Construction type that has Metal hangers attached to the exterior structural beams. A 3-4" gap is left between the hangers and the steel structural members that allows vertical fire spread.

Construction type that has Metal hangers attached to the exterior structural beams. A 3-4" gap is left between the hangers and the steel structural members that allows vertical fire spread.

• A. Steel frame with no space
• B. Curtain wall construction
• C. Brick veneer
• D. Timber frame

Answer: (B)

This question is about how exterior wall systems attach to the structure and how gaps in that attachment can affect fire behavior. Curtain wall construction uses a non-structural exterior wall that is hung from the building’s steel frame with metal hangers. An air space or gap of about 3–4 inches between the hangers (and the wall elements) and the structural members creates a vertical cavity. That cavity can act as a chimney for fire and hot gases to spread upward from floor to floor if not properly fire-stopped and compartmentalized. So this description matches curtain wall construction: a metal-hung exterior wall with a significant gap that can enable vertical fire spread through the wall cavity. The other systems don’t typically describe this exact arrangement of hangers and a deliberate cavity.

This question is about how exterior wall systems attach to the structure and how gaps in that attachment can affect fire behavior. Curtain wall construction uses a non-structural exterior wall that is hung from the building’s steel frame with metal hangers. An air space or gap of about 3–4 inches between the hangers (and the wall elements) and the structural members creates a vertical cavity. That cavity can act as a chimney for fire and hot gases to spread upward from floor to floor if not properly fire-stopped and compartmentalized.

So this description matches curtain wall construction: a metal-hung exterior wall with a significant gap that can enable vertical fire spread through the wall cavity. The other systems don’t typically describe this exact arrangement of hangers and a deliberate cavity.