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Insurance Fundamentals
Interactive Guide: Building Construction Classifications for Insurance
Explore all 6 construction classes with interactive popovers. Click each construction type to view detailed characteristics, fire behavior, and premium impact information.
Dominic Sylvester
Founder & President
Nov 20, 2025
5 min read
import {Fragment as _Fragment, jsx as _jsx, jsxs as _jsxs} from "react/jsx-runtime";
import {ConstructionGallery} from '@/components/blog/construction-gallery';
import {getAllConstructionClasses} from '@/lib/construction-classes';
function _createMdxContent(props) {
const _components = {
a: "a",
h2: "h2",
h3: "h3",
hr: "hr",
li: "li",
ol: "ol",
p: "p",
strong: "strong",
ul: "ul",
...props.components
};
return _jsxs(_Fragment, {
children: [_jsx(_components.p, {
children: "Building construction classification is one of the most important factors affecting your commercial property insurance premiums. This interactive guide walks you through all 6 construction classes—from highly combustible wood-frame structures to fire-resistant reinforced concrete buildings."
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
children: "Why Construction Matters for Insurance"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: "The construction type of your building fundamentally determines:"
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
children: ["\n", _jsxs(_components.li, {
children: [_jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Fire Resistance"
}), ": How well the building resists fire spread"]
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.li, {
children: [_jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Loss Severity"
}), ": The potential damage if fire occurs"]
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.li, {
children: [_jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Replacement Costs"
}), ": Total cost to rebuild the structure"]
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.li, {
children: [_jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Insurance Premiums"
}), ": Direct correlation to construction classification"]
}), "\n"]
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.p, {
children: ["A Class 1 wood-frame building can cost ", _jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "3-5 times more"
}), " to insure than a Class 6 concrete building of identical size and location."]
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
children: "Interactive Construction Classes"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: "Hover over or click any construction class below to view detailed information:"
}), "\n", _jsx(ConstructionGallery, {}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
children: "Understanding the Construction Classes"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h3, {
children: "Class 1: Wood Frame - Maximum Risk"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: "Class 1 represents the most combustible construction. All major structural elements—walls, frames, roofs—are made of wood or other combustible materials. These buildings present the highest fire risk and the highest insurance premiums."
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: _jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Key Statistics:"
})
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Premium Range: $3.50-$5.00 per $100 of property value"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Relative Cost: 2.5-3x higher than Class 6"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Common Examples: Older warehouses, older apartment buildings, barns"
}), "\n"]
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h3, {
children: "Class 2: Non-Combustible Walls with Wood Roof"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: "Class 2 buildings have masonry or concrete walls (non-combustible) but wooden roof construction. The wood roof is the vulnerability, making these buildings higher risk than pure masonry construction."
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: _jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Key Statistics:"
})
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Premium Range: $2.00-$3.00 per $100 of property value"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Relative Cost: 1.5-2x higher than Class 6"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Common Examples: Older brick commercial buildings, mid-century downtown structures"
}), "\n"]
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h3, {
children: "Class 3: Masonry Non-Combustible"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: "Class 3 buildings feature non-combustible exterior walls and non-combustible roofing. This combination provides excellent fire containment, reducing both risk and insurance costs."
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: _jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Key Statistics:"
})
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Premium Range: $1.50-$2.25 per $100 of property value"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Relative Cost: 1.3-1.8x higher than Class 6"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Common Examples: Urban commercial buildings from 1950s-1980s"
}), "\n"]
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h3, {
children: "Class 4: Masonry with Protected Steel Frame"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: "Class 4 represents modern commercial construction with masonry exterior walls and protected steel structural elements. Fire-resistant coatings on steel provide excellent structural integrity during fire."
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: _jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Key Statistics:"
})
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Premium Range: $1.10-$1.60 per $100 of property value"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Relative Cost: 1.1-1.5x higher than Class 6"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Common Examples: Contemporary office buildings, modern industrial facilities"
}), "\n"]
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h3, {
children: "Class 5: Modern Steel with Complete Protection"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: "Class 5 buildings feature modern construction with completely protected steel elements and non-combustible materials throughout. These represent the second-most fire-resistant construction type."
