2. Course Description
‣ This course will provide the student with a basic
understanding of building design and construction
methods which will aid in decision making
processes related to fire prevention and control.
Students will gain an understanding of
construction principles and practices related to fire
loads and behavior to make more effective, safer,
and timely decisions to protect people and
property from potential and actual fires.
3. Chapter 1
‣ Recognize how changes in building construction can influence fire fighting
operations.
‣ Describe the building design and construction process from concept to renovation
and remodeling.
‣ Identify laws and other regulation variables that affect building design.
‣ Identify engineering variables that affect building design.
‣ Identify economic variables that affect building design.
‣ Identify other variables that affect building design.
‣ Explain fire behavior principles as they apply to community fire defense.
‣ Identify factors of structural failure caused by design.
‣ Explain the role of preincident planning in building construction.
Learning Objective
4. Chapter 1 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be
able to summarize the relationship between
building construction and fire department
operations.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety,
building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, firefighting strategy,
and tactics.
‣ Classify major types of building construction in accordance with a
local/model building code.
‣ Identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they relate to
firefighter safety.
‣ Identify the role of GIS as it relates to building construction.
5. Chapter 2
‣Describe building classifications used in the fire service.
‣Explain the function of occupancy classifications.
‣Describe ways that fire and fuel load are determined.
‣Explain methods for determining fire resistance.
Learning Objective
6. Chapter 2 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to
discuss fire resistance as it relates to building classifications,
construction types, and occupancy classifications.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, buildings codes, fire
prevention, code inspection, firefighting strategy, and tactics.
‣ Classify major types of building construction in accordance with a local/model building
code.
‣ Analyze the hazards and tactical considerations associated with the various types of
building construction.
‣ Explain the different loads and stresses that are placed on a building and their
interrelationships.
‣ Differentiate between fire resistance, flame spread, and describe the testing
procedures used to establish ratings for each.
‣ Classify occupancy designations of the building code.
7. Chapter 3
‣ Explain various forces, stresses, and loads exerted on the structural design
features of a building.
‣ Describe common load-bearing structural components.
‣ Identify commonly encountered composite structural systems.
Learning Objective
8. Chapter 3 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to
understand and evaluate the type and magnitude of the forces
to which structures are subjected. This understanding is what
distinguishes a casual knowledge of buildings from a
professional knowledge.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Explain the different loads and stresses that are
placed on a building and their relationships.
‣ Identify the function of each principle structural
component in typical building design.
9. Chapter 4
‣Describe the building system functions of stairs.
‣Describe mechanical conveyor systems used in buildings.
‣Describe the building system functions of elevators.
‣Identify types of vertical shafts and utility chases.
‣Explain various functions of building air handling systems.
‣Identify types of electrical equipment used for building systems.
Learning Objective
10. Chapter 4 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to
identify building systems that may influence any fire event.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Describe building construction as it relates to
firefighter safety, buildings codes, fire prevention,
code inspection, firefighting strategy, and tactics.
11. Chapter 5
‣ Describe how characteristics of interior finishes influence fire
behavior.
‣ Describe tests used for interior finishes.
‣ Explain how ceilings can influence fire behavior.
‣ Identify characteristics of fire walls and partitions.
‣ Describe fire doors and how they limit fire damage.
Learning Objective
12. Chapter 5 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to
explain how interior finishes and passive fire protection affect
fire fighting.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter
safety, buildings codes, fire prevention, code inspection,
firefighting strategy, and tactics.
‣ Differentiate between fire resistance, flame spread, and
describe the testing procedures used to establish ratings for
each.
13. Chapter 6
‣ Explain how soil properties influence building foundation types.
‣ Identify types and components of building foundations.
‣ Describe types of foundation walls.
‣ Explain the symptoms and causes of building settlement.
‣ Recognize uses of shoring and underpinning.
Learning Objective
14. Chapter 6 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to
describe how soil properties influence necessary foundation
type, identify types of foundations and foundation walls, and
describe building settlement.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building
codes, fire prevention, code inspection, firefighting strategy, and tactics.
‣ Explain the different loads and stresses that are placed on a building and
their interrelationships.
‣ Identify the function of each principle structural component.
‣ Identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they relate to
firefighter safety.
15. Chapter 7
‣ Describe materials used in wood construction.
‣ Recognize combustion properties of wood.
‣ Describe ignition-resistant construction.
‣ Recognize the importance of calculating structural endurance under fire
conditions.
‣ Describe various types of wood structural systems.
‣ Identify forces that may undermine the structural integrity of wood construction.
Learning Objective
16. Chapter 7 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to identify the
material properties of wood and manufactured components, identify wood
structrual systems, and describe structural collapse of wood construction.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes, fire
prevention, code inspection, firefighting strategy, and tactics.
‣ Classify major types of building construction in accordance with a local/model building
code.
‣ Analyze the hazards and tactical considerations associated with the various types of
building construction.
‣ Explain the different loads and stresses that are placed on a building and their
interrelationships.
