The Art of Reading Buildings Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Fire load is
• Which of the following is a listed ICF construction type?
• Which statement best describes a parallel chord truss?
• What is the name of the area created in the triangles used to create trusses?
• Windows that are flush with exterior walls indicate what type of construction?
• Which statement best describes how the collapse zone distance changes with building height?
• What is necessary to distribute the weight load of a firefighter on a corrugated roof?
• Old-growth trees produce a wood that is denser and has a reduced level of which substance?
• A large space created by a steep pitched roof is called?
• Which statement defines compression?
• One disadvantage related to the adhesives used in engineered lumber is that they may emit what?
• Caesars Palace is what type of building?
• Which term best describes the vertical load-bearing member that carries loads in compression and is typically part of a frame?
• In the 2-4-6 method, the '4' represents which category?
• What is the meaning of unoccupied versus vacant?
• What is the term for a connection type where materials are bonded together by welds or glues?
• In the 2-4-6 method, how many handlines or less are allowed for offensive operations in the '2' category?
• In a 1970s-era small, two-story residential building, which description best matches the fire spread characteristics?
• Which statement about thermosetting plastics is true?
• Which statement best describes Type II construction's exterior walls?
• Which of the following is typically considered a live load?
• Which of the following is NOT among the four inputs for predicting building collapse?
• Which construction type is defined by the use of heavy timber as the principal structural material?
• Which is stronger, cold rolled or hot rolled steel?
• In the 4 category, what is the maximum building size in square feet?
• Which statement correctly describes the relationship of the collapse zone distance to building height for URM walls?
• Why is aluminum rarely used for the main structure of buildings?
• ICF stands for what?
• Define size up.
• What term describes the area around a building kept clear due to potential collapse?
• Which statement best reflects ductile material characteristics?
• Which construction type is the most common in the United States?
• The type of plastic that can be seeded and reshaped without losing its inherent composition
• A cornice is defined as which of the following?
• What is the term for the space at the top of a house formed by a steeply pitched roof?
• Which term describes glass that is stronger than annealed glass but not as strong as tempered glass?
• Type III, ordinary construction interiors are usually constructed from which type of materials?
• Which term describes a decorative column that projects from a wall to give the appearance of a separate post?
• Catastrophic failure typically occurs in conventional and legacy construction in how many minutes?
• Which roof type is characterized by a curved arch shape?
• NFPA 220 fire resistive ratings for type III construction indicate which construction type?
• SIP stands for?
• What is the primary function of foundation walls?
• Which time range is associated with catastrophic failure in lightweight construction?
• The horizontal molding on the exterior of a building is called what?
• Which roof type is defined by a triangular end wall and a roof that slopes down on two sides?
• Which statement about the Type II fire resistive ratings is accurate?
• If a building consisted of a multilevel parking garage, conference center with hotel and office/retail space, it would be considered what type of building?
• Which decorative column protrudes in relief from a wall to give the appearance of a separate post?
• What term is used for features added to a roof for an explicit functional purpose?
• Which time range is associated with catastrophic failure in conventional and legacy construction?
• Which statement accurately differentiates a vacant building from an abandoned building?
• From a fire service viewpoint, which of the following is another weakness of steel?
• Primary structural element that delivers the weight of the beam to the foundation.
• What is the primary fire spread concern in Type V balloon frame construction?
• Which feature is characteristic of bungalow construction on a gable roof?
• Which statement defines tension?
• Which statement best describes building triage?
• What can occur to light weight steel construction when exposed to heavy heat?
• Type III interiors are typically constructed from which material?
• Primary concern in Type V construction
• Which roof type has two slopes on each side, forming a barn-like silhouette?
• In commercial structures, skylights are typically located over which area?
• Among the listed disadvantages, which is associated with heat and smoke behavior on single-ply roofs?
• Concrete will absorb and radiate stored heat. Which two actions describe how concrete handles stored heat?
• Which term describes a load imposed off center, causing bending?
• The prescriptive building approach focuses on which two factors?
• Which of the following is NOT a Type II exterior wall classification?
