Chapter 4 - Building Construction

The presence of roof-mounted equipment on a roof:

Select one:

a. means the roof can most likely withstand the weight of a firefighter.

b. indicates no ventilation can be performed on the roof.

c. increases collapse hazards.

d. protects the roof from a spreading fire.

C

One advantage of an overhead rolling fire door is it:

Select one:

a. is NOT designed to be opened under normal conditions.

b. does NOT use wall space next to the door opening.

c. can be used on openings that are a part of the means of egress.

d. can remain open during a fire.

B

Which window component protects a window opening in the same manner as a fire door or wall?

Select one:

a. Triple-glazed glass

b. Security bar or grille

c. Rolling steel shutter

d. Horizontal slide

C

Buildings with windows that cannot be opened or without windows altogether:

Select one:

a. increase the difficulty for tactical ventilation and fire suppression team access.

b. make it easier for fire personnel to force entry and begin ventilation procedures.

c. are safer during fire and emergency situations.

d. are no longer permitted by modern building codes because they are considered unsafe.

A

What is one of the factors locally adopted building codes use to regulate the type of building construction for a structure?

Select one:

a. Cost of the materials

b. Availability of the materials

c. Company contracted to build the structure

d. Intended use of the structure

D

The ceilings in corridors designated as exit or egress pathways will have:

Select one:

a. no fire-resistance rating available.

b. a lower fire-resistance rating than the walls in that corridor.

c. the same fire-resistance rating as the walls in that corridor.

d. a higher fire-resistance rating than the walls in that corridor.

C

A veneer that covers wood framing in Type V construction:

Select one:

a. provides little additional fire protection or structural support.

b. is composed of mostly combustible materials.

c. makes the framing extremely stable and resistant to collapse.

d. helps minimize fire spread in Type V structures.

A

Which type of door is typically used as a loading dock or garage door, and can be used as a fire door for openings that are not part of the required means of egress?

Select one:

a. Swinging

b. Folding

c. Revolving

d. Vertical

D

Because revolving doors can prevent the movement of hose or equipment into a building and a crowd of people fleeing an emergency cannot move through a revolving door quickly, they:

Select one:

a. are designed to collapse under pressure and provide an unobstructed opening.

b. cannot be used during fire operations.

c. are rarely installed in structures today.

d. should only be used as vertical fire doors during fire conditions.

A

Because they slow the travel of people through the door opening, _____ doors are never allowed as a part of means of egress during fire conditions.

Select one:

a. swinging

b. sliding

c. folding

d. revolving

B

Which type of window can provide the full area of the window opening for ventilation?

Select one:

a. Horizontal sliding

b. Double-hung

c. Single-hung

d. Pivoting

D

What can make lightweight concrete roofs challenging for firefighters?

Select one:

a. They do not develop their design strength until after they have been placed, resulting in a higher risk of failure.

b. They are not watertight and will fail during fire suppression activities.

c. They are extremely difficult to penetrate for ventilation procedures.

d. They are highly flammable and will fail quickly.

C

Most fire doors will be constructed of ____ and may roll, slide, or swing into place when released.

Select one:

a. metal

b. wood

c. fiberglass

d. tempered glass

A

Box beams and I-beams used in conjunction with wood joists to support flat roofs and floors:

Select one:

a. should only be metal or concrete, rather than wood or plywood.

b. are rarely used in modern construction because they fail under normal conditions.

c. provide adequate structural strength in a fire.

d. are susceptible to early failure in a fire.

D

Which type of door consists of flat face panels the full height and width of the door that are attached to a solid or hollow core?

Select one:

a. Fire

b. Flush

c. Folding

d. Metal

B

In basements with no exterior access, fire suppression actions should occur:

Select one:

a. from the top of the interior stairs or by punching a hole through the floor.

b. by attacking the fire on its own level with a variety of different interior or transitional tactics.

c. by stretching a hoseline down exterior stairs and forcing entry into the basement.

d. through exposed windows using either the length of the stream or with an appliance between the hoseline and nozzle.

