Commercial property reference
Construction is the first element of COPE. The correct class depends on the load-bearing walls, floors, roof deck, and fire-resistance ratings—not simply what the exterior looks like.
Use this as a submission-quality reference, then confirm uncertain assemblies with plans, appraisals, inspections, or carrier-approved property data.
Combustible structural members
Exterior walls, floors, or roof use wood or another combustible material. A masonry veneer does not change a frame building when the load-bearing assembly remains combustible.
Broker check
Confirm the structural wall and roof-deck materials rather than relying on the exterior finish.
Masonry walls with combustible floors or roof
Exterior walls are masonry, but the floor or roof assembly contains combustible wood joists or decking. Older brick main-street buildings commonly fall into this class.
Broker check
A masonry exterior alone is not enough; document the joists, roof deck, and any concealed combustible assemblies.
Metal or other non-combustible assemblies
Exterior walls, floors, and roof use non-combustible materials, often light-gauge metal. The contents and insulation can still create a meaningful fire load.
Broker check
Verify whether wall or roof panels contain combustible insulation cores and describe the occupancy accurately.
Masonry walls with non-combustible floors and roof
Exterior bearing walls are masonry while the floor and roof assemblies are non-combustible. Tilt-up concrete walls with a steel roof system are a common example.
Broker check
Record the roof deck and insulation separately; combustible components can affect the final classification or underwriting treatment.
Protected assemblies with limited fire-resistance ratings
Structural elements have documented fire-resistance ratings, but those ratings are below the threshold used for full fire-resistive construction.
Broker check
Obtain plans, appraisal details, or other documentation supporting the stated fire-resistance ratings.
Highly protected structural assemblies
Walls, floors, roof, and structural supports use fire-resistive assemblies with documented ratings. This class is typical of some high-rise and heavily protected concrete buildings.
Broker check
Do not infer Class 6 from concrete alone; the complete structural system and its rated assemblies must qualify.
The same class can contain a low-hazard office or a higher-hazard manufacturing operation.
Sprinklers, alarms, hydrant distance, and public protection class can materially change the risk.
A supported classification is more useful than an unsupported selection copied from an old policy.
Joisted masonry is ISO Class 2: masonry exterior walls combined with combustible floors or roof assemblies, commonly wood joists or decking.
Not by itself. If the load-bearing walls and structural assembly are wood frame, a brick veneer building generally remains frame construction.
Construction class helps an underwriter assess how readily a fire can spread, how the structure may respond to a loss, and which rating assumptions apply. Occupancy, protection, exposure, values, and loss history remain important too.