• What is the primary concern of fire spread through a multi-story Type III building?
• Which roof type is described as a hip roof?
• Which connection relies on the weight of the upper element to hold components together, such as a wall pocket?
• What is the term for evaluating current and changing conditions and making judgments about the risks and integrity of the portions of a building?
• Which term describes the stress that pulls apart or stretches a material?
• Type IV construction, where each floor is built as a separate unit from the floors below and above, is identified as which broader construction approach?
• In the 2-4-6 method, the '2' represents which size category?
• Which construction type is known for wood as its primary structural material?
• Type IV buildings normally consist of what type of exterior walls?
• Which statement best describes green construction?
• What material is made of moldable polymers?
• Which of the following is NOT a listed ICF construction type?
• Which configuration has chords that run in the same plane and are connected to form triangular units?
• What is the primary function of a truss in building structures?
• What term describes an engineered collection of building components forming a cohesive structural unit such as a roof or floor?
• In a 2-story residential building described as small, what fire spread mechanism is noted?
• Which statement best describes a disadvantage of single-ply roofs for firefighters?
• What collapse scenario is listed for the 1940s era, commercial Type III medium building?
• Cold drawn steel loses 55% of its strength at 800°F. At what temperature does this occur?
• A TYPE 1 building that has stairwells at either end of the building is categorized as which layout?
• How does heat flow according to the definitions?
• Which statement best describes Curtain Wall construction?
• Which factor is included among the inputs for predicting building collapse?
• A Type V construction that has become the most common type of wood construction?
• Which roof type features a raised central section along the ridge that acts as a monitor?
• In multistory Type V buildings using platform methods, what is present between floors in the exterior walls?
• In the 4 category of the 2-4-6 method, how many landlines are allowed or less?
• Hot rolled steel loses what percentage of its strength at 1100°F?
• Which of the following is a tactical challenge for buildings?
• Which term describes load imposed through the center of the material?
• What is the primary characteristic of Type V balloon frame construction?
• In a parallel chord truss, which chord is typically in compression under loading?
• If fire is exposing conventional structural members for more than how many minutes, rethink interior/roof operations?
• What best defines a building load?
• Zero-clearance fireplaces should be considered a modern form of which framing construction?
• NFPA 220 assigns the 2HH designation to which construction type?
• What is a hazard during vertical ventilation on clay tile roofs?
• A tilt slab building is classified as which NFPA 220 construction type?
• Which of the following factors contributes to the rapid size-up challenge for a commercial building?
• Which statement correctly describes heat resistance as related to mass and surface area?
• Plywood is made from layering sheet veneers with grain directions alternating by what degree?
• Type IV construction, where each floor is built as a separate unit from the floors below and above, is commonly referred to as what?
• Masonry walls get stronger as what type of loads are applied and compressive forces increase?
• TYPE 1 (332) the first three, refers to what in construction terminology?
• In conventional framing, which size range of solid lumber is typically used?
• Hot rolled steel loses 50% of its strength at 1100°F. At what temperature does this occur?
• Type V construction is
• In the 2-4-6 method, the '6' category specifies the minimum number of handlines for interior operations.
• Live load is defined as
• Beams transfer loads primarily in which direction relative to their length?
• In the TYPE 1 designation 332, what does the digit 2 denote?
• An engineered structural element that uses groups of rigid triangles to distribute and transfer loads is called what?
• NFPA 220 fire resistive ratings for Type II construction are listed as which sequence?
• Which of the following describes a ventilation-related drawback of single-ply roof systems?
• If a building is 40 meters tall, the normal collapse zone is approximately how many meters?
• Which term describes fire resistive construction?
• The deeper a window is inset in an exterior wall, the ______ the building.
• Which feature forms the false spaces under eaves, stairways, and above cabinets?
• For a building described as unknown era, with commercial or commercial-residential use, Type III, and medium size, what is the described fire spread pattern?
• Which structural element is installed below grade to provide support for other structural elements and to retain soil?
• Which construction method is described as relatively new and used for rapid exterior completion?
