Essentials of Fire Fighting Chapter 3

Questions and Answers

Type I construction buildings are considered to be:

Hazardous due to the adhesives and industrial glues used during the construction process

More likely to suffer structural damage due to the effects of fire

More collapse resistant than other building types (correct)

The most common type of residential construction encountered by firefighters

Multi-story buildings with flat roofs usually have:

Different types of structural support systems for every floor

The same structural system for the roof and the floors (correct)

Cast-in-place concrete roofs

Roof decking made of corrugated steel

Which window component is the lowest horizontal member of the frame and supports the window hardware?

Sill (correct)

Sash

Jamb

Glazing

A fusible link on a swinging fire door depends on the heat from a fire to close, so:

A significant amount of smoke may flow through the door before the door is released Signup and view all the answers

What is one major problem that rain roofs pose for firefighters?

They create a void that conceals fires and allows them to burn undetected Signup and view all the answers

The lightweight members of a truss assembly are:

Susceptible to early failure when exposed to fire Signup and view all the answers

Overhead rolling steel fire doors:

Ordinarily close under the force of gravity when the fusible link melts Signup and view all the answers

Which is an accurate statement about fire doors?

Fire doors are very effective at limiting fire spread if they are properly maintained and operated Signup and view all the answers

How can green roofs impact firefighting operations?

Interfere with ventilation operations and fire location indicators Signup and view all the answers

Which type of window has a large number of narrow glass sections that overlap and swing outward to open?

Jalousie Signup and view all the answers

Which components found in Type III construction buildings may fail quickly when exposed to fire?

Prefabricated wood truss systems Signup and view all the answers

Which type of door is typically the best fire barrier?

Solid-core door Signup and view all the answers

Roof security features such as wired glass and iron plates can:

Make ventilating the roof more difficult and time consuming Signup and view all the answers

How are security bars or grills on windows likely to impact fire and life safety?

Slow access time for firefighters Signup and view all the answers

Rolling steel shutters often block interior window openings such as factory office windows and function most similarly to:

Rolling steel doors Signup and view all the answers

Which type of material is often used in the core of a heavy corrugated steel door?

Styrofoam Signup and view all the answers

Which roof-mounted equipment adds to the load distributed on the roof and can obstruct ventilation efforts?

Satellite dish Signup and view all the answers

Type I construction buildings:

Are fire-resistive, but not fireproof Signup and view all the answers

Which type of stairs are enclosed with 1- or 2-hour fire-rated construction and are part of the required means of egress in a building?

Protected stairs Signup and view all the answers

How can unprotected stairs impact firefighting operations?

Provide a flow path for smoke and fire gases Signup and view all the answers

Firefighters should be aware they are likely to find __________ in the space between a building's ceiling and roof when performing vertical ventilation.

Fire suppression system pipes Signup and view all the answers

When performing vertical ventilation on a roof, firefighters should be aware that a photovoltaic cell that is fire damaged:

Can still continue to produce electricity Signup and view all the answers

Which type of firefighting operation are cold roofs likely to negatively impact?

Ventilation Signup and view all the answers

A window that has one or more top-hinged sashes and uses a crank mechanism to open outward is known as a(n):

Awning Signup and view all the answers

Fire separation walls that divide the roof from neighbouring roofs:

Extend from the foundation to above the roof Signup and view all the answers

If a roof truss is exposed to fire, the gusset plates will:

Fall away from burned wood and fail to provide structural support Signup and view all the answers

Firefighters are at risk of becoming trapped in a void space and being caught in extreme fire conditions if they:

Enter the space between a rain roof and the original roof to ventilate the structure Signup and view all the answers

What design feature of revolving doors helps provide an unobstructed opening for people to use as an emergency exit?

The wings of the doors are designed to collapse under pressure Signup and view all the answers

The weight of an arched roof is primarily supported by the:

Exterior walls Signup and view all the answers

A fire in a basement:

Can weaken floor joists and structural supports Signup and view all the answers

Type IV construction is commonly found in:

Churches Signup and view all the answers

Type V construction buildings have exterior load-bearing walls composed entirely of:

Wood Signup and view all the answers

Roof penetrations and openings may be helpful to firefighters because they:

Can indicate the location of rooms such as bathrooms or mechanical spaces Signup and view all the answers

Which action can reduce the effectiveness of a fire wall?

An owner creating a hole to run electrical wiring Signup and view all the answers

How is Type II construction different from Type I construction?

Type II buildings are constructed of lighter-weight materials with lower fire-resistance ratings Signup and view all the answers

How are horizontal sliding fire doors commonly constructed?

