11/21/2024 1:15:55 PM	FIRE 76 Course Outline as of Fall 2024	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  FIRE 76	Title:  BLDG CONSTR FIRE PROTECT
Full Title:  Building Construction for Fire Protection
Last Reviewed:5/8/2023

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

This is a California State Fire Training (SFT) mandated course that identifies the different types of elements of construction and design that affect structural firefighting. Student will study the components of building construction that relate to fire safety. The elements of construction and design of structures are shown to be key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating at fires. The development and evolution of building and fire codes, and studies in relationship to past fires in residential, commercial, and industrial occupancies. There is one physical or virtual site visit required for both classroom and online offerings.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This is a California State Fire Training (SFT) mandated course that identifies the different types of elements of construction and design that affect structural firefighting. Student will study the components of building construction that relate to fire safety. The elements of construction and design of structures are shown to be key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating at fires. The development and evolution of building and fire codes, and studies in relationship to past fires in residential, commercial, and industrial occupancies. There is one physical or virtual site visit required for both classroom and online offerings.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1996	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify major elements of construction and design that affect structural firefighting.

2. Identify specific building fire codes that relate to structural firefighting.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should 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.

Topics and Scope

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

Assignments:

1. Reading from textbook (20-30 pages)

2. Weekly assignment sheets (17)

3. Homework problems

4. Term project and/or internet research project

5. Quizzes, midterm, and final exam

6. Student presentation

7. Site visit (1)

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 15 - 25%
Weekly assignment sheets; term project and/or internet research project
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 5 - 10%
Homework problems
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 5 - 10%
Student presentation
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 55 - 65%
Quizzes, midterm, and final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 5 - 10%
Attendance; participation; site visit

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Building Construction Related to Fire Service. 4th ed. IFSTA, Fire Protection Publications. 2016 (classic).

Brannigan's Building Construction for the Fire Service. 6th ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning. 2019.

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