Which construction technique builds one floor at a time with a firestop between each floor?

The construction technique that builds one floor at a time with a firestop between each floor is platform-frame construction. This method involves creating individual floor frames that rest on top of the wall studs, which allows for the easy installation of firestops—materials designed to slow or prevent the spread of fire and smoke between floors. Each floor is built sequentially, and gaps between floors are filled with fire-resistant materials to enhance safety.

In the context of firefighting and safety standards, this technique is significant because it can help contain fire spread within a building, providing additional time for occupants to evacuate and for firefighters to respond. This feature makes platform-frame construction a preferred choice in residential and smaller commercial buildings where fire safety measures are paramount.

Other construction methods such as ordinary construction typically involve walls that are built continuously from the foundation to the roof, with less emphasis on fire separation between floors. Balloon frame construction features continuous wall studs that extend from the first floor to the roof, which can create a faster pathway for fire to travel vertically through the structure. Flitch plate construction involves the use of steel plates within wood beams for reinforcement and does not specifically relate to how floors are framed or separated in fire prevention contexts.