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Construction Types
Wood is being used to construct low-rise commercial structures throughout North America. There are five generally-used
construction types, informally described below. For a concise
explanation of each, consult
Building Codes Illustrated, A Guide to Understanding the
International Building Code.
Type I and II
— Constructed using non-combustible materials.
Type III
— Constructed using a mix of non-combustible and combustible elements. Exterior walls must be non-combustible or made from fire retardant treated wood. Interior walls can be combustible.
Type IV
—
Constructed of heavy timbers or glue-laminated beams with heavy wood floor decking.
Type V
— Typically constructed with light wood framing similar to most single-family houses. Using fire resistant materials to cover framing allows fire resistance rating.
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