• Which of the following is NOT one of the four inputs for predicting building collapse?
• Which ridge detail is described for bungalow construction?
• What type of concrete buildings are built on-site by pumping concrete into a form?
• Pitch content in old-growth wood is best described as what?
• In roof-truss construction, what is the interior space created within the triangular members commonly called?
• In unreinforced masonry wall buildings, the collapse zone distance is equal to how many times the building height?
• Which form of Type V construction has become the most common wood construction?
• In conventional concrete, what is the binding agent?
• Concentrated load means
• In the TYPE 1 designation 332, what does the second digit 3 denote?
• Which construction type is specified to have a collapse zone equal to three times its height for safety?
• Which organization is associated with NFPA technical reports cited in the material?
• What direction does heat flow?
• Which construction approach is most associated with rapid exterior completion of high-rise buildings?
• Which of the following is NOT among the six primary concerns for building facades?
• In a roof ventilation scenario, the load type corresponding to weight distributed along the roof ladder is
• Which term describes the deterioration that occurs when concrete pockets crumble due to heat exposure?
• Element 1 and Element 2 in the described framing context are which components?
• Engineered wood replaces sawn lumber, sheathing, and what else?
• Which term best describes the component that connects structural members together?
• Which roof type is defined by two slopes on opposite sides creating a barn-like appearance and is common on rural buildings?
• Which NFPA 220 construction type is commonly described as 'Ordinary Construction'?
• What is the common weakness of cast iron?
• Which statement best describes the impact of modern construction techniques on firefighter safety?
• What hazard is associated with deck components when a single-ply roof membrane is present?
• Which of the following is a primary concern for building facades related to vertical positioning relative to the roof?
• What is a drawback of wood shake shingles?
• Defining sheath is best described as what?
• Which construction type is defined by using noncombustible materials for all major structural members?
• Which statement best describes exterior wall materials for Type II and Type III constructions?
• NFPA 220 fire resistive ratings for type V construction indicate which construction type?
• In residential structures, skylights are generally located where?
• Which roof type is characterized by a central elevated monitor with potential windows along the top?
• Height and shape is one of the six primary concerns for building facades?
• The height threshold for high-rise classification is based on what measurement?
• Another term for CMU or concrete masonry unit is what?
• Type 1 construction is best described as ...
• What term describes where two or more structural members are joined together, using nails, bolts, mitered joints, gusset plates, and similar methods?
• Clay tile roofing is especially heavy, contributing to which drawback?
• Which term refers to a freestanding vertical post that carries loads in compression?
• What term describes 1x6 boards running at a 45-degree angle from exterior walls to primary structural members?
• What describes axial load?
• Which item is not listed as part of rapid size-up factors?
• The most common type of peaked roof truss is which?
• Which statement best summarizes a primary safety concern with single-ply roofs as described?
• What are the three strikes against firefighters in terms of new building trends?
• Which roof type is flat or nearly flat with little or no pitch?
• Which color smoke indicates structural involvement?
• What is the term for the junction of a vertical member (such as a skylight or parapet) with a horizontal member (the roof) that helps keep water out of the vertical member?
• In the 1940s era commercial Type III medium building, what is the described fire spread pattern?
• Which of the following is a tactical challenge for buildings?
• In reinforced concrete, what property is enhanced by embedding steel?
• How far apart are rafters generally spaced on a gable roof?
• Which of the following is NOT a common use of OSB?
• Type III construction is commonly described as which of the following?
• How far apart are purlins spaced on a panelized roof?
• OSB is commonly used for which components?
• Which construction type is most common across the United States?
• From a fire service viewpoint, which of the following is a weakness of steel?
• A building is composed of these four primary structural elements.
• Windows installed in many federal buildings that decrease the chance of flying glass in the event of an explosion are known as?
• In bungalow construction on a gable roof, what is the maximum on-center spacing mentioned?
• Which load is moving or sudden in a short time interval?
• Which factor is part of rapid size-up?
• Which component is described by examples such as gypsum, OSB, and plywood panels?
