Chapter 3 - Building Construction Flashcards
AHJ
Authority having jurisdiction. Adopts and amends building codes to meet local requirements.
Type 1 Fire Resistive
Provides highest level of protection from from spread as well as structural collapse. Structural members have highest fire-resistive rating thus they do not add to the fuel load. Reinforced concrete, precast concrete, and protected steel frame. Structure will not burn but can degrade from effects of fire.
Compartments can retain heat leading to potential for rapid fire development. Roofs can be extremely hard to penetrate. Windows may be inoperable or hard to access.
Type 2 Non-combustible
Will not contribute to fire development or spread. Materials do not meet the stricter requirements of those used in type 1. Materials include metal framing, metal cladding, or concrete block wall and unprotected open web joists supporting metal roof decks. More prone to collapse than type 1 due to lighter-weight materials with lower fire-resistive ratings.
Type 3 Ordinary
Common in mercantile, business, residential, and older schools/churches. Exterior walls and structural members constructed of non-combustible or limited combustible materials. Interior walls, columns, beams, floors, and roofs are completely or partially constructed of wood. Void spaces less protected than type 1 and 2. Fire will spread through these spaces unless fire stops are installed. Prefabricated wood truss systems similar to those found in type 5 are found in this type sometimes (fail quickly).
Type 4 Heavy Timber
Use of large-dimensioned lumber or laminated wood. Extremely stable and resistant to collapse due to the sheer mass. Exterior walls constructed of non-combustible materials. Interior building elements have no concealed spaces. This lack of void spaces or concealed spaces helps prevent unseen fire travel. Glue laminated beams may fail when exposed to fire because the heat may affect the glue holding the laminates together.
Type 5 Wood Frame
Exterior load bearing walls are composed entirely of wood. Veneer of stucco, brick, or stone may be constructed over the wood framing. Common in single family residences and multistory apartment buildings. Studs 2 x 4 or 2 x 6. Modern vinyl siding adds another petroleum based fuel to the fire load which produces dense, dark, oily, toxic smoke and melts away. Prefabricated wood truss systems in place of solid floor joists.
Factory built homes
Modular, prefabricated, manufactured (most common factory built home), and industrialized housing. Partially or completely built in factory and shipped to location. Manufactured homes are not required to conform to the model building codes. Fire can spread more quickly due to fewer internal walls to create compartments.
Panelized homes
Assembled on site from pre constructed panels made of foam insulation between sheets of plywood.
Floors and ceilings
Floors at ground level may consist of concrete slab or a floor assembly made up of joists and decking over a crawl space or basement. Upper floors consist of joists and decking with the ceiling attached over the bottom. Be aware of duct work, electrical, water or natural gas pipes, pipes for suppression systems.
Walls
Consist of bottom plate, top plate, vertical studs, and horizontal braces sandwiched between 2 surfaces made of gypsum or lath and plaster.
Basements
Fires can damage floor joists and load bearing walls that support the upper floor and structure. Stairs can provide a flow path and can be a fall danger. Can be partially underground, fully, or walk out (daylight). Absence of drywall reduces the fire resistance of the studs and joists.
Access or convenience stairs
Not required to be a part of the means of egress system and typically connect no more than 2 levels
Protected stairs
Enclosed with fire-rated construction, usually with either a 1 or 2 hour rating. Generally serve 2 stories or more and are part of the required means of egress.
Unprotected stairs
Not enclosed with fire-rated construction and they may serve as a flow path for the fire and smoke.
Roofs
Protect structure and contents from effects of weather. Shape and construction intended to provide drainage, and support weight of snow and resist effects of wind.
3 prevalent types of roof; flat, pitched, and arched.
Flat roofs
Common on commercial, industrial, and multistory. Be aware of water tanks, antennas, signs, hvac equipment, solar panels.
Parapet walls
Low walls that surround flat roofs, extend from exterior walls.
Pitched roofs
Ridge line with roof deck that slopes down to the eaves along the roof edges. Involved beams or trusses which can be wood or metal. Roof decking or sheathing material usually plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). Open gable and box gable.
Arched roofs
Common in late 1800s to mid 1900s. Exterior walls support weight of the roof. (ie bowstring)
Roof supports
Beams (box beams and I-beams) and truss assemblies.
Gusset plate
Wood trusses assembled using metal plates. As wood burns, plates fall out and no longer a structural support for the truss.
Parallel chord truss
Usually constructed of wood or metal and used to support flat roofs and floor assemblies.
Roof deck
Portion of the roof between the roof supports and the roof covering.
Purlin
Horizontal member between trusses that support the roof.
2 common concrete roofs
Cast-in-concrete and pre-cast.
Roof covering
Part of the roof that is exposed to the weather.