Construction Definition

Types of Construction
Fire Resistive – Type I
 Reinforced concrete, precast concrete, and protected steel frame construction meet the
criteria for Type I construction.
 Generally seen in high-rise residential and commercial buildings.
Non-combustible/limited combustible – Type II
 Ordinarily composed of unprotected metal structural components.
 Metal framing members, metal cladding, or concrete-block construction of the walls
with metal deck roofs supported by unprotected open-web joists are the most
common forms of Type II construction.
Ordinary – Type III
 Generally found in older schools, mercantile, business, and residential structures.
 Fire-cut joists (allow floors to collapse and masonry walls to remain standing).
 Exterior walls and structural members constructed of non-combustible materials.
Heavy timber – Type IV
 Constructed of solid structural members consisting of 6×6, 8×8, and larger dimensional
lumber.
 Modern heavy timber structural members are often engineered by using laminated
lumber. These members can fail much faster as the laminate glues that hold them together
can degrade and vaporize under heat conditions.
Wood frame – Type V
 Interior wall coverings may be of plaster or drywall.
 May be composed of solid dimensional lumber (Legacy-allows for more burn time and
better structural integrity under fire conditions).
 May be composed of engineered light weight wood and laminate components (promotes
rapid fire spread and reduced structural stability) used in ceiling and floor trusses, and
other composite structural components.

Importance of Construction
Construction is an important sector that contributes greatly to the economic growth of a nation.
Moreover, three factors highlight the importance of construction influence on human
development, impact on the economy, and linkage to other industries.
Construction allows for key projects and infrastructure, without new construction within towns
and cities societies could suffer from a lack of facilities and infrastructure which they may need
to flourish thus undermines human development. People need roads, bridges, buildings, houses,
and many more to continue living in a more productive society.
The construction industry is one of the largest economic activities in a county nation’s working
population depends on construction and its allied activities for their livelihood. the investments
made in the construction industry which is very much required for the economic development of
our nation. These investments increase opportunities.