Occupancy
- Firefighter can predict who is inside based on occupancy classification
Content
-Some buildings contain things that may be noncombustible, while others contain things that may be very combustible
Combustibility
-Whether or not a material will burn
Thermal Conductivity
-Descirbes how well a material will conduct heat
Thermal Expansion When Heated
-Some materials expand when heated
Steel Thermal Expansion
- 50’ section may elongate 4” at 1,000 degrees F
Masonry
Concrete
Spalling
-Steam expanding in concrete because of heat that causes sections to break off
Steel
Aluminum
-Used for siding, window frames, door frames, roof panels
Copper
- Piping
Zinc
-Coating to protect metals from rust/corrosion
Glass
- Ordinary glass will break when exposed to fire
Tempered Glass
- Shatters into small pieces without sharp edges
Laminated Glass
- Likely to crack and remain in place when exposed to fire
Glass Blocks
Wired Glass
Gypsum
- Good insulator, non-combustible
Gypsum Board
Wood
- Fire retardant chemicals weaken wood
Laminated Wood
- Produces beams longer and stronger than solid lumber and makes curved beams
Wood Panels
- Plywood is most common type
Wooden Trusses
-Pieces of wood or wood/metal combinations used to support floors and roofs