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Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Identify occupancy designations of the building code and fire code.
2. List the construction regulations that correspond to designated occupancies.
3. Describe the different loads that are placed on a building and the transmission of loads.
4. List and compare the structural elements for various types of construction.
5. Define flame spread, its hazards, contributing factors, and possible solutions.
6. Identify practices and procedures that have been developed for different types of construction that are hazardous to firefighter safety.
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I. Concepts of Construction
A. Definition of Loads
1. Stress and strains
2. Compression, tension, and torsion forces
3. Dead loads
4. Live loads
5. Impact loads
6. Static and repeated loads
7. Wind loads
8. Concentrated loads
9. Imposition of loads
10. Fire loads
11. Suspended loads
B. Structural Elements
1. Beams
2. Columns
3. Walls
4. Roofs
5. Arches
C. Transmission of loads
1. Foundations
2. Connections
II. Methods and Materials of Construction, Renovation, and Demolition
A. Construction regulations
B. The building design and construction process
C. Site preparation
D. Hazards
1. Building under construction
2. Renovation
3. Demolition
E. Characteristics of materials
1. Wood
2. Masonry and stone
3. Concrete
4. Metal
5. Glass
6. Asbestos
7. Synthetic materials
8. Gypsum
III. Building and Fire Codes
A. History of building codes and fire protection
B. Fire codes and standards
IV. Features of Fire Protection
A. Noncombustible buildings
B. Fire resistive buildings
C. Fire growth (flame spread)
1. Building contents
2. Hidden building elements
3. Interior finish
4. Void spaces
5. Remodeled ceilings
6. Aircraft interiors
7. Acoustical treatment
8. Carpeting
9. Decorations and contents
D. Fire and smoke containment
E. Ventilation
F. Fire protection systems
V. Wood Frame Construction
A. Types
1. Log cabin
2. Post and frame
3. Balloon frame
4. Platform frame
5. Plank and beam
B. Lightweight trusses and other wooden elements
C. Fire stopping
D. Protecting wood from ignition
E. Sheathing and siding
F. Roofing materials
VI. Heavy Timber and Mill Construction
A. Code classified
B. Use of unprotected steel
VII. Ordinary Construction
A. Definitions and elements of construction
B. Structural stability and fire barriers
VIII.Noncombustible Construction
A. Steel buildings
B. Fire characteristics of steel
IX. Concrete Construction
A. Definitions and elements of construction
B. Structural stability and fire resistance
X. Specific Occupancy Details and Hazards to Firefighters
A. Apartment buildings
B. Places of Worship
C. Covered Mall Buildings
D. Factories
E. Storage Buildings
F. High-rises
G. Hospitals and nursing homes
H. Hotels and motels
I. Jails and prisons
J. Museums and libraries
K. Nightclubs
L. Office buildings
M. Parking garages
N. Restaurants
O. Schools
P. Single family homes
Q. Theaters
R. Warehouses
XI. Fire Behavior vs. Building Construction
A. Fire spread
B. Smoke and fire containment
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(1) Building Construction for the Fire Service, Francis Brannigan, National Fire Protection Association, fourth edition 2007.
(2) National Fire Protection Association Handbook 20th Edition, 2007.