77 Questions
What is the purpose of Step 1: Classifying the Building’s Construction using the type/era/use/size approach?
To interpret how the materials and arrangement of structural elements might be impacted by fire and heat
Why have fire service leaders suggested dispatching crews to a 'fire in a building' rather than a 'structure fire'?
To ensure that crews assess and classify the fire upon arrival
In the context of the text, when is a fire classified as 'structural'?
When the load-bearing components of a building are being attacked by fire or heat
How can one tell if the 'hidden' structural elements are being attacked by fire or heat from the outside of a building?
Observing smoke patterns from the building
What type of smoke is a significant indicator of heat and likely fire in a space?
Dark gray or black smoke
What is a possible collapse warning sign in lightweight wood construction?
Brownish smoke
What step involves visually scanning the building and tracing any load to the ground?
Step 3: Visualizing and Tracing Loads
What is often the result of a connection failure in structures?
Structural failure
What might cause a connection to fail in a structure?
Gravity and axial load
What happens when gusset plates are exposed to rapid heating?
They pop out quickly
What is the danger with void spaces in Type III ordinary construction?
Undetected fires and structural destruction
Why should any signs of heat or fire from floor and roof truss spaces trigger an immediate collapse warning?
Due to large combustible voids present
What might happen when internal stairways are relied upon by firefighting crews?
Access for rescue and fire attack
What is a key aspect that helps an ISO define the weak link in a building's structure?
Visualizing and tracing loads to the ground
What does overloading in buildings often lead to when combined with fire?
Early collapse
Which type of materials are trusses typically made of?
Light materials
What are some typical weak links at structure fires, according to the text?
Connection points, truss construction, and overloaded elements
What is a late indicator of collapse at a structure fire?
Sagging floors and roofs
What are the three options for communicating collapse potential based on urgency?
Emergency evacuation, precautionary withdrawal, planning awareness
What is the purpose of establishing collapse zones in a building?
To establish exclusionary or 'no-entry' zones for everyone including firefighters
What is a partial collapse according to the text?
When a structural element of a building fails but it retains some strength
What is the biggest threat created by a partial collapse according to the text?
A secondary partial or general collapse
What is the danger with the stairways in newer wood-frame buildings?
They are made of lightweight materials that fail quickly when heated.
Why do parapet walls have an increased risk of collapse during a fire?
Business owners hang additional loads on them which accelerate collapse.
What is the purpose of facades in buildings?
To act as a protective overhang and for decorative purposes.
Why do some newer lightweight-era buildings have parapets made entirely of foam plastic?
To avoid supporting heavy loads like a firefighter on a ladder.
What accelerates the collapse of parapet walls during a fire?
Steel cables and bolts holding additional loads weakening during a fire.
What factor should be considered when evaluating the time it takes for gravity to overcome a structure during a fire?
Age deterioration or lack of care and maintenance.
What increases the potential collapse time of a material during a fire?
An imposed overload on the material.
What can accelerate the potential collapse time of a material exposed to fire?
Loss of fire-resistive barriers
Why is creating large, unobstructed open space within a building considered risky?
It requires lightweight materials that fail under heat.
What is one of the risks associated with hanging signs, utility connections, and other loads on parapet walls?
Increasing the potential for sagging steel cables and bolts.
What is recommended concerning firefighters performing operations under or above trusses during firefighting activities?
Ensure evacuation as soon as trusses are exposed to fire.
What is the purpose of the UL online training program for firefighters mentioned in the text?
To detail a report titled 'Structural Collapse: The Hidden Dangers of Residential Fires'
What is the main message regarding predicting collapse times in the text?
Early prediction of truss and engineered wood assembly collapse is crucial
What are some observations that could indicate obvious collapse potential according to the text?
Sagging floors and roofs
What is the purpose of establishing a collapse zone, as mentioned in the text?
To restrict entry to areas that may be exposed to trauma during a collapse
How should firefighters approach establishing a collapse zone according to the text?
