Building Construction Flashcards
Construction Types : Type I - Type II - Type III - Type IV - Type V -
- Fire resistive
- Noncombustible or protected noncombustible
- Exterior protected (masonry or ordinary)
- Heavy Timber
- Wood frame
What provides the basis for understanding the differences between buildings in a jurisdiction?
History of building construction
What factors affect the configuration and materials used at structures in any specific time and place?
Technology and economics
When does the building process begin?
When a developer or project owner perceived a need
What is the final consideration in the building design process?
Landscaping
When can the building’s engineer design proceed?
When financing has been secured
Who witnesses system tests?
The fire inspector
What is a building code?
A body of law that determines the minimum standards that buildings must meet in the interest of community safety and health
What is the most widely used model building code in the US published by who?
International Building Code (IBC) published by International Code Council (ICC)
How are many codes developed?
In reaction to catastrophic incidents
The most prominent occupational safety standards and regulations come from who?
NFPA and US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Who maintains a national map that indicates location and frequency of fire fatalities?
The US Fire Administration
When is combination of construction classifications likely?
Older buildings renovated
What does occupancy and use affect?
Fuel load
As a general rule, greater quantities of fuel or highly volatile fuels will generate what?
Higher heat release rate
What is the first line of defense in many buildings?
An automatic fire protection system, especially an automatic sprinkler system
Effort to increase the energy efficiency of structures and their components in known as?
Green design
Primary hazard of green design?
The tendency of components to increase the combustibility of the overall building
What often determines a buildings overall appearance and size?
Funds
What is an essential consideration in the design of fire protection systems?
What is the primary concern?
- water availability
* water quantity needed for the fire protection systems flow rate
What are the two methods in which fire spread is often expressed in terms of heat transfer?
Convection and radiation
What is one factor in determining whether a fire will progress to an exposure?
What factors are also relevant?
- fire temperature
* flames height and width
Under fire conditions, a buildings structural integrity is related to what?
The fire resistance and combustibility of its construction materials
Tracking permits is particularly useful in what?
Construction of large structures
NFPA 220 : three digit code
First digit -
Second digit -
Third digit -
- fire resistance (in hours) of exterior bearing walls
- fire resistance of structural frames or columns and girders that support loads on more than one floor
- fire resistance rating of the floor construction
Type I construction :
Bearing walls, columns, beams -
Floor construction -
Roof deck and construction supporting roof-
Interior partitions exposing stairwells and corridors -
Partitions separating occupancies and tenants -
- two to four hours, as specified by the local code and construction classification
- two or three hours
- one to two hours
- as specified by the local code, usually one to two hours
- as specified by local code
Type I buildings are most commonly constructed using?
Protected steel frame and reinforced concrete
Type II construction :
Materials used -
Steel and concrete block, glass and aluminum can be used with a limited structural role
Some building codes contain a provision to omit the fire resistive rating for a roof construction for some occupancy types when the roof is located ?
More than 20ft above the floor
Type II - A (protected) requires what?
That structural components have a one hour fire resistance
Type II - B (unprotected) : most common characteristic of unprotected, noncombustible construction?
Use of unprotected steel
Type III construction, also know as?
Frequently constructed with?
• Exterior protected;
“Ordinary construction”
• exterior walls of masonry
Type III construction commonly used what size joists for floor construction?
Nominal 2 x 10 inch joists
What is a fundamental fire concern with Type III construction?
The combustible concealed spaces that are created between the floor and ceilings joists and between studs in partition walls when they are covered with interior finish materials
Important distinctions between Type III and Type IV ?
- in Type IV construction the beams, columns, floors and roof are made of solid or laminated wood with dimensions greater than in Type III construction
- concealed spaces are not permitted between the structural components in Type IV construction
Which is only construction type that doesn’t include A and B subdivisions?
Type IV; designation 2HH
Type IV (heavy timber) construction requires minimum nominal dimensions of what for floor construction?
6 inch x 10 inch
What is the fundamental problem with Type V construction?
The presence of extensive concealed voids
The fire load is ?
