The pre-incident plan identifies a building as Type II. This classification corresponds to which construction type?

• A. Ordinary construction
• B. Non-combustible construction
• C. Fire resistive construction
• D. Heavy timber construction

Answer: (B)

Understanding construction types helps you anticipate how a building will behave in a fire. Type II construction denotes noncombustible construction, meaning the structural frame and exterior walls are made from noncombustible materials such as steel, concrete, or masonry. Because the frame itself doesn’t burn, fire behavior is driven more by contents and compartmentation rather than by the structural members. The other common classifications map to different types: fire-resistive for highly protected structures, ordinary construction for noncombustible exterior with combustible interior framing, and heavy timber for large timber elements. So, Type II corresponds to noncombustible construction.