Question

2. Building classifications can help firefighters determine the likelihood of structural collapse under fire conditions and can indicate the:
A. total fire load in a building.
B. number of fire hydrants around a building.
C. maximum number of occupants a building can safely hold.
D. degree of occupant safety provided by the building’s construction.
3. Building classifications used in building codes are based on the materials used in construction and the:
A. size and shape of the structural components.
B. total cost of materials used in its construction.
C. fire resistance ratings for the structural components.
D. estimated amount of time for completion of the building.

4. What does the first digit in the three-digit number code for building classifications represent?
A. Fire resistance rating of the floor construction
B. Fire resistance rating (in hours) of interior finishes
C. Fire resistance rating (in hours) of exterior bearing walls
D. Fire resistance rating of columns and girders that support loads of more than one floor
5. Type I buildings are MOST commonly constructed using a protected steel frame or:
A. heavy timber.
B. a wood frame.
C. reinforced concrete.
D. glass and aluminum.
7. Type II-A construction requires structural components to:
A. remain unprotected.
B. have no fire resistance.
C. have one-hour fire resistance.
D. have three-hour fire resistance.
8. Structural components in Type II-B construction are:
A. allowed to remain unprotected.
B. required to have one-hour fire resistance.
C. required to have three-hour fire resistance.
D. expected to provide stability under fire conditions.

Answer 1

Building construction codes are a collection of codes and regulations, within a state or a community, developed to ensure that buildings would not collapse and that they would provide a level of protection to the building occupants. These codes are one of the most important things firefighters should know in their professional career.

In Question 2, the answer is A: Total fire load in a building. Recognition of general styles of construction, the materials used, and generic qualities of each building enables firefighters to make better decisions. Building classifications allow firefighters to anticipate variables in the structural integrity of the building and resiliency to the effects of extreme fire behavior, accelerated fire-load package growth rates and intensity levels during the fire suppression. Understanding the construction and uses of a building is important in order to have an effective and efficient firefighting operation and suppression.

In Question 3, the answer is C: fire resistance rating for the structural components. Buildings are classified according to the materials used and according to the type of constructions based on one of five basic types:

Type I (or Type 1): buildings referred to as fire-resistive construction

Type II (or Type 2): buildings referred to as non-combustible construction

Type III (or Type 3): buildings referred to as ordinary construction

Type IV (or Type 4): buildings referred to as heavy-timber construction

Type V (or Type 5): buildings referred to as wood-frame construction

This classification system indicates the fire-resistance rating which means the duration for which the structural components of a building can withstand.

In Question 4, the answer is C: Fire resistance (in hours) of exterior bearing walls. As mentioned in question 3, buildings are classified into five basic types of constructions (Type I, Type II, Type III, Type IV and Type V). This system of classification also breaks down into other types of classification through the use of arabic numbers [e.g.: Type Type I (442), Type II(111), Type III(200)].

In this classification the numbers represent the following:

a) The first digit represents the fire-resistance rating (in hours) of exterior bearing walls.

b) The second digit represents the fire-resistance rating of structural frames or columns and girders that support loads of more than one floor.

c) The third digit represents the fire-resistance rating of the floor construction.

In Question 5, the answer is C: reinforced concrete. The structural elements of Type I buildings mainly consist of non-combustible materials, such as steel or reinforced concrete, that afford a high fire-resistance rating that provides an adequate protection against the effects of fire.

In Question 7, the answer is C: have one-hour fire resistance . Many of the classifications for types of constructions are divided into two subcategories: A or B. This designation identifies the overall fire protection of the building elements. Type II-A (protected Non-combustible) building is commonly found in newer school buildings and has additional fire rating coating or cover that increases the fire resistance rating by at least 1-hour.

In Question 8, the answer is A: allowed to remain unprotected. Type II-B (Unprotected Non-Combustible) buildings are commonly found in commercial buildings and they have no form of fire-resistance protecting the structural steel components. Structural components have no additional coating or cover unlike Type II-A. Type II-B can remain unprotected since this type of classification does not need to comply with the Fire-Resistance Rating Requirements for  Exterior Walls Based on Fire Separation Distance: these requirements are based on the fire  separation distance between the wall of a Type II-B building and the nearest lot line, street center line, or an imaginary line between  two buildings on the same lot. If a Type II-B building is more than 30 feet away from said lot line, it will not require a fire-resistance protection.