FRSC103 Building Construction for Fire Protection
Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies: Fire Science
- I. Course Number and Title
- FRSC103 Building Construction for Fire Protection
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- FRSC100 (C or better) or permission of the Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- This course aligns with Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) associate degree core curriculum requirements.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- This course examines the components of building construction that relate to fire and life safety. The focus of this course is on firefighter safety. The elements of construction and design of structures are shown to be key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating at emergencies.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
-
-
Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, firefighting strategy, and tactics;
- Classify major types of building construction and occupancy designations in accordance with local/model building code;
- Analyze the hazards and tactical considerations associated with various types of building construction;
- Explain the different loads and stresses that are placed on a building and their interrelationships;
- Identify the function of each principle structural component in typical building design and indicators of potential structural failure as they relate to firefighter safety;
- Differentiate between fire resistance and flame spread; and describe the testing procedures used to establish ratings for each; and
- Identify the role of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) as it relates to building construction.
-
Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
- Introduction
- History of building construction
- Governmental functions, building and fire codes
- Fire risks and fire protection
- Fire loss management and life safety
- Pre-fire planning and fire suppression strategies
- Principles of Construction
- Terminology and definitions
- Building and occupancy classifications
- Characteristics of building materials
- Types and characteristics of fire loads
- Effects of energy conservation
- Building Construction
- Structural Members
- Definitions, descriptions and carrying capacities
- Effects of loads
- Structural design and construction methods
- System failures
- Principles of Fire Resistance
- Standards of construction
- Fire intensity and duration
- Theory versus reality
- Fire Behavior versus Building Construction
- Flame Spread
- Smoke and Fire Containment
- Construction and suppression systems
- HVAC Systems
- Rack Storage
- Combustible
- Wood Construction
- Definition and elements of construction
- Types of construction
- Fire stopping and fire retardants
- Modifications/Code compliance
- Ordinary Construction
- Definitions and elements of construction
- Structural stability and fire barriers
- Modifications/Code compliance
- Collapse
- Ventilation
- Non-Combustible
- Steel Construction
- Definitions and elements of construction
- Structural stability, fire resistance and fire protection of elements
- Modifications/Code compliance
- High Rise Construction
- Early versus modern construction
- Vertical and horizontal extension of fire and smoke
- Fire protection and suppression
- Elevators
- Atriums/Lobbies
- Modifications/Code compliance
- Collapse
- Ventilation
-
Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Students satisfy the course learning goals via class discussions, written exams, assignments, papers, and/or performance based tasks and projects. -
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
See course syllabus.
-
Review/Approval Date -11/00; Revised 4/2012; New Core 8/2015; Revised 6/2016