In the contractor industry, there are five commonly known types of commercial buildings. Depending on the needs of each individual client, they may request for one type of building over another. There are distinguishing characteristics of each type of building which set them apart. In this article, we share more with you about the 5 must-know types of commercial buildings.
Brick-And-Joist Structures (Type I)
The ordinary type of building is also known as brick-and-joist structures. Featuring brick walls with a wooden roof and floor, they are not well protected against fire due to a large part of the interior structure being combustible. While brick-and-joist structures are more common in old buildings, there are some newer buildings of this type, too.
Heavy Timber Structures (Type IV)
Made out of laminated or solid wood, both the interior and exterior elements of timber buildings are non-combustible. There are certain requirements that have to be met in this type of building, such as the dimensions of beams, columns, roofs and floor planks. Although a large volume of water will be required to extinguish a fire in timber buildings, they are stable structures that do not collapse easily.
Wood-Framed Buildings (Type V)
As the most combustible commercial building type, the interior of wood-framed buildings is made almost entirely out of wood. Many modern homes are wood-framed buildings as it is the only type that allows for combustible exterior walls. This feature means that wood-framed buildings are resistant to collapsing in the case of a fire unless it is extremely lightweight.
Fire Resistant Buildings (Type II)
Fire resistant buildings come out top in terms of being non-combustible. They are usually very tall, coming up to 75 feet in height. Made of protective steel and poured concrete, these buildings can withstand fire and prevent it from spreading. However, there are limitations when it comes to ventilation options because the roof is also made out of non-combustible materials.
Non-Combustible Buildings (Type III)
Although this type of building is similar to its fire-resistant counterparts in terms of non-combustibility, they provide a lower level of fire resistance and are not able to contain the spread of fire as well. They are also the least stable when it comes to structural collapse during a fire. Non-combustible buildings feature metal floors and roofs as well as tilt-slab or masonry walls. Many new school buildings are non-combustible buildings
Work with US Framing for Commercial Wood Building Projects
If you have a commercial building project that needs completing, look no further than US Framing to assist you with the design, construction, and management process. We are able to recommend the best type of building approach that will suit your needs when you engage our services. We have a wide range of experience and expertise in framing a wide range of buildings including hotels, student housing, apartments and more. To this end, many of our clients are repeat customers and we look forward to developing a good working relationship with you, too. Please feel free to contact us for more information or a quote.
