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?

<p>Mixed occupancies (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>A building with occupied stories beyond the effective reach of fire equipment at street level (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Exterior access is not possible (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>They contain more occupants and activities, increasing probability of emergency response calls (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>2- or 3-hour resistance (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Standpipe systems (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Sprinkler and standpipe systems (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Duct detectors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Landings of enclosed exit stairways (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>For stairs serving floors 75 feet or higher (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Maximizes the amount of space available for development around periphery (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Shuts down power to the elevator before a sprinkler discharges water on elevator equipment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Stay below the fire floor (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Partitions between units and corridor enclosure (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Activation of smoke detectors, sprinklers, or manual key switch in the terminal floor lobby (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Activated when a firefighter inserts a key into a three-position switch in the car to use in 'fire service' mode (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation specific to air-supported structures?

<p>Interior pressure can only be slightly higher than outside pressure to avoid overwhelming occupants (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Gaining access to the roof is difficult and dangerous; it may collapse if air supply is interrupted or stopped (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of air-inflated structures?

<p>Vulnerable to the forces of wind (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Underground buildings (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is required to maintain air-inflated membrane structures?

<p>Pressure just a fraction above the ambient atmospheric pressure (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of institutional sprinklers?

<p>To provide low profile and tamper resistant sprinkler heads for correctional facilities (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines an atrium in a building?

<p>A large vertical opening extending through two or more floors that is not used for building services (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>1-hour fire resistive separations (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of explosion vent fasteners?

<p>To ensure rapid operation of vent panels by releasing from their attachments under force of an explosion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of chemical reactions can lead to explosions?

<p>Air mixing with a flammable vapor (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where can areas of refuge be located in a building?

<p>Stairway landings or near the stairway in a vestibule (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates an explosion from other occurrences?

<p>The speed at which the process occurs (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is a high-rise building?

A building with an occupied floor at least 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department access.

What enabled the construction of high-rise buildings?

Steel frames and elevators allowed for taller structures, making high-rise buildings a possibility towards the end of the 19th century.

What are firestops?

These are designed to prevent the spread of fire and combustion products within a high-rise building.

What types of occupancies are high-rise buildings designed for?

High-rise buildings are primarily associated with office, hotel, and residential uses.

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What is a key challenge for firefighting in high-rise buildings?

Typical high-rise buildings are beyond the reach of standard fire department aerial equipment, posing a challenge for firefighting.

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How do large high-rise buildings pose unique firefighting challenges?

Incidents in larger high-rise structures require more coordination and planning due to their complex nature.

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What is a requirement for the structural frame of a high-rise building?

The structural frame of a high-rise building is typically designed to withstand fire for a certain period, preventing collapse.

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What is a code requirement for standpipe systems in high-rise buildings?

NFPA 14 mandates pressure-reducing valves in standpipe systems for high-rise structures, controlling water flow.

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How is water typically supplied for fire suppression in a high-rise building?

A single vertical riser in a high-rise building typically supplies water to multiple levels for fire suppression.

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What is a typical component of high-rise alarm systems?

Alarm systems in high-rise buildings include smoke detectors and duct detectors to detect smoke and prevent recirculation.

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What is a crucial aspect of communication in high-rise buildings for emergencies?

Two-way communication systems are essential for emergency responders in high-rise buildings to coordinate effectively.

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What are smokeproof exit enclosures in high-rise buildings and when are they required?

Smokeproof exit enclosures are required by building codes in high-rises with occupied floors over 75 feet, providing safe evacuation.

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What is a common building design strategy for high-rise structures?

Grouping building services in the central core of high-rise buildings maximizes space efficiency.

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

The purpose of a shunt trip in elevator code is to ensure firefighters' safety by controlling elevator operations during an incident.

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What should firefighters consider regarding elevators during an incident in a high-rise building?

Firefighters should consider the elevator's Phase I operation during an incident in a high-rise building, providing safe access.

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What is the purpose of Phase II operation for elevators in high-rise buildings?

Phase II operation for elevators in high-rise buildings allows for controlled recall of elevators to a designated floor.

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What are some examples of barriers to fire spread in high-rise buildings?

Firewalls and fire-rated assemblies act as barriers to prevent the spread of fire within a high-rise building.

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What is a key limitation of air-supported structures?

Air-supported structures, like air-inflated tents, require constant air pressure to maintain their shape and stability.

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What are some challenges for firefighting in air-inflated structures?

Firefighting in air-inflated structures presents challenges due to limited access, visibility, and potential collapse risks.

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What is a significant limitation of air-inflated structures regarding safety?

Explosion risks are a concern for air-inflated structures due to the potential for pressure buildup and structural failure.

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What is a long-term risk for air-inflated structures in the event of a fire?

Extended fires exceeding 4 hours pose a significant threat to air-inflated structures, potentially leading to structural collapse.

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What is a code requirement for fire suppression in air-inflated membrane structures like hangars?

Institutional sprinklers are required in air-inflated membrane structures to suppress fires and protect the structure.

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What is an atrium in the context of building design?

An atrium is a multi-story vertical space that extends over two or more floors within a building.

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

Fire separations between individual stores in a shopping mall must meet a 1-hour fire-rated assembly requirement.

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What is the purpose of explosion vent fasteners?

Explosion vent fasteners are designed to relieve pressure during an explosion, preventing catastrophic structural damage.

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What type of chemical reaction can lead to explosions?

Chemical reactions involving rapid oxidation or decomposition can generate sudden energy release, leading to explosions.

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What defines an explosion in terms of energy release?

An explosion is characterized by the sudden release of energy, creating a significant force and pressure wave.

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What are areas of refuge in a building and where are they typically located?

Areas of refuge provide a temporary safe space for occupants during an emergency, often located in exit stairways or exterior areas.

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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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