• Shuffle
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Alphabetize
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Front First
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Both Sides
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Read
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
Reading...
Front

Card Range To Study

through

image

Play button

image

Play button

image

Progress

1/167

Click to flip

Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;

Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;

H to show hint;

A reads text to speech;

167 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
Two or more interconnected structural components combined to meet a specific function or design requirement.
assembly
An open space between the roof and the ceiling of a building; most commonly found in single- and multi-family residential occupancies.
attic
A type of wood-frame construction in which the studs in exterior walls extend from the basement or foundation to the roof.
"balloon frame"
What is a problem with balloon frame construction?
This type of construction allows fires to spread -- often undetected -- from the basement to the attic through the hollow walls.
Why do attics pose a danger?
Attics provide open spaces in which fires can burn undetected or spread throughout a structure.
What are some common "assemblies" you will find in a structure?
Typical assemblies are roof trusses, wall frames, and doors including their frames.
constructed of steel with bars in the vertical web space. A common structural component in office buildings and other commercial structures. Very high strength-to-weight ratio except when exposed to fire, at which point early failure becomes likely.
"bar joist"
A horizontal structural component subjected to vertical loads.
"beam"
What typical types of beams will you see?
1) Steel or wooden I-beams
2) Large-dimension wooden members
A roof assembly with a curved (arched) top chord and a horizontal bottom chord. These assemblies are very strong except when exposed to direct flame contact when catastrophic failure without warning may occur.
"bowstring truss"
A V-shaped roof in which the two sides slope toward a valley in the middle. An unusual type of roof that is rarely seen in cold climates where snow load is a factor.
"butterfly roof"
A beam that is unsupported at one or both ends. Typically used to support balconies on apartments and some office buildings.
"cantilever"
It's another word for "oriented strand board (OSB)," which is a wooden structural panel formed by gluing and compressing wood strands together under pressure. This material has replaced plywood and planking in the majority of construction applications. Roof decks, walls, and subfloors are all commonly made of OSB.
"chipboard"
The main structural members of a truss as distinguished from diagonals. they span the open space between the upper and lower diagonal members in a truss assembly. They are kind of the horizontal "beams" in a truss.
"chord"
an open space between the roof and ceiling of a commercial or industrial building. Usually found under flat or nearly flat roofs. In a fire, these spaces can conceal spreading flame, much like an attic can.
"cockloft"
A vertical supporting member. these may be wooden or steel posts. Steel posts often support lightweight roof assemblies, and if unprotected by surface insulation, steel posts may fail quickly in a fire.
"column"
Force that tends to push the mass of a material together. Beating walls in a building are under ____ from the weight of the roof and other materials above.
"compression"
Horizontal layer of masonry units. A row of bricks is an example
"course"
Nonload-bearing interior wall extending down from a roof or ceiling to limit the horizontal spread of fire and heat. If curtain walls are penetrated by unprotected openings, fire can spread unchecked.
"curtain board"
Nonload-bearing exterior wall used as a weather barrier but not for structural support. On many high-rise buildings, the outside walls have these
"curtain wall"
Planks or panels of plywood or OSB that form the substrate of a roof assembly. In vertical ventilation through a roof, this must be removed from the ventilation opening to realize the full effect of the opening.
"decking"
Gypsum wall board. A fire-resistive wall covering also called Sheetrock.
"drywall"
The edge of a pitched roof that overhangs an outside wall. Attic vents in typical ______ provide an avenue for an exterior fire to enter the attic.
"eave"
A wooden I-beam consisting of continuous wooden upper and lower chords separated by a web of OSB or similar sheet stock, these are very strong and resist fire well.
"engineered I-beam"
A rated assembly consisting of a solid core door, door frame, and hardware. these are used to confine a fire to one room or section of a building by closing a communicating opening when triggered by a fire. Its function as designed, they must not be prevented from closing by being blocked open.
"fire door"
Total potential heat release if a building and its contents burned.
The _______ of a fully stocked lumber yard is considerably higher than that of an empty building of the same dimensions.
"fire load"
A rated assembly that extends from the foundation to and through the roof of a building to limit fire spread. these are intended to confine a fire to one room or section of a building.
"fire wall"
A roof that is flat or nearly flat relative to the horizon
"flat roof"
Where will you frequently find flat roofs?
Commercial buildings.
What are flat roofs usually covered with?
Tar and gravel or other weatherproofed material.
How can a fire wall be rendered useless?
If it is penetrated by openings not protected with fire doors, fire can spread unchecked.
A pitched roof characterized by square-cut ends and sides that slope down from the ridge line to the eaves. These are the most common roof style on homes and other small buildings.
"gable roof"
A wall rising to meet a gable roof at the end of a building. Often contains attic vent near the top.
"gable wall"
When dealing with a building with gable roof construction, where will you most likely find an attic vent?
Near the top of the gable wall.
What is another common architectural term for "gable roof?"
Pitched roof
A roof characterized by a single ridge line from which roof sections on both sides of the ridge descend at two different pitches. Think of the roof of a barn.
"gambrel roof"
a horizontal structural member used to support beams or joist. they are almost always of large dimension than the member they support
"girder"
A wooden structural member composed of relatively short pieces of lumber glued and laminated together under pressure to form a long, extremely strong beam. Fairly fire-resistant.
"GluLam beam"
wooden or metal plate used to connect structural members that are butted together. Most often used in the construction of trusses.
"gusset plate"
What is the most common type of roof construction on homes and most other small buildings?
Gable roof
Why should gusset plates scare firefighters?
They should scare firefighters if it's obvious that they are just pressed into the truss structural members rather than screwed or nailed. They will warp and fail early.
Interior finish material consisting of calcinated gypsum, starch, water, and other additives sandwiched between two sheets of specially treated paper.
"gypsum board"
Course of bricks laid with ends facing outward -- only used in unreinforced masonry.
"header course"
A pitched roof in which the ends are all beveled so there are no gable walls. A common roof style on newer residences. Attic vents will be found under eaves or on the roof.
"hip roof"
Heating, cooling, air conditioning.
"HVAC"
What makes HVAC ducts a problem for firefighters?
Unless properly protected with automatic fire dampers, the ductwork associated with these systems can allow smoke and fire to spread.
An accessible or inaccessible space between layers of building materials; an attic or a cockloft sometimes used to house HVAC and other machinery.
"interstitial space"
horizontal structural members used to support a ceiling or floor. Drywall materials are nailed or screwed to the ceiling joists, and the sub floor is nailed onto the floor joists.
"joists"
An arch constructed of short wooden members connected in a specific geometric pattern. Generally used in older buildings.
"lamella arch"
"A roof characterized by steeply sloped facets surrounding a flat or nearly flat center section. DANGER: These are sometimes false roofs that consist of a fascia added to a flat roof, and fire can burn beneath.
"mansard roof
Why are mansard roofs dangerous to firefighters?
1) The variety of angles make using a roof ladder difficult

