Most people see a building for what it is: a building. In contrast, your perspective on buildings will change once you start working on them. The construction, walls, floors, and roof of a building are all indicators of its status. If you still need to get a good eye for such things, learning about the five main styles of building construction is an excellent place to start. Even more so, if you work in the field of fire damage repair, we may classify buildings as fireproof, non-combustible, ordinary, heavy timber, or wood-framed.

1. Fire-resistive Type I (IA and IB)

When it comes to the fire-resistant ratings of this style of construction, the non-combustible components that have the highest ratings are the walls, partitions, columns, floors, and roofs. The height of these buildings makes it quite simple to locate them in most cases. Construction materials used in fire-resistant structures include poured concrete, steel reinforcements, and a minimum height of more than 75 feet. In order to contain a fire and stop it from spreading, they are built to resist the impacts of fire over an extended length of time. Because the roof of these sorts of buildings also has to be made of non-combustible materials, ventilation cannot be installed in these types of structures.

2. Non-combustible Type II (IIA and IIB)

Non-combustible buildings are comparable to those that are fire-resistant in that the walls, partitions, columns, floors, and roofs are all made of non-combustible materials. On the other hand, they provide a lower level of protection against fire and are not as resistant to the impacts or spread of fire as Type I materials are. It is not because of its resistance to fire that this material is referred to as "non-combustible;" instead, the moniker comes from the fact that it does not give fuel to a fire. Examples of construction like this may be seen often in more recent school buildings. The floors and roofs of these structures are usually made of metal, while the walls are either masonry or tilt-slab construction. When exposed to fire, they have the lowest degree of stability in terms of their ability to collapse.

>>Related post: Becoming a Roofing Contractor

3. Ordinary Type III

This kind of construction is also referred to as brick-and-joist buildings. This kind of building has walls made of brick or blocks, and it either has a wooden roof or floor assembly, neither of which is protected from fire. Wood or another flammable material makes up all or part of the interior structural components (frame, flooring, ceilings, etc.). It is feasible to install vertical ventilation systems in these kinds of structures. You won't find anything out of the ordinary in either the new or the ancient buildings.

4. Heavy Timber Type IV

Buildings classified as Type IV feature outer walls and inner components that are not flammable. These structures are built out of solid or laminated wood. All wooden members must fulfill dimensional standards. Columns, beams, and girders made of wood must have a thickness of at least 8 inches. The minimum acceptable thickness for heavy boards used for flooring and roofing is six inches. If one of these structures catches fire, it will take a significant amount of water to put it out; yet, owing to the structural mass of the building, it is resistant to fire and does not collapse quickly.

>>Related post: Asphalt Shingles in Snow

5. Wood-Framed Type V

The sort of structure most likely to catch fire is one that is framed entirely out of wood. They are the only building style that enables flammable external walls. A combustible interior (structural frames, walls, floors, and roofs) built entirely or partially out of wood is acceptable for a building that conforms to Type V. This style is typical in today's residential construction. They often have exposed wood, which means there is little resistance to fire in the structure. It causes a substantial amount of ignition but is relatively resistant to collapse unless the structure in question is made of lightweight materials. In this case, it will disintegrate within minutes if it is still standing.

As you go about your day-to-day activities, keep an eye out for the various types of buildings, as well as the construction materials and structures that surround you. Make some notes about each building's features in the customer relationship management system you use for construction. If you do so, you will get more experience that will help you develop an eye for building construction. By categorizing these building structures into five distinct categories, you will be able to make an informed decision on which structure is ideal for new development. To reiterate, these different forms of building construction include fire-resistant, non-combustible, conventional, heavy timber, and wood-framed structures.