Construction Type of Buildings

COSC459_PPT3

Building Construction Types

All construction types must be classified into the following
six types:
1. Frame Construction (ISO Class I, IBC Type V)
2. Joisted Masonry (ISO Class 2, IBC Type III, IBC Type
IV)
3. Light Noncombustible (ISO Class 3, IBC Type IIB)
4. Masonry Noncombustible (ISO Class 4, IBC Type IIA)
5. Modified Fire Resistive (ISO Class 5, IBC Type IB)
6. Fire Resistive (ISO Class 6, IBC Type IA)

IBC & ISO

International Building Code (IBC) by International
Code Council http://codes.iccsafe.org/
Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), a provider
of data, underwriting, risk management and
legal/regulatory services (with special focus on
community fire-protection efforts and Building
Code Effectiveness Evaluation) to propertycasualty insurers and other clients.
http://www.verisk.com/iso.html

How building class is determined

Classification of a building class is based on
two factors: building elements and fireresistance rating.

http://www.wikihow.com/Determine-a-Building%27s-Construction-Type

Overview for Assessing Construction Type

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Building elements: The building materials used in the

construction of the following elements are the foundation
for classification, be they wood, steel, or masonry.
Structural frame
Exterior bearing walls
Interior bearing walls
Exterior non bearing walls and partitions
Interior non-bearing walls and partitions
Floor construction, including supporting beams and joists
Roof construction, including supporting beams and joists
are comprised of

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Fire-resistance rating: This is the other factor in determining construction

class. The building materials used in the construction of the building
elements above will have a fire-resistance rating. Fire-resistance
rating typically means the duration for which a passive fire
protection system can withstand a standard fire resistance test.
This can be quantified simply as a measure of time (ex. 0 hours, 1
hour, or 2 hour), or it may entail a host of other criteria involving other
evidence of functionality or fitness for purpose.
Minimum rule: It is important to remember when selecting the
construction class that the building is only as strong as its weakest
element.
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To determine ISO Class

To determine the ISO class of the building, we must
know the following composition of the building
elements:
Structural frame
Bearing walls (interior and exterior)
Floor construction
Roof construction
What the fire rating of the materials
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International Building Code (IBC) versus

Insurance Services Office (ISO):
International Building Code (IBC): This is a model building code developed by
the International Code Council (ICC). A large portion of the International
Building Code deals with fire prevention. It differs from the related
International Fire Code in that the IBC handles fire prevention in regards to
construction and design and the fire code handles fire prevention in an
ongoing basis. IBC is more descriptive and also includes A or B types of
construction for each class.
A is protected, meaning that all structural members of a building or structure
have an additional fire rated coating or cover by means of sheetrock, spray on,
or other approved method. The additional fire rated coating or cover extends
the fire resistance of the structural members by at least 1 hour.
B is unprotected, meaning that all structural members of a building or structure
have no additional fire rated coating or cover. Exposed members are only fire
resistant according to their natural ability, characteristics, and fire rating.

http://www.wikihow.com/Determine-a-Building%27s-Construction-Type

Insurance Services Office (ISO): This is a

provider of data, underwriting, risk
management and legal/regulatory services
to property-casualty insurers and other
clients.

http://www.wikihow.com/Determine-a-Building%27s-Construction-Type

1. Frame Construction (ISO Class I, IBC Type V)

Frame construction is ISO Class 1. ISO Class 1 encompasses IBC Type
VA and IBC Type VB. Regardless of whether the IBC classification is
A (protected) or B (unprotected) the ISO Class is 1.
Building elements:
Frame buildings are buildings with exterior walls, floors, and roofs
with combustible construction or buildings with exterior walls of
noncombustible or slow-burning construction with combustible floors
and roofs.
Frame buildings generally have roof, floor, and supports of combustible
material, usually wood, and combustible interior walls.

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1. Frame Construction (ISO Class I, IBC Type V) Continued..

Two variations on frame construction don't change the construction class:
Masonry veneer (brick veneer)- Masonry veneer is thin layers of brick, stone,
or stucco, used for appearance purposes rather than structural support.
Metal clad - A building with a metal exterior wall may not look like frame
construction, but when the metal skin is attached to wood studs and joists, ISO
classifies the building as frame.
Other conditions that lead to classification as frame construction include:
Metal walls or floors sheathed with combustible materials
Metal floors or roofs with combustible insulation or ceiling material attached
to the underside or within 18 inches (45.7 cm) of horizontal supports
Composite assemblies of noncombustible materials with combustible materials

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1. Frame Construction (ISO Class I, IBC Type V) Continued..

