Essentials Of Fire Fighting

Seventh Edition

Chapter 3
Building Construction
Learning Objective 1

Differentiate among types of

building construction.

3–2
Local Building Codes And
Construction Classifications

Courtesy of Ron Moore, McKinney (TX) Fire Department

(Cont.)

3–3
Local Building Codes And
Construction Classifications

3–4
Type I Construction (Fire-
Resistive)

(Cont.)

3–5
Type I Construction (Fire-
Resistive)
• Highest level of protection from fire spread and
collapse
• Structural members
− Noncombustible or limited combustible materials
− Do not add to fuel load
• Can be expected to remain structurally stable longer
than other types during a fire
• Considered to be most collapse resistant
• Reinforced concrete, precast concrete, and
protected steel frame construction meet Type I criteria
• Not fireproof — Structure will not burn, but may
degrade
• Provides structural stability, but combustible
materials can generate sufficient
3–6
heat to weaken
Conditions During A Fire In A
Type I Structure

3–7
 (Cont.)

Courtesy of Ron Moore, McKinney (TX) Fire Department

Type II Construction
(Noncombustible)

3–8
Type II Construction
(Noncombustible)

• Construction materials
− Will not contribute to fire development
or spread
− Do not meet stricter Type I
requirements
− Steel components do not need to be
protected for same time or have same
fire-resistance rating as Type I
− More prone to collapse than Type I
− Lighter weight and lower fire-
resistance ratings
3–9
Most Common Form Of Type II
Construction

3–10
Type III Construction
(Ordinary Construction)

(Cont.)
3–11
Type III Construction
(Ordinary Construction)

(Cont.)
3–12
Type III Construction
(Ordinary Construction)

3–13
Examples Of Type III Construction
Conditions That Can Influence Fire
Behavior

Courtesy of UL FSRI
3–14
Type IV Construction
(Heavy Timber)

(Cont.)

3–15
Type IV Construction
(Heavy Timber)

(Cont.)

3–16
Type IV Construction
(Heavy Timber)

3–17
Type V Construction (Wood
Frame)

(Cont.)

3–18
 Type V Construction (Wood
Frame)
Courtesy of Ron Jeffers

(Cont.)

3–19
 Courtesy of Ron Moore, McKinney (TX) Fire Department
(Cont.)
Type V Construction (Wood

3–20
Frame)
Type V Construction (Wood
Frame)

3–21
Most Important Indicators Of
Structural Collapse

3–22
REVIEW QUESTION

What are the five major

construction classifications?

3–23
DISCUSSION QUESTION

What construction
classifications are common in
your jurisdiction?
Provide examples of each
classification.

3–24
Factory Built Homes

3–25
Manufactured (Mobile) Homes

• Most common factory-built home

• Almost completely prefabricated
• Least expensive
• Usually have wheels and permanent
steel undercarriage
• Towed behind transport vehicle for
delivery
• Range from single-wide to triple-
wide homes
(Cont.)

3–26
Manufactured (Mobile) Homes

(Cont.)

3–27
Manufactured (Mobile) Homes

(Cont.)

3–28
Manufactured (Mobile) Homes

3–29
Other Types Of Factory-Built
Homes

3–30
REVIEW QUESTION

What types of factory-built

homes might firefighters
encounter?

3–31
DISCUSSION QUESTION

What types of factory-built

homes
are common in your
jurisdiction?

3–32
Learning Objective 2

Describe the construction of

floors, ceilings, and walls.

3–33
Floors And Ceilings

3–34
Space Between Floor/Ceiling Or
Ceiling/Roof

3–35
NOTE

Some states and local jurisdictions have

passed laws and ordinances that require
buildings other than single-family
dwellings to display a warning placard
indicating the type of floor or ceiling truss
system used in the structure. If your
jurisdiction has this requirement, you
must be familiar with it and look for the
placards when you respond to a structure
fire.

3–36
Floor And Ceiling Assembly
Construction Materials

3–37
Floor And Ceiling Fire
Resistance

3–38
REVIEW QUESTION

What types of materials are

usually used in the
construction of floor and
ceiling assemblies?

3–39
Wall Assemblies

3–40
Fire Walls

(Cont.)

3–41
Fire Walls

• Provide separation to meet fire-resistance

rating requirements
• Fire wall assemblies include wall structure,
doors, windows, protected openings
• May separate adjoining structures or two
occupancy classifications in the same
structure
• May divide large structures into smaller
portions
• Unprotected penetrations can allow heat,
smoke, and flames to pass through
• Exterior and fire walls are most difficult to
penetrate for forcible entry or escape
3–42
REVIEW QUESTION

How are walls constructed?

3–43
Learning Objective 3

Explain how basements and

stairs may impact fire fighting
operations.

3–44
Basements And Stairs — Unique
Challenges

3–45
Basements

(Cont.)

3–46
Basements

3–47
Types Of Basements

3–48
Stairs

(Cont.)
3–49
Stairs

3–50
Protected Stairs

3–51
Stairs And Door Control

3–52
Pressurized Stairwells In High-
Rise Structures

3–53
Exterior Stairs

3–54
 Unprotected Stairs

• Not enclosed with fire-

rated construction
• May serve as flow path
• Will not protect anyone
from exposure to
products of combustion
• Typically allowed only
to connect two adjacent
floors above basement
level

3–55
REVIEW QUESTIONS

What challenges do basements

and stairs present to
firefighters?