A

The type of building construction used in a structure is regulated by:

Select one:

a. the fire department.

b. federal building codes.

c. local building codes.

d. the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

C

The use of prefabricated wood truss systems in place of solid floor joists:

Select one:

a. is used in most Type I and Type II structures.

b. creates a large, open void between the floors of a structure.

c. creates a closed, channel system in the floors of a structure.

d. helps prevent unseen fire travel during a structure fire.

B

How can Type III construction characteristics influence fire behavior in structure fires?

Select one:

a. High wood concentration can contribute to the intensity of a fire that has started.

b. Vinyl siding can add another petroleum-based fuel to the structural fire load.

c. Fire can spread in void spaces if there are no fire stops.

d. Plywood I-beams can fail and burn much more rapidly under fire conditions.

C

Lightweight steel trusses used in structures of tilt-up construction can:

Select one:

a. be expected to fail much slower than other types of lightweight trusses.

b. withstand most fuel loads within the structure.

c. fail once the metal gusset plates fall out during a fire.

d. be protected from fire with gypsum wall board or spray-on fire resistant material.

D

Which type of window consists of only a frame and a glazed stationary sash?

Select one:

a. Jalousie

b. Casement

c. Fixed

d. Movable

C

One disadvantage of a swinging fire door is it:

Select one:

a. must be closed manually during a fire.

b. cannot remain open during normal day-to-day operations.

c. cannot be closed during a fire.

d. must have a clear space around the door to ensure closure.

D

Roof penetrations and openings:

Select one:

a. should not be used to gain access to attics and cocklofts.

b. may be the means of egress for occupants.

c. can indicate the location of some types of rooms.

d. should not provide an exit point for any kind of ventilation.

C

Which type of fire door is found in old industrial or storage buildings, is usually held open by a fusible link, and slides into position along a track?

Select one:

a. Swinging

b. Horizontal sliding

c. Overhead rolling steel

d. Vertical sliding

B

Flammability ratings for materials used to cover floors are indicated:

Select one:

a. by load-bearing.

b. in hours.

c. in occupancy classifications.

d. by stability.

B

Type III construction requires exterior walls and structural members be constructed of:

Select one:

a. highly combustible materials.

b. large-dimensioned lumber or laminated wood.

c. noncombustible or limited combustible materials.

d. prefabricated or glue-laminated wood.

C

The most difficult walls to penetrate when attempting to force entry into or escape an area are fire walls and:

Select one:

a. interior walls.

b. mass timber panels.

c. exterior walls.

d. non-load bearing walls.

C

What can cause the protection of a fire wall to be lessened?

Select one:

a. Unprotected penetrations for pipes, wires, and ducts

b. Contractors or owners sealing any wall penetrations with caulking material

c. Using it to separate two adjoining structures rather than two portions inside a single structure

d. Weather and other environmental conditions

A

Why is a party wall considered load-bearing?

Select one:

a. It supports its own weight only.

b. It supports the weight of structural components above it.

c. It can support a fire load under fire conditions.

d. It can provide separation to meet the requirements of a specified fire-resistance rating.

B

Security bars or grilles on windows:

Select one:

a. must not be removed or disabled for fire fighting operations.

b. are not permitted by building codes, but may be illegally installed.

c. provide great vertical ventilation.

d. have a negative effect on fire and life safety.

D

Which type of roof has a slight slope to facilitate drainage and is commonly found on commercial, industrial, and multifamily structures?

Select one:

a. Pitched

b. Arched

c. Flat

d. Cold

C

What is the difference between an awning and hopper window?

Select one:

a. An awning has an inward-swinging sash; a hopper has an outward-swinging sash.

b. An awning opens vertically; a hopper opens horizontally.

c. An awning is hinged at the top; a hopper is hinged at the bottom.

d. An awning has one sash; a hopper has two sashes.

