1 Building Construction And The Fire Service Flashcards
In the 1920s homes were provided with 30 amp electrical service what amp is typical today
200 amp service is typical
The useful lifespan of a building can range from
25 to 100 years or more
The varying ages of buildings within a community present challenges to firefighters because
Construction technology is continually evolving
Building variables that can affect the course of the fire are
Age of building, fire protection systems, occupancy type, fuel load, construction type, configuration, building access and exposure
Process of restoring run down or deteriorated Properties bite more affluent people often displacing poor residence
Gentrification
The age of the building affect the occurrence and behavior of
Fire, in indirect ways
Effects of aging are
Not uniform
Older buildings sometimes offer advantages to the firefighter because of design methods in the past. Extra structural mass was used. What is the benefit
Greater mass often results in greater structural stability under fire conditions
Lighter more efficient structural materials, although structurally sound, might
Fail more quickly than older heavier members under fire conditions
The first line of defense in a building is
Automatic fire protection systems, sprinkler systems
The occupancy of the building often affects
Ways in which building components behave under fire conditions, do two different types of fuels and hazards in different types of occupancies
Amount of fuel present expressed quantitatively in terms of weight of fuel per unit area. This may be available fuel or total fuel and is usually dry weight
Fuel load
Changes in occupancy frequently will result in a significant difference in the
Amount and type of combustible materials, an increase that may tax existing sprinkler systems or structural design for fire safety
Who plays an important role in detecting hazards associated with occupancy change
Fire inspectors, usually discovering change during routine inspection
Nothing is more fundamental to a building than
The materials from which it is constructed
The traditional construction classifications
Fire resistive. Noncombustible. Masonry or ordinary. Heavy timber. Woodframe.
The contemporary building code numerical designation for various construction type
Type I. Fire resistive Type II. Protected noncombustible or noncombustible Type III exterior protected Type IV heavy timber Type V woodframe
In a scientific sense the laws of physics and chemistry that govern fire behavior
Never change
Each building type classification is further divided into
Sub classifications
This refers to a buildings general shape or layout
Configuration
Building designers tend to be more concerned with
The functionality of the structure and it’s a visual appeal
The primary factor for firefighter operations in building construction
Access
Features that cause access problems such as steep slopes rivers and landscaping
Terrain features
Things that cause access problems like narrow roadways, setbacks, and barriers for security
Built out environments
Structure or separate part of the fire ground to which the fire could spread
Exposure
Large uncontrollable fire covering a considerable area crossing natural fire barrier is usually involves buildings more than one block and causes a large fire loss forest fires also consider this
Conflagration
The earliest provisions of building codes were directed at the danger of
Conflagration’s
Some of the earliest fire regulations adopted in colonial Boston prohibited
Thatched roofs to prevent the spread of fire
NFPA defines a building as an exposure when
The heat from an external fire my cause ignition or damage to the exposed building
In tactical firefighting the term exposure is also used to refer to
A structure or object such as a propane take her pile of lumber to which fire could spread
The city of old building codes were developed to prevent spread of fire between buildings such as
Fire shutters or wire glass to protect windows of closely space buildings
Requiring firewalls to inhibit fire Growth
Imposing limits on height an area of combustible construction
Current modern building requirements such as setback with distance between buildings, lot size has reduced
Building to building fire spread
Distance from the street line to the front of the building
Setback
The transfer of heat by the movement of heated fluids or gases usually in an upward direction
Convection
Convection spreads fire in which direction
Vertically through structure stairs shots and walls without fire stops
Radiation spreads fire in which direction
All directions
Wildland urban interface risk is being reduced by imposing
Restrictions on types of roofing and siding materials requiring the creation of defensible space through fire resistant vegetation
The transmission or transfer of heat energy from one body to another at a lower temperature through intervening space by electromagnetic waves
Thermal radiation
All bodies and it thermal radiation at a rate depended on
Their absolute temperature
Flame temperature alone is not the only factor determining exposure spread what else is
The height and width of the exposing flame
As the size of the exposing flame increases
The amount of thermal radiation increases to
NFPA 80A
Recommended practice for protection from exterior fire exposure
NFPA 80A classifieds the levels of exposure as
Light moderate or severe