Advantages:
easy to erect and alter
economical
versatile
performs well in Earthquake areas can move
Disadvantages:
fire can spread rapidly
highly damageable
may become unstable in a fire
may include enclosed spaces where fire can spread undetected
http://www.wikihow.com/Determine-a-Building%27s-Construction-Type

(Type V Construction)

http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/BUILDING%20
STRUCTURE%20TYPES.html

Type V Construction
http://desource.uvu.edu/ctc/iaco/iaco_01.php

Type V Construction
http://www.arch.ttu.edu/courses/2013/spring/3502_perl/Bhatti/03/Codes.html

2. Joisted Masonry (ISO Class 2, IBC Type III, IBC Type IV)
Joisted Masonry construction is ISO Class 2. ISO Class 2
encompasses IBC Type IIIA and IBC Type IIIB.
Regardless of whether the IBC classification is A
(protected) or B (unprotected) the ISO Class is 2.
IBC Type IV is Heavy Timber construction and is considered
ISO Class 2. The reason is that the heavy timbers perform
well and do not fail early in a fire.

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2. Joisted Masonry (ISO Class 2, IBC Type III, IBC Type IV)
Continued..
Building elements: Joisted Masonry buildings are buildings with exterior
walls of masonry or fire-resistive construction rated for not less than
one hour and with combustible floors and roofs. There are several
types of masonry used in the exterior bearing walls of joisted masonry
buildings:

brick

concrete either reinforced or non reinforced

hollow concrete masonry units

tile

stone

note that exterior bearing walls may also be any noncombustible

materials with fire-resistance ratings of not less than one hour.
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2. Joisted Masonry (ISO Class 2, IBC Type III, IBC Type IV)
Continued..
Advantages:
harder to ignite
consumed more slowly by fire
more structural stability
greater salvage value
lack of concealed spaces (Heavy Timber)
Disadvantages:
floors and roofs of combustible materials subject to damage by fire
presence of concealed spaces

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WOOD POST
AND BEAM
(Type IV
Construction)

http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/BUILDING%20STR
UCTURE%20TYPES.html

3. Light Noncombustible (ISO Class 3,

IBC Type IIB)
Classification: Light Noncombustible construction is ISO Class 3. ISO
Class 3 encompasses IBC Type IIB (unprotected).
Building elements: Light Noncombustible buildings are buildings with
exterior walls of light metal or other noncombustible material and with
noncombustible floors and roofs:
buildings with exterior walls, floors, and roofs of noncombustible or
slow-burning materials
building supports of noncombustible or slow-burning materials
noncombustible or slow-burning roof decks on noncombustible or
slow-burning supports regardless of the type of insulation on the
roof surface
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3. Light Noncombustible (ISO Class 3, IBC Type IIB) Continued

Advantages:
easy to erect
economical to build
uses materials that dont readily burn
Disadvantages:
contains steel, which loses strength at high temperatures
highly damageable buildings
unstable buildings under fire conditions
uses slow-burning materials that do burn adding fuel to a fire

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WOOD ROOF TRUSS

(Type III or V
Construction)

http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/BUILDING%20STR
UCTURE%20TYPES.html

4. Masonry Noncombustible (ISO Class 4,

IBC Type IIA)
Classification: Masonry Noncombustible construction is ISO Class 4. ISO
Class 4 encompasses IBC Type Type IIA (protected).
Building elements: Masonry Noncombustible buildings are buildings
with exterior walls of masonry material and with noncombustible or
slow burning floors and roofs.

buildings with exterior walls of masonry not less than four

inches thick, or

buildings with exterior walls of fire-resistive construction with a

rating of not less than one hour, and

noncombustible or slow-burning floors and roofs regardless of

the type of insulation on the roof surface
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4. Masonry Noncombustible (ISO Class 4, IBC Type IIA) Continued..

Advantages:

Uses floors and roof supported by superior exterior bearing

members that provide for stability and are less likely to collapse during
a fire

Uses materials that dont readily burn

Disadvantages:

Uses unprotected steel for interior members of floors and roof, and
steel loses strength and becomes less stable and more damageable at
high temperatures

Uses slow-burning materials that do burn adding fuel to a fire

http://www.wikihow.com/Determine-a-Building%27s-Construction-Type

STEEL FRAME
(Type I or II
Construction)

http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/BUILDING%20STR
UCTURE%20TYPES.html

SPACE FRAME
(Type I or II
Construction)

http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/BUILDING%20STR
UCTURE%20TYPES.html

