Noncombustible Construction

Construction Class 3

Overview

This Construction Brief will give you an overview of Verisk's Construction Class 3 — noncombustible construction. When you have completed this course, you'll know what a Verisk report means when it says a building is noncombustible construction. And you'll understand why a particular structure is—or isn't—noncombustible.

Definition

Buildings with exterior walls, floors, and roofs of noncombustible or slow-burning materials
Building supports of noncombustible or slow-burning materials
Noncombustible or slow-burning roof decks on noncombustible or slow-burning supports—regardless of the type of insulation on the roof surface

Advantages of noncombustible construction

Easy to erect
Economical to build
Uses materials that do not readily burn

Disadvantages of noncombustible construction

Contains steel, which loses strength at high temperatures
Highly damageable buildings
Unstable buildings under fire conditions
Uses slow-burning materials that do burn—adding fuel to a fire