There are a number of methods used to protect buildings from exposing fire including
Clear space between buildings
Fire suppression systems
Blank walls of noncombustible construction
Self-supporting barrier walls between buildings
Parapets on X terrier masonry walls
Outside deluge systems
Elimination of openings and exterior walls
Wire glass
Fire shutters, automatic fire doors
In engineering failure is said to occur when
A structure or part is no longer capable of performing it’s required function in a satisfactory manner
To the firefighter building failure usually means
Structural collapse
Potential sources of building failure under fire conditions can include some or all of
Structural integrity
Building systems
Design deficiencies
The collapse of the building under fire conditions is a result of
Structural integrity loss
Structural integrity of a building under fire conditions it’s related to
Fire resistance and combustibility of materials
Fire resistant materials possess the ability to maintain
Structural integrity
Structural integrity is a fundamental importance to the firefighter because
It permits effective interior attack
Specific building systems include
Heating ventilation and air conditioning HVAC Electric power, communications, plumbing elevators
Electrical system design and installation should include
Fire stopping at the openings
Electrical systems should include a provision for emergency power that is protected from
Fire and highly unlikely to fail as a backup
Failure of primary and backup electrical system can cause what
Failure of fire suppression systems such as fire pumps
A failure to provide a level of fire safety appropriate to the ultimate use of the building
Design deficiencies
What determines the number of exits in the building
The number of persons likely to occupy the building
A design deficiency a sprinkler system would be
Failure to provide adequate water supply
Codes can only provide
A reasonable level of protection for the most commonly encountered situations
The building made without a tenant or occupant
Spec building
Buildings frequently become a target for arson when
It outlives it’s useful economic life becoming obsolete and unmarketable
A building designer has many factors to consider when designing and constructing they are
Cost Climate Infrastructure Aesthetics Building code Soil conditions Physical laws of engineering Safety Accessibility oner needs and desires
Funds can affect
The overall design of the building
Cost-cutting may result in
System failure of important devices
Building design is ultimately determined by
It’s intended use
The building was designed for specific occupancy can create problems later when it is
Converted for a different use
Aesthetics is such an important concern to an architect that it frequently
Clashes with fire safety concerns
Body of local law adopted by states counties and cities or other governmental bodies to regulate the construction renovation and maintenance of buildings
Building code
Before a building permit is issued the proposed design must meet
Provisions of local building code
To save money and to provide a degree of uniformity among jurisdictions a jurisdiction may adopt all or a portion of
A model code package
Currently the most widely used model building code in the United States
International building code, IBC.
The international building code is the successor to three earlier model codes they are
The uniform building code, UBC
The standard building code
BOCA national building code
The international building code as a companion firecode
The international fire code
NFPA 1
Uniform firecode
NFPA 5000
Building construction and safety code
NFPA 101
Life safety code
Specific fire safety provisions include requirements for the following elements
Structural fire resistance Flammability of interior finishes Adequacy of egress Enclosure of vertical openings Fire protection systems Exposure protection Occupancy separation
In addition to fire safety of building must have the adequate strength to prevent structural collapse and the ability to withstand
Environmental forces such as wind and snow and earthquakes
The Americans With Disabilities Act ADA was signed into law in what year
1990
Impairments that qualify as disabilities under the ADA are
Visual impairments, hearing impairments, learning, speech, neuromuscular,mental illness
Manual Fire alarm stations must be no more than what height so they can be reached from a wheelchair
4 1/2 (1.37 m) feet and not less than 3 1/2 feet (1.1) above the floor level
Specific elements that must be designed to accommodate individuals with restricted abilities include
Building entrances Parking in passenger loading zones Elevators Drinking fountains Toilets Alarms, visible and or audible Telephones ATM Egress
Area of refuge
1 Area where person unable to use stairs contemporarily wait for assistance during emergency evacuation
2 Space in the normal mean of egress protected by fire by a sprinkler system, means of separation from other spaces using smell proof walls or an adjacent building
Areas of refuge may not be required in buildings equipped with
automatic sprinkler system
Where required areas of refuge must be equipped with
Two way communication
A basic consideration in the design of fire protection systems
Availability of water, primary concern is the amount of water needed for appropriate flow
If existing water mains cannot supply required flow what might be necessary
