An appraiser is inspecting a 1958 ranch-style home and observes exterior walls constructed of concrete block laid in running bond, with solid grouted cells at all corners and around openings, and a continuous reinforced concrete bond beam at the top. The roof is supported by wood trusses bearing on the block walls. How should this construction be classified under the Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) and USPAP-compliant property description standards?
Correct Answer
B) Type 3: Ordinary — because it has load-bearing masonry walls and a combustible roof assembly
Per the UAD v3.9 Construction Type definitions (aligned with ISO and NFPA 220), Type 3 (Ordinary) construction is defined as having load-bearing walls of masonry or concrete and a roof/structural frame of combustible materials (e.g., wood trusses). The presence of wood trusses — a combustible structural element — disqualifies Type 2 (Noncombustible), which requires *all* structural elements, including roof framing, to be noncombustible. Type 4 requires heavy timber elements meeting specific size and fire-resistance criteria not indicated here; Type 5 requires wood-frame load-bearing walls. USPAP Standard 2 requires accurate, supportable property description, including construction type, based on observable characteristics.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Per the UAD v3.9 Construction Type definitions (aligned with ISO and NFPA 220), Type 3 (Ordinary) construction is defined as having load-bearing walls of masonry or concrete and a roof/structural frame of combustible materials (e.g., wood trusses). The presence of wood trusses — a combustible structural element — disqualifies Type 2 (Noncombustible), which requires *all* structural elements, including roof framing, to be noncombustible. Type 4 requires heavy timber elements meeting specific size and fire-resistance criteria not indicated here; Type 5 requires wood-frame load-bearing walls. USPAP Standard 2 requires accurate, supportable property description, including construction type, based on observable characteristics.
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