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: _jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Key Statistics:"
})
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Premium Range: $0.75-$1.10 per $100 of property value"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Relative Cost: 1.05-1.3x higher than Class 6"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Common Examples: Modern high-rises, premium office buildings"
}), "\n"]
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h3, {
children: "Class 6: Reinforced Concrete (Fire-Resistive)"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: "Class 6 represents maximum fire resistance. Reinforced concrete construction throughout—walls, floors, structural frame—cannot burn. These buildings have the lowest insurance premiums."
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: _jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Key Statistics:"
})
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Premium Range: $0.65-$1.00 per $100 of property value"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Relative Cost: Baseline (lowest rates)"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Common Examples: Modern concrete high-rises, institutional buildings"
}), "\n"]
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
children: "Premium Cost Comparison"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: "For a $1M building in comparable location and occupancy:"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: "| Class | Type | Annual Premium |\n|-------|------|-----------------|\n| 1 | Wood Frame | $35,000-$50,000 |\n| 2 | Masonry/Wood Roof | $20,000-$30,000 |\n| 3 | Masonry Only | $15,000-$22,500 |\n| 4 | Steel Frame | $11,000-$16,000 |\n| 5 | Modern Steel | $7,500-$11,000 |\n| 6 | Concrete/Steel | $6,500-$10,000 |"
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.p, {
children: [_jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Total savings from Class 1 to Class 6: $24,500-$43,500 annually"
}), " on a $1M building."]
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
children: "How to Find Your Building's Class"
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ol, {
children: ["\n", _jsxs(_components.li, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: _jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Examine Exterior Walls"
})
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Wood → Classes 1-2"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Masonry (brick/block) → Classes 2-4"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Modern non-combustible → Classes 5-6"
}), "\n"]
}), "\n"]
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.li, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: _jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Examine Roof Structure"
})
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Wood rafters → Classes 1-2"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Metal/tile over non-combustible → Classes 3-4"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Concrete/protected steel → Classes 5-6"
}), "\n"]
}), "\n"]
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.li, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: _jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Examine Structural Frame"
})
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Wood posts/beams → Class 1"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Steel with protection → Classes 4-5"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Reinforced concrete → Classes 5-6"
}), "\n"]
}), "\n"]
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.li, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: _jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Request Official Classification"
})
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Ask your insurance broker for your building's official construction class"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Review your property insurance policy"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Consider professional structural assessment for verification"
}), "\n"]
}), "\n"]
}), "\n"]
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
children: "Renovation and Improvement"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: "If you own a lower-class building, strategic improvements can reduce your premiums:"
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
children: ["\n", _jsxs(_components.li, {
children: [_jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Class 1 → Class 2"
}), ": Replace combustible roof (~$150K-$300K for 10,000 sq ft)"]
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.li, {
children: [_jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Class 2 → Class 3"
}), ": Upgrade all exterior materials to non-combustible"]
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.li, {
children: [_jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Any Class"
}), ": Install fire suppression systems (more cost-effective than construction upgrades)"]
}), "\n"]
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.h2, {
children: "Ready to Understand Your Building?"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: "The Volare Risk Management team can:"
}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.ul, {
children: ["\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Assess your current construction class"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Identify cost-effective improvements"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Calculate potential insurance savings"
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.li, {
children: "Plan strategic renovations"
}), "\n"]
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.p, {
children: _jsx(_components.a, {
href: "/contact",
children: "Contact us for a building assessment"
})
}), "\n", _jsx(_components.hr, {}), "\n", _jsxs(_components.p, {
children: [_jsx(_components.strong, {
children: "Note"
}), ": This guide uses interactive popovers. Click any construction class in the gallery above to see detailed information about characteristics, fire behavior, and premium impact. This is an example of MDX-powered content—React components embedded directly in blog posts."]
})]
});
}
export default function MDXContent(props = {}) {
const {wrapper: MDXLayout} = props.components || ({});
return MDXLayout ? _jsx(MDXLayout, {
...props,
children: _jsx(_createMdxContent, {
...props
})
}) : _createMdxContent(props);
}
Topics:
construction classification
interactive guide
building types
property insurance
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Dominic Sylvester
Founder & President
Experienced financial services professional with extensive experience in commercial insurance and risk management. As a former family office executive, Dominic has a deep understanding of the needs of institutional investors, their capital providers, and the challenges they face.
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