Classification of buildings based on light or heavy construction
Answers
Answer:
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 nonbearing 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
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 hours), 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. For example, a masonry building may have an unprotected wood roof. The wood roof is the weakest member such that it has no fire-resistance. Thus, the construction class would be Joisted Masonry (see below). Now imagine this same building with a metal deck roof. So long as the supporting members of the building do not contain wood then this building would be Masonry Noncombustible