Metal-covered wood core with a vent hole Signup and view all the answers

What kind of window consists of only a frame and a glazed stationary sash?

Fixed window Signup and view all the answers

When ventilating a pitched roof, what might firefighters typically find applied at right angles directly over the rafters?

Decking material Signup and view all the answers

Fires in basements may be more hazardous than fires in other compartments because of:

Limited means of ingress/egress Signup and view all the answers

Which type of door has flat face panels that are the full height and width of the door, and are attached to a solid or hollow core?

Flush door Signup and view all the answers

Sliding doors are not allowed as part of a means of egress because they:

Slow the travel of people through the door opening Signup and view all the answers

How are vertical doors commonly used?

Fire doors protecting openings that are not part of the required means of egress Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics of Type IV construction helps prevent unseen fire travel?

Lack of voids or concealed spaces Signup and view all the answers

Which construction classification requires that all structural members are composed of noncombustible or limited combustible materials with a high fire-resistive rating?

Type I Signup and view all the answers

Folding doors are used:

As horizontal fire doors Signup and view all the answers

What is likely to happen during a fire in a Type V building?

Combustible insulation becomes exposed as vinyl siding melts, allowing fire to spread to the interior Signup and view all the answers

What feature often obstructs firefighters' view of the entire roof?

Parapet walls Signup and view all the answers

Building codes require that glass doors be made out of:

Tempered glass Signup and view all the answers

Which type of window has only one openable sash and balancing devices that hold the movable sash in the desired position?

Single-hung window Signup and view all the answers

Which type of door is likely to be encountered as an exit door?

Swinging door Signup and view all the answers

The effectiveness of a door as a fire barrier is mainly influenced by its:

Construction material Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Building Construction Overview

Type I construction buildings are highly collapse resistant compared to others; they are often made with noncombustible materials.
Multi-story buildings with flat roofs commonly use the same structural system for both roof and floors, enhancing uniform support.
The sill is the lowest horizontal member of a window frame that supports the window hardware.

Fire Doors and Safety Features

Fusible links on swinging fire doors rely on heat to close, potentially allowing significant smoke to pass before closure.
Rain roofs conceal fires by creating void spaces, making detection and suppression difficult.
Lightweight truss components are particularly vulnerable to early failure when exposed to fire.

Firefighter Operations and Building Design

Overhead rolling steel fire doors typically close by gravity when the fusible link melts.
Proper maintenance of fire doors is crucial; they effectively limit fire spread when functioning correctly.
Green roofs can complicate ventilation operations and hinder fire detection efforts.

Types of Windows and Fire Hazards

Jalousie windows consist of multiple sections that swing outward for ventilation.
Prefabricated wood truss systems in Type III buildings are prone to quick failure under fire conditions.
Solid-core doors offer the best fire barrier protection due to their construction materials.

Roof and Structural Considerations

Roof security features like wired glass complicate ventilation efforts during firefighting.
Unprotected stairs can serve as pathways for smoke and fire gases, increasing risks.
Photovoltaic cells on roofs maintain electrical output even when damaged by fire, requiring caution during ventilation.

Fire Construction Types

Type IV construction is often seen in churches and helps prevent unseen fire travel due to a lack of voids.
Type V buildings typically feature exterior load-bearing walls made entirely of wood, impacting fire spread dynamics.
Fire separation walls serve crucial roles by extending from foundations to above the roof, protecting adjacent structures.

Ventilation Challenges

When performing vertical ventilation, be cautious of decking material applied over rafters that may hinder accessibility.
Fires in basements pose unique hazards, primarily due to limited ingress/egress compared to above-ground locations.
Parapet walls on roofs can obstruct firefighters' view, complicating operational assessments.

Door Mechanics and Regulations

Sliding doors are not suitable for egress pathways as they can impede fast movement during emergencies.
Folding doors, often classified as horizontal fire doors, are designed to compartmentalize spaces effectively.
Glass doors must be constructed of tempered glass as per building codes for added safety.

Key Structural Elements

Arched roofs derive their weight support mainly from exterior walls, influencing firefighting techniques and strategies.
The type of material used in door construction significantly influences its effectiveness as a fire barrier.
Understanding window types, such as single-hung windows, helps in identifying escape routes and ventilation strategies during emergencies.

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Description

Test your knowledge of building construction types as described in Chapter 3 of the Essentials of Fire Fighting 7th Edition. This quiz focuses on the characteristics of Type I construction and its implications for firefighting. Understand the different building types and their resistance to fire and collapse.