Maximum amount of heat that can be released if all fuel in a given area is consumed
The product of the weight of the combustibles multiplied by their heat of combustion, expressed in pounds per square feet
The international building code defines a noncombustible material as being?
In the form and which used and under the conditions anticipated, will not ignite, burn, support combustion, or release flammable vapors, when subjected to fire or heat
What is the most commonly used test for determining combustibility?
ASTM E136, Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750°C
The severity of a fire is a factor of ?
The faster the the available fuel burns ?
Another factor?
- Fire load plus the rate at which the fuel burns.
- The faster the available fuel burns, the greater will be the heat release rate (HRR) A greater heat release rate results in a faster developing fire.
- Another factor is the rate at which fuel and the available oxygen combine
What is the most common method used to determine fire resistance?
Laboratory testing
Test results will be classified as either ?
Fire resistance ratings are developed for ?
- load bearing or nonload bearing
- Restrained in unrestrained floor and ceiling assemblies because in restraints of fax the extent to which assembly may expand or rotate at its ends when exposed to hide temperatures, affecting its ability to support a load
What is the only standardized test method currently universally accepted by building codes? What does it test?
- ASTM E-119
* evaluate the ability of structural assemblies to carry a structural load and to act as a fire barrier
What is the most commonly used method of satisfying building code requirements for structural fire resistance?
NFPA 251 standard time temperature test
To calculate the structural supports needed to allow a building to a withstand common forces, what are categorized and calculated?
Loads

The direction of forces from loads acting on the interior of structural members is expressed as?
Stress
The forces within a structural support system that resist applied loads are referred to as what?
Reactions R
When a structural support system can support a load equal to or greater than the applied loads, what exists?
Equilibrium
What is the most common load opposed on a structure?
Gravity
What are additional forces added to the structure that will increase the load that must be supported by a building supports, and in turn the soil beneath the structure?
- Vibration
- Temperature
- Shrinkage
Stresses within a material are classified according to the direction of the force: (3)
- Tension
- Compression
- Shear
What is important because material properties have unique tolerances?
Direction of the interior stresses
Unique stresses are caused by external load alignments including : (3)
- Axial load
- Eccentric load
- Torsional load
The lending institutions’ technical requirements will necessitate a review of the architect’s design drawings and may include what? Such as?
• Engineering documents
- Land surveys
- Preliminary budgets
- Soil test reports
If a building official rejects a proposed building design, an architect may appeal the decision to who?
Board of Appeals
A technique known as what may be used to shorten the construction type. How?
- Fast track construction
* Overlapping the design and construction phase
During inspections, the following building features may be tested for function and compliance with standards and codes:
- Materials (such as concrete)
- Systems (such as fire pumps)
- Components (such as emergency generators)
Areas of refuge may include : (3)
- Stairway landing in a smoke proof enclosure
- Balcony located adjacent to an exterior stair
- Protected vestibule adjacent to an exit enclosure
The type of foundation used will be determined partially by ?
Soil’s strength, resistance to strain, and stability
Other building site factors that influence the overall building height and the practicality of below grade space include : (3)
- Level of water table
- Frost line
- Presence or absence of a solid bedrock layer
All new construction is a product of ?
It’s place and time
Factors that influence a building’s condition at any given time include? (4)
- Older codes
- Materials
- Construction methods
- Maintenance over time
What must be considered early in the design process?
Public utility availability
Buildings are repositories of wealth and are frequently constructed why?
As investment tools because they provide security, and because energy and resources are expended in the construction of buildings
NFPA 80 Recommended Practice for Protection from Exterior Fire Exposure, describes three levels of exposure based on the potential severity of the exposing Fire :
Based on what?
- light
- moderate
- severe
Based on the fire load and the flame spread rating of the wall and ceiling finishes of a burning building
Where do exposure fires remain a significant problem?
Older urban environments with closely spaced combustible construction
Under fire conditions, a buildings structural integrity is related to?
The fire resistance and combustibility of its construction materials
What do design deficiencies refer to?
Any failure to provide a level of fire safety appropriate to the ultimate use of the building, regardless of the reason
Design deficiencies including : (4)
- Oversight
- Incorrect assumptions
- Oversimplification
- Underestimation
What is a resource that can be used by firefighters to develop knowledge of building construction in their jurisdiction?
