Rancho Santiago Community College District
Santa Ana College
Human Services Division
Fire Technology Department

Fall 2020
Fire Technology 105 (88409) Thursday – Building Construction for Fire Protection

Santa Ana College’s Mission Statement

Santa Ana College inspires, transforms, and empowers a diverse community of learners.

Course Overview:

Instructor: William “Bill” Samp

Email: Samp_William@sac.edu

Office Hours: Thursday 2:50 p.m. – 3:20 p.m., Room A128 (prior to class or by appointment).

Course Description:

Units: 3 Hours from 3:20 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Due to the COVID 19 the school may use a Temporary Distance Learning model. In this event an email will be sent directing the student to the electronic meeting site. 

Prerequisite: Fire Technology 101 and 102

This course provides the components of building construction related to firefighter and life safety.  The elements of construction and design of structures are shown to be key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating at emergencies. 

Course Purpose:

This class will introduce students and inexperienced firefighters to building construction related to the fire service. The course will include construction stages, concepts of building systems and services, methods and materials of construction, applicable construction codes, construction types, building collapse and firefighter concerns related to building construction. Additionally, the student will be able to discuss expected interior design features when presented with exterior elevations of structures.   

Course Objectives

Students will be able to analyze common structures; identifying building materials, construction methods, and construction type employed in the structure. Additionally, students will be able to discuss typical issues faced by firefighters when encountering these structures during inspections, preplanning and emergency operations.  

Course Outcomes

At the end of the course, each student will be able to:

• Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes and inspections, fire prevention and firefighter strategies.

 

• Analyze the hazards and tactical considerations associated with various building types and occupancies.

 

• Identify building design, materials, and systems and their relationship to fire behavior and potential structure failure.

 

Required Course Textbook and Reading Materials

Brannigan’s building construction for the fire service (5th ed.). Corbett, G. P., & Brannigan, F. L. (2015). Jones & Bartlett. (ISBN: 978-1-284-1384-13613-5)

Grading

Table 1 Grading

Elements	% of Final Grade (points)
Quizzes (10 of 12 quiz scores will be used to calculate final grade)	10% (100 points)
Course Assignment	15% (200 points)
Course Presentation	15% (100 points)
Midterm	30% (300 points)
Final Exam	30% (300 points)

 

 

Note: There is no extra credit offered in this course.

Quizzes

There will be 12 quizzes throughout the semester. The quizzes will have multiple choice, fill in the blank or true and false questions. Quizzes cannot be made up.  10 of the 12 quiz scores will be used to calculate the student’s final grade.  After a quiz is graded it will be returned to the student for inclusion in their notebook. Students are encouraged to check the gradebook in canvas to assure their grades are recorded correctly.

Course Assignment

Students shall create a three to five-page document for submittal. The document shall have two or three pictures showing two or three sides of a single-family residence. Below the pictures the student will describe the exterior features of the structure.  From the exterior features the student will describe a predicted interior layout of the residence.  Additionally, the student will provide a floorplan sketch of the predicted floorplan of the pictured single-family residence. The written assignment will be submitted by email before the 13^th class meeting (November 17, 2020).

Students are encouraged to create a notebook of syllabus, weekly reading notes, class notes and handouts, quizzes, printed presentation slides, class assignment and mid-term. Some schools have accepted this class for upper divisional requirements.

 Grading Rubric for Written Assignment

Table 2 Grading Rubric for written assignment

Component	Evaluation	Maximum Points
Pictures (at least two, side & front)	To start discussion	15%
Exterior elements	Observation skills	10%
Predicted Interion layout	Application of information	15%
Floor plan	Application of information	40%
General Appearance	Effort	20%
Late submittal	Not acceptable	No credit for work
	Total Points	100% (15% of Course Grade)

Course Presentation

Students will sign-up and present in class a building construction topic provided by the instructor.  Each student will read, review and make notes of the selected topic and create a PowerPoint presentation.  The presentation will consist of six PowerPoint slides, including:

• Slide 1 – Introduction (Student Name and Topic)
• Slides 2 -5 – Explaining building construction topic features
• Slide 6 – Firefighter safety related to topic

Students will sign-up for a building construction topic and for the class meeting date to present the selected information. If the presentation is not given on the selected date a 20% penalty will be imposed on the earned score.  If a student missis their scheduled presentation they may present in a later class with the 20% penalty.  Students should be prepared to present their work on Zoom by using the share screen feature of the program.  Below is the scoring rubric:

Grading Scale for Presentation

Table 3 Grading Scale for presentation

Component	Evaluation	Maximum Points
Business Casual	Prepare for Interview	20%
PowerPoint	Use of technology	20%
Content	Introduction to topic	40%
Presentation	Presentation Ability	20%
Late Presentation	Unacceptable	-20 (Minus)
	Total Points:	100

 

Midterm Exam and Final Exam

A good portion of the Midterm and Final exams will be taken from the weekly quizzes and glossary of terms in the text.  These exams CAN NOT be taken prior to the schedule dates.  These exams can be made up by arrangement with the instructor.  The arrangement must be made PRIOR to the exam.  The alternative test will be essay format.

Students not taking the final exam will receive the grade they earned in the course.

Attendance and Participation

The success of the course is dependent upon the participation of everyone.  The course presentations and the amount of information we must cover it is important that everyone arrives on time prepared (physically and mentally) to participate. Tardy students create an unnecessary disturbance to the class in progress.  If you are delayed, please remember that it is better to show up for some of the class than not show up at all. If you arrive late and the class is in session, please enter the room quietly and take the first available seat. Do not discuss “what have I missed” with the students around you or interrupt the activity/lecture to obtain handouts from the instructor.  It will be the later arriver’s responsibility to obtain any notes, assignments, and other pertinent information that the tardy student has missed. 

