Ch 10 the company officers role in understanding bldg construction and fire behavior Flashcards
At the scene of emergencies, the first arriving officers are usually concerned with
Limited resources, time and many unknown factors
Modern fire fighting requires more than just experience; it requires
Knowledge and skill
Accessing their communities (blank) Is the first step in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the department In Dealing with emergencies
Risk factors
Which Risk factors are affected by the characteristics of building construction, exposures, occupancy, and available resources
Property
(Blank) factors: Geographical size, population, valuation, response time, and topography of the community
Physical
(Blank) factors: access and barriers to all areas
Access
(Blank) factors: the nature of the business that occupy the buildings
Occupancy
(Blank) factors: age, type, and density of structures
Structural
(Blank) factors: fire department resources, and for fire fighting purpose, water supply capabilities
Resource
(Blank) factors: stairwells and other penetrations to allow for rescue and fire spread
Survival
True or false, most buildings were built using the minimum type of code structure that is permitted by the code
True
The primary purpose of a building code is to prescribe standards that will keep buildings from
Falling down
The goals of building code are
- Maintaining Structural integrity
- Preventing fire spread
- Prevent time for escape or shelter
The late Frank Brannigan Described fire resistance as
Fire endurance
(Blank) is measured by the length of time typical structural Members and assemblies resist specified temperatures under test conditions
Fire resistance
Francis Branigan send, “ in general it can be said the building makes the (blank) “
Problem
Fire (blank) will Be affected by the types of building materials used, the construction methods, and the built in fire protection features installed during construction
Intensity and behavior
The term (blank) ,When applied to construction materials, means protected from the effects of fire by encasement
Protected
Concrete, Gypsum, and spray on coatings are all used to (blank) construction elements
Protect
True or false, the code specifies the minimum requirements but permits the use of materials that exceed those requirements
True
True or false, some buildings with combustible components are actually more fire resistant then some non-combustible buildings
True
There are how many basic construction types recognized by the international building code
Five
In type (blank) construction, the structural elements are non-combustible and are predicted to the highest level
1
(Blank) is encased in concrete, gypsum, or cementitious coding
Structural steel
High-rise buildings with Steel structural elements encased in concrete are examples of what type of building
Type 1
In type (blank) Buildings fire spread from floor to floor via windows, or through vertical openings that have not been properly firestopped in accordance with the code, is possible
1
The difference between type one and fire resistive and type two noncombustible is in the level of protection of the
Structural elements
A typical strip shopping center or big box store with Masonary block walls, steel bar Joyce, unprotected steel columns, and a steel roof deck is a type
IIB(unprotected) Building
Steel loses his half of its strength at how many degrees
900
Steel has a high (blank), which means it can transfer heat away from a localized source and act as a heat sink
Thermal conductivity
Steel also as a high (blank) that results in the expansion of steel members as they are heated
Coefficient of expansion
A 50 foot long steel beam heated uniformly over its length from 72° to 972°F will expand in length by how many inches
3.9
A 50 foot long steel beam uniformly heated to 800°F would expand By how many inches
3.2
A 50 foot long steel beam heated uniformly over its length to 1200°F would expand by how many inches
4.9
Type (Blank) construction, the exterior of the building is non-combustible, typically Masonary, and may be rated depending on the horizontal distance to exposures
III
Type three construction is divided into two subtypes:
Protected and unprotected
In type III buildings, (blank) allow fire to travel undetected present challenges to the fire ground commander
Combustible voids
Type (blank) construction dates back to the New England cotton and woolen Mills of the mid-1800s
IV
Type for heavy timber construction is also called
Mill construction
In type (blank) construction the exterior walls are non-combustible(masonry), And the interior structural elements are unprotected would charge cross-sectional dimensions
IV
And tape IV Construction columns must be at least how many inches if supporting a floor load
8