• What is native wood or sawn lumber refers to which of the following?
• Type V structural elements are primarily composed of?
• How much stronger can thermoplastics be than safety glass of the same thickness?
• Which roof type is typically associated with a bridge truss?
• What is the normal collapse zone relative to building height?
• Exterior walls on Type III buildings are typically made of which materials?
• Which construction type uses heavy timber framing?
• Which glass classification is commonly used in modern interiors for safety while maintaining strength, often found in tall buildings?
• 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.
• Concrete tends to be a heat sink, meaning it does what?
• Big-box building examples include which of the following?
• If an eight-meter-tall unreinforced masonry building is considered, the approximate collapse zone distance is how many meters?
• Which of the following is NOT considered a TYPE 1 building layout category?
• Which material serves as the primary binding agent in traditional concrete and is often used in mortar as well?
• If a window is deeply inset into the exterior wall, the building is typically older.
• Which statement best describes how loads travel in a truss?
• An exterior wall brace used to resist lateral forces where roof beams rest on the wall is called what?
• What does the term 'size up' refer to in incident response?
• NFPA 220 lists fire-resistive ratings for Type III construction as which values?
• The collapse zone distance for URM walls scales with building height according to which rule?
• What is the primary fire hazard in Type III construction buildings?
• What type of glass is common in high-rise buildings?
• Unfinished, heated wood emits which color smoke?
• What is the most common type of roof covering?
• In a parallel chord truss, the top chord is subject to what type of force?
• If a facade over the main entryway could collapse, lines should be extended through which feature?
• Which term best describes wood products such as Glulam beams and OSB?
• Which load is applied within a small area or at one point?
• One advantage of metal roofs to firefighters is that they are lightweight.
• How far do division walls (fire walls) generally extend above the roofline?
• If fire is exposing lightweight structural members for more than how many minutes, interior/roof operations should be reconsidered?
• If the depth of a structural beam is doubled, what is the expected effect on bending strength?
• Which term describes a decorative element that often extends from the top edge of a building?
• The layer used to cover framed structures, including gypsum-based panels and plywood, is known as ...
• Which building type is responsible for the most firefighter and civilian deaths?
• What strategy should buildings under construction, renovation, or demolition default to?
• Vertical posts that are driven into the earth to serve as the foundation anchor of a building are called what?
• How far apart can beams be spaced on a panelized roof?
• The bottom of a structural beam is subject to what type of force?
• Which construction type is described by the designation Type II Noncombustible Construction?
• The two categories of doors equipped with security bars are?
• A gable truss roof that shows rough 2x4 tails, spaced far apart, may indicate what type of construction?
• What is a common drawback of slate roofing?
• Which wood sheathing is made from a coarse sawdust and glue?
• Which of the following is a primary disadvantage of engineered lumber?
• What term describes a freestanding vertical post?
• In Type 1 construction, exterior bearing walls are defined as ...
• Type II construction is described as which of the following?
• In NFPA 220, the designation 2HH, the H stands for what?
• Which type of connection is primarily gravity-driven, relying on weight rather than fasteners to keep elements together?
• This type of plastic uses heat to harden or set
• A victim can survive 300 degrees for how long?
• Which term describes a load that causes a material to twist?
• What is the term for an exterior construction feature on a building's wall that is used to alter its visual appearance?
• Which of the following is a primary concern for building facades related to projecting elements?
• The fire ground clock starts when?
• Concrete has excellent what strength?
• What term describes the area created by false floors and suspended ceilings that create voids above and/or below personnel?
• Another term for annealed glass is what?
• Cold drawn steel loses what percentage of its strength at 800°F?
• In a Type II construction fire scenario, which is a principal hazard?
• Modern architecture is losing three valuable factors that allow interior operations. Which are they?
• Which material can be up to 250x stronger than safety glass of the same thickness?
• What type of sheathing is typically used in the bungalow construction scenario?
• Which of the following is NOT one of the three strikes against firefighters?
• False spaces on the underside of eaves and stairways, the space above cabinets, and areas used to hide plumbing, HVAC, etc., are called what?