Building permit process
Preincident plans should include : (6)
- Occupancy type
- Industrial processes conducted on site
- Hazardous materials in the vicinity
- Location and function of fire protection system controls and outlets
- Building access routes
- Utilities present
A jurisdictions GIS can potentially provide tools for functions including : (4)
- Evaluating department performance
- Dispatching emergency responses
- Code enforcement
- Zoning and taxing
What influences the strategies that will be effective at a structural fire?
Building construction types
Three primary strategies in a fire incident?
- Offensive
- Defensive
- Transitional
Factors that influence Fire behavior : (4)
- Basic building classifications
- Occupancy classifications
- Fire or fuel load
- Fire resistance
Type II - B (unprotected)
The speed at which unprotected members will fail, however, depends on the following factors : (3)
- Ceiling height of the building
- Size of the unprotected steel members
- Intensity and duration of the exposing fire
What is a critical factor when determining the fire safety requirements of a space?
Fuel load; the total quantity of combustible material in a compartment
The fire load will vary depending on what?
The heat of combustion of the fuel load
The fire load can be used for what?
An estimate of the total potential heat release or thermal energy to which a building may be subjected if all combustibles become fully involved in fire
Fire resistance describes several properties of a material, including : (5)
- Thermal conductivity
- Combustibility
- Chemical composition
- Density
- Dimensions
What does fire resistance indicate?
The ability of a structural assembly to maintain its load-bearing capacity and structural integrity under fire conditions
The fire resistance rating can be evaluated and expressed how?
Quantitatively and expressed in time units including hours and fractions of hours
The fire resistance ratings incorporated into the building codes include minimum requirements for structural components such as : (5)
- Beams
- Columns
- Walls and partitions
- Floor and ceiling assemblies
- Roof and ceiling assemblies
Fire doors and windows will have fire resistance ratings specific to ?
Their function and location
Primary points of failure for the test are :
fire resistance)(4
- Failure to support an applied load
- Temperature increase on the unexposed side of the wall, floor, and roof assemblies of 250°F above ambient temperatures
- Passage of heat or flame through the assembly sufficient to ignite cotton waste
- Excess temperature on steel members
Fire resistance ratings for test specimens, standard interval times?
15mins, 30mins, 45mins, 1hour,
1-1/2hours, 2hours, 3hours, and 4hours
What does E-119 test NOT test for?
- Info about performance of assemblies constructed with components or lengths other than those tested
- Evaluation of the extent to which the assembly may generate smoke, toxic gases, or other products of combustion
- Measurement of the degree of control or limitation of the passage of smoke or products of combustion
- Measurement of flame spread over the surface of the tested material
- The effect on fire endurance of openings in an assembly such as electrical outlets and plumbing openings unless specifically provided for in the construction tested
• Fire behavior of joints between building elements such as floor-to-wall or wall-to-wall connections
Materials used in ASCE/SFPE 29, Standard Calculation Methods for Structural Fire Protection : (5)
- Structural steel
- Plain and reinforced concrete
- Timber and wood
- Concrete masonry
- Clay masonry
What is the most critical aspect of engineering design?
Accommodating the type and magnitude of the forces to which the structure will be subjected
Where is sand content in soil particularly relevant?
When surveying sites with high seismic activity
Simple soil pressure formula :
P=CWH
P - pressure
H - depth of soil
W - density of soil
C - numerical constant that depends on the physical properties of the soil
Primary design consideration of beams?
Their ability to resist being deformed from applied loads
Materials used in beams?