And tape IV construction Joists and beams must be a minimum of how many inches wide and how many inches deep
8 Inches wide and 10 inches deep
(Blank) wood has an inherent fire resistive nature
Large diameter
What are not permitted within a type IV structure
Concealed spaces
In type (Blank) construction, the entire structure may be constructed of wood or any other approved material
V
Type V construction is called what
Wood frame
How well wood structural members will resist the effects of fire is directly related to what
Their mass
Light weight trusses may fail in
Minutes
Type V construction is subdivided into what types
Protected and unprotected
(Blank) are structurally independent and separate buildings
Firewalls
What two things are constructed within a building and separate fire areas, or block the passage of heat and smoke from Corredor’s or other areas
Fire barriers in Fire partitions
Modern building codes are for the most part what
Performance codes
What type of code might require all firewalls to be of a certain thickness of masonry block
Performance codes
What type of code merely identifies the performance required, such as resisting the passage of heat and sun for a given time
Performance code
The design professional is permitted to use any (blank) assembly that provides that fire resistance rating
Listed
What is an alternative method for satisfying the fire protection and life safety intent of construction codes
Performance based design
What is an engineer ring approach to design elements of a building based on agreed-upon performance goals in objectives
Performance based design
What is the total amount of combustible material with any fire area expressed in terms of pounds per square foot
Fuel load or fire load
What is the total amount of available fuel within a fire area
Fuel load
What is a better indicator of fire severity
heat release rate
What two factors are critical in developing and implementing a strategy to provide for the safety of the occupants, and to confine and extinguish the fire
Fuel load and heat release rate
The size, shape, or form, and arrangement of the combustible structural members will affect the (blank) and the rapidity at which a Fire grows and spreads
Heat release rate
What is a broad term that includes built in Extinguishing systems, fire detection and alarm devices, smoke control and removal equipment, and portable devices such as fire extinguishers
Fire protection systems
NFPA (blank), flammable and combustible liquid code
30
NFPA (blank), code for the manufacture and storage of aerosol products
30B
NFPA (blank) systems are by far the most commonly found installed in buildings in the United States
13
NFPA (blank) installation of sprinkler systems
13
NFPA (blank) installation of sprinkler systems in one and two family dwellings and manufactured homes
13D
NFPA (blank) installation of sprinkler systems in a residential occupancy is up to and including four stories in height
13R
NFPA (Blank) inspection, testing and maintenance of water based fire protection systems
25
NFPA (blank) placard system categorizes markings and three categories: health, flammability, and instability
407
(Blank) is the health category
Blue
(Blank) is the flammability category
Red
(Blake) represents the instability category
Yellow
What are a major cause of sprinkler system failures
Closed valves
The NFPA (blank) system is a property protection system that has had remarkable success at protecting people by quickly suppressing and often extinguishing fires in their insipient stages
13
Ordinary temperature rated heads that operate at between (blank) degrees are required to be installed throughout the buildings unless the area is subject to high heat conditions
135 to 170 degrees
(Blank) is the difference between the operating temperature of a fire detection device such as a sprinkler head in the actual air temperature when the device activates
Thermal lag
Sprinkler head spacing and discharge per square foot known as density are dependent upon what
Occupancy classification
NFPA (blank) systems are designed to protect residential occupancies up to four-stories
High
13R
Combustible voids, as well as closets not exceeding (blank) square feet and bathrooms not exceeding (blank) square feet, are not required to be sprinklered
24
55
The total building area exempted from sprinkler protection has been estimated as high as how many percent
65
Hotels, motels, boarding houses, in apartment buildings are typically protected with NFPA (blank) systems
13R
What are the four types of sprinkler systems
What pipe, dry pipe, pre-action, and deluge
What systems are by far the most commonly found systems in most jurisdictions
What pipe sprinkler systems
(Blank) sprinkler systems are the quickest to getting water on the fire and are the simplest to maintain
Wet pipe
Wet pipe systems are installed where indoor temperatures can be maintained At (blank) degrees
