Regardless of construction type or materials used, all buildings are under stress. The weight of the building’s structural elements as well as the equipment, furnishings and people inside all contribute to a series of forces trying to equalize gravity and architectural design faults, especially when it’s burning.
An experienced firefighter mustd understand the importance of these established structural loads, their forces and the associated hazards as described in the structures you are looking at and learning about.
Read Jim Spell’s article “Building construction basics: Key terms firefighters need to know” and then test your knowledge here.