Chapter 9 - Building Construction and Fire Behavior Flashcards
In what direction does the top chord of a bowstring truss place force on the load-bearing walls?
p. 256
A.) Outward and downward
B.) Inward and upward
C.) Inward and downward
D.) Outward and upward
A.) Outward and downward
After what amount of time of fire exposure can unprotected engineered steel and wooden trusses fail?
p. 255
A.) 10 to 15 minutes
B.) 20 to 25 minutes
C.) 15 to 20 minutes
D.) 5 to 10 minutes
D.) 5 to 10 minutes
Which is the only stage that a fire may not be classified as ventilation-limited?
p. 241
A.) Decay
B.) Incipient
C.) Growth
D.) Fully-developed
B.) Incipient
To some extent, what is the violence of a backdraft dependent upon? p. 240
A.) Amount of fuel present
B.) Degree of fuel/air mixture confinement
C.) Timing of oxygen introduction
D.) Location of the fuel package
B.) Degree of fuel/air mixture confinement
Who is responsible for developing a consensus standard? p. 209
A.) Government offices
B.) Committee of experts
C.) Fire department
D.) Insurance adjustors
B.) Committee of experts
Which zone near the MRI is considered safe for
firefighters to enter with tools and equipment? p. 226
A.) Zone 5
B.) Zone 2
C.) Zone 3
D.) Zone 4
B.) Zone 2
* magnet is always on
Daycares that provide supervision or personal care
services for six or more children older than 2 1/2 years old are placed under which category? p. 222
A.) Institutional
B.) Assembly
C.) Educational
D.) Business
C.) Educational
What must be present for the auxiliary alarm system to be used? p. 229
A.) Proprietary alarm systems
B.) Relay ready alarm systems
C.) Municipal alarm box systems
D.) Central alarm systems
C.) Municipal alarm box systems
What is usually used to determine the classification of the storage occupancy? p. 224
A.) Exterior configuration
B.) Size of interior units
C.) Number of interior units
D.) Interior method of storage
D.) Interior method of storage
Which construction type provides the highest level of protection from fire spread as well as structural collapse?
p. 212
A.) Type IV
B.) Type III
C.) Type I
D.) Type II
C.) Type I
What occurs when a mixture of unburned gases and oxygen comes into contact with an ignition source?
p. 245
A.) Smoke explosion
B.) Flashover
C.) Rollover
D.) Backdraft
A.) Smoke explosion
What color smoke is often present in fires involving foam and plastics?
p. 247
A.) Green
B.) Blue
C.) Gray
D.) Black
D.) Black
What is determined by the construction materials and their resistance to fire exposure? p. 211
A.) Fire protection classification
B.) Exposure rating
C.) Type of leadership structure
D.) Type of building construction
D.) Type of building construction
What is the most effective means of establishing awareness of hazards in commercial and industrial facilities with large fuel loads? p. 247
A.) Preincident surveys
B.) Enforcement inspections
C.) Incident history reviews
D.) Mutual aid training
A.) Preincident surveys
Up to what height must any fire-resistance-rated
separations go when being used in an incidental space? p. 228
A.) Two feet above the top of any protected machinery
B.) Flush with the bottom of the roof decking
C.) Bottom of a fire-resistance rated floor or ceiling above
D.) Six inches above the separating flooring
C.) Bottom of a fire-resistance rated floor or ceiling above
What size hoseline is normally found in a Class II
standpipe and hose system?
p. 231
A.) 1 1/2-inch (38 mm)
B.) 2 1/2-inch (65 mm)
C.) 2-inch (50 mm)
D.) 1-inch (25 mm)
A.) 1 1/2-inch (38 mm)
Which NFPA standard is the major model building code in the United States? p. 211
A.) NFPA 4000
B.) NFPA 5000
C.) NFPA 6000
D.) NFPA 3000
B.) NFPA 5000
Which is NOT a correct statement about a
ventilation-limited fire situation? p. 236
A.) If no other source of oxygen exists, the compartment will fill with black smoke and slowly cooling gases
B.) The pressure outside the compartment is higher than the pressure inside the compartment
C.) Due to a pressure differential, any ventilation to the outside provides a flow path for the hot gases
D.) The characteristics in the fuel and fuel loading today’s typical fires will cause fires to become ventilation-limited quickly
B.) The pressure outside the compartment is higher than the pressure inside the compartment
Which is NOT a correct statement? p. 254
A.) Legacy construction assemblies commonly fail over a small area
B.) Plastic continuous roof vents can melt, self-seal, and change the ventilation profile and fire conditions in the structure below
C.) Sight, sound, and touch indicators help the firefighter spot impending collapse
D.) Data and images from thermal imagers do not reliably indicate impending collapse
C.) Sight, sound, and touch indicators help the firefighter spot impending collapse
Since what year has an NFPA analysis of fires in
residential occupancies indicated a steady decline in fires in manufactured homes?
