Building Structures

Question 1

What are some typical types of buildings

Answer 1

• Multi Story Structures
• Hospitals/Aged Care
• Shopping Centres
• Factories and warehouses
• Domestic dwellings
• Buildings under construction

Question 2

Describe what is meant by spalling?

Answer 2

The breakdown of surface layers of masonry due to high temperatures, mechanical pressure or both. Rapid changes in temperature can also cause spalling

Question 3

Define the acronym PENSPACE

Answer 3

P - PPE/PPC worn correctly 
E - Evacuate if signs of impending collapse
N - No go zones 
S - Safety Officer
P - Path of escape 
A - Awareness of surroundings
C - Communications
E - Engineer

Question 4

List the benefits of fire safety systems incorporated into a building structure

Answer 4

• Allow occupants to escape
• Limit building collapse
• Limit fire and smoke spread
• Assist operational firefighting

Question 5

What are some of the safety equipment found in buildings

Answer 5

• Extinguishers
• Hose reels
• Sprinkler
• Smoke alarms
• Exit signs
• Emergency lighting

Question 6

Describe and list four (4) Active fire protection systems found in buildings:

Answer 6

Mechanical or electrical system that will detect fire and actively intervene to control it
• Fire extinguishers
• Sprinkler systems
• Smoke alarms
• Fire hose reels

Question 7

Describe and list four (4) Passive fire protection systems found in buildings:

Answer 7

Fire rated elements of construction, compartmentation, separation and fire isolated stairs
• Mortar coating
• Fire walls
• Fire doors
• Emergency exit lights

Question 8

List and describe three (3) different materials found in structural buildings and how they react under extreme temperature:

Answer 8

Timber:
Can survive intense fires through pyrolysis. The outer skin burns and provides a protective charcoal layer. If O2 is limited this charcoal layer can insulate the inner core allowing the timber to keep some structural integrity.

Steel:
Under intense heat steel softens and distorts. Sagging, stretching, twisting.
It will fail quickly and without warning when exposed to intense heat. Steel expands when heated. If this expansion is restrained, enormous pressure can result distorting the structure.

Plaster:
Heat and flame has little effect on solid plaster. Danger comes from the effect on structures supporting the plaster. Eg tiles falling onto the plaster and ceiling collapsing.