Increase the size of means or provide on-site water storage and fire pumps
Heating and cooling requirements of a building is determined by
Temperature variations of the region
Green design
Term used to describe the incorporation of such environmental principles as energy efficiency and environmentally friendly building materials into design and construction
Energy efficient design and dual pane windows tighter fitting doors and seals may affect the speed at which firefighters can
Bentley a building and the rate of combustion within a building
Tightly sealed buildings can starve the fire of oxygen getting to what if Oxygen was introduced
Explosive fire conditions or rapid development
So I’ll conditions and Properties directly impact what aspect of building design
Foundation
Concept begins when either developer or owner
Perceives a need
Do you want to make contract with a single firm to undertake both the design and construction of a building this is known as
Design-build project
The architect usually functions as the prime designer who has the responsibility and control to
Choose major aspects of the building and to eliminate alternatives
The several branches of engineering required for the correction of the building include
Civil engineering structural engineering mechanical engineering electrical engineering fire protection engineer
Civil engineering
Water supply Sanitary sewers Surveying Site preparation and excavation Roadways Stormwater drainage
Structural engineering
Determination of loads Foundation design Structural behavior Structural members Structural erection
Mechanical engineering
Heating ventilation and air conditioning
Pumping systems
Elevators
Plumbing systems
Electrical engineering
Lighting
power
communications
Fire protection engineering
Automatic sprinklers Standpipes Fire alarms Smoke control Code compliance
The person responsible for landscaping
Landscape architect
After the initial design has been selected the owner must secure
Financing for construction
The engineering design of the building can proceed when
Financing has been secured
Board of appeals
Group of people, 5 to 7, with experience in fire prevention building construction Tony Forssman, legally constituted to arbitrate differences of opinion between fire inspectors building officials property owners occupants or builders
Building permit is obtained from the local building department must be submitted as part of the permit process
Building plans
When I propose design is rejected by building official architect me make use of
Appeals process
Building and fire officials must cooperate in the review and permit process because
Fire safety issues can be addressed before construction begins
Large-scale projects may have permits issued for certain phases of construction because
Time and money can be saved the process, won’t take as long
The oversight by building department and permits renovations can cause
Buildings to be weakened if work is performed without regard to proper methods
Samples of structural problems related to renovation and remodeling
Removal or penetration of bearing walls Modification of beams or trusses Structural overloading of roofs Creation of mezzanine floor in an attic Rooftop additions Remodeling to create point spaces
Subdivision of existing spaces through the creation of partitions can be hazardous because
It creates maze like four plans for emergency responders
In an effort to avoid additional costs renovation work construction may be conducted without
A permit, thereby potentially violating safety and building code
Fast tracking
Design and construction phases of overlap construction begins while later phases still undergoing design
Timing of construction phases me affect the fire department because
Fire hazards may be present at the construction site without proper access or water
When does inspection of the construction take place
Upon completion and during the project
Inspection involves
Verification the proper materials and construction techniques are used
The fire department is usually involved in the testing of
Fire protection systems in new construction
The primary role of the fire inspector is to
Ensure proper installation and operation of fire protection systems and to witness system test
To avoid issues of liability during fire protection system test the actual system test are to be carried out by
Representatives of the installing contractor
Documentation of fire protection system test should be maintained by
Fire prevention Bureau
Preincident planning
Active repairing to handle an incident at a particular location for your particular type of incident before incident occurs
Pre incident planning is also called
Prefire planning, preplanning, pre-fire inspection, or pre-incident inspection
Several ways that tactical firefighters can develop knowledge of building construction in their jurisdiction
Building permit process
Preplanning
Geographic information systems
Preincident plans. Include information regarding
Occupancy, dustrial process, hazmat, fire protection system, building access, utilities
Fundamental to the preincident planning process is information about the
Construction, or construction type, location of firewalls, vertical openings, roof construction, exits, smoke control systems
Preincident planning must be repeated for the same site because
Renovations will change the building as well as the information gathered