- Steel
- Wood
- Reinforced concrete
Fire Door Classifications : Class A - Class B - Class C - Class D - Class E -
- Openings in fire walls
- Openings in vertical shafts and openings in 2hr rated partitions
- Openings between rooms and corridors having a fire resistance of 1hr or less
- Openings in exterior walls subject to severe fire exposure from the outside of a building
- Openings in exterior walls subject to moderate or light exposure from the outside
During inspections, the following building features may be tested for function and compliance with standards and codes :
- Materials (such as concrete)
- Systems (such as fire pumps)
- Components (such as emergency generators
Where required, the area of refuge must be equipped with two-way communication so occupants can call for assistance. FFs must be prepared to respond to anyone calling for assistance. Areas of refuge may include arrangements such as :
- Stairway landing in a smoke proof enclosure
- Balcony located adjacent to an exterior stair
- Protected vestibule adjacent to an exit enclosure
All new construction is a product of its place and time. Factors that influence a building’s construction at any given time include :
- Older codes
- Materials
- Construction methods
- Maintenance over time
Unfortunately, building codes are limited in their scope because :
- Codes cannot address every situation that may arise
- Codes are subject to political processes, competing interests, and economic priorities
- Codes can only provide a baseline level of protection for the most commonly encountered situations
Design deficiencies refer to any failure to provide a level of fire safety appropriate to the ultimate use of the building, regardless of the reason but including :
- Oversight
- Incorrect assumption
- Oversimplification
- Underestimation
Offensive strategies address :
Defensive strategies address :
- Life hazards
- Structural stability
- Risk (benefit outweighs risk)
- Volume of fire
- Structural deterioration
- Risk (risk outweighs benefit)
- Structural conditions
Type I construction can be of what rating?
Either 4-4-3 or 3-3-2
Concealed spaces in Type III construction must contain ?
Appropriate fire stops
Basic method of construction in a Type V building consists of ?
Fire resistance?
- Wood frame to provide the primary structural support
* Many Type V structures are required to have a 1hr fire resistance for structural components
What are used together in building codes to establish limitations on the permissible heights and open areas of the building?
Building construction and occupancy type
Classifying buildings according to what facilitates ?
Classifying buildings according to occupancy facilitates the administration of a code
The IBC has how many classifications of occupancies? Subgroups?
NFPA?
- 10
- 26
• 12
The IBC also separately addresses one and two family dwellings, how many stories? What code are they governed by?
Not more than three stories high; the International Residential Code (IRC)
What is a critical factor when determining the fire safety requirements of a space?
Fuel load, the total quantity of combustible material in a compartment
Fire resistance indicates ?
The ability of a structural assembly to maintain its load bearing capacity and structural integrity under fire conditions
What are the three methods to determine fire resistance?
- Laboratory testing (most common)
- Development of mathematical models based on data collected during nonstandard testing
- Use of statistical data to determine probability of fire resistance based on standard test results
The failure point of steel will depend on ? Other factors ?
The application of the component. Other factors include maximum temperatures indicated for identified points in the assembly, and the average overall temperature
The standard test (E-119) evaluates what?
The ability of structural assemblies to carry a structural load and to act as a fire barrier
Standard based on calculation methods based in part on data obtained over time during laboratory testing on materials?
ASCE/SFPE 29, Standard Calculations Methods for Structural Fire Protection
What factor significantly influences structural plans?
Gravity-related factors
Loads applied to the exterior structural member create ? Based on?
Internal stresses within the member based on the placement of the load
The total stresses within structural members must be ?
Lower than the failure point of the material for the structure to remain intact
Factor of safety -
Ratio of the failure point of a material to the maximum design stress; indicates the strength of a structure beyond the expected or actual loads
Load types can meet multiple categories that are based on factors such as ?
- Change over time
- Load application velocity
- Weight distribution
Loads applied to buildings may be classified according to ?
Rate of speed at which they are applied to a structure
Kinetic energy of wind :
E = 1/2mv squared
In designing buildings to withstand wind forces, what is used as the primary consideration? Other factors considered?
- Direct pressure
- Wind velocity
- Static air pressure
- Wind direction perpendicular to the building
In addition to horizontal wind effects and building design, engineers must account for complex factors including:
- Building height
- Surrounding terrain
- Adjacent urban development
Wind forces are particularly dangerous against walls with insufficient supports. Common locations where walls may be insufficiently braced include :
- Construction sites
- Demolition sites
- Fire-damaged buildings
What type of force applies the most complicated load that must be accommodated by structural design?
Seismic forces
The overall effect of the seismic load against a structure depends on ?
The acceleration of the ground beneath the building more than the total movement
Most significant force generated by an earthquake?