• The components of concrete are Portland cement, sand, and what?
• Name of a flat roof that is sloped?
• Which term describes load that causes twisting?
• What is added to concrete as reinforcement for applications that require tensile and shear qualities?
• Which distance describes the collapse zone around unreinforced masonry walls?
• What two essential structural elements associated with modern construction techniques are detrimental to firefighters?
• Cost effective building techniques are accomplished by using what two factors?
• In this context, monolithic buildings refer to what?
• What accelerates building degradation in older buildings in today's fires?
• Which roofing type is both lightweight and noncombustible?
• Steel has excellent resistance to which combination of forces?
• Safety is a commitment that can be accomplished in what three ways?
• On panelized roofs, how far apart are joists hung off the purlins?
• What type of glass is typically used in modern residential and commercial applications?
• Steel has excellent resistance to which three forces?
• What type of Type V construction no longer uses full dimensional lumber?
• Components of mortar are what?
• Engineered wood is defined as what?
• Type IV construction should be built without?
• Impact load is
• Which metal is the most abundant on Earth?
• What does 'relevant' mean?
• Which roof type consists of a series of ridges that resemble the teeth of a saw?
• Which of the following is NOT a roof type listed in the material?
• How is a hybrid building defined?
• Which of the following is NOT a listed ICF construction type?
• Steel has been used for about 200 years and is commonly used for which two building components?
• A TYPE 1 building that has elevators and stairs in the middle of the building is categorized as which layout?
• Which term describes solid lumber of 2x6 or larger used in a standard framing configuration?
• What is the common metal gusset plate size on a gable roof?
• Which statement best describes thermoplastics?
• The most predominant type of building in United States
• A listed disadvantage of engineered lumber is that it can lead to replacement of which materials in some applications?
• Windows that are inset in exterior walls indicate what type of construction?
• In the 2-4-6 method, the '6' represents which category?
• Which statement describes a drawback of clay tile roofing?
• What is the term for the small space created when a roof is raised above the level of ceiling joists to provide pitch for drainage?
• Materials used to cover or encase walls, ceilings and roofs of framed structures (examples include gypsum, OSB, and plywood) are called ...
• Which combination of elements is listed as detrimental to firefighters?
• The collapse zone distance for unreinforced masonry wall buildings is defined as a multiple of the building height. Which of the following expresses that standard?
• In a parallel chord truss, the bottom cord is subject to what type of force?
• In post and beam construction, what is identified as the weak point?
• What are the three classifications of the exterior walls of Type II buildings?
• Type V, conventional platform framing, confines fire through which mechanism?
• Green construction is not a construction type, but an _________ to construction.
• In the material’s definitions, which concept is described by the phrase surface to mass ratio?
• Type IV construction is characterized by which material?
• A structural element in which the chords run in the same plane is called what?
• NFPA 220 fire resistive ratings apply to which type of structures?
• Which roof type has a predominantly flat surface with minimal slope?
• What is a drawback of slate roofs?
• Which structural component is typically the lowest and deepest part of a building, in direct contact with the earth?
• NFPA 220 fire resistive ratings for Type III construction are listed as which pair?
• Which load describes the weight of the building itself and permanently attached elements?
• Which statement best reflects brittle material characteristics?
• A building with a metal deck roof is classified as which NFPA 220 construction type?
• What are the primary components of steel?
• What is the area of strength of a flat roof?
• Which engineered wood product is the most prolifically used?
• Exterior walls on Type III buildings are constructed of what type of materials?
• What is the Achilles' heel of a masonry wall?
• Which of the following is NOT a primary structural element of a building?
• In Type IV construction, loadbearing exterior and interior walls shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than how many hours?
• Which statement best describes a feature not explicitly tested by the rapid size-up factors provided?
• Another advantage of metal roofs to firefighters is that they are non combustible.
• How many classification methods help in the evaluation of a building?
• What is the average time to collapse of lightweight wood trusses when exposed to fire?
• Which construction type is primarily characterized by a wood frame structure?
