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Building construction
The document outlines five types of building construction, detailing their fire resistiveness and structural characteristics, along with an analysis of construction materials' fire effects. It emphasizes the importance of size-up for firefighters regarding building occupancy and hazards, as well as potential structural collapse during fires. Additionally, it categorizes building uses and highlights related fire protection measures based on occupancy classifications.
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Building construction
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- 2. Types of BuildingConstruction • Most building codes have 5 types of building construction. • Many buildings include several types of construction. 2
- 3. Type I: FireResistive Construction • Structural 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. 3
- 4. Type II: Noncombustible Construction •Lower 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. 4
- 5. Why is Size-upImportant? 5
- 6. Type III: OrdinaryConstruction • Exterior 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. 6
- 7. Type IV: HeavyTimber • Exterior / 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. 7
- 8. Type V: FrameConstruction 8
- 9. Type V: FrameConstruction • Exterior and interior structural members made of wood. • Fire Hazards: unlimited potential for fire extension, fire extension to nearby structures. • Typical residential home 9
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- 14. Fire Effects onCommon Construction Materials – Wood • May 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 wood’s structural strength. • Plywood, particle board, paneling may be highly combustible, produce toxic gases and rapidly deteriorate under fire conditions. 14
- 15. Fire Effects onCommon Construction Materials Masonry Brick, 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. 15
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- 17. Fire Effects onCommon Construction Materials - Concrete • Concrete 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. 17
- 18. Fire Effects onCommon Construction Materials – Reinforced Concrete 18
- 19. Fire Effects onCommon Construction Materials - Steel • Primary use of steel is for structural members. • Steel is an excellent conductor of heat. • Steel loses strength as temperature increases • Steel structural members will elongate when heated. • Water can cool steel structural members and reduce risk of failure or collapse. 19
- 20. Fire Effects onCommon Construction Materials - Steel 20
- 21. Fire Effects onCommon Construction Materials - Plastic • Becoming integrated to replace/improve common building materials • Plastics are oil-based (hydrocarbons) • Two general types – Thermoplastics (melt, deform, vapourize = burns!) – Thermosets (decomposes, only burns with extreme temps) 21
- 22. Fire Effects onCommon Construction Materials - Plastic • General Rule of Thumb when fighting fires involving plastics… – – – – Burn fast Very intense heat Dense black smoke Extremely toxic • Can resemble a Class B Fire (flammable liquids) 22
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- 25. Roof Types Three MainTypes: (a) Flat (b) Pitched (c) Arched 25
- 26. Occupancy Versus Typeof Construction • Occupancy 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. 26
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- 28. Building Uses • OntarioFire 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) 28
- 29. Building Uses • A– Assembly – Theatres, libraries, schools, large bars, pubs and restaurants • B – Institutional (compelled to sleep over) – Jails, hospitals, orphanages, nursing homes • C – Residential – Apartment buildings (common area) , group homes, houses, motels • D – Business and Personal Services – Banks, barber shops, offices (medico legal), laundromat • E – Mercantile – Markets, stores, shops, supermarkets, restaurants, bars and pubs • F – Industrial – Flammable liquid plant, television studio, freight depot 29
- 30. Firefighter Hazards: Structure Fires •Change 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.) 30
- 31. Construction Features Assessed DuringSize Up What constructions features are important during size-up? 31
- 32. Construction Features Assessed DuringSize Up 32
- 33. Firefighter Hazards: Structure Fires • • • • Combustiblefurnishings & finishes. Wooden floors / ceilings. Large open spaces. Synthetic materials. • Lightweight & truss construction. 33
- 34. Lightweight Wood orSteel Truss Construction = Very Dangerous Firefighting Conditions 34
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- 39. Beware of theTruss! 39
- 40. Structural Collapse • Everystructure fire has the potential for collapse. • Firefighters must be aware and look for indicators to collapse. 40
- 41. Signs of PotentialCollapse • Prolonged exposure.(time) • Distorted structural members. • Fire on floors below heavy machinery and heavy loads. 41
- 42. Signs of PotentialCollapse 42
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- 45. Size Up –What do you see? 45
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