Building Descriptions

Enabling Objectives DEFINE the five types of building Construction DESCRIBE the strengths and weaknesses of each type of building DESCRIBE the firefighting procedures for each type of building

Building Classifications Five Types Type I - Fire Resistive Type II - Non-combustible Type III - Ordinary Type IV - Heavy Timber Type V - Wood Frame

Building Construction Building Classifications Type I - Fire Resistive Consists mainly of reinforced concrete Steel beams and supports protected with spray on insulation and/or fire sprinklers Slows fire spread Most hazards From room and contents Improper ventilation (Mechanical or design) Improperly designed openings and/or partition breaches

Building Construction Building Classifications Type I - Fire Resistive Strengths Resists direct flame impingement Confines fire Little collapse potential from fire alone Impervious to water damage

Building Construction Building Classifications Type I - Fire Resistive Weaknesses Difficult to breach for access or egress Difficult to ventilate during fire Massive debris following collapse Floors, ceilings, and walls retain heat

Building Construction Building Classifications Type II - Non-combustible Same materials used to construct as Type - I Missing insulation or other fire protection of Type - I Includes all-metal buildings Primary concerns are Contents & finishes Heat build-up Structural support Roof collapse

Building Construction Building Classifications Type II - Non-combustible Strengths Almost as resistive to fire as Type - I Confines fire well Almost as structurally stable as Type - I Easier to vertically ventilate than Type - I

Building Construction Building Classifications Type II - Non-combustible Weaknesses Difficult to breach or access or escape Unprotected steel structural components can fail due to heat Roof systems less stable than Type - I Steel components can be weakened by fire, rust, and corrosion Massive debris following collapse

Building Construction Building Classifications Type III - Ordinary Exterior and structural members made of non-combustible or limited combustible materials Interior structural members are partially or completely made of wood i.e. Walls, columns, beams, floors and roofs Smaller dimensions than Heavy Timber or Type - IV

Building Construction Building Classifications Type III - Ordinary Strengths Resists fire spread from the outside Relatively easy to vertically ventilate

Building Construction Building Classifications Type III - Ordinary Weaknesses Interior structural members vulnerable to fire involvement Fire spread potential through concealed spaces Susceptible to water damage

Building Construction Building Classifications Type IV - Heavy Timber Exterior walls, interior walls and associated structural members Made from non-combustible or limited-combustible materials Other interior structural members made from solid nominal lumber or laminated wood with no concealed spaces i.e. Beams, columns, arches, floors and roofs Must be large enough dimensions Depends on codes

Building Construction Building Classifications Type IV - Heavy Timber Used extensively in… Old factories, mills, and warehouses Rarely used today other than for decorations Glue-lam heavy timber use is on the rise Massive amount of fuel of heavy timber and contents of building contribute to danger associated with this type of construction

Building Construction Building Classifications Type IV - Heavy Timber Strengths Resists collapse due to flame impingement of heavy beams Structurally stable Relatively easy to vertically ventilate Relatively easy to breach for access and egress Manageable debris following collapse

Building Construction Building Classifications Type IV - Heavy Timber Weaknesses Susceptible to fire spread from exterior Potential to spread flame to adjacent or nearby exposures Susceptible to rapid interior fire growth and spread Susceptible to water damage

Building Construction Building Classifications Type V - Wood Frame Many components of structure made entirely or partially of wood i.e. Exterior walls, bearing walls, floors, roofs, and support Other approved materials of smaller dimensions than heavy timber Common for single family homes and apartments up to seven stories tall

Building Construction Building Classifications Type V - Wood Frame Presents almost unlimited potential for fire extension Fire has many access points inside of structure and from or to exposures

Building Construction Building Classifications Type V - Wood Frame Strengths Easily breached for access, ventilation, or escape Resistant to collapse from earthquakes Lightweight, flexible Collapse debris easy to manage

Building Construction Encouraged reading found in station libraries Brannigan’s Building Construction for the Fire Service Fourth Edition - Francis L. Brannigan, Glenn P. Corbett; Jones and Bartlett IFSTA Building Construction Related to the Fire Service Second Edition - Edward J. Pendergast, P.E.; Fire Protection Publications

“The building is your enemy. Know your enemy.” –Francis L. Brannigan 10/13/1918 - 01/10/2006

Enabling Objectives DEFINE the five types of building Construction DESCRIBE the strengths and weaknesses of each type of building DESCRIBE the firefighting procedures for each type of building