Ch. 5 Classifying Buildings—Hybrid, Era, Use, Type, and Size Considerations

Question 1

Hybrid building

Answer 1

Combines two or more NFPA Types in construction

May have occupancy separation by use of a fire barrier or not if it is sprinklered

Question 2

Two types of hybrid construction that are in use and not well documented are:

Answer 2

LST and CLT in place of steel

Question 3

What 4 ways does the Author think we should classify buildings

Answer 3

Era
Use
Type
Size

Question 4

Era refers to_______, not _______

Answer 4

When built

Not age which means degradation

Question 5

What are the 4 ERAs of Buildings?

Answer 5

Pre WWI-Historical, pre 1914

Pre WWII-Industrial-pre 1939

Post WWII-Legacy- after 1945

Engineered Lightweight-no dividing line

Question 6

In a pre WWI building, how should you engage a fire?

Answer 6

Prevent spread in halls and stairwells first and look for undetected fires in combustible voids

Question 7

In a pre WWI bldg, if the floors sag and the walls move out

Answer 7

Watch out for collapse from lack of fire cut beams

Question 8

What’s the problem with historical bldgs that are registered?

Answer 8

May use inferior material to be historically accurate, mortar, iron columns, etc

Question 9

What is a spreader?

Answer 9

Tie plate in the shape of a star possibly that ties two walls together with a turnbuckle

Question 10

What is an anchor?

Answer 10

An anchor hold in a fire cut beam from slipping out of it’s Let. Also called Rafter tie plates

Question 11

What 2 forces came into play to change buildings in the industrial pre WWII era?

Answer 11

Engineering

Standardized building codes

Question 12

Industrial Pre WWII building Fire spread issues

Answer 12

Open stairwells and central hallways-
Utility chases-shafts,
Void spaces-knee walls,
Dropped ceilings

Question 13

Biggest achievement for Pre WWII era bldgs?

Answer 13

Use of steel for trusses, large spans

Question 14

What type of construction is the classic Surburban strip mall?

Answer 14

Legacy Type III

Question 15

Name a Type IV legacy

Answer 15

Ha. Not one. Dick

Why? No more use of heavy timber

Question 16

Which type of building is arguably the most FF friendly?

Answer 16

Legacy for FPS and collapse

Question 17

Collapse issues for Legacy Bldgs

Answer 17

Open spans
Change of occupancy
Overloading-attics storage
Overloading is cumulative, AC, new roof, ADA, etc....
Age

Question 18

What is the weak point in a legacy bldg

Answer 18

The Roof after being replaced or repaired

Question 19

Where did ELW first appear?

Answer 19

Roof assemblies in the 60’s and 70’s of Legacy era bldgs

Question 20

The intended use or purpose for a Bldg is it’s

Answer 20

Occupancy

Question 21

What should be used in the size up sometimes?

Answer 21

Brief occupancy use description

Question 22

Determining the Type can help determine:(3)

Answer 22

The relevant strength
The amount of time available for interior operations
The length of time a building will resist the effects of heat and fire

Question 23

6 ways that the size can be misinterpreted

Answer 23

Perception
Footprint
Interior arrangement
Number of floors above
Resources
Size of fire

Question 24

Big Box refers to

Answer 24

Large fire loads
Lowes, Walmart,etc…
Aircraft hangers
Movie theatres

Question 25

Mega Box refers to

Answer 25

Big hotels, mammoth proportions,
MGM grand
Mega malls
Airport terminals

Question 26

High Rise, for this book

Answer 26

75 feet

7-8 floors

Question 27

What type of building is responsible for the most civilian and FF deaths?

Answer 27

Residential

Question 28

What are 3 primary factors that can hinder a size up of a commercial building

Answer 28

Size
Contents
Lack of people after hours

Question 29

Name 3 items that can drastically change the size of a building but cannot be seen

Answer 29

Cellars
Basements
Underground parking