Building Construction

Question 1

What are the five common building materials?

Answer 1

1. Wood
2. Masonry
3. Cast iron
4. Steel
5. Reinforced concrete

Question 2

What is a load bearing wall?

Answer 2

A wall that is used for structural support.

Question 3

What is a non-load bearing wall?

Answer 3

A wall (usually interior) that supports only its own weight.

Question 4

What is a partition wall?

Answer 4

Interior non-load bearing wall that separates a spec into two rooms.

Question 5

What is green wood?

Answer 5

Wood with high moisture content.

Question 6

What is a fire wall?

Answer 6

A fire-rated wall with a specific degree of fire resistance, built of fire-resistive materials and usually extends up to and through the roof of a building.

Question 7

What is masonry?

Answer 7

Bricks, blocks, stone, concrete.

Question 8

What is a cantilever wall?

Answer 8

Walls that extend beyond the structure that supports them.

Question 9

What are veneer walls?

Answer 9

Walls with an attractive surface layer layer over a base of common materials.

Question 10

Name the five types of construction classifications.

Answer 10

1. Type 1 - fire resistive
2. Type 2 - noncombustible
3. Type 3 - ordinary
4. Type 4 - heavy timber
5. Type 5 - wood frame

Question 11

What is situational awareness?

Answer 11

Awareness of immediate surroundings.

Question 12

What to look for when sizing up a building?

Answer 12

Age of building (weathering or deteriorating)
Construction materials (wood frame, masonry, metal, concrete)
Roof type (arched or lightweight)
Renovations (additions, facades or false ceilings)
Dead loads (HVAC, water tanks or other heavy objects on roof)

Question 13

What is heavy fire loading?

Answer 13

Presence of large amounts of combustible materials in an area of the building (mattress or furniture stores, storage sheds, barns)

Question 14

What is a roof covering?

Answer 14

The final outside cover that is placed on top is a roof deck assembly (shingles, tile, clay, tin, tar & gravel).

Question 15

What is a safe collapse zone distance?

Answer 15

1 1/2 times the height of the wall.

Question 16

Name 6 out of 11 indicators of a potential building collapse.

Answer 16

1. Cracks or separations in walls, floors, ceilings and roof structures.
2. Evidence of existing instabilities such as tie rods and stars.
3. Looser missing brick, block or stones.
4. Deteriorated mortar between the masonry.
5. Leaning walls.
   6 distorted structural members.
6. Prolonged fire exposure to the structural members (especially trusses).
7. Unusual cracks or creaking noises.
8. Structural members pulling away from walls.
9. Excessive weight of building contents.
10. Fire beneath floors that support heavy machinery.

Question 17

What is a lightweight steel truss?

Answer 17

Structural support made from a steel bar, bent at a 90 degree angle.

Question 18

What is a lightweight wood truss?

Answer 18

2x4 connected with a gusset plate.

Question 19

What is a gusset plate?

Answer 19

Metal or wood plates used to connect the intersections of wood or metal components to a load bearing unit.

Question 20

What is a gang nail?

Answer 20

A type of gusset plate that have V-shaped holes with prongs to fasten.

Question 21

What is tension?

Answer 21

Vertical or horizontal forces that pull things apart.

Question 22

What is compression?

Answer 22

Vertical or horizontal forces that push material together.

Question 23

What is a rain roof?

Answer 23

A second roof constructed over the top of an older roof.

Question 24

Some examples of why buildings under construction are a hazard would be?

Answer 24

Contributing factors are, addition Fire loads and ignition sources, fire repression materials like wall board and sprinklers are not in place, building codes may not be followed.

Question 25

What are the strengths and weaknesses of type 1 (fire-resistive) construction?

Answer 25

Strengths Resists direct flame impingement Confines fire well Little collapse potential from the effects of Fire alone Impervious to water damage Weaknesses Difficult to breach entry or escape Difficult to ventilate Massive debris after collapse Floors ceilings and walls retain heat

Question 26

What are the strengths and weaknesses of type 2 (noncombustibles) construction?

Answer 26

Strengths Almost as fire resistant as type 1 Confines fire well Almost as structurally stable as type 1 Easier to vertically ventilate than type 1 Weaknesses Difficult to breach for access or escape Steel structural components can fail due to heat Roof system less stable than type 1 Steel components subject to weakening by fire Steel subject to weakening by rust and corrosion Massive debris after collapse

Question 27

What are the strengths and weaknesses of type 3 (ordinary) construction?

Answer 27

Strengths Resist fire spread from the outside Relatively easy to vertically ventilate Weaknesses Interior structural members vulnerable to fir involvement Fire spread potential through concealed spaces Susceptible to water damage

Question 28

What are the strengths and weaknesses of type 4 (heavy timber ) construction?

Answer 28

Strengths Resists collapse due to flame impingement of heavy beams Structurally stable Relatively easy to vertically or horizontally ventilate Relatively easy to breach for access of escape Manageable debris after collapse Weaknesses Susceptible to fire spread from outside Potential for flame spread to other nearby structures Susceptible to rapid interior flame spread Susceptible to water damage

Question 29

What are the strengths and weaknesses of type 5 (wood frame) construction?

Answer 29

Strengths Easily breached for access, Ventilation or escape Collapse debris relatively easily managed Weaknesses Susceptible from fire spread from the outside Susceptible to rapid flame spread inside Susceptible to total collapse due to fire or explosions Susceptible to water damage

Question 30

What actions should be taken when imminent building collapse is suspected?

Answer 30

First Command and all others inside the building should be informed of the situation as you exit. Second Clear the collapse zone ASAP know and heed evacuation signals used by your department

Question 31

What hazards exist with lightweight construction?

Answer 31

Lightweight steel, wooden trusses, and gusset plates can fail quickly with no exposure to flame just heat.

Question 32

What hazardous situations may arise from renovated buildings?

Answer 32

Concealed spaces created by rain roofs and mansard fascia where fire can spread undetected.