FSC 123 - Building Construction Related to the Fire Service

1. Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, firefighting strategy and tactics, and analyze the hazards, tactical considerations, and the role of Geographic Information System as associated with the various types of building construction.
2. Identify indicators of collapse in various building construction methods, and identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they relate to firefighter safety.
3. Discuss theoretical concepts of how fire impacts major types of building construction, and differentiate between fire resistance, flame spread, and describe the testing procedures used to establish ratings for each.
4. Identify the function of each principle structural component in typical building design, and explain the different loads and stresses that are placed on a building and their interrelationships.
5. Classify occupancy designations of the building code, and classify major types of building construction in accordance with a local and model building code.

1. Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, firefighting strategy and tactics.
2. Classify major types of building construction in accordance with a local and model building code.
3. Understand theoretical concepts of how fire impacts major types of building construction.
4. Analyze the hazards and tactical considerations associated with the various types of building construction.
5. Explain the different loads and stresses that are placed on a building and their interrelationships.
6. Identify the function of each principle structural component in typical building design.
7. Differentiate between fire resistance, flame spread, and describe the testing procedures used to establish ratings for each.
8. Identify various types of fire stopping and how each best functions.
9. Describe how ordinary construction reacts to fire and identify indicators of collapse in wood frame structures.
10. Describe how steel and concrete can be used to increase or decrease a structure’s resistance to stress and fire.
11. Identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they relate to firefighter safety.
12. Identify potential hazards to fire fighter safety and indicators of collapse in various building construction methods.
13. Classify occupancy designations of the building code.
14. Identify the role of Geographic Information System (GIS) as it relates to building construction.

1. Introduction
   1. History of building construction
   2. Governmental functions, building and fire codes
      1. Codes and code administration
         1. Building codes
         2. Fire codes
         3. American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
         4. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
         5. Underwriters Laboratories Incorporated (UL)
         6. Testing and how to read
   3. Fire risks and fire protection
   4. Fire loss management and life safety
   5. Pre-fire planning and fire suppression strategies
2. Principles of Construction
   1. Terminology and definitions
   2. Building and occupancy classifications
   3. Characteristics of building materials
   4. Types and characteristics of fire loads
   5. Effects of energy conservation
3. Building Construction
   1. Structural members
      1. Definitions, descriptions, and carrying capacities
      2. Effects of loads
   2. Structural design and construction methods
      1. Structural failure and firefighter safety
   3. System failures
4. Principles of Fire Resistance
   1. Standards of construction
   2. Fire intensity and duration
   3. Theory versus reality
5. Fire Behavior versus Building Construction
   1. Flame spread
   2. Smoke and fire containment
      1. Construction and suppression systems
      2. HVAC systems
      3. Rack storage
      4. Combustible
6. Major Construction Types
   1. Wood Construction
      1. Definition and elements of construction
      2. Types of construction
      3. Fire stopping and fire retardants
      4. Modifications/code compliance
   2. Ordinary Construction
      1. Definitions and elements of construction
      2. Structural stability and fire barriers
      3. Modifications/code compliance
   3. Steel Construction
      1. Definitions and elements of construction
      2. Structural stability, fire resistance, and fire protection of elements
      3. Modifications/code compliance
   4. Concrete Construction
      1. Definitions and elements of construction
      2. Structural stability, fire resistance, and fire protection of elements
      3. Modifications/code compliance
   5. High Rise Construction
      1. Early versus modern construction
      2. Vertical and horizontal extension of fire and smoke
      3. Fire protection and suppression
      4. Elevators
      5. Atriums and lobbies
      6. Modifications/code compliance
7. Structural Failure
   1. Collapse
   2. Ventilation
   3. Non-combustible
8. Safety
   1. Firefighter
      1. Identification of problems
         1. Hazards to firefighters
         2. Building design
         3. Specialized structures
         4. Fire resistance in construction
         5. Hazards to occupants
         6. How construction affects fire operations
   2. Occupant
9. Geographic Information System (GIS)