40
In wet pipe sprinkler systems, antifreeze systems are sometimes used were freezing is expected, but the systems are usually limited to how many gallons or less
40
(Blank) sprinkler systems are installed in warehouses, parking garages, factories, and other buildings where there is a danger of freezing
Dry pipe
(Blank) valves are designed so that a moderate amount of air pressure in the system above the valve is capable of holding back a much greater water pressure
Dry pipe
The ratio of air pressure to water pressure at which the valve will open or trip is called the
The differential
(Blank) sprinkler systems are installed in properties were potential water damage from broken piping or sprinkler heads is of particular concern
Pre-action
(Blank) systems are dry systems in which the water supply valve is opened on a signal from detection devices such as heat or smoke detectors
Preaction
The sprinkler heads in a (blank) system our traditional closed heads, which must be fused by heat to open, discharging water only over the fire
Pre-action
(Blank) sprinkler systems are installed in extra hazard occupancies where there is the possibility of a flash fire or fire growth so rapid that the response of a standard sprinkler system is too slow
Deluge
Facilities with large quantities of flammable liquids or materials that pose a Deflagration Hazard are protected with these systems
Deluge systems
Aircraft hangers, flammable liquid tank vehicle loading racks, and industrial facilities that process Flammable or explosive materials are among those protected by (blank) systems
Deluge
(Blank) systems are required at tall and very large buildings where were advancing hand lines the entire distance would be prohibitive
Standpipe
(Blank) systems are classified according to their intended use, by the building occupants, fire department, or both
Standpipe
Generally, standpipe connections are required where in buildings
On each floor, at every exit stairway and on each side of a horizontal exit
Buildings under construction are generally required to have at least one standpipe or temporary standpipe, capable of flowing (blank) GPM within one floor of the top of the building
500
Fire department connections are required for all water-based fire extinguishing systems and standpipe systems with the exception of the limited area sprinkler systems of less than (blank) heads and NFPA (blank) sprinkler systems
20
13D
(Blank) systems are used in various applications including range hood and duct fire protection, paint spray booth protection, and even at unattended Self service motor vehicle fueling sites
Wet and dry chemical extinguishing
Wet and dry chemical extinguishing systems are used for significant mechanisms of extinguishing fires which are
Smothering, cooling, radiation shielding, and chain breaking
(Blank) and other extinguishing agents that do not leave a residue are the agent of choice for certain high value commodities and equipment
Halon
What two Halon compounds are effective extinguishing agents that are considered non toxic
Halon 1211 & 1301
(Blank) agents suppress fires by interrupting the chemical chain reaction and will not extinguish deep seated fire in class A and materials
Halogenated
The US government ban the production and importation of halons (Blank) and (blank) effective January 1, 1994
1211 and 1301
(Blank) is cheap, leaves no residue and is a highly effective extinguishing agent for class B and C fires
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide in concentrations of over about how many percent will render persons unconscious almost immediately
9
NFPA (blank), standard on carbon dioxide extinguishing systems contains installation, maintenance, and testing procedures
12
What systems are generally installed to protect hazards outside of buildings
Fixed foam and water spray
(Blank) systems protect flammable liquid storage facilities and (blank) systems are generally for exposure protection
Foam
Water spray
NFPA (blank), standard on carbon dioxide extinguishing systems
12
NFPA (blank), standard on Halon 1301 fire extinguishing systems
12A
NFPA (blank), standard for the installation of sprinkler systems
13
NFPA (blank), standard for the installation of standpipes and hose systems
14
NFPA (blank), standard for water spray fixed systems for fire protection
15
NFPA (blank), standard for dry chemical extinguishing systems
17
NFPA (blank), standard for your wet chemical extinguishing systems
17 A
NFPA (blank), standard for inspection, testing, and maintenance of water based fire protection systems
25
NFPA (blank), national fire alarm code
72
Air handling units over (blank) CFM must automatically shut down upon activation of a duct smoke detector installed upstream from the air handler
2000