p. 216
A.) 1984
B.) 1972
C.) 1980
D.) 1976
C.) 1980
What causes the hot gas layer within the fire compartment to spread downward?
p. 234
A.) Higher pressure
B.) Higher temperatures
C.) Lower pressure
D.) Lower temperatures
A.) Higher pressure
During which stage does a backdraft occur? p. 240
A.) Decay
B.) Fully developed
C.) Growth
D.) Incipient
A.) Decay
Which class of fuel is the most common type of fuel found in structures?
p. 247
A.) Class A
B.) Class B
C.) Class C
D.) Class D
A.) Class A
What must be used to classify the residential board and care occupancy as a whole?
p. 223
A.) Resident posing the most significant risk
B.) Level of care given to the occupants
C.) Total number of residents present
D.) Building and floor configuration
A.) Resident posing the most significant risk
What is the minimum number of patients that are provided care on an outpatient basis at an ambulatory health care occupancy? p. 223
A.) Four
B.) Five
C.) Seven
D.) Six
A.) Four
Which is NOT a correct statement about the flow path in a structure fire? p. 242
A.) The products of combustion flow toward the fire and away from the low pressure opening
B.) The air flow is always unidirectional due to pressure differences where the ambient air flows toward the seat of the fire and reacts with the fuel
C.) The flow path is composed of the hot exhaust flow out and ambient air flow in
D.) The floor plan and openings within the structure determine the available flow path
A.) The products of combustion flow toward the fire and away from the low pressure opening
By which method is heat transferred to the walls, ceiling, floors, and objects in the compartment when a fire is confined within the compartment?
p. 241
A.) Conduction
B.) Radiation
C.) Convection
D.) Reduction
B.) Radiation
Before what year were bowstring truss roofs one of the most common design types for large commercial and industrial structures? p. 256
A.) 1965
B.) 1960
C.) 1975
D.) 1970
B.) 1960
Per the ICC, what designation is given to prisons and detention facilities with more than 5 people under restraint? p. 220
A.) Group I-4
B.) Group I-2
C.) Group I-1
D.) Group I-3
D.) Group I-3
What is the appearance of isolated flames in the hot gas layer sometimes an immediate indicator of? p. 234
A.) Flashover
B.) Smoke explosion
C.) Flameover
D.) Backdraft
A.) Flashover
The use of which material has dramatically increased the fuel load in all types of occupancies? p. 252
A.) Plastics
B.) Steel
C.) Wood
D.) Masonry
A.) Plastics
What type of construction can a Type V building be mistaken for? p. 214
A.) Type VI
B.) Type III
C.) Type IV
D.) Type II
B.) Type III
Which is NOT a correct statement about fire behavior when there is a higher fuel load and available oxygen? p. 248
A.) The structure may self-ventilate which will reduce the fire’s development
B.) If structural members are part of the fuel load, structural integrity of the building will deteriorate faster
C.) The fire may have a higher heat release rate
D.) The longer the fire burns, the more fire spread will accelerate
A.) The structure may self-ventilate which will reduce the fire’s development
Which construction type includes the use of metal framing members and open web joists supporting roof decks? p. 212
A.) Type IV
B.) Type III
C.) Type II
D.) Type I
C.) Type II
Which is NOT a correct statement?
