Building and Construction MID TERM"(Chap 1)
Design Product
The design and construction process is a serious and expensive undertaking. Many people are involved and many decisions must be made. Use of Old Materials In Innovative Ways The architect usually functions as the prime designer who has the responsibility and control to choose major aspects of the building and to eliminate alternatives.
Thermal Radiation
The transmission or transfer of heat energy from one body to another body at a lower temperature through intervening space by electromagnetic waves similar to radio waves or X-rays Thermal radiation is the transfer of heat energy through space by electromagnetic waves. Horizontal communication of fire is mainly due to thermal radiation
Building Systems "Modern World"
They Function a.... Total systems to provide a healthy, productive and comfortable environment.
Convection
Transfer of heat by the movement of heated fluids or gases, usually in an upward direction. Depending oil the wind direction, connective plumes are also significant when the exposed building is higher than the exposing building.
Limited Amount of Combustible Materials in...
Type 1 & 2 Construction
Concerns In Type 3&4 Construction
Type 3- Combustible Concealed Spaces (between floor and ceiling) Type 4- Massive amounts of fuel presented
Building Codes
Type I- Fire-Resistive Type II - Protected Noncombustible or Noncombustible Type III - Exterior Protected (Ordinary Mason) Type IV -Heavy Timber/ Mill Construction Type V - Wood Frame (up to 7 stories)
International Building Code Branch
Uniform Building Code (UBC) - {Published By International Council of Building Officials (ICBO).} Standard Building Code - (Published By Southern Building Code Congress International) BOCA National Building Code- (Published By Building Officials an Code Administrators International) lnternational Fire Code- (Published By International Building Code)
Favored Style By Designers
Vertical Openings
Civil Engineering
Water supply Sanitary sewers Surveying Site preparation and excavation Roadways Storm water drainage
Air Conditioning Safety
Widespread use of air conditioning with recirculation of interior air has given rise to concerns over the quality of the air breathed by building occupants and indoor air pollution.
Buildings Must Have...
adequate strength to prevent structural collapse. They must withstand environmental forces such as wind, snow and earthquakes.
Codes
are also subject to the political process in which those involved have competing interests. can only provide a "reasonable" level of protection for the most commonly encountered situations.
Pre Incident Planning Construction Type
construction type (i.e., wood frame, fire-resistive), location of fire walls, vertical openings, roof construction, exits and any smoke control systems
NFPA 80A®, Recommended Practice for Protection from Exterior Fire Exposure
describes three levels of exposure based on the potential severity of the exposing fire.
Fire Alarm Stations
must be not more than 4 1/2 feet and not less than 3 1/2 feet above the floor level so they can be reached from a wheelchair.
Testing Of Materials for Fire
performed on certain materials, systems and components such as concrete, fire pumps and emergency generators.
When Fuel is Limited
the Fire duration and temperature will not be as great
Green Design
the incorporation of such environmental principles as energy efficiency and environmentally friendly building materials into design and construction.
Ventilation Systems
ventilation system can contribute to the combustion throughout a building. inadequate design of these systems can contribute to building failures under fire conditions.
Inspections Involve
verification that proper materials and construction techniques are used.
Protecting Buildings from Exposing Fires...
•Clear space between buildings •Fire suppression systems such as water-based sprinkler systems and fire retardant distribution systems •Blank walls of noncombustible construction •Self-supporting barrier walls between the fire building and the exposure •Parapets on exterior masonry walls •Automatic outside deluge systems •Elimination of openings in exterior walls •Glass block panels in openings •Wired glass in steel sash windows •Automatic fire shutters or dampers on wall openings •Automatic fire doors on door openings
Renovations
-Removal or penetration of bearing walls -Modification of beams or trusses -Structural overloading of roofs -Creation of mezzanine floors in attic spaces - Rooftop additions - Remodeling that creates additional voids, such as suspended ceilings - Illegal remodeling or overloading that poses extreme hazards
Power Changes (1925 vs. 2000)
1925- 30 Amp 2000- 300 Amp
Maximum Code requirement NOT Tested beyond
4 hours
The fire resistance test method accepted by all building codes is
ASTM E-119 aka NFPA 251
Pre-Incident Planning
Act of preparing to handle an incident at a particular location or a particular type of incident before an incident occurs. Also called Pre-fire Planning, Preplanning, Pre-fire Inspection or Pre-incident Inspection.
Safety Elements
All designers have a fundamental responsibility to provide a safe end product. Building codes are devoted to building fire safety.
Fuel Loading
Amount of fuel present expressed quantitatively in terms of weight of fuel per unit area. This may be available fuel (consumable fuel) or total fuel and is usually dry weight.
Buildings are constructed with the Idea of being...
An Investment Vehicle. Some buildings are undertaken without an occupant being known.
