Essentials of Firefighting (4Th Edition-FF2)-Chapter 3 Firefighter II Objectives

Firefighter II Objectives
Construction Materials & Building Collapse

OBJECTIVE 4-23.1
DESCRIBE THE BASIC STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

§  WOOD FRAME – Type 5 construction. Exterior walls, bearing walls, floors, roofs, and supports are made completely or partially of wood of smaller dimensions that Type 4 construction.

§  ORDINARY – Type 3 construction. Exterior walls and structural members are non-combustible material. Interior walls, columns, beams, floors, and roofs are completely or partially constructed of wood smaller that Type 4 construction.

§  HEAVY TIMBER – Type 4 construction. Exterior and interior walls and their associated structural members are non-combustible or limited combustible materials. Other interior structural members including beams, columns, arches, floors, and roofs are made of solid or laminated wood with no concealed spaces.

§  NON-COMBUSTIBLE – Type 2 construction. Non-combustible or limited combustible construction. Similar to Type 1 or Fire Resistant Construction, except the degree of fire rating is lower. Materials with no fire resistance rating, such as untreated wood, may be used. Usually steel construction.

§  FIRE RESISTANT – Type 1 construction. Structural members, including walls, columns, beams, floors, and roofs are made of non-combustible or limited combustible materials. Originally intended to confine a fire to a given location. Usually made of pre-cast concrete slabs.

OBJECTIVE 4-23.2
IDENTIFY THE GENERAL FIRE BEHAVIOR EXPECTED WITH EACH TYPE OF BUILDING, INCLUDING THE SPREAD OF FIRE AND SAFETY OF THE BUILDING, OCCUPANTS, AND FIRE FIGHTERS.

§  WOOD FRAME – Presents almost unlimited potential for fire extension to building of origin and to nearby structures.

§  ORDINARY – Primary fire concern is the problem of fire and smoke spread through concealed spaces between walls, ceilings, and floors.

§  HEAVY TIMBER – Primary fire hazard is the massive amounts of combustible contents presented by the structural timbers in addition to the content of the building. They give off tremendous amounts of heat and pose serious exposure problems.

§  NON-COMBUSTIBLE – Primary fire concern is the contents of the building. Heat build-up from the fire can cause structural supports to fail.

§  FIRE-RESISTANT – Primary fire concern is the contents of the building. The ability to confine fire can be compromised by openings made in partitions and improperly designed and dampened central heat and air conditioning.

OBJECTIVE 4-23.3
DESCRIBE AT LEAST 3 HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH TRUSS AND LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION.

§  In all trusses, if one member fails, the entire truss fails. Once a truss fails, the domino effect soon takes over.

§  Lightweight wood and metal will fail after 5-10 minutes exposure to fire.

§  Bowstring trusses are difficult to ventilate.

OBJECTIVE 4-23.4
IDENTIFY DANGEROUS BUILDING CONDITIONS CREATED BY FIRE AND FIRE SUPPRESSION ACTIVITIES.

§  Conditions that contribute to fire and smoke spread include large open spaces, combustible finishes and furniture, and wooden floors and ceilings.

§  Conditions that make a building susceptible to collapse include age, construction, how long it is exposed to fire, heavy machinery on roof or upper floors, improper vertical ventilation, and the amount of water used.

OBJECTIVE 4-23.5
IDENTIFY 5 FACTORS OF BUILDING COLLAPSE.

§  Cracks or separation in walls, ceilings, or floors.

§  Distorted structural members.

§  Loose bricks, blocks, or stones falling from building.

§  Deteriorated mortar between masonry.

§  Unusual creaks and crackling noises.

OBJECTIVE 4-23.6
DEFINE THE EFFECTS OF FIRE AND FIRE SUPPRESSION ACTIVITIES ON THE FOLLOWING BUILDING MATERIALS.

§  WOOD – Depends mainly on the size and moisture content. The quicker water is applied, the less charring which minimizes strength.

§  MASONRY – Minimally affected by fire. May spall or lose parts of their surface. The mortar may be subject to more deterioration. Rapid cooling, like that of fire streams, may cause spalling or cracking.

§  CAST IRON – Stands up well to fire and intense heat. Primary concern is bolts or other connections that holds cast iron to the building can fail. Water has no adverse affects.

§  STEEL – Elongates when heated. Failure can be anticipated at temperatures near 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Water cools and reduces chances of collapse.

§  REINFORCED CONCRETE – To fail it would be necessary for the reinforcing steel to become sufficiently heated to lose its tensile strength. The steel, however, is imbedded in concrete that insulates it from the fire. If the concrete surrounding the steel is exposed to a severe fire for a long period of time, it will begin to spall.

§  GYPSUM – Excellent heat resistance and fire retardant properties but will gradually break down under fire conditions. Water has no adverse effects.

§  GLASS – Does not significantly add to fire load but heated glass may crack when hit by a cold fire stream. The resins in fiberglass are combustible and can be tough to extinguish.

§  PLASTER ON LATHE – Plaster is heat-resistive but Lathe is combustible. Will hold heat inside wall. Water has no adverse effects.

OBJECTIVE 23.7
DEFINE THE FOLLOWING TERMS AS THEY RELATE TO BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

§  VENEER WALL (outside) – A decorative wall usually of brick added to the outside walls. Adds little structural support but does add thermal insulating.

§  PARTY WALL – A load bearing wall that supplies 2 adjacent structures, usually a fire wall.

§  FIRE WALL – Designed to withstand a severe fire exposure and acts as an absolute barrier against the spread of fire.

§  PARTITION WALL – An interior wall that separates a space into two rooms.

§  CANTILEVER or UNSUPPORTED WALL – Freestanding, projected beam, or slab supported only at one end.

§  LOAD BEARING – Wall used to provide structural support. May be interior or exterior.