p. 250
A.) Continuous fuels will rapidly spread the fire from compartment to compartment
B.) Fire located low in the building will extend vertically via conducted heat in concealed spaces
C.) Fuels in the upper level of adjacent compartments will pyrolize more quickly from the hot gas layer
D.) Fire originating on upper levels generally extend downward quickly via structural collapse or explosions
D.) Fire originating on upper levels generally extend downward quickly via structural collapse or explosions
In what category do all four building construction types have a fire resistance rating of zero hours? p. 246
A.) Columns supporting one floor
B.) Floor-ceiling assemblies
C.) Interior non-bearing walls
D.) Roof-ceiling assemblies
C.) Interior non-bearing walls
During which stage does rapid fire development usually occur? p. 233
A.) Decay
B.) Growth
C.) Fully developed
D.) Incipient
B.) Growth
Which contains the Fire Code? p. 209
A.) NFPA 1
B.) NFPA 25
C.) NFPA 101
D.) NFPA 70
A.) NFPA 1
Which are especially prone to joist failures during a
fire? p. 256
A.) Ceilings in small compartmentalized rooms
B.) Floors near bearing walls
C.) Roofs in buildings with balloon construction
D.) Floors above a basement
D.) Floors above a basement
Which organization develops testing processes that other organizations use in the development of safety products? p. 210
A.) NIOSH
B.) ASTM International
C.) NFPA
D.) OSHA
B.) ASTM International
Which classification is given by the NFPA to residential occupancies with sleeping accommodations for 16 or fewer people on a transient or permanent basis, when it does not qualify as one- or two-family dwellings? p. 221
A.) Motel
B.) Dormitory
C.) Rooming house
D.) Hotel
C.) Rooming house
How far apart are modern trusses generally spaced which can contribute to early roof failure?
p. 255
A.) 18 inches (458 mm)
B.) 36 inches (915 mm)
C.) 22 inches (559 mm)
D.) 24 inches (610 mm)
D.) 24 inches (610 mm)
What is used more frequently in modern Type V construction to connect engineered structural members? p. 215
A.) Nails
B.) Screws
C.) Dove-tail
D.) Adhesives
D.) Adhesives
Which is the only organization that recognizes the utility/miscellaneous occupancy classification? p. 226
A.) ICC
B.) NFBB
C.) NMSI
D.) NFPA
A.) ICC
What is essential to firefighter safety when unplanned ventilation occurs in a structure fire? p. 244
A.) SOPs
B.) Preincident plan
C.) RICs
D.) Situational awareness
D.) Situational awareness
What are a set of requirements which are generally called prescriptive codes?
p. 208
A.) Guidelines
B.) Regulations
C.) Model codes
D.) Standards
C.) Model codes
Through which of the following does the air exchange of inside air from outside the building primarily occur? p. 243
A.) Passive ventilation
B.) HVAC systems
C.) Cracks/gaps
D.) Windows/doors
B.) HVAC systems
What material is used to construct interior walls,
columns, and floors of Type II building? p. 212
A.) Metal
B.) Plastic
C.) Iron
D.) Wood
A.) Metal
What commonly is experienced before flashover in modern fire environments?
p. 253
A.) Growth period
B.) Rollover
C.) Flashover
D.) Decay period
D.) Decay period
What is the weak point of the Glulam beam found in Type IV construction? p. 214
A.) Connectors
B.) Length
C.) Adhesive
D.) Dimensions
C.) Adhesive
Which develops and publishes a majority of the consensus standards concerning fire protection, electrical systems, and life safety systems in the U.S. and Canada? p. 209
A.) ANSI
B.) NFPA
C.) UL
D.) ASTM
B.) NFPA
What is sandwiched between plywood to construct the panels used in panelized homes? p. 216
A.) Foam insulation
B.) Paper insulation
C.) Air spaces
D.) Wood insulation
A.) Foam insulation
Which type of alarm system initiates an alarm signal only on the premises where it is installed?
p. 229
A.) Local
B.) Auxiliary
C.) Central
D.) Remote station
A.) Local
Which designation is given by the NBCC for medium-hazard industrial occupancies?
p. 219
A.) Group F Division 3
B.) Group F Division 1
C.) Group F Division 4
D.) Group F Division 2
D.) Group F Division 2
What is occurring when flames propagate through the hot gas layer or across the ceiling? p. 238
A.) Smoke explosion
B.) Flashover
C.) Rollover
D.) Backdraft
C.) Rollover
What about single-family residential structures has shrunk between 1973 and 2008? p. 251
A.) Open spaces
B.) Interior square footage
C.) Lot size
D.) Number of levels
C.) Lot size
What is usually used to determine the classification of the storage occupancy? p. 224
A.) Exterior configuration
B.) Size of interior units
C.) Number of interior units
D.) Interior method of storage
D.) Interior method of storage
Which is the only organization that recognizes the utility/miscellaneous occupancy classification? p. 226
A.) ICC
B.) NFBB
C.) NMSI
D.) NFPA
A.) ICC
Which group letter is assigned to a business occupancy under the NBCC’s definition? p. 218
A.) C
B.) D
C.) B
D.) A
B.) D
What is the most effective means of establishing awareness of hazards in commercial and industrial facilities with large fuel loads?