5. Modified Fire Resistive (ISO Class 5,

IBC Type IB)
Classification: Modified Fire Resistive construction is ISO Class 5. ISO
Class 5 encompasses IBC Type IB.
Building elements: Modified Fire Resistive Buildings are buildings
where the exterior bearing walls and load-bearing portions of exterior
walls must be of noncombustible materials or of masonry, but exterior
nonbearing walls and wall panels may be slow-burning, combustible,
or with no fire- resistance rating.
Buildings with exterior walls, floors, and roofs of masonry materials
described in the definition of fire resistive (Construction Class 6)
less thick than required for fire-resistive structures but not less than
four inches thick, or
Fire-resistive materials with a fire-resistance rating less than two hours
but not less than one hour
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5. Modified Fire Resistive (ISO Class 5, IBC Type IB) Continued

Advantages:
uses noncombustible materials
allows greater height and area than other construction classes
uses load-bearing members or assemblies that resist damage from fire
Disadvantages:
expensive to construct and repair
provides a false sense of security

http://www.wikihow.com/Determine-a-Building%27s-Construction-Type

6. Fire Resistive (ISO Class 6, IBC Type IA)

Building elements: The exterior bearing walls and load-bearing portions of exterior walls
must be of noncombustible materials or of masonry, but exterior nonbearing walls and
wall panels may be slow burning, combustible, or with no fire-resistance rating.
Walls:
solid masonry, including reinforced concrete not less than four inches thick
hollow masonry not less than 12 inches (30.5 cm) thick
hollow masonry less than 12 inches (30.5 cm) thick, but not less than eight inches thick
with a listed fire-resistance rating of not less than two hours
assemblies with not less than a two-hour fire-resistance rating
Floors and roofs:
reinforced concrete not less than four inches thick
assemblies with not less than a two-hour fire-resistance rating
Structural metal supports:
Horizontal and vertical load-bearing protected metal supports including pre stressed
and post tensioned concrete units with not less than a two-hour fire-resistance rating

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6. Fire Resistive (ISO Class 6, IBC Type IA) Continued..

Advantages:
uses noncombustible materials
allows greater height and area than other construction classes
uses load-bearing members or assemblies that resist damage from fire
Disadvantages:
expensive to construct and repair
provides a false sense of security

http://www.wikihow.com/Determine-a-Building%27s-Construction-Type

STEEL JOISTS
(Type II
Construction)

http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/BUILDING%20STR
UCTURE%20TYPES.html

LIGHTWEIGHT
STEEL FRAME
(Type II
Construction)
http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/BUILDING%20STR
UCTURE%20TYPES.html

FLAT PLATE
CONCRETE
(Type I
Construction)

http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/BUILDING%20STR
UCTURE%20TYPES.html

POST-TENSIONED
CONCRETE FRAME
(Type I Construction)

http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/BUILDING%20STR
UCTURE%20TYPES.html

PRECAST
CONCRETE
FRAME
(Type I
Construction)

http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/BUILDING%20STR
UCTURE%20TYPES.html

https://services.online.missouri.edu/
exec/data/courses2/9050/lesson01/less
on01.asp

Type IFire-Resistive Buildings

online.missouri.edu

https://pixabay.com/en/building-construction-architecture-856444/

https://pixabay.com/en/construction-architecture-industrial-523388/

https://pixabay.com/en/warehouse-industrial-boats-storage-691922/

https://pixabay.com/en/forklift-warehouse-machine-worker-835340/

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/sfm/programs-services/Documents/Sprinkler%20Applications/ConstructionTypeComparison.pdf

www.nfpa.org/
NFPA 220: Standard on Types of
Building Construction

https://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/
AboutTheCodes/220/220_A2014_
BLDBLC_FD_FirstDraftforballot.pdf
www.hhs.iup.edu/cjanicak/.../SAFE
%20674%20Class
%203%202012.ppt
Example:

http://surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov/ALSC/documents/Construction_Types_with_Highligh
t.pdf

NFPA 220 Type I (443) - The

three Arabic numerals in
parentheses following the Roman
numeral indicate the fire resistance
of the exterior bearing walls,
structural frame, and floor,
respectively.

http://surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov/ALSC/L1/L1_40t1_65.aspx

Correlating
Building Codes

http://surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov/ALSC/L1/L1_40t1_70.aspx

http://www.iccsafe.org/
2015 International Building Code
http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2015/ICodes/2015%20IBC%20HTML/index.html

http://my.firefighternation.com/group/buildingconstruc
tionfirefightersafety/forum/topics/types-of-building-c
onstruction?q=group/buildingconstructionfirefightersaf
ety/forum/topics/types-of-building-construction

http://surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov
/ALSC/L1/L1_20.aspx

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2013/05/c
onstruction-concerns--construction-types-and-firebehavior.html
http://www.fireengineering.com/content/dam/fe/onlinearticles/documents/2013/20130513havel_firebehavior.p
df