1. Building Descriptions

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

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

22. 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