What type of building construction classification is capable of withstanding fires of specified intensity and duration without failure?

The correct option is one that highlights a construction classification specifically designed to withstand fires of specified intensity and duration without significant structural failure. This classification is known as "fire-resistive" construction.

Fire-resistive construction refers to buildings designed to prevent the spread of fire and to maintain structural integrity under fire conditions for a defined period. This is achieved through the use of materials that have specific ratings for fire resistance, often involving non-combustible materials, which provide the capability to withstand high temperatures and reduce the likelihood of structural failure during a fire.

Understanding the distinctions in fire protection classifications is crucial for fire life safety directors, as it informs decisions regarding building design, safety regulations, and emergency response planning. The other classifications, while having strategic purposes in fire prevention and response, do not specifically address the structural resilience to intense fires to the same degree as fire-resistive construction.