2) Mansard roofs are often false roofs installed over a flat roof in order to make them more aesthetically pleasing. Fire can burn unchecked beneath the fascia
A mixture of sand, cement, and water used to bond masonry units into a solid mass.
mortar
When attempting to breach a masonry wall, what point is a good starting point?
The mortar joint -- it's probably the weakest.
A joist constructed with a web composed of materials such as bars or tubes that do not fill the entire web space. Very common and they quickly weaken under fire stress.
"open web joist"
A wooden structural panel formed by gluing and compressing wood strands together under pressure. This material has replaced plywood and planking in the majority of construction applications. Found in roof decks, walls, sub floors.
"OSB"
Where might a firefighter find OSB used in construction?
Anywhere and everywhere -- used in roof decks, walls, subfloors...
A truss constructed with the top and bottom chords parallel. Used as floor joists in multistory buildings, used as ceiling joists in flat-roof buildings.
"parallel chord truss?"
Where might a firefighter find a parallel chord truss?
Either used as floor joists in multistory buildings or as ceiling joists in flat-roof buildings.
A wall at the edge of some roofs. these walls range from a few inches to a few feet in height, but they can be high enough to require a ladder to reach the roof from the top of the wall.
"parapet"
Why are parapet walls dangerous to firefighters?
They present a significant trip hazard.
A wall shared by two adjoining buildings -- usually load-bearing and usually a fire wall.
"party wall"
What must you remember when you see that two buildings are connected by a party wall and the roof assembly of one building fails?
Know that the structural integrity of the building with the still-intact roof assembly is still compromised by the failure of the adjacent building.
The ratio of rise-to-span of a roof assembly. The steeper it is, the greater the slip hazard.
"pitch"
"A roof that is sloped to facilitate runoff. Think of gable roofs, mansard roofs, gambrel roofs...
"pitched roof
The top or bottom horizontal member of a frame wall. this is nailed or screwed to the sub-floor and the top plate is what the roof assembly rests upon.
"plate"
Frame-type construction in which each floor interrupts the exterior studs forming an effective fire-stop at every floor. Most common technique used in newer buildings.
"platform construction"
"A wooden structural panel formed by gluing and laminating very thin sheets of wood together under pressure. Mostly replaced in construction by OSB
"plywood
Beams that span from a ridge board to an exterior wall plate to support roof decking.
"rafters"
What must firefighters avoid cutting when ventilating via the roof?
Rafters.
Two or more construction components combined to form an assembly that has a specific fire-resistance rating. A fire door is an example of this as well as a wood-frame wall covered with a specified thickness of gypsum drywall.
"rated assembly"
Short for "reinforcing bar." These steel bars are placed in concrete forms before the cement is poured to add to structural strength.
"rebar"
Concrete that has been poured into forms that contain an interconnected network of steel rebar.
"reinforced concrete"
A roof with a profile of vertical and sloping surfaces that resemble a saw blade. Common in older industrial buildings, usually laden with windows.
"saw tooth roof"
Plywood, OSB, or wooden planking (sometimes called "sheeting") applied to a wall over which a weather-resistant covering is applied.
"sheathing"
A pitched roof that slopes in one direction only from the ridge
"shed roof"
Degradation of concrete due to prolonged exposure to high heat. Water trapped within the concrete is vaporized and expands. Can sound like gun fire.
"spalling"
What is a term used to describe degradation of concrete due to prolonged exposure to high heat?
Spalling
A vertical structural member in a frame wall. They are the assemblies to which wall coverings are attached. Made of wood or light gauge steel
"stud".
Force that tends to pull the mass of a material apart. Tension is what causes some roof assemblies to pull away from walls and fall inward.
"tension"
a wooden or metal structural unit made up of one or more triangles in a flat plane.
"truss"
A wall that is used for structural support
load-bearing wall
An interior non-load bearing wall that separates a space into rooms.
partition wall
Generally speaking, what is the most common building material used in North America?
Wood
What two factors determine the reaction of wood to fire?
1) Surface area/Mass ratio (smaller dimensions light up more easily)

