BC Ch.4 Building and Fire Codes

Building Codes and Regulations

• Building codes regulate the design and construction of new buildings to ensure health and safety.
• Fire Code governs activities in existing buildings, particularly related to fire protection.
• Zoning regulations determine the location of hazardous occupancies and land use.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates areas of refuge in multistory buildings for disabled persons during emergencies.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Structural engineers design the building's structural frame to endure various loads.
• General contractors oversee the construction process, ensuring timely and budget-compliant project completion.
• An architect scale is utilized to create accurate, scaled drawings for building construction.

Building Plans and Specifications

• Floor layout sections detail the arrangement of walls, doors, and corridors.
• Building specifications outline the specific materials and equipment required for construction.

Importance of Firefighter Involvement

• Firefighters review building plans for fire prevention and preplanning, enhancing safety measures.

Construction Technology

• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) produces electronic building plans for streamlined access and sharing.

Construction Site Preparation

• Site preparation ensures that the ground is ready to support the building structure.
• Soil testing evaluates soil quality and load-bearing capacity to avoid structural issues.
• Piles serve as deep foundations, transferring loads to stable soil or bedrock.
• Shallow foundations distribute loads broadly and prevent structural failure.

Excavation Processes

• Excavation involves digging the site to the necessary depth for foundations.
• Dewatering is essential to avoid water accumulation in excavated areas.
• Shoring and sheeting offer support to excavation sides, preventing soil collapse.

Foundation Types

• Concrete slab foundations provide flat bases for buildings.
• Fieldstone foundations utilize large stones, laid without mortar, for unique construction.
• Wood post foundations present a fire hazard due to the material's combustibility.

Construction Safety Measures

• OSHA enforces regulations focusing on fall protection and reducing accident risks from moving/ collapsing materials.
• Cranes facilitate the movement of heavy materials on construction sites, posing potential hazards such as vulnerability to collapse under fire or severe weather.

Construction Methods

• Modular construction allows for quicker assembly through prefabricated components, enhancing efficiency but potentially introducing flammable materials.
• Intermodal steel building units (ISBUs) use repurposed shipping containers for sustainable building practices.

Fire Hazards in Construction

• Renovation projects may involve incomplete fire protection systems, posing significant risks.
• Demolition work faces dangers of structural instability and potential collapse.
• Scaffolding is used temporarily for support, but can pose risks during fires as they may collapse.

Material Properties and Concerns

• Wood’s strength is affected by moisture content and grain direction, and is inherently flammable.
• In fire conditions, steel can elongate, risking structural failure.
• Reinforced concrete combines the strengths of concrete and steel, making it a preferred material for construction.
• Deflection describes material bending under stress, crucial for understanding load-bearing capacities and structural design.