Use spotters and pre-establish rapid-withdrawal signals and routes
Why is it mentioned in the text that the 1½ distance rule may not be adequate for unsupported masonry block/brick walls?
Because masonry block/brick walls can propel debris much farther than their height
What is one reason given in the text for flanking building corners when establishing a collapse zone?
'Building corners are inherently stronger' compared to other parts of the building
'Predicting and Communicating the Collapse Potential' is said to be which part of the 'identify-analyze-decide' model?
'Communicate'
'Late signs' that are dangerous to wait for include all EXCEPT:
'Freshly painted walls and roofs'
What does it mean to predict early collapse of trusses and engineered lightweight wood assemblies according to the text?
To recognize signs that indicate imminent failure before it is visually apparent
What should be communicated when identifying collapse potential according to the text?
Include establishing a collapse zone along with informing command staff
What type of smoke indicates that time is up for a building under construction?
Brown or dark smoke
Why do firefighters consider a fire in a building under construction a 'loser'?
Because it typically leads to rapid and complete collapse
What is falsework used for during construction?
To support incomplete structural elements
In what situations should Incident Commanders (ICs) default to a defensive strategy for fires?
During construction, demolition, or structural alteration
What are the two main categories that loads on a building are divided into?
Dead loads and live loads
What happens if a material exposed to forces deforms but retains strength?
It is called ductile
What is the primary reason for false work leading to sudden, general collapses in buildings under construction?
Material stacks contributing to overloading structural components
What term describes the force that can be either compression, tension, or shear on materials?
Resistive force
Why must Incident Commanders (ICs) consult with the ISO for an offensive attack in a building under construction?
To evaluate and potentially switch to a defensive strategy
What type of braces are rakers primarily used as in false work?
Columns
What is the main reason for firefighters to consider using a defensive strategy for fires in buildings under construction?
Avoidance of rapid and complete collapse of the structure
Which force may cause twisting loads on materials?
Torsional force
What is a general collapse of a building?
The complete failure of the building to resist gravity
Why might an outward curtain wall collapse reduce secondary collapse potential?
It removes weight from the primary structural elements
What can happen if a floor or roof collapses in a building?
It imposes weight on interior partition walls
When should an ISO issue an emergency evacuation order?
When the collapse potential is judged to be imminent
What is a precautionary withdrawal in the context of building collapse risk?
A directive for crews to bring hoses and tools along when exiting
What benefits can the RIC gain from the ISO sharing building-related factors?
Developing rescue contingencies and making tool choices
What does an ISO's judgment regarding collapse potential allow them to do?
Proactively adjust incident action plans
How does the weight of a felled portion typically get handled in partial collapse cases?
It gets picked up by other elements
What information can utility hazards provide for rescue contingency planning?
Reach distances and exit/egress options
In what situation should an ISO use an emergency evacuation order?
When there is urgency due to time before collapse
What happens when a 'V'-type roof or floor collapses according to the text?
It puts lateral forces on load-bearing walls
Why should an ISO conduct pre-incident building surveys according to the text?
To improve their ability to read buildings
What is the primary difference between wood and steel in a fire?
Wood contributes to the fire, while steel softens and elongates.
What causes concrete and masonry products to crack and spall?
Internal moisture expansion when heated
What distinguishes laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and oriented strand board (OSB) from traditional wood products?
They are engineered wood products using native wood chips bonded together.
What type of forces are created within a beam when loads are transferred perpendicularly?
Compression and torsional forces
What does a connection function as in building construction?
A point of attachment between structural elements
Which building classification within the NFPA 220 system involves masonry walls with wood floors and roof?
Type III, Ordinary
What is a hybrid building according to the text?
A building that combines multiple building types within a single structure
"Spreaders" in the context of the text serve what purpose in a building?
"To anchor the ends of unprotected tie rods"
"Age" and "era" of a building differ in what way according to the text?
"Age refers to time period influences, while era refers to aging issues."
Test your knowledge on how different building materials like wood, steel, concrete, and composites react to fire exposure, including concepts like spalling and the use of LVL and OSB in construction.
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