2) Moisture content
Wood with high moisture content.
"green wood?"
Does water have a negative effect on solid wood's structural integrity?
No
Why are composite building materials, OSB,ply wood, particleboard, fiberboard, paneling and other glued-together panels potentially dangerous for firefighters?
1) They can let off extremely toxic fumes

2) They may be more combustible than wood

3) They may rapidly lose structural integrity when exposed to fire
A wall that extends beyond the structure that supports it.
"cantilever wall?"
A wall that has a surface layer of an attractive material laid over a base of common material. Thin veneer = high surface area to mass ratio = highly combustible.
"veneer wall"
Does fire significantly damage masonry?
Not structurally, no.
What is a negative side-effect of using water to extinguish a fire involving masonry walls?
Rapid cooling of bricks and mortar can result in cracks and some loss of structural integrity.
Where will you find cast iron construction?
Used as a veneer wall on early 20th century buildings.
What is the danger of fighting fire around cast iron veneer walls?
The fasteners can fail, bringing the walls down on top of firefighters.
What is the primary material used for structural support in the construction of large modern buildings?
Steel
At or around what temperature does steel construction fail?
Around 1000ºF, because at this point steel either significantly elongates, or if it's fixed at both ends it will buckle in the middle and come apart.

a 50 ft beam may elongate by as much as 4 inches
What must firefighters assess regarding steel members used in a structure subjected to a fire?
1) Type of steel members

2) How long the steel members have been exposed to heat
What effect does water have on structural steel members?
It cools them, helping maintain strength and avoiding collapse
What effect does spalling have on reinforced concrete?
It lowers the strength of the concrete. So look for cracks, and listen for pops.
What can one assume about areas where gypsum has failed under fire?
One can assume that the structural members behind it are significantly weakened by fire and possibly close to failure
What effect will a cold water spray have on heated glass?
It may shatter the glass
Why might fiberglass ignite?
It may ignite because the materials used to bind it together may be combustible and difficult to extinguish.
What NFPA standard describes the different types of building construction?
NFPA220
What are the five types of building construction?
Type 1 (fire-resistive)
Type 2 (noncombustible)
Type 3 (ordinary)
Type 4 (heavy timber)
Type 5 (wood frame)
What type of construction is most resistive to fire?
Type 1 construction (fire-resistive)
What are some pros and cons of Type 1 construction, from a firefighter's point of view?
Pros:

Resists flame impingement

Confines fire well

Little collapse potential

Impervious to water damage

Cons:

Difficult to breach for access or escape

Difficult to ventilate

Massive debris following collapse

Structure retains heat
Describe type 1 construction
Reinforced concrete with structural members

Protected by either blown-in insulation or by sprinklers
Describe type 2 construction
Type 2 construction (non combustible construction) resembles type 1 construction but lacks:

insulation or other protection of type I construction

Noncombustible or limited combustible construction buildings often have flat built up roofs that consist of a combustible or non combustible roof deck covered by combustible felt, non combustible insulation and roofing tar
All-metal buildings fall into what construction category?
Type 2 (noncombustible)
What type of construction is "ordinary construction?"
Type 3 construction
Describe type 3 (ordinary) construction
1) Exterior walls and structure must be noncombustible or limited-combustible materials such as concrete or clay tile

2) Interior structural members are completely or partially made of wood

3) Wood members are of smaller dimension than what you would find in type 4 (heavy timber) construction
What are the pros and cons of ordinary (type III) construction?
Pros:

Resists spread of fire from the outside

Relatively easy to vertically ventilate

Cons:

Interior structure susceptible to fire involvement

Fire spread potential through concealed spaces

Susceptible to water damage
What is the big danger in type III (ordinary) construction?
Fire spreading through concealed spaces
Describe type IV construction
Type IV construction (heavy-timber) involves:

1) Exterior and interior walls built of noncombustible or limited-combustible materials

2) Interior structural members are large-dimension wood with no concealed spaces
wood must have dimensions large enough to be considered heavy timber

Type IV construction was common in old factories, mills, and warehouses
What are the pros and cons of type IV construction?
Type IV (heavy timber construction)

Pros:

Resists collapse

Stable

Easily to ventilate

Easy to breach

Manageable debris

Cons:

Susceptible to fire spread from outside

Potential to spread flame to surrounding structures

Susceptible to rapid interior flame spread

Susceptible to water damage
Describe type V construction
Type V (wood frame) construction:

1) All structural elements made partially or entirely of wood

2) Wood members of smaller measurements than heavy timber construction

3.commonly used to construct the typical single family residence or apt house of up to seven stories

4) Unlimited burn potential
Awareness of immediate surroundings
"situational awareness?"
What signs must you read when examining existing construction?
1) Age

2) Materials

3) Roof type

4) Renovations

5) Dead loads (heavy objects on roof)
What are the two primary types of dangerous conditions posed by a building?
1) Conditions that contribute to the spread and intensity of the fire

2) Conditions that make the building susceptible to collapse
Presence of large amounts of combustibles
its the maximum heat that can be produced if all the combustible materials in a given area burn
"heavy fire loading?"
the potential for combustion based on contents and construction of a structure
"fire load?"
The area extending horizontally from the base of the wall to 1.5 times the height of the wall.
"collapse zone"?
What are the eleven easiest-to-spot signs of building collapse potential?
1) Cracks or separations in walls, floors, ceilings, roofs

2) Evidence of existing instability such as the presence of tie rods and stars

3) Loose bricks, etc.

4) Deteriorated mortar

5) Leaning walls

6) Distorted structural members

7) Fires beneath floors that support heavy loads (machinery, etc)

8) Prolonged fire exposure (to structure, especially trusses)

9) Unusual creaks and cracks

10) Structural members pulling away from walls

11) Excessive weight of building contents
Unprotected lightweight wood and steel trussing can fail after how many minutes of fire?
5 to 10
Why are arched and trussed roofs dangerous?
Because if one member fails, it can create a chain reaction that quickly collapses the whole roof.
What are some additional threats to a firefighter posed by under-construction buildings?
1) Incomplete sprinkler systems