C

During fire conditions, swinging doors are usually required:

Select one:

a. as fire doors to protect openings that are not a means of egress.

b. to ventilate openings for smoke.

c. to be propped open.

d. as exit doors in a means of egress.

D

Metal framing members, metal cladding, and concrete-block wall construction are commonly used in _____ buildings.

Select one:

a. Type III

b. Type II

c. Type V

d. Type IV

B

Glass doors made of tempered glass are designed to:

Select one:

a. be used as a means of egress.

b. break easily.

c. resist breakage.

d. withstand heat.

C

Which type of door may be found in residential occupancies, in places of assembly to divide larger conference areas into smaller rooms, and as a horizontal fire door?

Select one:

a. Glass

b. Revolving

c. Swinging

d. Folding

D

Floors at ground level may consist of a concrete slab or a floor assembly made up of ____ and decking over a crawl space or basement.

Select one:

a. joists

b. balloon framing

c. trusses

d. platform framing

A

Why is it important to identify roof modifications during preincident surveys and the initial size-up?

Select one:

a. In case firefighters need to force entry through the roof

b. For liability purposes in case the roof collapses

c. To determine if the roof modifications are accurately designed to code

d. In case the structure needs to be ventilated

D

In building construction, Type I construction:

Select one:

a. provides the highest level of protection from fire spread and structural collapse.

b. tends to fail sooner than the other construction types.

c. is considered the least collapse resistant.

d. is characterized by the use of large-dimensioned lumber or laminated wood.

A

How does Type II construction compare to Type I construction?

Select one:

a. Type II construction materials will add to the fuel load, unlike Type I construction materials.

b. Type II construction consists of mostly combustible materials, while Type I construction consists of noncombustible materials.

c. Type II construction does not fail as quickly as Type I construction.

d. Type II construction has a lower fire-resistance rating than Type I construction.

D

How can fire walls work to stop the spread of fire in a structure?

Select one:

a. They help to buffer fire doors in a structure in order to increase the fire resistance of the fire doors.

b. They allow firefighters to penetrate the wall with fire suppression tools without affecting the fire flow.

c. They can divide the structure into smaller portions and contain a fire to a particular portion of the structure.

d. They are fire resistant, but easily penetrable if firefighters need to move through them.

C

A dark, oily toxic smoke during a Type V construction fire is likely an indication that:

Select one:

a. combustible materials are burning.

b. glue-laminated beams are burning.

c. vinyl siding is melting.

d. a veneer of stucco or brick is melting.

C

Ceilings are generally constructed of gypsum board, tin tiles, or:

Select one:

a. finished wood or tiles.

b. poured, reinforced concrete.

c. cellular concrete poured over metal decking.

d. lath and plaster attached to joists, roof trusses, or beams.

D

Which type of roof is elevated in the center along a ridge line with a roof deck that slopes down to the eaves along the roof edges?

Select one:

a. Photovoltaic

b. Pitched

c. Arched

d. Greenhouse

B

To maintain the integrity of interior protected stairs, firefighters need to:

Select one:

a. prop the doors open throughout fire suppression activities.

b. control the doors.

c. use exterior stairs for fire suppression activities, if possible.

d. prevent occupants from using them.

B

Which is an important indicator of structural collapse?

Select one:

a. Construction methods used

b. Value of the structure

c. Duration of the fire

d. Time of day

C

Which construction type is characterized by the use of large-dimensioned lumber or laminated wood?

Select one:

a. Type III

b. Type IV

c. Type II

d. Type I

B

When ventilating a rain roof, it is important to remember that:

Select one:

a. the original roof cannot be punctured when ventilating the rain roof.

b. firefighters will need to enter the void area to penetrate the original roof as well.

c. the original roof must be penetrated before the rain roof.

d. it will not remove smoke from the structure until the original roof is penetrated.