How do protected, exterior, and

unprotected stairs differ from
each other?
3–56
DISCUSSION QUESTION

Do occupancies in your
jurisdiction commonly have
basements?
If so, how do they affect fire
fighting operations?

3–57
Learning Objective 4

Compare the construction of

different roof types.

3–58
Roofs

3–59
NOTE

Building owners or occupants may

make unapproved or nonpermitted
modifications to roofs during
construction and renovation.

3–60
Roof Types

(Cont.)

3–61
Roof Types

3–62
Flat Roofs

(Cont.)

3–63
Flat Roofs

3–64
Pitched Roofs

3–65
Arched Roofs

3–66
Arched Roof Types

(Cont.)

3–67
Arched Roof Types

(Cont.)

3–68
Arched Roof Types

3–69
REVIEW QUESTION

What are the three main types

of roof shapes?

3–70
Main Roof Components

3–71
Roof Visibility

3–72
Beams

3–73
Box Beams And I-beams

• Also referred to as wide flange

beams
• Manufactured from plywood
• Often used in conjunction with wood
joists to support flat roofs and floors
• Provide adequate structural strength
under normal conditions
• Thin web portion of plywood I-beams
makes them susceptible to early
failure in a fire
3–74
 Courtesy of Joe Elam
Truss Assemblies

3–75

Courtesy of UL FSRI Courtesy of Ron Moore,

McKinney (TX) Fire
Department
Truss Susceptibility To Failure

3–76
Truss Types

3–77
Engineered Systems

3–78
 Lightweight Trusses

Courtesy of Ron Moore, McKinney (TX) Fire Department

3–79
Types Of Roof Decks In
North America

3–80
Roof Deck Components

3–81
Roof Decks

3–82
Types Of Concrete Roofs
Common In North America

3–83
Roof Coverings

(Cont.)

3–84
Roof Coverings

3–85
REVIEW QUESTION

What are the three main

components that make up
roofs?

3–86
Roof Penetrations And Openings

(Cont.)

3–87
Roof Penetrations And Openings

(Cont.)

3–88
Roof Penetrations And Openings

(Cont.)

3–89
Roof Penetrations And Openings

• Can indicate location of some

types of rooms
• Some may be used to gain access
to attics and cocklofts
• Some may provide an exit point
for ventilation

3–90
Green Roofs

3–91
Cold Roofs

3–92
Photovoltaic Roofs

3–93
Rain Or Snow Roofs

(Cont.)

3–94
Rain Or Snow Roofs

3–95
Rain Or Snow Roof Hazards

3–96
Roof Security

3–97
WARNING

Unauthorized security
modifications create extreme life
safety hazards for firefighters.

3–98
Roof-Mounted Equipment

Courtesy of Don Turno

(Cont.)

3–99
Roof-Mounted Equipment

3–100
REVIEW QUESTION

How might roof openings or

modifications impact fire
fighting operations?

3–101
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What types of roofs are

common in your jurisdiction?
Provide examples.

List examples of roof

modifications in your
jurisdiction that would impact
fire fighting operations.
3–102
Learning Objective 5

Describe the construction and

operation methods of different types
of doors.

3–103
Doors

3–104
Door Construction Materials

3–105
Swinging Doors

3–106
Sliding Doors

3–107
Folding Doors

3–108
Vertical Doors

3–109
Revolving Doors

(Cont.)

3–110
Revolving Doors

3–111
Wood Panel And Flush Doors

(Cont.)

3–112
Wood Panel And Flush Doors

3–113
(Cont.)
Wood Panel And Flush Doors

3–114
Glass Doors

3–115
Metal Doors

3–116
Fire Doors

3–117
Fire Door Construction And
Operation

3–118
Special Types Of Fire-Rated
Doors Available For Specific
Uses

3–119
Overhead Rolling Steel Fire
Doors

• Commonly protect fire wall

openings in industrial
occupancies
• Inconspicuous and does not
use wall space
• Cannot be part of required
means of egress
• Closes when fusible link
melts, or may be motor-
driven
• Interlocking steel slats with
other operating components

3–120
 Horizontal Sliding Fire Doors

• Often in old industrial

buildings
• Usually held open by
fusible link
• Slide along a track
• Cannot be part of
required means of
egress
• Several different
construction materials
used
• Common type — Metal
covered, wood-core 3–121
Swinging Fire Doors

• Commonly used in stairwell

enclosures or corridors that
require a fire door
• Requires clear space around
the door to ensure closure
• Good choice where it must
remain open during day-to-
day-operations
• Must be closed during fire to
function
(Cont.)

3–122
Swinging Fire Doors

• Can be automatic or self-closing

• Detection device must sense fire
or smoke
– Fusible link
– Smoke detector
• Some designed to close when any
component of the alarm system is
activated
3–123
REVIEW QUESTION

Compare and contrast different

types of doors.

3–124
DISCUSSION QUESTION

What types of doors are

common in your jurisdiction?
Provide examples.

3–125
Learning Objective 6

Describe the construction and

operation methods of different types
of windows.

3–126
Windows

3–127
Window Assembly Components

3–128
Window Glass

3–129
 Fixed Windows

3–130

Courtesy of Ron Moore, McKinney (TX) Fire Department

Movable Windows

(Cont.)

3–131
Moveble Windows

3–132
Security Windows

3–133
Rolling Steel Shutters

3–134
REVIEW QUESTION

List the different types of

windows and their modes of
operation.

3–135
DISCUSSION QUESTION

What types of windows are

common in your jurisdiction?
Provide examples.

3–136
 QUESTIONS

Are there any questions about this

content?

3–137