Type III Construction is referred to as what?

• A. Fire-resistive
• B. Noncombustible
• C. Ordinary (Strip Mall)
• D. Heavy Timber

Answer: (C)

Understanding how the IBC classifies construction by fire resistance helps explain this. Type III is ordinary construction, defined by exterior walls that are noncombustible or masonry while the interior structural framing can be combustible. This mix gives moderate fire resistance: the solid exterior walls help contain fires from outside and protect the interior, but the interior framing isn’t required to be as fire-resistant as in the more stringent types. That’s why strip malls, which typically have masonry exterior walls and lighter interior framing, are a classic example of Type III.

The other options don’t fit because fire-resistive construction refers to the highly protected Type I, II systems; noncombustible describes Type II; and heavy timber is Type IV, which uses heavy timber for interior framing.