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Wood Trusses Can Be Killers!

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This is a great video of wood trusses in fire conditions versus dimensional, stick-built lumber under fire conditions.

We all know about the hazards associated with wood truss roof systems, but it is worth looking at again, and again and again.

Training and recognition are key in keeping ourselves and our crews safe.

Check it out and pass on to others, it really is a cool video.

Posted by on January 19, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, engineered lumber, i joists, trusses • Tagged: , , , , ,

Vertical Fire Stopping

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Vertical fire stopping is critical for maintaining fire separation.

Vertical fire stopping is critical for maintaining fire separation.

This is a good picture of vertical fire stopping.

These penetrations need to be appropriately fire stopped in order to maintain the fire separation rating of that floor/ceiling assembly.

This is a large space that was fire stopped and the inspector needs to make sure the materials were UL listed and applied correctly.

Many times, especially with caulking, it is only effective for filling a certain size space but will be used in much larger spaces because the contractor did not read the UL listing for application.

There should be no gaps or spaces for heat and smoke to get through.  This kind of material will swell, creating a hard air-tight obstacle for fire and smoke.

Stay safe and fire prevention needs to be everyday.  This stuff is your first step to situational awareness.

Posted by on January 19, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, fire codes, fire stopping, fire-prevention-education, inspections • Tagged: , , , ,

Fire Growth vs. Resources

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This is a good example of the need for more resources. It concerns me when I see lines in a building and there is nobody at the entry point for a back up.

In addition, we are constantly training on coordinated attacks. We have no available crews for ventilation or search and rescue that I can see.

There are no crews for RIT or to secure utilities. How about keeping the civilians out of harms way?

There are other issues with this scene, but I will let you discuss the tactical side of things.

Let’s look at this video in two ways. First, how would your department tackle this fire with your typical response? Let’s pretend that we don’t know the status of occupants. Whatever your department gets is what you get.

Second, discuss your concerns with how this went down. I am not going to beat up on any department, this department looks to be short staffed and doing the best with what they have. But, I am willing use it as a learning tool. So, where is there room for improvement?

Thanks for taking a look. Stay safe and train hard.

Posted by on January 19, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, funding-staffing • Tagged: , , , , , ,