travel Assessment Where is the fire? Where is smoke showing? What is there to stop the fire? Where is there signs of increasing heat? Unusual signs of buildings reaction to fire?

Summary Building construction classifications. Accurate predictions of fire behavior.