Construction and layout of the building
How the building or structure is constructed in terms of
its materials and the quality in which the materials have
been used within the building has an effect upon any
potential fi re growth rate. Clearly, buildings constructed
of wood have the potential to speed the fi re growth rate;
however, in itself, due to the nature of wood (strengthens
when it is burnt) the fi re growth rate would be affected
more by voids between fl oors, ceilings and roofs in
wooden buildings than the use of wood itself.
The size and layout of a building also has the
potential to affect the growth rate. When a building
has high ceilings, such as in the case of atria (found in
shopping malls), fi re growth is likely to be much slower
than those buildings with low ceilings, or those that include basements.