This Construction Brief will give you an overview of Verisk Construction Class 2 – joisted masonry construction. When you've completed this course, you will know what a Verisk report means when it says a building is joisted masonry construction. And you will understand why a particular structure is—or isn't—joisted masonry.
Definition
Buildings with exterior walls of masonry or fire-resistive construction rated for not less than one hour and with combustible floors and roofs.
There are several types of masonry used in the exterior bearing walls of joisted masonry buildings:
Exterior bearing walls may also be any noncombustible materials with fire-resistance ratings of not less than one hour.
There's one variation on joisted masonry construction that doesn't change the construction class—heavy timber or mill construction.
Heavy timber construction uses wood members much larger than those found in frame (Construction Class 1) or other joisted masonry construction.
If the building uses steel columns or beams for walls, the beams must be protected so they have a fire-resistance rating of not less than one hour.
Verisk classifies the building as heavy timber construction if it meets these requirements:
Heavy timber construction offers these advantages:
Joisted masonry construction has these disadvantages: