Fire Resistance Ratings

Fire-Resistant Metal: Understanding Ratings for Safer Building Design

Steve Gaynor of RAiNA and PIVOTH, shared important information about the exterior wall assembly fire performance code on a free METALCON Online Webinar on-demand below. In addition to understanding the exterior wall assembly, knowledge about construction types is vital for firefighters and anyone in the construction industry. Thanks to BigRentz, here’s a look at the five building construction types and their respective fire resistance ratings.

At the IBHS facility in South Carolina, Daniel Gorham and his colleagues test building materials in a wildfire simulation. Engineers designed and built a full-size duplex home. On one side, the house has cedar siding, vinyl gutters, single-pane windows and bark mulch around the foundation. On the other side, the house is designed to be fire-resistant, with cement siding, metal gutters, double-pane windows and gravel around the foundation.
Credit: Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety

Building codes classify all structures from Type 1 to Type 5, and this building type reveals crucial information such as fire resistance. The most fire-resistant buildings, Type 1 structures, are constructed with concrete and protected steel (Check out the 4 different types of steel HERE), which can withstand high temperatures without collapsing. By contrast, Type 5 structures, the least fire-resistant, are lightweight and made of combustible materials that collapse soon after catching fire.

Five construction types:

  • Type 1: Fire-resistive: High-rise buildings made of concrete and protected steel; generally, these buildings are more than 75 feet tall and are considered the safest in case of a fire, as they are able to withstand high temperatures for long periods of time.
  • Type 2: Non-combustible: Newer buildings or recently renovated commercial structures — including big-box stores and large shopping malls — with tilt-slab or reinforced masonry walls and a metal roof; while these buildings generally have fire suppression systems, they are prone to collapse when flames expose their metal roofs to high temperatures.
  • Type 3: Ordinary: New or old buildings with non-combustible walls but a wood-framed roof (eg, schools, businesses, homes); while these buildings contain some materials resistant to fire, their roof systems quickly burn and their fire-cut joists pose hazards to firefighters.
  • Type 4: Heavy Timber: Older buildings made from thick lumber; buildings are typically constructed before the 1960s using large pieces of lumber seen on barns, factories and old churches.
  • Type 5: Wood-framed: Modern buildings with combustible framing and roofs; many modern homes fall into this type due to their use of combustible materials — usually wood — in the walls and roof. Unlike the lumber in Type 4 buildings, Type 5 structures use lightweight or manufactured wood. While this material is inexpensive, efficient and structurally sound, it is not fire-resistant and these buildings can collapse minutes after a fire starts.

Knowledge about construction types is vital for firefighters and anyone in the construction industry. Understanding these construction types gives any construction worker or firefighter baseline knowledge about how these structures come together. 

RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE:

METALCON Education Session On-demand:

Share:

More Posts from the METALCON blog:

METALCON Newsletter August 2025

TODAY! FREE WEBINAR FOR CONTRACTORSMetalCoffeeShop (MCS) and METALCON team up to bring you “Metal Contractors Share the Real Deal.” A leading group of metal contractors representing erectors, general contractors, roofers and siding professionals form the panel for this informative talk about the state of the metal industry. Moderated by Heidi Ellsworth, CEO of MetalCoffeeShop, the panel will cover the increasing popularity of metal buildings, roofing and siding that are all driving the construction market even in volatile times. Bonus for

Read More »

Metal Construction Industry 101: Dive Into the Emerging Trends of 2025

Metal Construction Industry 101: Dive into the fundamentals of metal construction and get up to date on current and emerging trends is crucial for industry professionals. Explore these topics by watching the recent Metal Construction Industry 101 webinar with experts Todd Miller and Lauren Rubino. Learn why attending the METALCON trade show is essential, especially for future leaders in the industry.

Read More »

AI in Construction: What’s Changed in Just One Year—and What’s Next

AI is no longer a future concept—it’s transforming construction right now. With tools becoming more powerful and accessible over just the past year, the opportunities for innovation and efficiency have never been greater. METALCON 2025 is your gateway to exploring how AI is reshaping the metal construction industry, with expert-led sessions, hands-on tech demonstrations, and real-world strategies to help you stay ahead of the curve.

Read More »

METALCON Launches Veteran Retreat Project with Steel Frame Build

Eagles Landing Begins in Las Vegas, Bound for Montana (Newton, MA — July 17, 2025) —This year, the only global event dedicated exclusively to the application of metal in design and construction is proud to launch a heartwarming project: a full-scale steel frame for a future veteran retreat in Hall, Montana, an inspiring new initiative for METALCON 2025. This special build will be showcased during the show, October 21–23, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, marking the first phase of

Read More »

METALCON Newsletter July 2025

WHERE THE INDUSTRY MEETS: CAN’T MISS NETWORKING AT METALCONAt METALCON 2025, networking completes the trifecta — alongside education and exhibits — to deliver a powerful, full-spectrum experience. Whether you’re looking to spark new partnerships or connect with peers, this year’s networking lineup has something for everyone.   Included with your registration, the Welcome Party returns Tuesday at 4:00 PM on the show floor, along with Oktoberfest Happy Hours all three days and last year’s favorite, Speed Networking. Women in the

Read More »

Why Attend METALCON as a Builder?

From groundbreaking techniques to future-focused education, METALCON is more than a trade show—it’s a launchpad for innovation in metal construction. While contractors, architects, and engineers have long benefited from the show, builders have unique opportunities to thrive at METALCON 2025. Whether you specialize in residential, commercial, agricultural, or mixed-use developments, METALCON offers a rare chance to gain knowledge, make connections, and discover solutions tailored to today’s building challenges. What Can Builders Expect at METALCON? 1. A Hands-On, Solutions-Driven Show Floor Builders who attend METALCON

Read More »

METALCON 2025 Top Product Awards

Applications due August 8, 2025 METALCON, the premier global event for the metal construction and design industry, announces its Fifth Annual Top Product Awards, honoring the most innovative products, technologies and solutions shaping the future of the industry. METALCON exhibitors are invited to submit nominations across 15 product categories, showcasing their most innovative offerings. Eligible products must have been introduced to the market on or after Jan. 1, 2024, and its manufacturer must be a participating exhibitor at METALCON 2025.

Read More »