1. NFPA 600, INDUSTRIAL FIRE BRIGADE Module : 11 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

2. Objective Be able to describe the types of building construction and their related hazards as it applies to firefighter safety and fire suppression.

3. TYPES OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Structural characteristics: – Type I (Fire resistive): Comprised of structural members made of noncombustible / limited combustible materials

4. TYPES OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Structural characteristics: – Type II (Noncombustible): Similar to Type I but has lower degree of fire resistance

5. TYPES OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Structural characteristics: – Type III (Ordinary): Noncombustible & limited combustible materials make up exterior walls & structural members Interior structural members are completely / partially constructed of wood

6. TYPES OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Structural characteristics: – Type IV (Heavy timber / mill): Exterior & interior walls & associated structural members are made up of noncombustible & limited combustible materials Interior structural members made of solid wood / laminated wood with no concealed spaces

7. TYPES OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Structural characteristics: – Type V (Wood frame): Exterior walls, bearing walls, floors, roofs, & supports made completely / partially of wood / other materials that have smaller dimensions than those used in Type IV construction

8. TYPES OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Burning characteristics & fire spread: – Type I (Fire resistive): Contents of the structure – Type II (Noncombustible): Contents of the structure Flat, built-up roofs – Type III (Ordinary): Spreading of fire & smoke through concealed spaces – Type IV (Heavy timber / mill): Massive amount of fire load – Type V (Wood frame): Fire extension

9. FIREFIGHTER HAZARDS Fire loading: – Maximum heat produced when all combustible materials in area are burning – Consider how material in building is arranged & how it affects fire development & severity when determining how long fire will burn & its intensity – Most critical hazard causing access problems is heavy content fire loading in commercial & storage buildings

10. FIRE HAZARDS Combustible furnishings & finishes: – 2 elements contribute to loss of lives when combustible furnishings & finishes involved: Fire spread Smoke production Roof coverings: – Combustibility of roof’s surfaces & fire spread are basic concern of community fire safety Wooden floors & ceilings: – Combustible structural components & contribute to fire load – Chance of collapse increased when components exposed to fire for prolonged period of time

11. FIRE HAZARDS Large, open spaces: – Warehouses, churches, large atriums, common attics / cocklifts, & theaters – Contribute to spread of fire

12. FIRE HAZARDS Building collapse: – Indicators of building collapse: Cracks / separations in walls, floors, ceilings, & roof structures Existing structural instability Loose bricks, blocks, / stones falling Deteriorated mortar Leaning walls Distorted structural members

13. FIRE HAZARDS Building collapse: – Indicators of building collapse: Fires beneath floors that support heavy machinery / other extreme weight loads Prolonged fire exposure Unusual creaks / cracking noises Structural members pulling away from walls Excessive weight of building contents

14. EFFECTS OF FIRE Wood: – Size & moisture content of wood are 2 factors that affect the way wood reacts to fire conditions Masonry: – Bricks, stones, & concrete masonry products are slightly affected by fire & high temperature exposure – When using water to extinguish fire, rapid cooling may cause bricks, blocks, / stones to crack

15. EFFECTS OF FIRE Cast iron: – Found in older buildings & used as exterior surfaces – Endures fire & intense heat well – When rapidly cooled by water, it will shatter or crack – Primary concern is bolts holding it in place may fail

16. EFFECTS OF FIRE Steel: – Provides structural support in present-day building construction – When heated, members elongate & may push load-bearing walls out, causing collapse – Average temperature of 1,000°F is when structural members may fail – Risk of collapse avoided by using water to cool

17. EFFECTS OF FIRE Reinforced concrete: – Under fire conditions, concrete will lose strength & spalls – Heat causes bond between steel reinforcement & concrete to fail – Cracks & spalls are indications damage has occurred

18. EFFECTS OF FIRE Gypsum: – High water content allows for excellent heat-resistant, fire-retardant properties – Gradually breaks down under fire conditions

19. EFFECTS OF FIRE Glass / fiberglass: – Glass does not provide protection from heat extension – Heated glass may shatter / crack when struck by cold water – Fiberglass used in insulation

20. TERMS Veneer wall (exterior): – Mostly brick / stone walls attached to outside of load-bearing frame structure Party wall: – Load-bearing wall that supports 2 adjacent structures Fire wall assemblies: – Used to prevent spread of fire & consist of components that meet requirements of specific fire-resistant ratings Partition wall: – Noneload-bearing wall that divides 2 areas within structure

21. TERMS Cantilever / unsupported wall: – Free-standing walls – Commonly found in churches / shopping centers Load bearing: – Wall that supports structural weight such as other walls, floors, / roofs Masonry: – Material such as brick, block, stone, & concrete

22. TERMS Reinforced concrete: – Concrete that has steel bars / mesh added as reinforcement Gypsum: – Inorganic material that plaster / plasterboard are constructed of – Provides insulation to steel & wood structural members

23. TRUSS CONSTRUCTION HAZARDS Exposure to fire for > 5 minutes causes lightweight metal and wood trusses to fail Gusset plates in wood trusses will fail if exposed to heat If one member fails, entire truss will likely fail If one truss fails, truss next to it will fail and continue throughout building