p. 247
A.) Preincident surveys
B.) Enforcement inspections
C.) Incident history reviews
D.) Mutual aid training
A.) Preincident surveys
Which of the following is responsible for administering and coordinating the voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system?
p. 210
A.) ANSI
B.) ASTM
C.) NIOSH
D.) NFPA
A.) ANSI
What reduces heat penetration to the inside of the beam in Type IV construction? p. 213
A.) Timber’s own char
B.) Angle of the timbers
C.) Interior height
D.) Mass of the timbers
A.) Timber’s own char
Where must the fuel package be located to be able to entrain air from all sides? p. 233
A.) Near a wall
B.) In a corner of the room
C.) Suspended from the ceiling
D.) Middle of the room
D.) Middle of the room
With which alarm system is the receiving point not on the protected premises? p. 229
A.) Proprietary
B.) Auxiliary
C.) Central station
D.) Local
C.) Central station
Which is the only stage that a fire may not be classified as ventilation-limited? p. 241
A.) Decay
B.) Incipient
C.) Growth
D.) Fully-developed
B.) Incipient
What has led to code making organizations developing more stringent fire and life safety codes? p. 208
A.) Public pressure
B.) Monetary needs of the department
C.) Pressure from the insurance agencies
D.) Significant loss-of-life events
D.) Significant loss-of-life events
What is essential to firefighter safety when unplanned ventilation occurs in a structure fire?
p. 244
A.) SOPs
B.) Preincident plan
C.) RICs
D.) Situational awareness
D.) Situational awareness
Which is a smoke-control barrier with sufficient fire
endurance to protect against fire spread? p. 232
A.) Passive system
B.) Opposed air flow system
C.) Zoned system
D.) Pressurization system
A.) Passive system
To which construction type does the HUD standard apply to manufactured homes? p. 215
A.) Type IV
B.) Type II
C.) Type III
D.) Type V
D.) Type V
Which occupancy type includes occupancies open to the public that are used to store, display, and sell
merchandise with incidental inventory? p. 220
A.) Educational
B.) Residential
C.) Industrial
D.) Mercantile
D.) Mercantile
Which construction type includes the use of metal framing members and open web joists supporting roof decks? p. 212
A.) Type IV
B.) Type III
C.) Type II
D.) Type I
C.) Type II
Which fire and life safety requirements does NFPA 101 recommend in buildings with different intermingled uses? p. 227
A.) Least restrictive
B.) Separated
C.) Averaged
D.) Most restrictive
D.) Most restrictive
Under NFPA’s definition, how many people minimum gather in a building used for assembly? p. 218
A.) 75
B.) 100
C.) 125
D.) 50
D.) 50
What are a set of requirements which are generally called prescriptive codes? p. 208
A.) Guidelines
B.) Regulations
C.) Model codes
D.) Standards
C.) Model codes
At what temperature does steel begin to weaken? p. 255
A.) 1,600^F (861^C)
B.) 1,000^F (538^C)
C.) 1,400^F (753^C)
D.) 1,200^F (646^C)
B.) 1,000^F (538^C)
What is needed for ignition in a ventilation-limited fire? p. 236
A.) Fuel
B.) Spark
C.) Movement
D.) Oxygen
D.) Oxygen
Which NFPA standard is referenced when installing stationary fire pumps? p. 230
A.) NFPA 24
B.) NFPA 22
C.) NFPA 18
D.) NFPA 20
D.) NFPA 20
The use of which material has dramatically increased the fuel load in all types of occupancies? p. 252
A.) Plastics
B.) Steel
C.) Wood
D.) Masonry
A.) Plastics
What will occur if an attack on a ventilation-limited
structure fire is done with ventilation alone?
p. 244
A.) Spread is reduced
B.) Limited fire growth
C.) Darkening down of the main body of fire
D.) Heat release rate increases
D.) Heat release rate increases
Which thermal property contains heat which causes a localized increase in the temperature and fire growth? p. 254
A.) Retention
B.) Insulation
C.) Reflectivity
D.) Adsorption
B.) Insulation
