Building Construction Types
and Size-Up Considerations.
Type I Construction
Fire resistive.
Concrete and steel.
Originally designed to contain fire to a
single floor, not so true anymore in
modern buildings.
HVAC, pipe and wire chases, and auto
exposure provide fire spread.
Type I
Type 1 Under Construction
Type 1
Under Construction
Type II Construction
Noncombustible
Steel or concrete walls, floors,
structural framework.
Roof deck or covering is combustible.
Roof covering may have asphalt, felt
paper, foam insulation, and or a
combustible membrane.
Type II
Tilt Up Construction
Steel Parallel Chord Truss and
Metal Roof Decking
Mark Schollmeyer 2006
Mark Schollmeyer 2006
Type III Construction
Ordinary construction.
Used to be referred to as “brick and
joist”.
Has masonry bearing walls.
Floors, structural framework, roof are
wood.
A lumberyard enclosed by four block
walls.
Old Type III
“Brick and Joist”
Brick and Joist
Fire Cut
Brick and Joist Hazards
What are these called?
New Type III
Steel Framing for Solid Wall Forms
Forms Ready To Accept Concrete
Finished Wall Ready For Trusses
Speaking of Trusses
Attic
Bowstring
Hip
Gambrel
Common
Common Truss
Parallel Chord Truss
Gusset Plate
Engineered Beams
Wood Trusses
Lightweight
Steel framing
Engineered I-Beams
Lightweight Steel
Floor Joists
A True Structural Brick Wall:
Cross Section of Structural Brick Wall
Cut Brick (Stucco)
Brick Veneer
Type IV Construction
Heavy timber, sometimes referred to
as “ mill construction “.
Structures have masonry walls like
type III, but interior wood consists of
large timbers.
Floors and roof are plankboard
Wood Columns are at least 8” thick.
Wood Girders are at least 6” thick.
Type IV Examples
More Heavy Timber
More Heavy Timber
Type V Construction
Wood frame.
Includes balloon frame and platform
construction.
Many modern multifamily buildings are
constructed this way.
Almost all turn of the century homes fall into
this category.
These type structures are in everybody’s
area !
Modern Type V Construction.
Platform
Modern Type V Construction.
Platform
Platform vs. Balloon Frame
Platform
Balloon Frame
Wood Parallel Chord Truss
Typically seen in Type V construction
Finger Jointed Stud
Finger Joint
A Lumber Yard
STRUCTURE INVOLVED
Type of structure:
Residential, Merchantile,
Manufacturing, Educational, Health Care, House of Worship.
Construction:
Fire Resistant, Non-Combustible, Ordinary,
Heavy Timber, Wood Frame.
Access Points and Obstacles
Designation of Sides, Exposures, Floors
Potential Hazards: Collapse (zones based on building
height), Closed Containers, Utilities.
Risk Assessment
• Condition of Structure: Offensive or
Defensive Operation
• Risk vs. Benefit:
“Risk a little to save a little”
“Risk a lot to save a lot”
“Risk nothing to save nothing”
• Expected Outcome: Can we save it?
What Type of Building is this?
How about now?
Now?
Finally. Looks different doesn’t
it?
Lets Try Another:
Here’s Another View:
How About Now?
Now?
Finally.