Building Construction Flashcards
What are the five common building materials?
- Wood
- Masonry
- Cast iron
- Steel
- Reinforced concrete
What is a load bearing wall?
A wall that is used for structural support.
What is a non-load bearing wall?
A wall (usually interior) that supports only its own weight.
What is a partition wall?
Interior non-load bearing wall that separates a spec into two rooms.
What is green wood?
Wood with high moisture content.
What is a fire wall?
A fire-rated wall with a specific degree of fire resistance, built of fire-resistive materials and usually extends up to and through the roof of a building.
What is masonry?
Bricks, blocks, stone, concrete.
What is a cantilever wall?
Walls that extend beyond the structure that supports them.
What are veneer walls?
Walls with an attractive surface layer layer over a base of common materials.
Name the five types of construction classifications.
- Type 1 - fire resistive
- Type 2 - noncombustible
- Type 3 - ordinary
- Type 4 - heavy timber
- Type 5 - wood frame
What is situational awareness?
Awareness of immediate surroundings.
What to look for when sizing up a building?
Age of building (weathering or deteriorating) Construction materials (wood frame, masonry, metal, concrete) Roof type (arched or lightweight) Renovations (additions, facades or false ceilings) Dead loads (HVAC, water tanks or other heavy objects on roof)
What is heavy fire loading?
Presence of large amounts of combustible materials in an area of the building (mattress or furniture stores, storage sheds, barns)
What is a roof covering?
The final outside cover that is placed on top is a roof deck assembly (shingles, tile, clay, tin, tar & gravel).
What is a safe collapse zone distance?
1 1/2 times the height of the wall.
Name 6 out of 11 indicators of a potential building collapse.
- Cracks or separations in walls, floors, ceilings and roof structures.
- Evidence of existing instabilities such as tie rods and stars.
- Looser missing brick, block or stones.
- Deteriorated mortar between the masonry.
- Leaning walls.
6 distorted structural members. - Prolonged fire exposure to the structural members (especially trusses).
- Unusual cracks or creaking noises.
- Structural members pulling away from walls.
- Excessive weight of building contents.
- Fire beneath floors that support heavy machinery.
What is a lightweight steel truss?
Structural support made from a steel bar, bent at a 90 degree angle.
What is a lightweight wood truss?
2x4 connected with a gusset plate.
What is a gusset plate?
Metal or wood plates used to connect the intersections of wood or metal components to a load bearing unit.
What is a gang nail?
A type of gusset plate that have V-shaped holes with prongs to fasten.
What is tension?
Vertical or horizontal forces that pull things apart.
What is compression?
Vertical or horizontal forces that push material together.
What is a rain roof?
A second roof constructed over the top of an older roof.
Some examples of why buildings under construction are a hazard would be?
Contributing factors are, addition Fire loads and ignition sources, fire repression materials like wall board and sprinklers are not in place, building codes may not be followed.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of type 1 (fire-resistive) construction?
Strengths
Resists direct flame impingement
Confines fire well
Little collapse potential from the effects of Fire alone
Impervious to water damage
Weaknesses
Difficult to breach entry or escape
Difficult to ventilate
Massive debris after collapse
Floors ceilings and walls retain heat
What are the strengths and weaknesses of type 2 (noncombustibles) construction?
Strengths
Almost as fire resistant as type 1
Confines fire well
Almost as structurally stable as type 1
Easier to vertically ventilate than type 1
Weaknesses
Difficult to breach for access or escape
Steel structural components can fail due to heat
Roof system less stable than type 1
Steel components subject to weakening by fire
Steel subject to weakening by rust and corrosion
Massive debris after collapse
What are the strengths and weaknesses of type 3 (ordinary) construction?
Strengths
Resist fire spread from the outside
Relatively easy to vertically ventilate
Weaknesses
Interior structural members vulnerable to fir involvement
Fire spread potential through concealed spaces
Susceptible to water damage
What are the strengths and weaknesses of type 4 (heavy timber ) construction?
Strengths
Resists collapse due to flame impingement of heavy beams
Structurally stable
Relatively easy to vertically or horizontally ventilate
Relatively easy to breach for access of escape
Manageable debris after collapse
Weaknesses
Susceptible to fire spread from outside
Potential for flame spread to other nearby structures
Susceptible to rapid interior flame spread
Susceptible to water damage
What are the strengths and weaknesses of type 5 (wood frame) construction?
Strengths
Easily breached for access, Ventilation or escape
Collapse debris relatively easily managed
Weaknesses
Susceptible from fire spread from the outside
Susceptible to rapid flame spread inside
Susceptible to total collapse due to fire or explosions
Susceptible to water damage
What actions should be taken when imminent building collapse is suspected?
First
Command and all others inside the building should be informed of the situation as you exit.
Second
Clear the collapse zone ASAP
know and heed evacuation signals used by your department
What hazards exist with lightweight construction?
Lightweight steel, wooden trusses, and gusset plates can fail quickly with no exposure to flame just heat.
What hazardous situations may arise from renovated buildings?
Concealed spaces created by rain roofs and mansard fascia where fire can spread undetected.
