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Multiple Story I-Joists Floors

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I-joists are everywhere!

I-joists are everywhere!

This is a picture of a multiple story house being built with engineered i-joists.

We have posted, and probably will continue to do so, pictures of these i-joist on the main level.  Those pictures have been associated with text that tells of firefighters falling into basements.

Just remember that when you go to the second floor to search with fire below you, that second or third story floor is made of these i-joists.  You have to be just as diligent above the main floor as you are on it.

The use of TIC’s are appropriate and should be used, but not solely depended on.  Have good situational awareness and try to coordinate all searches with suppression and ventilation.

Be careful and don’t get complacent.

Thanks again for checking us out, stay safe.

Posted by on January 18, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, engineered lumber, fire codes, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, i joists, trusses • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Fire in the Middle

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Which way to go? To the left, or to the right?
Which way to go? To the left, or to the right?

This is a fire in a breezeway on a single family home.  As you can see, the garage is on the right and the home is on the left.

We have doors from the breezeway to both the house and the garage.

Smoke is issuing from the attic vent on the house and windows are dark.  All occupants are out of the house.  Side C has a deck off of the kitchen that is about five feet off the ground.

The front door is locked, the family was called by neighbors and they are all together at the store.

This is a fairly simple fire, but some responses I got in a tactics class made me curious how it would go over here.

  • What size and where is your first line going?
  • Where will your second line go?
  • How will you ventilate and why?
  • What else do we need to consider, if anything?

Okay, I know this is not a real challenging scenario, but, the first line answers may be diverse.  They were in the tactics class I taught.

So, have fun, be creative and take it for what it is, just a scenario to practice.

Sometimes you need to practice the short shot too, not just the three-pointers.

Take care and thanks for visiting.

Posted by on January 18, 2010 • Filed under: command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires • Tagged: , , , ,

Frozen Firefighters

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Make sure you wear your hat and gloves!

Make sure you wear your hat and gloves!

With winter in full swing I thought I would post a pic that illustrates just how bad it can get.

I am sure some have been in worse, and if you have some pictures send them in and we’ll post them.

As you can see, things can get rough when it is really cold.  Nozzles freeze up, hoses get difficult to move around, pumps freeze, and surfaces get very slick.

Slick is an understatement for this picture.  Use extreme caution when operating on icey surfaces.  Especially elevated surfaces like roofs.  Maybe wear ladder belts when you normally wouldn’t.  Keep some webbing in your pocket, use it to secure yourself to the roof ladder or other fixed object.

Just be extra careful.  On the ground, keep some ice-melt or salt on the trucks to spread around.  You might have to call in public works to put down large quantities of salt if you are on a road or out for a long incident.

Bottom line, be careful.  Stay safe.

Posted by on January 18, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires • Tagged: , , , , , ,