3. •3

4. •4

5. Essentials of Fire Fighting
6 th Edition
Firefighter I
Chapter 4 — Building
Construction
Replace with manual graphic on slide master

6. 
http://news.yahoo.com/groom-killed-motoristwedding-141654319.html?vp=1
1–6

7. Learning Objective 1
Describe the impact of fire on
building materials.

4–7
common

8. A wide variety of building materials are
used in construction.
Courtesy of Ron Moore
and
McKinney (TX) FD
4–8

9. Wood is the most common material used
in North America.
4–9

10. The size and moisture content of wood
affects how it reacts to fire.
4–10

11. Each type of masonry shows signs of
deterioration in different ways.
Courtesy of Ron Moore and
McKinney (TX) FD
4–11

12. The effect of heat on metal depends on
the type and exposure.
(Cont.)
4–12

13. Courtesy of Ron Moore and McKinney (TX) FD
The effect of heat on metal depends on
the type and exposure.
(Cont.)
4–13

14. Courtesy of Ron Moore and McKinney (TX) FD
Reinforced concrete typically performs
well under fire conditions.
4–14

15. Gypsum has excellent heat-resistant and
fire-retardant properties.
4–15

16. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What
types of insulation are commonly found in your
jurisdiction?
Why is this important to know?
4–16

17. Plastic typically melts and contributes to
the content load during an incident.
4–17

18. Composite materials are made by combining
two or more distinctly different materials.
4–18

19. Where can you find laminated
timber?
1–19

20. REVIEW QUESTION
What impact can fire have on
building materials?

4–20
common

21. Learning Objective 2
Explain the impact of fire on
classifications.

4–21
construction

22. Construction classification type is
determined by several factors.
4–22

23. Building codes are adopted and sometimes
modified to meet local requirements.
4–23

24. Some buildings may be exempt from following
local codes and renovations can also change
structures.
4–24

25. Type I- Fire Resistive Construction
•Maintains its structural integrity
•Will have blown on insulation/sprinkler systems
•Gives firefighters time for rescue
•Watch for contents fire
•Less potential for collapse
1–25

26. Type II- Non-Combustible Construction
Courtesy of Ron Moore and McKinney (TX) FD
•Almost as resistive as Type I
•Confines Fire
•Steel components get weak
•Watch for interior contents!!!!
4–26
(Cont.)

27. Type II- First Place Storage
•You never know the CONTENTS!!!
1–27

28. Type III- Ordinary Construction
(Cont.)
4–28

29. Type III- Safeway Plaza Hermiston
1–29

30. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What
types of renovations are commonly found in
your jurisdiction?
How can firefighters monitor these?
4–30

31. Type IV- Heavy Timber
1–31

32. Type IV- Heavy Timber
•Non combustible and limited combustible material
•Large diameter materials
•Old factories, mills and warehouses– now in homes, lodges
•Fire hazard with interior materials
•Less collapse hazard
•Easier to breach
1–32

33. Full Log Walls
BobG in action
1–33

34. Type V- Wood Frame Construction
Single Story
•Almost all smaller dimension wood
•Laminated Wood
•Unlimitied fire extension
•Calculate the fuel load and % of building on fire
1–34

35. Type V- Two Story
•Roof Pitch?
•Window Type?
•How many gallons of water?
•40 feet wide x 30 feet long- 25% on fire
1–35

36. Manufactured homes are not required to
conform to model building codes.
4–36

37. 1–37

38. There are three types of construction
defined by the National Building Code of
Canada.
4–38

39. REVIEW QUESTION
How are different construction
affected by fire
suppression?

4–39
classifications

40. 1–40

41. Learning Objective 3

List the main types of occupancy classifications.
4–41

42. Occupancy classifications are defined by
building and life safety codes.
4–42

43. REVIEW QUESTION
What are the main types of
classifications?

4–43
occupancy

44. Learning Objective 4
Describe the basic construction of
components.

4–44
building

45. Foundations are designed to support the
weight of the building and its contents.
4–45

46. Floors and ceilings form the top and bottom
of the compartment.
4–46

47. 1–47

48. Walls define the perimeter of a building and
divide it into compartments.
4–48

49. 1–49

50. Wall types and ratings vary depending on
several factors.
4–50

51. Fire walls are constructed of a variety of
masonry materials.
4–51

52. Penetrating walls should only be
performed when needed.
4–52

53. Roofs primarily protect a structure and its
contents from the effects of weather.
(Cont.)
4–53

54. Hermiston Bowling Lanes
1–54

55. •DOWNTOWN HERMISTON
1–55

56. 1–56

57. 1–57

58. 1–58

59. Roofs primarily protect a structure and its
contents from the effects of weather.
4–59

60. DISCUSSION QUESTION
How
does knowing that arched roofs contribute to
firefighter casualties impact your need to understand
building construction?
What
types of arched roofs are common in your
jurisdiction?
4–60

61. Roof construction is based on three main
components; one is roof supports.
Courtesy of Ron Moore and McKinney (TX) FD
4–61

62. Roof decks are another component in roof
construction.
4–62

63. Roof coverings, the final main component,
come in a variety of styles.
4–63

64. Roof penetrations and openings may
indicate the locations of some rooms.

65. Observing the presence of roof obstructions
can help when ventilating.
(Cont.)
4–65

66. WARNING
Unauthorized
security modifications create extreme
life safety hazards for firefighters.
4–66

67. Structural modifications should, but do not
always, meet local building codes.
4–67

68. Roof-mounted equipment can add a live load
to the dead load on a roof.
4–68

69. Stairs provide access to or egress from
different levels of a structure.
4–69

70. Exterior stairs and fire escapes provide
access and egress in different ways.
4–70

71. DISCUSSION QUESTION
Why
might fire escapes not be able to support the
weight of a firefighter?
4–71

72. Doors vary widely in operation, style,
design, and construction.
(Cont.)
4–72

73. Doors vary widely in operation, style,
design, and construction.
4–73

74. 1–74

75. Wood panel and flush doors are constructed
using similar components.
4–75

76. Glass and metal doors can be constructed in
a variety of ways.
4–76

77. Fire doors can be effective at limiting fire
spread when properly maintained.
Courtesy of Ron Moore and
McKinney (TX) FD
4–77

78. Window construction uses the same
components for many styles.
4–78

79. Fixed windows are nonoperable, these may
be called display windows.
4–79

80. Movable windows come in a variety of styles,
depending on the structure’s requirements.
(Cont.)
4–80

81. Movable windows come in a variety of styles,
depending on the structure’s requirements.
(Cont.)
4–81

82. Movable windows come in a variety of styles,
depending on the structure’s requirements.
4–82

83. Security windows also come in different
configurations.
4–83

84. REVIEW QUESTION
In what ways can building components impact
fire suppression
efforts?

4–84

85. 1–85

86. 1–86

87. 1–87

88. 1–88

89. 1–89

90. 1–90

91. Summary
•
•
Your safety when fighting fire depends on your ability
to know how the building will contribute to and
even control the spread of fire.
You must also understand the effect fire and heat
have on structural components and materials to be
able to anticipate results.
4–91