Each student’s success in this course is directly related to attending class.  There is no such thing as an “excused absence”.  If a student must miss a class session, the student has the responsibility to obtain all class notes, assignments, handouts, and other pertinent information that was missed during the absences.  Not all course information or materials will be posted on the website.  Please notify the instructor of any circumstances resulting in your absence for two or more consecutive weeks.  All assignments must be submitted prior to beginning of class to receive credit. Work completed in class cannot be made up. 

Students missing more than 6 hours of class shall be dropped from the class for excessive absences.

Students who cannot continue the course have an obligation to officially withdrawal through the admissions office. Withdrawing from a course after the deadline requires the student(s) be issued an “F” or other letter grade. Consult the office for answers to any questions regarding this policy.  

Netiquette Rules and Guidelines for a productive and effective Temporary Distance Learning environment:

• Every effort will be made to begin class on time.
• It is expected that students join every class meeting before the class begins and will stay until the class is dismissed.
• It is expected students have a live camera and microphone muted during the class.
• Participate actively in chat and other course activities, having completed the readings and thought about the topic.
• Ask questions by using chat or open microphone. After asking the questions, set your microphone to mute.
• Quizzes and assigned YouTube videos will be completed after class on your own.
• Students will participate in a mature and respectful fashion.

Academic Accommodations

Students with a disability, who would like to request an academic accommodation is responsible to identify herself/himself to the instructor and to the Disability Student Program and Services (DSPS).  Please review DSPS page on the Santa Ana College’s web site.  To make arrangements for academic accommodations, contact the Disable Student Office in The Village, VL-204 or phone (714) 564-6265, Fax (714) 285-9619, Video Phone (657) 235-2999 or Email DSPS@sac.edu for a referral to the appropriate DSPS services.

Academic Honesty Policy

The below policy is located on the Santa Ana College website. Specifically, the policy can be located through the Admissions and Record home page under College Policies under the Academic Honesty Policy tab.  The policy is:

INTRODUCTION

Students at Santa Ana College are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. To falsify the results of one's research, to steal the words or ideas of another, or to cheat on an examination, corrupts the essential process by which knowledge is advanced. Academic dishonesty is seen as an intentional act of fraud, in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or efforts of another without authorization or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic exercise. As institutions, we also consider academic dishonesty to include forgery of academic documents, intentionally impeding or damaging the academic work of others, assisting other students in acts of dishonesty or coercing students into acts of dishonesty.
PROCEDURES

In cases where a violation of academic honesty is discovered, the faculty member is encouraged to file an "Academic Misconduct Incident Report" form and distribute the form to the appropriate offices listed.
There are two categories of sanctions: Limited and College-wide. Limited sanctions include an academic action such as assigning a lower grade or a grade of "F" for the assignment, project, or test. College-wide sanctions include any sanction that will affect a student's standing with the college-at-large, up to and including suspension or expulsion from the college. 
In matters relating to academic honesty violations, the primary responsibility for disciplinary proceedings rests with the instructor and the academic division where the violation allegedly occurred. The Dean of Student Affairs will assist in all College-wide sanctions.

 

Contacting Instructor

All communications with the instructor will be either face-to-face or by email. The instructor will use the email address the student provided during registration.  Most likely, group announcements will be communicated through Canvas.  Emails asking a question will be responded to usually within 24 hours of receiving it Monday through Thursday. Emails received Friday through Sunday will be answered on Monday at the latest.  Emails of an informational nature will most likely not generate a reply.  Blank or ambiguous subject lines will not be opened. The instructor is available a half hour prior to the beginning of class and by appointment to address any concerns.

 

 

Rancho Santiago Community College District
Santa Ana College
Human Services Division
Fire Technology Department

Spring 2020 – Calendar

Fire Technology 105 (88409) – Building Construction for Fire Service

Table 4 Class Calendar

	Date	Topic	Reading Assignment	Student Presentation
1	8/27/2020	Student Emergency Notification 911 or 333 Course Overview Self-Introduction	Chapter 1
2	9/3/2020 (quiz)	Introduction:  Building Construction – “reading buildings”	Chapter 2	Sign up for topic and class meeting
3	9/10/2020 (quiz)	Concepts of Construction	Chapter 3	Sign up for topic and class meeting
4	9/17/2020 (quiz)	Methods and Materials of Construction, Renovation, and Demolition	Chapter 4	Five or six student presentations
5	9/24/2020 (quiz)	Building and Fire Codes	Chapter 5	Five or six student presentations
6	10/1/2020 (quiz)	Fire Behavior and Building Construction	Chapter 6	Five or six student presentations
7	10/8/2020 (quiz)	Features of Fire Protection	Review Chapters 1 – 6+	Five or six student presentations
8	10/15/2020	Midterm Examination	Read Chapter 7	Five or six student presentations
9	10/22/2020 (quiz)	Wood Framed Construction	Chapter 8	Five or six student presentations
10	10/29/2020 (quiz)	Heavy Timber and Mill Construction	Chapter 9	Five or six student presentations
11	11/5/2020 (quiz)	Ordinary Construction	Chapter 10	Five or six student presentations
12	11/12/2020 (quiz)	Noncombustible Construction	Chapter 11	Five or six student presentations
13	11/19/2020 (quiz)	Fire-Resistive Construction	Chapter 12	Five or six student presentations
14	11/26/2020	Thanksgiving	Chapter 13 & 14	Holiday
15	12/3/2020 (quiz)	Firefighting Concerns of Green Construction Specific Occupancy-Related Construction Hazards Collapse	Last Day to Make Presentations Study for Final	Five or six student presentations
16	12/10/2020	Final