True or false, smoke alarms are required in residential occupancy and must be interconnected with individual dwelling units
True
The design, installation and maintenance of fire alarm systems are regulated by NFPA (blank), the national fire alarm code
72
Systems that control the movement of (blank) or provide for the rapid exhaust of (blank) are required in atriums , covered malls, high piled combustible storage facilities, underground structures and large theaters
Smoke
Smoke and heat vents are required in large factory and storage buildings where the (blank) travel is long
Length of exit access
Curtain boards, which extends from the ceiling a minimum of (blank) feet are installed to retard the lateral movement of smokes and gasses
6
NFPA (blank) outlines the fire safety concept tree, it shows the link between fire prevention activities and fire damage control strategies
550
What is the term used to define the way fire performs a reacts and given situations
Fire behavior
(Blank) is the body of knowledge concerning the study of fire and related subjects and their interaction with people, structures, and the environment
Fire science
What helps explain how fires burn and how they are extinguished
The fire tetrahedron
A fourth side of the fire tetrahedron is called what , it recognizes the presence of an ongoing complex chemical process
Continuous chain reaction
The first stage of a fire is called the (blank), the fire may smolder for a period of time that ranges from seconds to hours before there is sufficient heat to produce open flame
Insipient phase
The second stage of a fire is called the (blank), as the fuel is burning free of nearly any constraint
Free burning phase
Because of the dynamic forces at work, we see rapid fire extension during What phase
Free burning phase
The third stage is called the (blank) stage, assuming that the structure is still intact the fire will have consumed a portion of the oxygen in the air and the fire is reduced to where it just smolders again
Smoldering stage
Heat from a fire Rises and stratifies Within an enclosed space, this natural process is called
Thermal stratification
In an enclosed environment such as found in structures, gases spread out and travel along the ceiling well in advance of the front of the actual fire, this is called
Roll over
Rollover may proceed the body of fire by as much as how many feet
20
Experimental work indicates that flashover can occur when upper room temperatures are between what and what
750 And 1112°F
Survival time of a fire fighter in bunker gear and breathing apparatus, fully encapsulated with gloves, hood, and helmet flops down, is estimated to be less than how many seconds
10
The key to preventing fire fighter deaths and injuries from flash overs is to prevent the flash over, as noted in NFPA (blank), standard on live fire training evolutions
1403
Conditions known to be variables affecting the attainment of flash over are:
- HRR of materials
- Preheating of Combustibles
- Combustibility of wall and ceiling materials
- Room geometry
Firefighters participating in a live fire exercise should be thoroughly briefed on the nature of a flash over and techniques for immediately exiting the danger area in how much time
15 to 30 seconds maximum
True or false the 2007 addition of an NFPA 1403 allows utilization of normally closed roof ventilation openings that can be opened in the event of an emergency
True
Agencies conducting life fire training must comply with NFPA blank
1403
The safety team must have a hose line of sufficient flow (blank) to extinguish a fire involving the entire fire room
Minimum of 95 GPM
Of all the fire related events described here, (blank) explosions are the most forceful
Backdraft
What term describes the spread Of the fire through the fuel load and the structure itself
Fire extension
(Blank) can be described as the procedure that is necessary to affect a planned and systematic direction and removal of smoke, heat, and fire gases from within the structure
Ventilation
(Blank) ventilation is Effective for small fires and may require nothing more than opening a few doors and windows
Natural ventilation
(Blank) ventilation is an alternative that uses fans or blowers to force the movement of air through the structure
Mechanical
What reduces the probability of Backdraft and flashover
Ventilation
What impacts the effectiveness of water
The application rate and the droplet size
Effective fire suppression occurs when the heat from the involved materials is transferred to the (blank) being applied
Water
The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1°F is called what
British thermal unit
What is a term used to describe the heat absorbing capacity of a substance
Specific heat
Water weighs about how many pounds per gallon
8.3
How many BTUs does each gallon of water have the potential for absorbing when heated from 60° to 212°
