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NFPA 220
NFPA 220 is a high-level NFPA reference for Standard on Types of Building Construction. Classification framework for building construction types based on the combustibility and fire-resistance characteristics of major structural elements.
Classification framework for building construction types based on the combustibility and fire-resistance characteristics of major structural elements.
Construction type influences fire spread, structural stability, collapse potential, tactical priorities, and pre-incident planning decisions.
- Types I through V construction concepts
- Structural element classifications
- Combustible and noncombustible construction
- Fire-resistance characteristics
- Heavy timber construction concepts
- Firefighter building construction training
- Pre-incident planning
- Initial size-up
- Collapse-risk assessment
- Fire inspection and code reference
- Construction type alone predicts exactly how a building will behave in fire.
- All buildings within the same construction type are identical.
- Renovations and mixed construction cannot alter tactical considerations.
- Include construction type in pre-plan records
- Train crews to identify structural systems during size-up
- Consider renovations and concealed structural changes
- Combine construction type with occupancy, age, and fire conditions
What are the basic NFPA construction types?
Why should firefighters know construction type?
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