Chapter 6 Overview

Chapter 6 is titled 'Types of Construction' and covers the requirements for the materials used to construct major building elements. A system of 9 different categories of construction are created using a main and sub-category structure - IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, IV, VA, and VB. Most generally, type IA has the highest fire-resistance and type VB has the least. These categories are one key variable used by Chapter 5 to establish maximum allowable height, number of stories, and area of buildings.

The model shows a steel I-beam, steel open web truss joist, cold-formed steel stud, concrete block, plywood, and dimensional lumber as examples of different types of materials which may or may not be allowed by a specific type of construction.