• Which structural element is a vertical member that is loaded axially in compression?
• Under load, which term best describes the bending of a beam?
• A disadvantage of metal roofs to firefighters is that they can be sharp.
• What is the primary purpose of establishing the collapse zone around unreinforced masonry wall buildings?
• Which type of truss is commonly used for peaked roofs due to its triangular geometry?
• In the 1940s era, which construction type is described for a commercial building?
• Which metal is the most abundant on earth and is rarely used for the main structural buildings because of production cost?
• Fire load is measured in what unit to express the energy released by burning materials?
• Division walls are commonly referred to as which type of wall?
• Relatively new method of construction that allows the exterior of the building to be completed rapidly?
• Type V engineered wood platform construction primarily uses engineered wood products in combination with what to bond structural connections?
• The top of a structural beam is subject to what type of force?
• Tempered glass is how many times stronger than annealed glass?
• An engineered collection of interconnected building components that form a cohesive structural unit, such as a roof or floor, is called a ...
• Which type of slump concrete is stronger?
• Connections that concentrate transferred loads to a single point (screw, nail, nut and bolt) are known as which type of connection?
• Engineered I-joists must be exposed to fire to degrade. True or false?
• In TYPE 1 buildings, which layout category typically features central access via a core that houses elevators and stairs?
• Which feature is described as being created by interstitial areas?
• What type of Type V-5 construction uses milled lumber, a solid wood frame, and nails as connectors?
• At what vertical height is a building classified as a high-rise?
• When exposed to fire, lightweight construction has catastrophic failure in how many minutes?
• According to NFPA technical reports, what are the three primary factors at structural incidents that cause firefighter injuries and deaths?
• In the 4 category, how many stories or less are allowed?
• Which construction type is associated with the three-times-height collapse zone rule?
• Due to increased insulation, green structures enhance the potential of what?
• In Type IV construction, minimum fire resistance rating for loadbearing walls is?
• Spalling is defined as what?
• For a twelve-meter-tall unreinforced masonry building, the approximate collapse zone distance is how many meters?
• Ground gradient refers to electricity returning to zero potential through nonconductive surfaces such as soil or concrete.
• Which construction type requires all structural members to be made from noncombustible materials?
• Which term describes wood products made from a composite of glue, veneers, and wood chips pressed together, with examples such as glulam beams and OSB?
• For an 18-meter-tall URM building, what is the approximate collapse zone distance?
• What term describes an exterior construction feature used on the walls to alter its visual appearance?
• Cricket is a roof feature associated with which purpose?
• External indicators of a renovation/remodel of a building include which of the following?
• Which building category linked to the most fatalities is most commonly cited?
• This type of building has an excellent record of fire resistance, but they're capable of large conflagration type fires
• Which metal is an exception to the rule that firefighters consider lightweight as a recipe for rapid failure?
• A gambrel style roof where ALL sides are hip-style slope?
• A disadvantage of metal roofs to firefighters is that they may be built over an existing roof.
• A flashover warning is indicated by which type of smoke?
• Repeated load example
• What is a web member?
• Concrete has poor ______ strength and ______ strength.
• Which hazard does the collapse zone rule primarily address?
• The change from unreinforced brick to reinforced brick masonry buildings occurred when?
• Which term describes the stress that flattens or crushes a material?
• Which pairing correctly matches skylight placement?
• NFPA 220 fire resistive ratings for Type II construction are represented by which of the following descriptions?
• Collapse zone around URM buildings should be applied in which directions?
• Beams are structural elements that deliver loads perpendicular to their length, creating bending moments. Which term best describes such elements?
• Tilt slab construction uses which type of concrete?
• What two categories can most plastics be placed in?
• Dead load is defined as
• Wood beams designed to pull out of a wall during a collapse without affecting the wall are known as ...
• Which construction type is described as having an excellent fire resistance yet capable of large conflagrations?
• In a parallel chord truss, which chord is typically in tension under loading?
• What is the primary hazard in a TYPE 1 building fire?
• At what temperature does the joining glue start to soften on lightweight gable roof trusses?