IFSTA CH 3 Building Construction

Question 1

locally adopted codes regulate construction type based on

Answer 1

intended use (occupancy)
structure size
presence of automatic fire suppression system

Question 2

Type I construction is

Answer 2

fire-resistive

Question 3

Type I/Fire-resistive

Answer 3

provides the highest level of protection from the fire spread as well as structural collapse

considered to be the most collapse resistant

Question 4

Following frames meet the criteria for type 1 construction

Answer 4

reinforced concrete
precast concrete
protected steel

Question 5

During a fire in a type I structure:

Answer 5

compartments can retain heat, contributing to potential rapid fire development

roofs may be extremely difficult to penetrate

windows may be nonoperating

Question 6

Type II Construction is

Answer 6

noncombustible

Question 7

Type II noncombustible

Answer 7

composed of materials that will not contribute to fire development or spread

steel components do not need to be protected for the same length of time or have the same fire-resistance rating as type I

most common form of constructions include metal framing members, metal cladding and concrete-black wall

Question 8

Type III construction is

Answer 8

ordinary construction

Question 9

Type III ordinary construction

Answer 9

requires that exterior walls and structural members be constructed of noncombustible or limited combustible materials

interior walls, columns, beams, floors, and roofs are completely or partially constructed of wood

Question 10

Type III ordinary construction is commonly found in

Answer 10

mercantile, business and residential structures and older schools

Question 11

Type IV construction is

Answer 11

Heavy Timber

Question 12

Type IV heavy timber

Answer 12

characterized by the use of large-dimensioned lumbar or laminated wood

are extremely stable and resistant to collapse due to the sheer mass of their structural members

Question 13

Type IV may contain the following conditions that can affect their behaviour during fire

Answer 13

high concentrated wood can contribute to the intensity of a fire once it starts

collapse of masonry walls can be caused by loss of structural integrity of timbers

Question 14

Glue-laminated beams

Answer 14

may fail when exposed to fire because the heat may affect the glue holding the laminates together

Question 15

Type V construction is

Answer 15

Wood frame

Question 16

Type V wood frame

Answer 16

exterior load-bearing walls are composed entirely of wood

Question 17

examples of type V construction

Answer 17

single family residences

some multistory apartment buildings

Question 18

factory built homes

Answer 18

structures that are partially or completely built in a factory and shipped to the location on which they are to be installed

Question 19

manufactured (mobile) homes

Answer 19

most common factory-built homes

almost completely prefabricated prior to delivery and the least expensive

may be anchored directly to concrete slab or have open crawl space beneath them (later provides an additional source of oxygen during a fire)

Question 20

reductions in fire loss and residential fatalities can be attributed to construction requirements that included

Answer 20

factory installed smoke detectors and CO alarms

use of flame-retardant materials in interior finishings and around heating/cooking equipment

installation of safer heating and cooking equipment

installation of gypsum board rather than wood paneling in interior finishes

factory-installed fire suppression systems (sprinklers)

Question 21

modular homes

Answer 21

modular sections can be stacked vertically and connected horizontally in numerous ways

is transported to the site and then attached to a permanent foundation, which may include a full basement

Question 22

Panelized homes

Answer 22

are assembled on-site from pre-constructed panels made of foam insulation sandwiched between sheets of plywood

Question 23

pre-cut homes

Answer 23

consist of individual parts that are custom cut and must be assembled on site

Question 24

hybrid modular structure

Answer 24

includes elements of both the modular design and the panelized design

modular core units such as bathrooms are constructed in factory, moved to the site and assembled
pre constructed panels are then added to the modules to complete the structure

Question 25

the space between the floor/ceiling or ceiling/roof may contain

Answer 25

duct work or open return air plenum electrical or communications wiring water or natural gas pipes recessed lighting and audio speakers fiberglass, cellulose, or foam to act as soundproofing

Question 26

fire wall

Answer 26

may be used to separate two adjoining structures or two occupancy classifications within the same structure to prevent the spread of fire from one to the other can also divide large structures into smaller portions and contain a fire to a particular portion of the structure

Question 27

Basement Fires

Answer 27

may be more hazardous than in other compartments because of limited means of ingress/egress and limited ventilation

Question 28

Stairs

Answer 28

provide access to or egress from different levels of a structure stairs in commercial and multifamily residential buildings that are a part of the required means of egress must provide protection for the occupants as they travel to safety

Question 29

protected or enclosed stairs

Answer 29

meeting requirements that are built to resist the spread of fire and smoke are enclosed with fire-rated construction, usually with either a 1-2 hour rating depending on building height

Question 30

exterior stairs

Answer 30

may be open to the air or enclosed enclosed stairs must comply with requirements similar to those of interior protected stairs

Question 31

unprotected stairs

Answer 31

since they are not enclosed with fire-rated construction, they may serve as a flow path for fire and smoke

Question 32

roofs primary function is

Answer 32

to protect the structure and its contents from the effects of weather the shape and construction of the roof is intended to provide drainage, support the weight of accumulation of snow and resist the effects of wind

Question 33

roof types

Answer 33

flat pitched arched

Question 34

Flat roofs

Answer 34

have a slight slope to facilitate drainage commonly found on commercial, industrial and multifamily residential structures