2) Incomplete insulation

3) Explosive or combustible contractor equipment (pallets, gas tanks)
_______ is used in modern construction and its typically found only on older buildings
cast iron
concerns about cast iron_
even though it stands up well to fire and intense heat it may crack or shatter when rapidly cooled with water
-the bolts or other connections that hold the cast iron to the building can fail causing these large heavy sections of metal to come crashing down
_____ primary material used for structural support in the construction of large modern buildings
steel
ff must be aware of
the type of steel members used in a particular structure
and need to determine how long the steel members have been exposed to heat
- there is a possibility that elongating steel can actually push out load bearing walls and cause a collapse
_____ is internally fortified with steel reinforcement bars (rebar) or wire mesh
reinforced concrete
reinforced concrete does well under fire conditions it can lose strength though
Spalling
is an inorganic product from which plaster and wallboard are constructed. unique because it has high water content and the evaporation of this water absorbs a great deal of heat
gypsum
gypsum is commonly used to provide insulation to __________ and ____ structural members
steel
wood
used in sheet form for doors and windows
glass
used for insulation purposes
fiberglass
rating are measured on
how long structural assemblies will maintain their load bearing ability under fire conditions
because of the limited combustibility of the materials of construction the primary fire hazards are _____ __________and ________________
contents of the structure and the interior finishes
strenghts of type II construction
almost as resistive to fire as type I construction
confines fire well
almost as structurally stable as type I
easier to vertically ventilate than type I
Weaknesses of Type II construction
-difficult to breach from access or escape
-unprotected steel structural components can fail
-roof systems less stable
-steel components subject to weakening by fire
-steel components subjected to weakening by rust and corrosion
-massive debris following collapse
type III primary concern is
the problem of fire and smoke spreading through concealed spaced
type III hazards can be reduced by placing ________ inside these spaces to limit the spread of the combustion byproducts.
fire stops
biggest danger of type IV
the massive amount of combustible contents presented by the structural timbers in addition to the contents of the building
strengths of Type IV
easily breached for access ventilation or escape
resistant to collapse from earthquakes due to light weight and flexibility
collapse debris is relatively easy to manage
weakness of type IV
susceptible to fire spread from out side
-susceptible to rapid flame and spread inside
-susceptible to total collapse
-susceptible to water damage
these structures do not conform to NFPA 220 can be built on large properties that are in very remote areas or can be new construction concepts that are not yet recognized
non standard construction
other important items to observe during size up
occupancy type
adjacent exposures
fire conditions
_________ __________ _______is perhaps one of the most critical hazards in commercial and storage facilities because the fire can overwhelm the capabilities of a fire sprinkler system
heavy content fire loading
_______ ________ and _________ contribute to fire spread and smoke production. these two elements have been identified as major factors in the loss of many lives
combustible furnishings and finishes
the combustibility of a roofs surface is a basic concern of the fire safety of
an entire community
even when treated with fire retardant can significantly contribute to fire spread
wood shake
prolong exposure to fire may waken them and increase the chances of collapse
wooden floors and ceilings
found in warehouses churches large atrium's common attics or cock lofts and theaters. proper vertical ventilation is essential for slowing the spread of fire
large open spaces
results from damage to the structural system of the building caused by the fire or by fire fighting operations
structural collapse
the time it takes for fire to weaken the structural support varies with the fire
-severity
-type of construction
-the presence or absence of protective insulation
-the presence or absence of heavy industrial machinery on upper floors or on the roof
-and general condition of the building
immediate actions that should be taken ff suspect that the collapse of a building is imminent
as you and the rest of the crew are exiting the building command and all others inside the building should be informed of the situation
second clear the collapse zone as soon as possible
one of the most serious building construction hazards facing ff today is the
increased use of light wight construction and trussed support systems
structural support made from a long steel bar that is bent at a 90* angle with flat or angular pieces welded to the top and bottom
light weight steel truss
structural supports constructed of 2-x 3 inch or 2-x 4 inch members that are connected by gusset plates
light weight wood truss
form of gusset plate these thin steel plates are punched with acutely v shaped holes that form sharp prongs on one side that penetrate wooden members to fasten them together
gang nail (also called gusset plates)
light weight construction is normally found in
homes apartments small commercial buildings and warehouses
steel trusses _______ is the critical temperature
1000`f
found in older buildings and are used in buildings that require large open space without supporting columns such as auto mobile dealerships bowling alleys factories and supermarkets
bowstring trusses
all trusses are made up of ___ or more _______
one
triangles
one characteristic common to all types of trusses is that
if one member fails the entire truss is likely to fail (domino effect)
contributing factors of whe the risk of fire rises sharply when construction, renovation, or demolition is being performed in a structure
additional fire loads and ignigtion sources sparks from grinding or welding brought by building contractors and their associated equipment
a second roof constructed over an older roof
rain roof

wood could be used in both

load bearing walls and non-load bearing walls