*BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONIFSTA : Chapter 3

*BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONIFSTA : Chapter 3

Additional reading:IFSTA Essentials #4 chapter 8, 9, 10

Only for the information relating to building constructionSome quiz, midterm and final questions will be from this material

*Learning ObjectivesList and define five types of building construction.

Identify the effects fire has on common building materials to enable firefighters to effectively attack the fire.

Identify the different occupancies and their effects at a structure fire.

*Learning ObjectivesIdentify the hazards of building construction during fire suppression operations.

Identify construction features during size up.

Identify indicators of structural failure or collapse during fire suppression operations

*Types of Building ConstructionMost building codes have 5 types of building construction.Many buildings include several types of construction.

*Type I: Fire Resistive ConstructionStructural members made of noncombustible / limited combustible materials.Construction intended to confine fire and its byproducts to a given location.Primary fire hazard is contents of structure.

*Type II: Noncombustible ConstructionLower degree of fire resistance than type I.Fire resistance rating on all exterior and interior load bearing walls.May have combustible features, as materials with no fire resistance rating may be used.Generally have flat roofs with combustible felt, insulation and roofing tar.

*Why is Size-up Important?

*Type III: Ordinary ConstructionExterior walls & structural members of noncombustible / limited combustible materials.Interior members (walls, beams, floors, roof) are made of wood.Hazards: smoke and fire spread through concealed spaces.Fire stops to limit spread.

*Type IV: Heavy TimberExterior / interior walls noncombustible material.Interior structural members (beams, columns, arches, floors etc.) made of solid or laminated wood with no concealed spaces.Found in old factories, warehouses, churches.

*Type V: Frame Construction

*Type V: Frame ConstructionExterior and interior structural members made of wood.

Fire Hazards: unlimited potential for fire extension, fire extension to nearby structures.

Typical residential home

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*Platform Frame

*Silent Flooring

*Poor Construction Methods

*Fire Effects on Common Construction Materials WoodMay be used in load bearing and non-load bearing walls.Reaction of wood to fire conditions is based on the size of the wood and its moisture content.Water does not have a negative effect on woods structural strength.Plywood, particle board, paneling may be highly combustible, produce toxic gases and rapidly deteriorate under fire conditions.

*Fire Effects on Common Construction Materials - MasonryBrick, concrete, and stonework.Commonly used for firewalls to separate connected structures and prevent fire spread.May be used as load bearing or veneer.Minimally affected by fire & high temperatures.Mortar joints between bricks, blocks may deteriorate. (mortar mix is weakest part of wall)Rapid cooling of masonry by water may cause cracking or spalling.

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*Fire Effects on Common Construction Materials - ConcreteConcrete is a mixture of portland cement, sand, gravel and water.Often used as a fire resistive protection for structural steel (reinforced concrete).May crack or spall if heated, indication of damage & reduced strength.Heating may cause bond between steel and concrete to fail.Concrete tends to absorb and retain heat.

*Fire Effects on Common Construction Materials Reinforced Concrete

*Fire Effects on Common Construction Materials - SteelPrimary use of steel is for structural members.Steel is an excellent conductor of heat.Steel loses strength as temperature increasesSteel structural members will elongate when heated.Water can cool steel structural members and reduce risk of failure or collapse.

*Fire Effects on Common Construction Materials - Steel

*Fire Effects on Common Construction Materials - Plastic

Becoming integrated to replace/improve common building materialsPlastics are oil-based (hydrocarbons)Two general typesThermoplastics (melt, deform, vapourize = burns!)Thermosets (decomposes, only burns with extreme temps)

*Fire Effects on Common Construction Materials - PlasticGeneral Rule of Thumb when fighting fires involving plasticsBurn fastVery intense heatDense black smokeExtremely toxic

Can resemble a Class B Fire (flammable liquids)

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*BREAK TIME

*Roof Types

Three Main Types:(a) Flat(b) Pitched(c) Arched

*Occupancy Versus Type of ConstructionOccupancy creates the fire load.Building codes specify building type based on occupancy classification.Fire code determines fire protection based on building and occupancy use.Occupancies are residential, commercial, business, industrial and educational.Each type has a number of hazards.

*Occupancy Hazards

*Building Uses

Ontario Fire Code and Ontario Building Code separate buildings in groups A-F, as related to their major use (or major occupancy)

With each type of building comes various requirements/restrictions on building construction

Private dwelling residences are exempt (with some exceptions)

*Building UsesA AssemblyTheatres, libraries, schools, large bars, pubs and restaurantsB Institutional (compelled to sleep over)Jails, hospitals, orphanages, nursing homesC ResidentialApartment buildings (common area) , group homes, houses, motelsD Business and Personal ServicesBanks, barber shops, offices (medico legal), laundromatE MercantileMarkets, stores, shops, supermarkets, restaurants, bars and pubsF IndustrialFlammable liquid plant, television studio, freight depot

*Firefighter Hazards:Structure FiresChange in occupancy creating an unusually heavy fire load.Dangerous stockpiling and excessive stock creating access problems.Unknown design errors, renovations, contractor short cuts.Arsonists traps or tampering with fire protection systems.Occupancy may not be what it appears. (drug lab, boarding house, group home, etc.)

*Construction Features Assessed During Size UpWhat constructions features are important during size-up?

*Construction Features Assessed During Size Up

*Firefighter Hazards:Structure FiresCombustible furnishings & finishes.Wooden floors / ceilings.Large open spaces.Synthetic materials.Lightweight & truss construction.

*Lightweight Wood or Steel Truss Construction=Very Dangerous Firefighting Conditions

*Truss Roofs

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*Bowstring Truss!

*Beware of the Truss!

*Structural CollapseEvery structure fire has the potential for collapse.Firefighters must be aware and look for indicators to collapse.

*Signs of Potential CollapseProlonged exposure.(time)

Distorted structural members.

Fire on floors below heavy machinery and heavy loads.

*Signs of Potential Collapse

*Building Collapse Zone

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*Size Up What do you see?

*The Back?

*The Side?

*SummaryFirefighters must know & understand building construction.There are five common types of construction.Firefighters need to be aware of the hazards associated with structure fires.Effects of fire on building materials.Signs of structural collapse.

*MOST COMMONLY DEALT WITH CONSTRUCTION TYPE.*ALL OF THESE TYPES OF CONDITIONS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO FIRE SPREAD.