‣ Identify the function of each principle structural component in typical building design.
‣ Identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they relate to firefighter safety.
17. Chapter 8
‣ Describe properties of masonry construction components.
‣ Explain how masonry structures are classified in building codes.
‣ Describe features and functions of masonry structures.
‣ Identify causes of structural failure of masonry construction.
Learning Objective
18. Chapter 8 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to
describe masonry buildings relative to their construction
methods and their performance under fire conditions.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes, fire
prevention, code inspection, firefighting strategy, and tactics.
‣ Classify major types of building construction in accordance with a local/model
building code.
‣ Analyze the hazards and tactical considerations associated with the various types of
building construction.
‣ Explain the different loads and stresses that are placed on a building and their
interrelationships.
‣ Identify the function of each principle structural component in typical building design.
‣ Identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they relate to firefighter
safety.
19. Chapter 9
‣ Describe the material properties of steel.
‣ Describe methods used to protect steel construction building
elements during a fire.
‣ Explain how steel is used in the construction of structural
framework.
‣ Identify common reasons for collapse of steel structures.
Learning Objective
20. Chapter 9 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to
discuss the properties, uses, and behavior under fire
conditions of unprotected and protected structural steel.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes,
fire prevention, code inspection, firefighting strategy, and tactics.
‣ Classify major types of building construction in accordance with a local/model
building code.
‣ Analyze the hazards and tactical considerations associated with the various
types of building construction.
‣ Identify the function of each principle structural component in typical building
design.
‣ Identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they relate to firefighter
safety.
21. Chapter 10
‣ Identify material properties of concrete.
‣ Differentiate between precast and cast-in-place concrete.
‣ Determine factors that affect the finished quality of concrete.
‣ Recognize factors that influence fire resistance in concrete
construction.
‣ Describe types of concrete framing systems.
Learning Objective
22. Chapter 10 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to
discuss the properties, uses, and behavior under fire
conditions of concrete used in construction.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes,
fire prevention, code inspection, firefighting strategy, and tactics.
‣ Classify major types of building construction in accordance with a local/model
building code.
‣ Analyze the hazards and tactical considerations associated with the various
types of building construction.
‣ Identify the function of each principle structural component in typical building
design.
‣ Identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they relate to firefighter
safety.
23. Chapter 11
‣ Explain the role roofs play in structural fire fighting.
‣ Describe major architectural styles of roofs.
‣ Identify types of roof support systems.
‣ Describe the function of roof decks.
‣ Identify materials used to construct roof decks.
‣ Distinguish among types of roof coverings.
‣ Identify types of green design roofs.
‣ Recognize how roof openings can be used in fire fighting
operations.
Learning Objective
24. Chapter 11 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be able discuss
the types of roof construction and their impact on fire fighting
tactics.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety,
building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, firefighting strategy,
and tactics.
‣ Explain the different loads and stresses that are placed on a building
and their interrelationships.
‣ Identify the function of each principle structural component in typical
building design.
‣ Identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they relate to
firefighter safety.
25. Chapter 12
‣ Describe the characteristics of high-rise buildings and their impact
on fire fighting tactics.
‣ Explain the emergency use of elevators in high-rise buildings
during a fire event.
‣ Identify characteristics of limited or controlled access buildings.
‣ Recognize characteristics of atriums.
‣ Describe the characteristics of explosion venting in buildings.
‣ Identify the need for areas of refuge within a structure.
‣ Identify fire protection hazards that rack storage can create.
Learning Objective
26. Chapter 12 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to
discuss the challenges of fire fighting in special structures and
buildings with special design features.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter
safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection,
firefighting strategy, and tactics.
‣ Identify the function of each principle structural component
in typical building design.
‣ Classify occupancy designations of the building code.
‣ Identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they
relate to firefighter safety.
27. Chapter 13
‣ Describe conditions at construction sites that impact fire fighting
tactics.
‣ Identify the methods of providing fire protection at construction
sites.
‣ Explain how structural changes and expansions may affect fire and
life safety.
‣ Describe demolition hazards as they relate to fire fighting tactics.
Learning Objective
28. Chapter 13 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to discuss the
issues related to fire fighting in buildings under construction, buildings
being remodeled or expanded, and buildings being demolished.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Describe building construction as it relates to
firefighter safety, buildings codes, fire prevention,
code inspection, firefighting strategy, and tactics.
‣ Identify the indicators of potential structural
failure as they relate to firefighter safety.
29. Chapter 14
‣ Describe human-related causes of building collapse.
‣ Distinguish among nature-related causes of building collapse.
‣ Explain the importance of preincident planning for wide area
incidents.
Learning Objective
30. Chapter 14 Cont.
Learning Outcomes
‣ After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to
discuss the forces that result in non-fire building collapses and
code requirements designed to minimize their impact.
FESHE Outcomes
‣ Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety,
building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, firefighting
strategy, and tactics.
‣ Explain the different loads and stresses that are placed on a
building and their interrelationships.
‣ Identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they relate
to firefighter safety.
