Safety Officer Chapter 5-2 Complete

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What is the main characteristic of Type I construction?

Structural elements are made of wood

Structural elements are of limited combustible material (correct)

Structural elements have no fire-resistive ratings

Structural elements are highly combustible

Which of the following is an example of a Type I building?

Residential house with a wood frame

High-rise building (correct)

Single-story wooden house

Small office building with wood framing

Why do most Type I buildings rely on protective systems?

To enhance architectural design

To increase energy efficiency

To rapidly detect and extinguish fires (correct)

To reduce construction costs

What can happen if fire protection systems fail in a Type I building?

A difficult firefight may be required Signup and view all the answers

In Type II construction, what material are structural elements typically made of?

Steel Signup and view all the answers

Why are Type II buildings susceptible to collapse in a fire?

Rapid deformation due to high heat Signup and view all the answers

What are Type III buildings primarily constructed with?

Masonry Signup and view all the answers

Why are firefighters concerned about void spaces in Type III buildings?

The void spaces can hide fire and allow rapid spread. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Type IV (heavy timber) buildings from Type III?

Interior wood structures Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes 'mill construction' according to the text?

Stout construction with possible block walls Signup and view all the answers

Why do firefighters find ordinary construction challenging to fight fires in?

Presence of void spaces for rapid fire spread Signup and view all the answers

'Noncombustible or limited-combustible material' in Type II construction refers to materials with what characteristic?

'Noncombustible or limited-combustible' ability to withstand fire Signup and view all the answers

'Type II' buildings are susceptible to collapse due to:

Steel deformation Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the fast fire spread in a heavy timber building?

Exposed timbers Signup and view all the answers

Why do heavy timber buildings burn for a long time during a fire?

Due to the mass and large quantity of exposed structural wood Signup and view all the answers

What causes the heavy timber beams to release from the walls during a fire?

Fire cut on the beam Signup and view all the answers

Why are masonry walls considered unstable during a fire incident in Type IV buildings?

Loss of compressive weight from floors and roofs Signup and view all the answers

In Type V wood-frame construction, what material is primarily used for protection against fire?

Gypsum wall board Signup and view all the answers

Why are wood-frame buildings considered combustible?

Because they are made of wood Signup and view all the answers

What causes the drywall in Type V wood-frame buildings to become fragile during a fire?

"Calcination" due to heat exposure Signup and view all the answers

Why is the 30-minute fire rating for drywall in wood-frame buildings viewed critically by firefighters?

'Calcination' process underestimates real-world conditions Signup and view all the answers

What warning sign might indicate that fire has penetrated the spaces in wood-frame buildings?

Smoke from crawl space vents Signup and view all the answers

What are some common reasons that Type IV buildings with heavy timber construction are rare?

High cost of large dimension lumber and/or laminated wood beams. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it beneficial for heavy timber beams to release from the walls during a fire?

To prevent damage to the load-bearing wall. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hybrid building according to the text?

A building that is a mix of multiple NFPA 220 construction types. Signup and view all the answers

What is a concern for firefighters regarding grid-block Insulated Concrete Forming (ICF) buildings?

The load-bearing walls are primarily made of EPS. Signup and view all the answers

What are Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) buildings primarily made of?

OSB and EPS. Signup and view all the answers

How are the panels in SIP buildings assembled?

With adhesive and a system of splines. Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible consequence of heat on the interior EPS in SIP buildings?

It contracts the EPS, leaving combustible voids between wall layers. Signup and view all the answers

Why do we shy away from using the term 'age' to describe buildings?

To avoid misunderstandings about the effects of aging on structures. Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge posed by Post-and-beam ICF construction for firefighters?

'The wall space can allow fire entry through utility cuts.' Signup and view all the answers

'Expect rapid collapse' in hybrid buildings due to...

'Low-mass, high-surface-to-mass exposure.' Signup and view all the answers

'Extended window and door jambs' are indicative of...

'Thicker walls than typical wood or masonry buildings.' Signup and view all the answers

'We do not have much fire experience with buildings constructed with SIP walls.' What does this imply?

'There is a lack of knowledge about how SIP walls behave in fires.' Signup and view all the answers

What makes Post-and-beam ICF different from traditional post-and-beam constructions?

The use of EPS molds for insulation in columns and beams. Signup and view all the answers

During which era did the primary threat of a major collapse shift from walls to roofs in commercial buildings?

Industrial Era Signup and view all the answers

What building method was prevalent in the Industrial Era for wood buildings?

Balloon framing Signup and view all the answers

Which era saw the transition from hand tools to more substantial building materials and tools like foundries and wood mills?