1266
What term means the quantity of heat absorbed by a substance when it changes from a liquid to a vapor
Latent heat of vaporization
What is the term used by scientist when measuring the quantity of heat or energy released per unit of weight
Heat of combustion
Wood and paper yield about how many BTUs per pound
8000
Polystyrene yields how many BTUs per pound
18,000
Gasoline yields how many BTUs per pound
19,000
True or false, flammable liquids and gases burn more readily than solids
True
Research has Showing that the average load of fuel in typical residential structures is about how many pounds per square foot
Four
The rate of water needed to control the fire is called
The theoretical fire flow
What is the national fire Academy’s fire flow formula
Gpm=area in square feet/3
What is a self operating thermal sensitive device that releases a spray of water over a designed area to control or extinguish the fire
An automatic fire protection sprinkler
What is a type of explosion caused by sudden influx of air into a mixture of burning gases that have been heated to the ignition temperature of at least one of them
Backdraft explosion
What is the term for the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1°F
British thermal unit
What is an assessment of the consequences on the community, which includes the property and the environment
Community consequences
What is the science of the phenomena and consequences of fire
Fire behavior
What is the movement of fire from one area to another
Fire extension
What is the resistance of a building to collapse or to total involvement in fire or the property of materials and their assemblies, which prevents or retards the passage of excessive heat, hot Gases or flames under conditions of use
Fire resistance
What is a dramatic event in a room fire that rapidly leads to full involvement of all combustible materials present
Flash over
What is the second phase of fire Growth, has sufficient fuel in oxygen to allow for continued fire Growth
Free burning phase
What is the total amount of combustible material within a fire area, expressed in terms of pounds per square foot
Fuel load or fire load
What is the amount of heat given off by a particular substance during the combustion process
Heat of combustion
What is the minimum temperature to which a substance must be heated to start combustion after An ignition source is introduced
Ignition temperature
What is the first stage of fire Growth, limited to the material originally ignited
Insipient phase
What factors are the number of people in danger, the immediacy of their danger, and their ability to provide for their own safety
Life risk factors
What are equipment or materials included in a document prepared by an Approved testing agency indicating that the equipment or materials were tested in accordance with an approved test protocol and found suitable for a specific use
Listed
What in broad terms means constructed of materials that will not burn
Non-combustible construction
What is an alternative method for Satisfying the fire protection and life safety intent of construction codes based on agreed on performance goals and objectives, engineering analysis, and quantitative assessment of alternatives against the design goals and objectives
Performance based design
What is a perspective Code that assigns An objective to be met and establishes criteria for determining compliance
Performance code
What construction is protected from the effects of fire by encasement; concrete, gypsum, and sprayed on fire resistance coatings are all used to protect structural elements
Protected
What is an Ignition of gases that have risen and Encountered fresh air, and thus a new supply of oxygen
Roll over
What is a mental assessment of the situation; gathering in analyzing information that is critical to the outcome of an event
Size up
What is the third stage of fire growth; once the oxygen has been reduced, visible fire diminishes
Smoldering phase
What is a perspective code that specifies a type of construction or materials to be used
Specification code
What is the heat absorbing capacity of a substance
Specific heat
What is an assessment of the age, condition, and structure type of a building, and the proximity of exposures
Structural factors
What is the water flow requirements expressed in gallons per minute needed to control a fire in a given area
Theoretical fire flow
What is the difference between the operating temperature of a fire detection device such as a sprinkler head and the actual air temperature when the device activates
Thermal lag
This is the rising of hotter gases in an enclosed space
Thermal stratification
This is a systematic process to enhance the removal of smoke and fire by products and the entry of cooler air to facilitate rescue and fire fighting operations
Ventilation
