Building Construction Chapter 12

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Questions and Answers

What height is defined as a high-rise building according to model building codes?

More than 50 ft tall

More than 150 ft tall

More than 75 ft tall (correct)

More than 100 ft tall

What made certain limitations obsolete and made high-rise buildings possible at the end of the 19th century?

Use of lightweight materials

Development of steel frame construction and elevators (correct)

Introduction of advanced masonry techniques

Invention of reinforced concrete

What reduces the flow of combustion products in high-rise buildings?

Enclosure of stairwells and elevator shafts (correct)

Installation of additional fire exits

Regular maintenance of HVAC systems

Use of fire-resistant building materials

What types of occupancies are associated with newer high-rises?

Mixed occupancies Signup and view all the answers

What defines a high-rise building according to fire protection definitions?

A building with occupied stories beyond the effective reach of fire equipment at street level Signup and view all the answers

What is a specific challenge related to high-rise buildings beyond the reach of aerial equipment?

Exterior access is not possible Signup and view all the answers

Why do incidents in larger high-rise buildings require more coordination?

They contain more occupants and activities, increasing probability of emergency response calls Signup and view all the answers

What is the required fire-resistive construction for the structural frame of high-rise buildings?

2- or 3-hour resistance Signup and view all the answers

Which system does NFPA 14 mandate the use of pressure reducing valves for?

Standpipe systems Signup and view all the answers

What is typically supplied from the same vertical riser in high-rise buildings?

Sprinkler and standpipe systems Signup and view all the answers

What is typically included in high-rise alarm systems to prevent smoke recirculation?

Duct detectors Signup and view all the answers

Where are two-way communication systems required in high-rise buildings?

Landings of enclosed exit stairways Signup and view all the answers

When are smokeproof exit enclosures required in high-rises according to model building codes?

For stairs serving floors 75 feet or higher Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of grouping building services in the central core configuration of high-rise buildings?

Maximizes the amount of space available for development around periphery Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a shunt trip in elevator code for high-rise buildings?

Shuts down power to the elevator before a sprinkler discharges water on elevator equipment Signup and view all the answers

What should firefighters consider when using an elevator during an incident in a high-rise building?

Stay below the fire floor Signup and view all the answers

What acts as barriers to fire spread in high-rise buildings?

Partitions between units and corridor enclosure Signup and view all the answers

What activates Phase I operation for elevator recall in a high-rise building?

Activation of smoke detectors, sprinklers, or manual key switch in the terminal floor lobby Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of Phase II operation for elevators in high-rise buildings?

Activated when a firefighter inserts a key into a three-position switch in the car to use in 'fire service' mode Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation specific to air-supported structures?

Interior pressure can only be slightly higher than outside pressure to avoid overwhelming occupants Signup and view all the answers

What is a key challenge in firefighting within air-inflated structures?

Gaining access to the roof is difficult and dangerous; it may collapse if air supply is interrupted or stopped Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of air-inflated structures?

Vulnerable to the forces of wind Signup and view all the answers

What kind of buildings pose a serious threat if fires exceed 4 hours?

Underground buildings Signup and view all the answers

What is required to maintain air-inflated membrane structures?

Pressure just a fraction above the ambient atmospheric pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of institutional sprinklers?

To provide low profile and tamper resistant sprinkler heads for correctional facilities Signup and view all the answers

What defines an atrium in a building?

A large vertical opening extending through two or more floors that is not used for building services Signup and view all the answers

What is the code requirement for fire separations between individual stores in a shopping mall?

1-hour fire resistive separations Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of explosion vent fasteners?

To ensure rapid operation of vent panels by releasing from their attachments under force of an explosion Signup and view all the answers

What kind of chemical reactions can lead to explosions?

Air mixing with a flammable vapor Signup and view all the answers

Where can areas of refuge be located in a building?

Stairway landings or near the stairway in a vestibule Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates an explosion from other occurrences?

The speed at which the process occurs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

High-Rise Buildings

A high-rise building is defined as having a height of 75 feet (23 meters) or more according to model building codes.
The invention of the elevator and steel frame construction made high-rise buildings possible at the end of the 19th century.

Fire Safety

Firestops reduce the flow of combustion products in high-rise buildings.
High-rise buildings are associated with office, hotel, and residential occupancies.
Fire protection definitions define a high-rise building as one that has an occupied floor over 75 feet (23 meters) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

Challenges and Limitations

One specific challenge of high-rise buildings is that they are beyond the reach of aerial equipment.
Incidents in larger high-rise buildings require more coordination due to their complexity.
Aerial equipment has a limited reach, making high-rise buildings a unique challenge.

Fire-Resistive Construction

The structural frame of high-rise buildings requires fire-resistive construction.

Fire Suppression Systems

NFPA 14 mandates the use of pressure-reducing valves for standpipe systems.
Water is typically supplied from the same vertical riser in high-rise buildings.

Alarm Systems

High-rise alarm systems typically include smoke detectors and duct detectors to prevent smoke recirculation.

Communication Systems

Two-way communication systems are required in high-rise buildings for emergency responders.

Exit Enclosures

Smokeproof exit enclosures are required in high-rises according to model building codes when there are occupied floors over 75 feet (23 meters) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

Building Design

Grouping building services in the central core configuration of high-rise buildings allows for efficient use of space.
The purpose of a shunt trip in elevator code is to ensure firefighters' safety during an incident.

Firefighting

Firefighters should consider the elevator's Phase I operation during an incident in a high-rise building.
Phase II operation for elevators in high-rise buildings provides a means of recalling elevators to a designated floor.

Barriers to Fire Spread

Firewalls and fire-rated assemblies act as barriers to fire spread in high-rise buildings.

Air-Supported Structures

Air-supported structures have limitations, such as the need for constant air pressure to maintain their shape.
A key challenge in firefighting within air-inflated structures is the lack of access and visibility.
Explosion risks are a limitation of air-inflated structures.
Fires exceeding 4 hours in duration pose a serious threat to air-inflated structures.

Institutional Sprinklers

Institutional sprinklers are required to maintain air-inflated membrane structures.

Atriums and Shopping Malls

An atrium in a building is a vertical space that extends two or more floors.
The code requirement for fire separations between individual stores in a shopping mall is 1-hour fire-rated assemblies.

Explosion Risks

Explosion vent fasteners are used to relieve pressure during an explosion.
Chemical reactions involving rapid oxidation or decomposition can lead to explosions.
An explosion is differentiated from other occurrences by its sudden release of energy.

Areas of Refuge

Areas of refuge can be located in a building's exit stairways or exterior areas.

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