Hello Komountain

The progressive form of a tense denotes that the event the verb describes
was, is, or will be 'continuing'.

If the subject of the verb is unable to 'continue' in a significant sense, the
use of a progressive form will seem incongruous.

In your example 2, for instance, 'the building is standing' suggests that the building
is capable of a change of state. It started standing there a moment ago, and will
go to stand elsewhere at some time in the future. This is not our normal
experience of buildings (except in East European cartoons).

In example 6, however, we have the abnormal case: the demolition of a building.
In this context, 'continuation' has meaning. It was there a moment ago, but now
it's gone.

Ladders, mops, and hair, on the other hand, frequently change their states, and
so may be said to 'continue' in one position or another:

'The ladder's lying on the ground.'
'The mop was propping open the door a moment ago, but now it's gone.'
'Her hair was falling over her face and her nose was running.'

MrP

Changeability may relate to context, too:

'The building is still standing' - after an earthquake. There was a possibility
of a change of state.

MrP