BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Captain Larry Campbell Red Shift

BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONBUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Captain Larry Campbell

Red Shift

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

2-21.1. Identify basic structural characteristics of following building construction– 2-21.1.1. Wood Frame– 2-21.1.2. Ordinary– 2-21.1.3. Heavy Timber– 2-21.4.4 Non-Combustible– 2-21.5.5. Fire Resistant


2-21.2. Identify three hazards associated with wood truss and lightweight construction

2-21.3. Identify dangerous building conditions created by fire and suppression activities

2-21.4. Identify five indicators of building collapse

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES2-21.5. Identify the effects of fire and fire

suppression activities on the following building materials– 2-21.5.1.Wood– 2-21.5.2 Masonry– 2-21.5.3 Cast Iron– 2-21.5.4. Steel– 2-21.5.6 Reinforced Concrete – 2-21.5.5 Gypsum wallboard– 2-21.5.7 Glass– 2-21.5.8 Plaster & Lath


2-21.6. Identify the following terms as they relate to building construction– 2-21.6.1.Veneer wall– 2-21.6.2. Party wall– 2-21.6.3. Fire wall– 2-21.6.4. Partition wall– 2-21.6.5. Cantilever wall/unsupported wall– 2-21.6.6. Load bearing

WHY STUDY BUILDING WHY STUDY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION?CONSTRUCTION?

To enable safe and effective fire attack planning

To alert FF to potential construction hazardsTo alert FF to effects of fire and fire

suppression activities on selected building materials

STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND HAZARDSAND HAZARDS

Type I Fire Resistive– Structural members noncombustible or limited

combustible– Primary hazards-contents– Ability to confine fire compromised by

openings


Type II Noncombustible– Similar to Type I only degree of fire resistance

is less– Some cases materials with no fire resistance is

used– Primary hazards-contents– Heat build up during fire may cause structural

supports to fail– Roof materials may contribute to fire spread


Type III Ordinary– Exterior walls and structural members

noncombustible or limited combustible– Interior structural members almost all wood– Wood used has smaller dimensions than Type

IV– Primary fire hazard is fire and smoke spread

through concealed spaces– Hazards reduced by using fire-stops


Type IV Heavy Timber– Exterior and interior walls and associated structural

members noncombustible or limited combustible materials

– Interior structures made of solid or laminated wood with no concealed spaces

– Wood has large dimensions– Primary fire hazard combustible contents of structural

members


Type IV Continued– Because of massive amount of combustible

materials there will be serious heat given off and may pose exposure protection problems

– Usually found in very old mills, factories, and warehouse, and today in modern churches

– Carpentersville- 10 W. Main Street, 11 East Main Street, and Eckert Door/GoldenBag, Inc.


Type V Wood Frame– All walls and structural members are wood– Presents unlimited fire hazards, spread, collapse– May present serious exposure problems– Every new subdivision in Carpentersville,:

GlenEagle, Kimball Farms, Aragon T/H, Willoughby Farms, and Keele Farms (examples)


Type V Continued– “Old Town” Type V construction, however a

lot of “balloon” construction. Balloon construction there are no fire stops. Fire in basement, better go straight up to attic and roof to check for extension. Modern construction is called “platform” construction, each floor is constructed on its own platform, thus acting as a fire-stop, reducing wall channels

BUILDING CONTRUCTION BUILDING CONTRUCTION TERMSTERMS

2-21.6.


Veneer wallsParty wallFire wallPartition wallCantilever/unsupported wallLoad bearing wallNon –load bearing wall


Veneer Wall- decorative walls usually attached to the outside of load-bearing frame construction

Party Wall- load bearing wall that supports two adjacent structures

Fire Wall- separates two structures or divides a structure into smaller portions to prevent spread of fire


Partition Wall- non-load bearing wall that divides two areas within a structure

Cantilever/Unsupported Walls- freestanding wall usually found in shopping centers or churches

Load bearing Wall- walls which support structural weight

Non-load bearing Wall- interior finished wall, used to separate two rooms in a house/office

HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION

AND TRUSSAND TRUSS

OBJECTIVE

2-21.2.