Question 35

parapet

Answer 35

portion of the exterior walls of a building that extends above the roof, a low wall at the edge of a roof

Question 36

pitched roof

Answer 36

among the most common are those elevated in the center along the ridgeline with a roof deck slopes down to the eaves along the rood edges

Question 37

arched roof

Answer 37

ideal for some types of occupancies because they can span large open areas unsupported by columns, pillars or post

Question 38

roof construction

Answer 38

roofs are made up of three main components including the roof supporting structure, the roof deck and the roof covering

Question 39

roof supports

Answer 39

beams and truss assemblies beams are the sections of lumber located directly under the roof decking truss types include parallel chords, pitched chords and arched chords

Question 40

roof decks

Answer 40

is the portion of the roof between the roof supports and the roof covering

Question 41

components of roof deck

Answer 41

sheathing roof planks or slabs purlins

Question 42

cast-in-place concrete

Answer 42

common type of concrete construction refers to a concrete that is poured into forms as a liquid and assumes the shape of the form in the position and location it will be used

Question 43

precast concrete

Answer 43

units are widely used because they can be fabricated off-site and hauled to the construction site ready for use

Question 44

roof penetrations and openings

Answer 44

include items that provide light, ventilation, access, vapor exhaust or are part of the plumbing or HVAC system

Question 45

green roofs

Answer 45

involves the use of the roof surface of a building for a rooftop garden constitute a dead load on the roof structural system, which must be capable of supporting the load

Question 46

cold roofs

Answer 46

generally found in cold, snowy climates to prevent ice damming and icicle formation at eaves it is designed to prevent interior heat from escaping into the attic space, thus melting the snow on the roof

Question 47

Photovoltaic (PV) systems (solar energy)

Answer 47

produces clean and reliable energy useful for many applications electricity generated creates a significant hazard for FF, even if the power of the building is shut off, the panels retain a significant amount of electricity

Question 48

rain or snow roofs

Answer 48

are pitched roofs built over older flat roofs the void in that the rain roof creates can conceal a fire and allow it to burn undetected

Question 49

roof security

Answer 49

during a fire, the weight of the plates can cause the roof to collapse and can also prevent tactical ventilation

Question 50

roof mounted equipment

Answer 50

these items can add to the load distributed on the roof, increase collapse hazards and add to the obstruction that can affect ventilation efforts

Question 51

doors

Answer 51

a tool for fire and flow path control classified by the way they operate construction material of a door influences its effectiveness as a fire barrier and the degree to which it can be forced open during an emergency

Question 52

doors are constructed from

Answer 52

wood, metal or glass

Question 53

swinging doors

Answer 53

rotates by means of hinges secured to the side jambs of the doorway or on pivot posts supported at the top and bottom

Question 54

sliding doors

Answer 54

suspended from an overhead track and uses steel or nylon rollers

Question 55

folding doors

Answer 55

hung from an overhead track with rollers or glides similar to those used by a sliding door

Question 56

vertical doors

Answer 56

known as an overhead door and is often found in industrial buildings

Question 57

revolving doors

Answer 57

constructed with 3 or 4 sections or wings that rotate in circular frame designed to minimize air flow through a door opening to reduce building heating or cooling losses can prevent the movement of hose or equipment into a building

Question 58

flush door

Answer 58

consists of flat face panels that are the full height and width of the door

Question 59

solid-core doors

Answer 59

formed with an interior core of laminated blocks of wood, particleboard or a mineral composition

Question 60

hollow-core door

Answer 60

constructed with spacers between the face panels to provide lateral support less expensive and lighter than solid core doors

Question 61

glass doors

Answer 61

can be either framed or frameless building codes require glass doors to be made of tempered glass that resists breakage

Question 62

fire doors

Answer 62

protect openings in fire-rated walls and block the spread of fire within a structure effective at limiting the spread of fire and total fire damage most will be constructed of metal and may roll, slide or swing into place when released

Question 63

overhead rolling steel fire doors

Answer 63

commonly used to protect a fire wall in an industrial occupancy or an opening in a wall separating buildings into fire areas closes under the force of gravity when a fusible link melts but motor driven doors are available

Question 64

horizontal sliding fire doors

Answer 64

usually held open by a fusible link, and slide into position along a track either by gravity or by the force of a counterweight

Question 65

swinging fire doors

Answer 65

commonly used in stairwell enclosures or corridors that require a fire door has the disadvantage of requiring a clear space around the door to ensure closure

Question 66

windows

Answer 66

relied on as a means of light, ventilation, access and rescue consist of a frame, one or more sashes and all necessary hardware to make a complete unit

Question 67

fixed windows

Answer 67

consists only of a frame and a glazed stationary sash

Question 68

security windows

Answer 68

security bars or grilles have a negative effect on fire and life safety they can prevent the escape of trapped occupants or FF and can slow the access time for FF

Question 69

rolling steel shutters

Answer 69

block interior window openings, such as office windows overlooking a factory floor

Question 70

Windows (picture)

Answer 70

Question 71

Purlins

Answer 71

Question 72

Wood panel doors (picture)

Answer 72

Question 73

Truss types (photo)

Answer 73

Question 74

Pitched roof construction (photo)

Answer 74

Question 75

Roof types photo

Answer 75

Question 76

Dead load

Answer 76