Wednesday February, 25 2026

Nature: Company Drill – Types of Building Construction

Address: Oak Orchard Facility

On Wednesday evening, February 25^th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company hosted their monthly training (drill) evening to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities of our volunteer firefighter personnel by reviewing and discussing the types of building construction being utilized.

Firefighters should be aware of the following building construction types to enhance their knowledge and skills:

• Fire-Resistive Construction (Type 1) which is made with materials like reinforced concrete or protected steel, these buildings can withstand higher temperatures before failing.

• Non-Combustible Construction (Type II) which are structure building material that do not easily burn, providing better fire resistance.

• Ordinary Construction (Type III) which is typically made of wood framing and masonry, these buildings can be susceptible to fire spread due to their combustible materials.

• Heavy Timber Construction (Type IV) is characterized by large dimension lumber; these buildings offer significant fire resistance but can fail under prolonged periods of heat.

• Wood-Frame Construction (Type V) is often found in residential areas; these buildings can burn quickly and pose a higher risk of fire spread.

Understanding these construction types is crucial for firefighters to assess risks and respond effectively during firefighting operations.

The course was taught by renowned Delaware State Fire School Instructor Robert Murray who is also a member of the Lewes Fire Department.