Act Of Refuge
Area where persons who are unable to use stairs can temporarily wait for instructions or assistance during an emergency building evacuation. Space in the normal means of egress protected from fire by an approved sprinkler system, by means of separation from other spaces within the same building by smokeproof walls or by virtue of location in an adjacent building.
Fire Protection Engineering
Automatic Sprinkler System Standpipes Fire Alarm Smoke Control Code Compliance
Overall Design is Determined By...
Available funds and there are few situations where construction funds are unlimited. Ex- School Design - Better Funding from the state and community will determine the quality of the design.
Pre-incident planning cannot...
Be A one-time occurrence.
Building Code (term)
Body of local law, adopted by states, counties, cities, or other governmental bodies to regulate the construction, renovation and maintenance of buildings.
Aesthetics
Branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art and taste.
Spec Building
Building built without a tenant or occupant.
Design Product Major Technical Specialties
Civil Engineering Structural Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Fire Protection Engineering
Design Process has Reliance On...
Codes and standards but those who write building codes cannot anticipate every situation that may arise.
How Does Fire Transfer from Building to Building?
Convection/ Radiation
International Building Code
Currently the most widely used model building code in the U.S. is the International Building Code (IBC) published by the
Occupant Safety Concepts
Design of stairs and walking surfaces Balcony railings Overhead obstacles Electrical wiring Elevator operation
Structural Engineering
Determining Loads Foundation of Design Structural Behavior Structural Members Structural Erection
Setback
Distance from the street line to the front of a building.
Fire Occupancies
Due to What is in the Building, different Temp, Heat releases, fire durations will occur (Auto shop vs. Bank)
Electrical Systems
Electrical systems should also include a provision for emergency power that is protected from fire and highly unlikely to fail as a backup system. If both electrical systems fail, fire fighting operations become much more difficult. Ex--> Meridan Plaza (1991)
Type 5 Construction
Feature- Light weight frame construction Resistance- 1 hour (Gypsum/plaster)
During Facility of Design...
Fire and Building codes are Used Together
Construction Classifications
Fire-Resistive Noncombustible Masonry or Ordinary Heavy Timber Wood Frame
Designer Factors for Building
Fiscal resources (cost) Building use Aesthetic tastes Building codes Safety Accessibility Climate Infrastructure Soil conditions The physical laws of engineering The owner's needs and desires
Fire Resistance Rating (Type 1)- IN HOURS
Floor Assembly- (2-3) Roof Deck- (1-2)
American Prominent Architect
Frank Lloyd Wright, called buildings "machines for living..
GIS
Geographic information systems
Board Of Appeals
Group of people usually 5-7, with experience in fire prevention, building construction and/or code enforcement legally constituted to arbitrate differences of opinion between fire inspectors and building officials, property owners, occupants or builders.
HVAC
Heating ventilation and Air Conditioning
Mechanical Engineering
Heating/ Ventilation Air Conditioning Pumping Systems Elevators Pluming Systems
System Of "Installing Contractor"
Inspections/ Installations
Conflagration
Large. uncontrollable fire covering a considerable area and crossing natural fire barriers such as streets: usually involves buildings in more than one block and causes a large fire loss. Forest fires can also be considered conflagrations.
Electrical Engineering
Lighting, Power, Communications
Wildland/ Urban Interface
Line, area or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels.
Changing Occupancy for Buildings
MEANS there will be differential in Amount and Type of Combustible Material
Why Interior Finish (Plaster) Declined?
More Labor Intensive than "Gypsum Board"
Built-Out-Enviorments Problem Access
Narrow Roadways, Setbacks and barriers Can Effect fire tactics and Fire Behavior
Over time Buildings undergo
One or several changes in Occupancy Buildings are also constantly converted from One Occupancy to Another
Fire Fighters/ Inspectors
Play an important role in detecting hazards and changes in occupancy
Gentrification
Process of restoring rundown or deteriorated properties by more affluent people, often displacing poorer residents.
Codes May Not...
Provide an adequate level of safety or compliance with the provisions of a code may not be possible.
Common Features In Type 1
Reinforced concrete and protected steel
System tests are carried out by...
Representatives of the installing contractor.
Soil Considerations while Building
Soil Properties Water Content Organic Decomposition
Terrain Problem Access
Steep Slopes/ Rivers/ Landscaping
Safety Provisions
Structural fire resistance Flammability of interior finishes Adequacy of means of egress Enclosure of vertical openings Fire protection systems Exposure protection Occupancy separation
Building Failure under Fire conditions
Structural integrity Building systems Design deficiencies
Exposure
Structure or separate part of the fireground to which the fire could spread.
The Way Buildings are built is Determined By
Technology of Time 7 & Economics
Fire Department Role
Testing of the fire protection systems in new construction. Fire Inspector- ensure proper installation and operation of the fire protection systems. Needs to pass 3 codes and witness documentation.