Lateral loads that create horizontal motion
Directional movement that seismic loads create :
- Lateral
- Torsional
- Resonant
Three types of accommodations for seismic forces :
- Expansion joints
- Damping mechanisms
- Base isolation
What influences the degree to which it is affected by seismic activity?
A building’s basic architecture
What do damping mechanisms do?
Absorb resonant energy as the structure begins to move
Expansion joints are often installed in what type of construction material?
Concrete
Two different types of base isolation?
Shear systems and sliding systems
Two types of structural stiffening?
- Shear walls and cross bracing
* Structural support redundancy
Shear walls and cross bracing are effective against ?
Ground motions with a relatively long (slow) vibrational period
Redundant structural members use what, that have a greater ability to absorb energy?
Continuous joints; greater ability to absorb energy in contrast to joints with less support
When is the soil load evaluated?
During the design process
Soil exerts what type of load against a foundation?
Lateral load (pressure)
The pressure exerted by the soil against the foundation is ?
The force of the foundation against the soil ?
- Active soil pressure
* Passive soil pressure
When is sand content in soil particularly relevant?
When surveying sites with high seismic activity
Basic equation used to determine soil pressure :
P = CWH
Common support systems for beams :
- Simply supported beams
- Restrained beams
- Cantilever beams
- Overhanging beams
- Continuous beams
Top flange of beam carries what type of stress?
Bottom?
Web?
Where is max. point of shear stress?
- Compressive
- Tensile
- Neutral axis; max. point of shear stress
Doing what to a beam increases the efficient use of material and reduces weight of the beam?
Shaping it
The stresses on the elements of an I-beam can be calculated how ?
Mathematically
Arches are a curved structural member with primarily what type of stresses?
They produce what type of force at their end supports?
- compressive interior stresses
* inclined forces
Steel stud wall construction, studs are placed ?
They are frequently provided with what for stability?
Historically, associated with?
- 12 to 16 inches apart
- Diagonal bracing
- 2 inch x 4 inch wood studs
Post and beam construction framing uses a series of vertical elements to support horizontal elements that carry ?
Transverse loads
Distinctive characteristic of post and beam framing?
The spacing of the vertical posts and the cross-sectional dimension of the members, because the dimensions are often greater than used in stud wall construction
Rigid frame structural system is characterized by?
They are often?
- Columns and beams reinforced to transmit the bending stress through the joints
- Single story in height with gabled roof
In rigid frame construction, what will be the last portion of the assembly to fail under fire conditions?
The joints will be the last portion of the assembly to fail under fire conditions
Surface systems consist primarily of ?
An enclosing, waterproof surface; the stresses resulting from the applied loads occur within the bearing wall structures
What are shell structures?
Rigid, three dimensional structures having thin components, as compared to other structural material dimensions
Stairs that are not part of the means of egress are often referred to as ?
Convenience stairs
Buildings that are four or more stories may be required to include?
One stairway that extends to the roof for access to mechanical equipment and is identified by signage in the stairway
Special requirement for circular stairs?
Min. run width?
- The small radius of the full circle is greater than or equal to the widest part of the stair tread
- 10 inches
Exit stairs, as a component of the required means of egress, must meet strict requirements to ensure safe passage during building evacuation. Features include :
- Fire resistance rating of the enclosure
- Separation when exterior stairs are utilized
- Features to ensure safety during both no emergency and emergency use
Protected stairs must resist ?
Measures indicated in building codes to protect stair enclosures include :
• Products of combustion
- Limited penetrations in the enclosure for light, fire protection, and environmental control
- Required self- or automatic-closing Fire-rated doors
- Separation from the rest of the building
- Stairway vestibules
Building codes have traditionally required a min. of one smokeproof stair enclosure for stairs serving buildings of ?
More recently, codes also require protection for stairs serving floor levels how far BELOW the level of exit discharge?
- Five stories or more
* 30 feet
Building codes have traditionally required what for stairs serving buildings five stories or higher?
Smokeproof stair enclosure
Conveyor systems often penetrate fire barriers, and are protected by features such as :
- Fire doors
- Shutters
- Water spray fixed fire suppression systems
What is a primary safety hazard at conveyor penetrations during a fire?
