40 Questions
What is a key benefit of using concrete in construction?
It offers superior fire-resistance
What is a common use of stucco in architecture?
As a decorative coating for walls and ceilings
What is a key component of modern stucco?
Portland cement, sand and lime
What is a benefit of using a layer of stucco on a wall?
It can lend a 1-hour fire rating to the wall
What is a key feature of gypsum board?
It has a non-combustible core
What happens when gypsum board is affected by fire?
The chemically combined water is released as steam
Why do builders often use multiple layers of gypsum board?
To increase the fire-resistance rating
What is a key benefit of using gypsum sheathing?
It helps achieve a good fire-resistant rating
What is the minimum fire-resistance rating requirement for exterior bearing walls in wood construction?
1 hour
What type of windows can double the time it takes for fire to break them?
Dual-paned glass windows
What is a characteristic of glass that makes it prone to cracking when heated?
It is a poor conductor of heat
What is a benefit of using concrete in building construction?
It is a non-combustible material with low thermal conductivity
What is a fire hazard associated with windows during a fire?
The heat from a nearby fire can cause the glass to break
What is the fire-resistance rating requirement for interior bearing walls in wood construction?
0 to 1 hour
What is a reason why concrete is a good fire-resistant material?
It takes a long time for fire to affect its structural load-bearing ability
What type of material is wood considered in terms of fire-resistance?
Combustible material
What is the minimum fire-resistance rating that a brick wall can achieve, depending on its construction and thickness?
4 hours
What type of glass is used in the fire-resistant windows?
Dual-panel glass
What is the width of the fully exposed concrete column?
450mm
What is the thickness of the reinforced concrete floor?
170mm
What is the width of the reinforced concrete beam?
280mm
What type of wood is used for the doors?
Teak wood
What is the fire-resistance rating of the doors?
2 hours
What is the thickness of the plaster on both sides of the brick wall?
25mm
What is the primary objective of fire protection?
To save lives and protect property
What is the aim of using fire resistive construction materials?
To provide better protection to building and increase the safety of life and property
What is a characteristic of fire resistant construction?
The use of non-combustible materials in construction
What is the purpose of ensuring that structural elements can function as structural members for a certain period of time?
To allow for the evacuation of occupants in case of a fire
What is a current trend in building design that contributes to serious fire hazards?
The use of larger areas and open design with less separation walls
What is a reason why high-rise buildings contribute to serious fire hazards?
They are taller and more densely situated
What is a benefit of using fire resistive construction materials?
Increased safety of life and property
What is a secondary objective of fire protection?
To minimize interruptions of service due to a fire
What is the primary purpose of structural fire protection?
To provide sufficient time for persons in danger to escape and to enable fire fighting to commence
What is the unit of measurement for fire load?
Joules per square meter
What is the primary factor in determining the fire resistance period of a building?
All of the above
What is the purpose of giving fire resistance to elements for a certain period of time?
To delay the spread of fire and enable firefighting to commence
What is the definition of fire load?
The amount of heat produced by complete combustion of contents and combustible members
What is the grading of occupancy according to fire load for low fire?
1hr
What is the primary purpose of considering the behavior of materials under fire conditions?
To determine the fire resistance period of a building
What is the significance of fire resistant construction in structural fire protection?
It enables the structure to withstand fire for a certain period of time
Study Notes
Fire Resistant Construction
- Fire resistant construction aims to provide better protection to buildings using fire resistive construction materials, increasing safety of life and property.
- Primary objectives: save lives and protect property, environment, and historical preservation; secondary objectives: minimize interruptions of service due to fire.
Fire Triangle
- Definition: not provided in the text.
Structural Fire Protection
- Importance: to ensure that during a fire, the temperature of structural members or elements does not increase to a figure that would adversely affect their strength.
- Purpose: to give sufficient delay to the spread of fire, prevent ultimate collapse of the structure, and provide time for persons in danger to escape and enable firefighting to commence.
Fire Load of a Building
- Definition: the amount of heat generated per unit area by the complete combustion of contents and combustible members, expressed in Joules per square meter (J/m2).
- Factors affecting fire load: type of occupancy, quantity of combustible materials, and the potential for fire spread.
Fire-Resistant Materials
- Examples:
- Fire-resistant glass for windows
- Concrete
- Stucco
- Gypsum (drywall)
- Brick
Properties of Fire-Resistant Materials
- Fire-resistant glass:
- Poor conductor of heat
- Expands little during heating
- Cracks can form when cooled
- Dual-paned glass windows can double the time it takes for fire to break the window
- Concrete:
- Non-combustible
- Low thermal conductivity
- Takes a long time for fire to affect its structural load-bearing ability
- Often used to reinforce and protect steel from fire
- Stucco:
- Made of aggregate, binder, and water
- Used as a decorative coating and sculptural material
- Excellent and durable fire-resistant finish material
- Can cover structural materials like brick or wood
- Gypsum (drywall):
- Used as fire-resistant interior finish
- Non-combustible core contains chemically combined water
- Delays heat transfer when affected by fire
- Often used in multiple layers to increase fire-resistance rating
- Brick:
- Already highly resistant to fire due to high-temperature kiln firing
- Can achieve 1-hour to 4-hour fire-resistance rating depending on construction and thickness of the wall
Designing a Fire-Resistant Building
- Example design:
- One face exposed concrete column with a width of 450mm and 35mm cover
- Fire-resistant windows with dual-panel glass
- Walls made of clay bricks with a thickness of 170mm and 25mm plaster on both sides
- Reinforced concrete floor with a thickness of 170mm and 45mm cover
- Hollow concrete blocks used for staircase construction
- Vent openings provided 5m above the external wall and top
- Teak wood doors with 50mm thick wood panels and 2h fire resistance
Precautions to be Addressed
- Structural fire protection
- Means of escape in case of fire
- Fire fighting
Test your knowledge of structural fire protection, means of escape in case of fire, and firefighting precautions. Learn about fire resistance and the importance of delaying the spread of fire.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
