Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Building Construction
Objectives (1 of 3)
Describe the characteristics of the following building materials: masonry, concrete, steel, glass, gypsum board, and wood.
Objectives (2 of 3)
List the characteristics of each of the following types of building construction: fire-resistive construction, noncombustible construction, ordinary construction, heavy timber construction, and wood-frame construction.
Objectives (3 of 3)
Describe how each of the five types of building construction react to fire. Describe the function of each of the following building components: foundations, floors, ceilings, roofs, trusses, walls, doors, windows, interior finishes, and floor coverings.
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Introduction (1 of 2)
Knowing building construction enables fire fighters to:
Predict how a fire will spread Make determinations about structural integrity Recognize warning signs of imminent collapse
Introduction (2 of 2)
Fire risks also depend on occupancy and contents. Occupancy: how a building is used Contents: vary, but usually related to building use
Masonry
Inherently fireresistive Poor conductor of heat Openings can allow fire to spread. With prolonged exposure to fire, masonry can collapse.
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Concrete
Inherently fire-resistive Poor conductor of heat Strong under compression Weak under tension Can be damaged through exposure to fire
Spalling
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Steel (1 of 2)
Strongest material in common use Strong in both compression and tension Will rust if exposed to air and moisture Not fire-resistive Good conductor of heat
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Steel (2 of 2)
Expands and loses strength when heated Any sign of bending, sagging, or stretching indicates immediate risk of failure.
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Other Metals
Aluminum
Often melts and drips in fires
Copper
Primarily used for piping and wiring
Zinc
Primarily used as a protective coating for metals
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Glass
Noncombustible, but not fire-resistive Ordinary (non-treated) glass will break when exposed to flame.
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Gypsum Board (1 of 2)
Not a strong structural material Used mainly for finishing Very good insulator Limited combustibility
Paper will burn, but gypsum itself will not. Often used as a firestop
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Gypsum Board (2 of 2)
Prolonged exposure to fire will cause failure.
Moisture in the material will evaporate causing deterioration.
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Wood
Most common building material Highly combustible Weakens when heated Fire-retardant chemicals can weaken wood.
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Plastics
Rarely used for structural support Combustibility varies Many plastics release dense, toxic smoke when they burn. Thermoplastic materials melt and drip. Thermoset materials lose strength but will not melt.
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Classification based on combustibility and fire resistance Codes specify construction type required based on:
Height Area Occupancy Location
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Types of Construction
Type I: Fire-Resistive Type II: Noncombustible Type III: Ordinary Type IV: Heavy Timber Type V: Wood Frame
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Type I: Fire-Resistive (1 of 2)
All structural components must be noncombustible. Used for:
Large numbers of people Tall or large area Special occupancies
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Type I: Fire-Resistive (2 of 2)
Building materials should not provide fuel for a fire.
Contents may burn but the building should not.
Steel framing must be protected. Fires can be very hot and hard to ventilate. In extreme conditions Type I buildings can collapse.
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All structural components must be noncombustible. Fire-resistive requirements are less stringent than Type I.
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Fire resistance depends on building age and local building codes. Exterior walls, floors, and roof are connected.
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No concealed spaces or voids Used for buildings as tall as eight stories Open spaces suitable for manufacturing and storage New Type IV construction is rare.
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Platform-frame construction
Exterior wall studs not continuous.
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Building Components
Foundation Floors and ceilings Roofs Trusses Walls Doors and windows Interior finishes and floor coverings
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Foundation
Ensures building is firmly planted Helps keep all other components connected Weak or shifting foundations can cause collapse.
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Roofs
Not designed to be as strong as floors Three primary designs:
Pitched roofs Curved roofs Flat roofs
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Pitched Roofs
Sloped or inclined Can be gable, hip, mansard, gambrel, or lean-to Usually supported by rafters or trusses Require some sort of roof covering
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Curved Roofs
Used for large buildings that require large, open interiors
Supermarkets Warehouses Industrial buildings
Flat Roofs (1 of 2)
Usually found on houses, apartment buildings, warehouses, factories, schools, and hospitals Have a slight slope for drainage Wood support structures use solid wood beams and joists.
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Flat Roofs (2 of 2)
Lightweight construction techniques employ wood I-beams and trusses. Open-web steel trusses (bar joists) often used for support Most coverings highly combustible Ventilation may involve cutting through many layers of roofing.
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Trusses (1 of 2)
Triangular geometry creates a strong, rigid structure. Usually prefabricated wood or steel Three types:
Parallel chord Pitched chord Bowstring
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Trusses (2 of 2)
Parallel chord
Used for flat roofs and floors
Pitched chord
Used for pitched roofs
Bowstring
Used for curved roofs
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Walls
Most visible part of a building Constructed of a variety of materials Walls are:
Load-bearing Nonbearing Specialized
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Load-Bearing Walls
Give structural support Either interior or exterior Support both dead load and live load Damaged wall can result in collapse
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Nonbearing Walls
Support only their own weight Can be breached or removed without compromising structural integrity Either interior or exterior
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Specialized Walls (1 of 2)
Party walls
Common to two properties Almost always load-bearing Often a fire wall
Fire walls
Designed to limit horizontal fire spread Extend from foundation through roof Constructed of fire-resistant materials
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Specialized Walls (2 of 2)
Fire partitions
Interior walls that extend from a floor to underside of floor above
Fire enclosures
Fire-rated assemblies that enclose vertical openings
Curtain walls
Nonbearing exterior walls attached to the outside of a building
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Walls
Solid, load-bearing masonry walls can reach six stories high. Nonbearing masonry walls can reach almost any height. Never assume that exterior walls are masonry.
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Doors
Can be used for entry, exit, light, and ventilation Mostly constructed of wood or metal
Hollow-core wood doors offer little fire resistance. Solid-core doors provide some fire resistance. Metal doors more durable and fireresistant.
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Window Assemblies
Used for light, ventilation, entry, and exit Window type depends on a variety of factors.
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Constructed to prevent spread of flames, heat, and smoke Must meet NFPA 80 Labeled according to approved-use
Class A Class B Class C Class D Class E
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Fire windows are used when a window is needed in a required fireresistant wall.
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Construction or Demolition
Construction or demolition sites pose special problems for fire fighters. Built-in fire protection features are often missing. Fire-resistive enclosures can be missing. Often unoccupied for long periods
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Summary (1 of 2)
Many materials are used in building construction, and each material reacts differently to heat and fire. The five types of building construction each have their own strengths and weaknesses and differing levels of resistance to fire.
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Summary (2 of 2)
Buildings contain a variety of parts or components. Materials used in building components vary.
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