Incomplete door or shutter closure
Safeguards against incomplete closure include :
- Automatic stop controls
- Breaks in the conveyor
- Multiple layers of doors or shutters
Vertical penetrations for escalators serving how many floors must be protected?
Draft stop depth?
- More than two floors
* 18 inch deep draft stop
Two most common type of power used in elevators ?
Hydraulic and electric
Hydraulic elevators upper limit?
Other consideration?
- About six stories
* No brakes
Four common styles of elevators are :
- Drum elevators, intended for passenger use
- Traction elevators, intended for passenger use
- Machine Room-Less (MRL) Elevators, intended for passenger use
- Dumbwaiters, intended for cargo use
What type of elevators are the most common type of elevator in buildings over six stories?
Traction elevators
Passenger safety devices found on elevators may include :
- Terminal device
- Buffers
- Speed-reducing switch
- Overspeed switch
- Car safeties
Elevator hoist way enclosures usually are required to be a fire rated assembly of how much, depending on building height?
1 or 2 hr rating
Elevator and stair shafts are built early in the construction process and often use ?
Shear walls
When used as a means of egress, an elevator’s shaft must be equipped with what, suitable to the height of the structure?
Safety lights and fire ratings
The elevator operations are sequenced in the following order :
- When the elevator stops at the correct level, the driving vane attached to the car door holds the door open
- As the car door opens, the vane strikes a roller that releases the hoist way door lock
- The car doors then push the hoist way doors completely open
- When the co troller signals the doors to close, a weight forced the hoist way doors closed, the driving vane moves away from the roller and the hoist way doors are relocked
What type of elevator has top exits on all?
On hydraulic elevators, a top exit may be provided if ?
- Traction
* Depending on whether the system is equipped with a manual lowering valve
Some top panels on elevators are designed to be opened ?
Some open from inside, but ALL can be opened from the outside and all open outward
Duct detectors are typically provided for fans with capacities of ? to stop these systems under fire conditions and minimize unwanted smoke movement
Exceeding 2,000 cubic feet per minute
Fuels used in fuel-fired heating equipment can include ?
Other types of heating equipment use ?
- Natural gas or oil
* Electricity or steam
Systems that use extensive ducting are of great interest to fire protection engineers and firefighters because disadvantages include :
- Pathways for communication of heat and smoke through the building
- Penetrations of fire-rated assemblies that can destroy the integrity of the assembly
- Dedicated use of substantial amounts of space
HVAC ducts must be enclosed in a fire rated shaft enclosure.
Less than 4 stories -
Four stories or greater -
- 1hr
* 2hr
What does a HVAC system operating in smoke control mode do?
Discharges smoke through the exhaust fan from the fire floor to the outside without returning air to the supply fan
Any equipment, such as fans and ducts, used to exhaust the products of combustion must be capable of withstanding the anticipated temperatures. Other factors the designer must anticipate include :
- Fire size
- Outside weather conditions
- Volume of a fire zone
- Max. pressure differences across barriers, such as stairwell doors
Primary disadvantage of manual operations of HVAC smoke control?
Slower actuvation
Depth of a curtain board ?
Distance?
- Should not be less than 20% of the ceiling height
* Should be spaced so that they are not farther apart than eight times the ceiling height
The method used to determine the vent area requires ?
Analysis of the rate of heat release of the fuel, the ceiling height, and the depth of the curtain boards
Smoke towers require the following expensive concessions :
- Location on the periphery of the floor plan
- Dedicated floor space in the building
- Corridor access to the stairwell
In compensated stairwell systems, the adjustments used in modulation can affect the following :
- Speed of the fan
- Inlet vanes
- Variable pitch fan blade
- Number of fans operating
How is overpressure relief in a stairwell accomplished?
The use of dampers that open to the outside, reliving excess pressure in the stairwell
High voltage equipment defined as -
Low voltage -
- 600v or higher
* Less than 600v
Two most common cooling methods used in transformers?
Air and oil
Older transformer cooling oils contain?
Highly hazardous Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB)