Building Construction Flashcards
7 cards from real Firefighter practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Building Construction flashcards as text
What are the five types of building construction classified by NFPA 220?
Answer: Type I, Type II, Type III, Type IV, and Type V
NFPA 220 classifies buildings as Type I through Type V based on the fire resistance ratings required of their structural elements.
Which type of building construction is considered the most fire-resistive?
Answer: Type I (Fire-resistive)
Type I (Fire-resistive) construction requires all structural components to meet the highest fire-resistance ratings, typically using protected steel or reinforced concrete.
What is 'balloon frame' construction?
Answer: A framing method where wall studs run continuously from the foundation to the roof without interruption
In balloon frame construction, studs extend from the foundation to the roof without interruption, allowing fire to spread rapidly through wall cavities to upper floors and the attic.
Which type of building construction uses heavy timber structural members with minimum dimensions specified by code?
Answer: Type IV (Heavy Timber)
Type IV (Heavy Timber) construction requires large wood members (minimum 8x8 inches for columns) that char slowly rather than failing quickly, historically used in mills and factories.
What is the primary hazard of lightweight truss construction during a fire?
Answer: Lightweight trusses can fail rapidly because the small metal connector plates lose strength quickly under heat
Lightweight trusses rely on small metal gusset plates that lose structural strength rapidly when heated, causing early and sudden failure before firefighters may realize the danger.
In Type III (ordinary) construction, what are the exterior walls typically made of?
Answer: Non-combustible masonry materials such as brick, stone, or concrete block
Type III construction (sometimes called 'brick and joist') requires non-combustible exterior walls, typically masonry, while interior structural elements such as floors and roofs may be combustible wood.
What term describes a concealed space within a building structure where fire can spread unseen?
Answer: Void space
Void spaces are hidden, hollow areas within floor, wall, or ceiling assemblies where fire can travel undetected, making it difficult for firefighters to locate and suppress the fire.