AND TRUSSAND TRUSSDesigned to support only their own weightIf one fails, a domino effect happens and

they all failRapid failure under fire conditions

– Usually 5 to 10 minutes– Wood ¼ char– Steel 1000º F– NEVER TRUST THE TRUSS!


AND TRUSSAND TRUSSWooden floor truss are just as dangerousTruss can be lightweight wood or metal

FF Hazards Related to FF Hazards Related to ConstructionConstruction

Heavy fire loadingCombustible finishes and furnishingsWood shake shinglesWooden floors/ceilings and coveringsLarge open spacesLightweight construction/trussConstruction, renovations, demolition


Heavy content loading– Combustibles stored in high piles next to each

other– Usually found in commercial and storage

facilities– This may override sprinkler system and provide

access problems– Proper inspection and enforcement effective in

these type of facilities


Combustible furnishings/finishes– Contribute to fire spread and smoke production

Wood shake shingles– Contribute to fire loading and spread– Prolonged exposure to fire may result in

structural collapse– Wood shake shingles in subdivisions create the

need for aggressive exposure protection


Wooden floors and ceilings– Contribute to fire loading– Prolonged exposure may result in collapse– Usually found in Type V construction and in

residential areas

Large open spaces– Contributes to spread– Warehouses, churches, large atriums, common

attics, and theaters

EFFECTS OF FIRE on BUILDING EFFECTS OF FIRE on BUILDING MATERIALSMATERIALS

OBJECTIVE

2-21.5.

EFFECTS OF FIRE on EFFECTS OF FIRE on BUILDING MATERIALSBUILDING MATERIALS

WOOD– Reaction depends on

Size– Smaller the size more likely to lose integrity

Moisture content Application of water


MASONRY– Minimally affected by fire– Mortar between masonry subject to

deterioration and weakening from fire– Rapid cooling may cause to spall– Masonry needs to be inspected after fire


CAST IRON– Found in old buildings– Bolts and other fastening devices may fail,

permitting to large wall and floor collapses


STEEL– Members elongate under heat– 50 foot beam may elongate up to 4 inches when

heated to 1000º– If ends are restrained it will buckle or fail

somewhere in the middle– Failure can be anticipated at 1000º


REINFORCED CONCRETE– Loses strength and spalls– Heat may cause bond between concrete and

steel causing collapse


GYPSUM (Drywall)– Excellent heat-resistant & fire retardant

properties– Will brake down under fire conditions– Members protected by gypsum could be

exposed to high temps


GLASS– Glass does not contribute to fire load, but resins

in fiberglass will– Heated glass will crack when hit with a cool

streamPLASTER & LATH

– Similar to gypsum– Large sections may fail during FF ops and fall

and strike FF

FACTORS THAT INCREASE FACTORS THAT INCREASE FIRE RISKS AND FIRE RISKS AND

COLLAPSECOLLAPSEConstruction, Demolition, and Renovations

– Drywall not yet in place– Exposed wood framing– Lack of barriers- doors, windows, etc.– Open stairwells– More at risk for to Arson– In buildings, suppression systems not working yet– Blocked entrances/exits– Construction materials and equipment in the way

SIGNS OF COLLAPSESIGNS OF COLLAPSE Cracks or separations in walls Evidence of existing building instability, i.e.-stars or tie

rods Loose bricks, blocks, and stones Deteriorated mortar Walls that appear to be leaning Structural members that appear to be separating from walls Prolonged fire exposure Fires beneath heavy machines, compressors, roof top units,

etc.

IF COLLAPSE APPAERS IF COLLAPSE APPAERS IMMINENTIMMINENT

Evacuate buildingSet up collapse zone around perimeter of

buildingAllow NO Personnel or Apparatus to

operate in zoneIf fire streams are needed to be continued,

they must be unmanned master streams

Documents

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Captain Larry Campbell Red Shift