D

During a fire, protected or enclosed stairs:

Select one:

a. are to only be used as access or convenience stairs.

b. provide a means of egress, but do not provide protection for occupants.

c. are not a part of the means of egress system.

d. are built to resist the spread of fire and smoke.

D

Which roof modification uses multiple layers to create a void air space that can also conceal attic fires?

Select one:

a. Rain roof

b. Photovoltaic roof

c. Cold roof

d. Green roof

C

Which type of swinging door makes a good fire barrier if it is closed at the time of a fire?

Select one:

a. Wood panel

b. Glass

c. Solid-core

d. Hollow-core

C

What is one hazardous condition to consider in a Type I structure fire?

Select one:

a. The structure may easily collapse.

b. The structure may degrade from the effects of fire.

c. The structure has a low fire-resistive rating.

d. The structural members will add to the fire load.

B

A basement with limited exterior access:

Select one:

a. may have large windows or doors at grade that allow ventilation, suppression, and entry.

b. has a door at grade, but no windows that will allow venting/suppression.

c. has no windows or doors that will allow venting/suppression.

d. may have small windows that can be used for venting/suppression.

D

What is one concern associated with a green roof under fire conditions?

Select one:

a. The void air space created by the roof layers can conceal a fire in the attic

b. HVAC units hidden from view add to the collapse potential

c. The roof panels retain a significant amount of electricity

d. An increased load accelerating structural failure

D

The purpose of fire doors is to:

Select one:

a. limit the spread of fire and total fire damage.

b. provide a means of egress for those fleeing an emergency.

c. create a flow path for fire and smoke.

d. provide a point of entry and exit for fire personnel only.

A

A double-hung window is commonly used in residential occupancies because:

Select one:

a. it has only one operable sash that moves horizontally in the window frame.

b. the amount of opening can be varied for ventilation without admitting rain.

c. the push bar used to operate the window is notched to hold the window in place.

d. it permits circulation through the top and bottom of the window opening.

D

What is the main hazard associated with photovoltaic roofs?

Select one:

a. HVAC units can be hidden from view underneath the roofs.

b. Roof panels may retain a significant amount of electricity under fire conditions.

c. Multiple layers of roof panels creates a void air space, which may conceal fires in the structure.

d. Roof drainage adds weight to the roof, increasing the collapse hazard.

B

How does balloon frame construction differ from platform frame construction?

Select one:

a. A fire in a balloon frame building can be controlled easier than a fire in a platform frame building.

b. In balloon framing, exterior wall studs are continuous from the foundation to the roof; in platform framing, they are not.

c. Balloon frame buildings are more prone to shrinkage than platform frame buildings.

d. Balloon frame construction is used in most modern buildings; platform frame construction is found in most older buildings.

B

How can the construction of manufactured or mobile homes affect fire behavior?

Select one:

a. Fire may spread more quickly because of fewer internal walls and interior finishes.

b. They do not conform to any building code, which makes it difficult to predict fire behavior.

c. Open crawl spaces help ventilate the fire and keep it from spreading.

d. If lightweight building materials are used, the home is less likely to fail during fire conditions.

A

What can make basement fires more hazardous than fires in other compartments?

Select one:

a. Very little available knowledge or training on responding to basement fires

b. Quicker ignition due to drywall used in basement construction

c. No stairs to provide a flow path into the structure

d. Limited access due to being partially or fully underground

D

Which characteristic of Type IV buildings can affect fire behavior during a structural fire?

Select one:

a. Because of the sheer mass of the structural members, structures can collapse easily.

b. High wood concentration can contribute to the intensity of the fire.

c. Lack of voids or concealed spaces can allow unseen fire travel.

d. Truss systems can create large, open voids between the floors of structures, allowing rapid fire spread.

B

The portion of roof between the roof supports and the roof covering is the:

Select one:

a. ceiling.

b. roof opening.

c. attic.

d. roof deck.

D

Type V construction has exterior load-bearing walls composed entirely of:

Select one:

a. wood.

b. concrete.

c. metal.

d. brick.

A