'Fireproof' vs. 'Non-fireproof'

It's mostly to do with exterior and interior building materials. The details are buried in the NYC Building Code.

Then there's semi-fireproof, which're most of the six-story elevator apartment buildings you see all over. More than six stories would've required fireproof construction. Six or under requires a non-combustible floor only between cellar and first floor, while more than six requires all floors to be non-combustible.

The practical effect is mostly on insurance rates.

We're in a fireproof turn-of-the-century building. Every single interior and exterior wall is cement. The floors, ceilings, interior walls, closets, hallways, everything. It was built right after the famous hotel fire (can't recall the name) in which many New Yorkers perished, so fireproof was considered quite the in thing.

When we hang up a picture, it's masonary screws and masonary anchors, after you drill a starter hole. It is gloriously quiet, with almost no sound from the neighbors, no smells, nothing. It was a bitch to install cabinets, though, because upon close inspection, the cement walls aren't that straight or plumb. So, then it's hammer (and chisel) time.

Our insurance agent didn't seem to care too much about the fireproof status (we are certified by the Dept of Buildings), I think we only saved about $50.

I have not found a definition of "semi-fireproof