Founders' Era Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the founders' era buildings from a firefighter's perspective?

Lack of modern fire code requirements Signup and view all the answers

What type of connections were commonly used for floor-to-wall connections in the Founders' Era buildings?

Gravity connections Signup and view all the answers

Which era introduced innovative engineering methods to minimize material use and maximize durability?

Legacy Era Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of WWI for building construction during the Industrial Era?

Introduction of steel construction Signup and view all the answers

Which era is associated with more reliable utility systems in building construction?

Legacy Era Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the fire spread issues associated with legacy era buildings?

Smooth-planed wood that readily checks and burns quickly Signup and view all the answers

What was a common issue related to aging seen in buildings from the Founders' Era?

Minimal fire code requirements Signup and view all the answers

In what way does platform framing differ from balloon framing in wood buildings?

Platform framing involves building walls on top of existing floors Signup and view all the answers

Which building element generally self-announces most collapse threats in wood floors and roofs?

Wood floors and roofs Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a curtain wall in steel and concrete commercial buildings?

Non-load-bearing wall for weather protection Signup and view all the answers

What type of framing was predominant in wood buildings during the Industrial Era?

Balloon framing Signup and view all the answers

Why might the added interior space in legacy-era buildings lead to higher fire loads?

Increased weight due to more storage Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key changes in construction materials during the legacy era?

Use of plywood for floor and roof decking Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of industrial-era wood buildings that could lead to fires spreading rapidly?

Continuous wood studs for balloon framing Signup and view all the answers

In terms of building codes, what distinguishes a performance-based code from a prescriptive code?

Prescriptive code specifies how something must function Signup and view all the answers

Why is the lightweight nature of structural elements in modern buildings a concern?

Due to low surface-to-mass ratio, coupled with an increasing heat-release rate Signup and view all the answers

What are the decorative stars, diamonds, 'S' shapes, and metal plates used for in a building?

To distribute force over more bricks or blocks Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of tie rods in a building?

To provide structural support to the building Signup and view all the answers

Why are joist/rafter tie plates added to older buildings?

To protect against earthquake collapse Signup and view all the answers

What happens to tie rods when heated during a fire?

They elongate and lose their purpose Signup and view all the answers

How can firefighters differentiate between tie rods and joist/rafter tie plates based on the arrangement of spreaders?

By the number and spacing of the spreaders Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of categorizing a building by its apparent use?

To predict potential fire spread and collapse concerns Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is closely related to fire spread issues in a building?

Occupancy type and contents within the building Signup and view all the answers

How do tie plates help prevent beams from falling out of a wall in older buildings?

By securing them using wood screws or L-shaped hooks Signup and view all the answers

What is used to distribute force over more bricks or blocks as part of an unseen corrective measure inside a building?

Spreader plates Signup and view all the answers

Why are tie rods considered to present more dangerous collapse potential for firefighters?

They elongate when heated during fires Signup and view all the answers

In older buildings, what problem do joist/rafter tie plates aim to solve?

Sagging or shrinking wooden beams Signup and view all the answers

What visual clues can help differentiate between tie rods and joist/rafter tie plates?

The number and spacing pattern of spreaders Signup and view all the answers

What information can the ISO gather from the signage of commercial buildings to understand the fire load?

Clues to fire load Signup and view all the answers

How does building size impact a fire suppression operation?

Increases staffing needs Signup and view all the answers

Why does the ISO view building size as a multiplier for risk-taking?

To increase risks for firefighters Signup and view all the answers

How does the ISO classify a building using the type/era/use/size approach?

Step 1 Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect that the ISO considers to predict collapse potential during firefighting operations?

Distance to reach a fire Signup and view all the answers

Why is classifying a building only the first step in predicting collapse?

To communicate risks to firefighters more clearly Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for an ISO to do before predicting collapse potential during firefighting operations?

Make a judgment about collapse potential before it occurs Signup and view all the answers

How can an ISO establish whether a building will 'behave' during firefighting operations?

By gathering information on building arrangement and size elements Signup and view all the answers

During incident dynamics, why is analyzing and predicting collapse considered essential?

To ensure firefighter safety Signup and view all the answers

Why is there no perfect formula for predicting collapse according to the text?

Because collapses can happen unpredictably and suddenly Signup and view all the answers

What should an ISO analyze and predict before the occurrence of a building's collapse?

The structural involvement indicated by smoke and flames Signup and view all the answers

How does the ISO use a five-step process to predict and communicate collapse potential?

Predict and communicate after classifying the building. Signup and view all the answers