The next type of construction that we are going to talk about is Type V, or wood frame construction.  This is the most commonly used type of construction in most jurisdictions.  This type of construction is typically associated with residential occupancies, namely single-family dwellings, but many commercial buildings are now built using wood frame construction.

Years ago, wood frame meant real dimensional lumber. A 2×4 was really a two inch by four inch piece of wood.  Roof systems were stick built with rafters of dimensional lumber that were connected with a ridge beam.  We forget that this traditional type of construction is wood frame.  Balloon frame is also a type of wood frame.

We have just gotten so ingrained that wood frame mean light weight, or now commonly known as “low mass” construction.  This “low mass” construction uses engineered products that makes construction faster and cheaper to build. Although these components like engineered I-joists and roof truss systems are very strong for the engineered loads, they fail miserable during fire conditions.

We just need to remember the hazards and myths of this type of construction. One is that if one truss fails they all fail.  I like to ask the classes that I teach if any of them has seen a house constructed with wood truss systems with a part of the roof burnt off and the rest of it still intact?  The answer is always yes.

I am not saying that these truss systems are safe, quite the contrary. All I am saying is that we need to keep our firefighters educated about these systems. I know there are some chiefs and instructors upset with some of this, but we can operate on and under these roofs with some careful size-up and thoughtful tactics. One thing I have learned in the fire service; never use the words never or always.  There is always a circumstance or situation that will challenge both.

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Now, characteristics about this type of construction.  There are void spaces everywhere and these components use a lot of glue to help keep them together.  These buildings are getting bigger on the residential side and this construction type is very popular for many commercial buildings like fast food joints, restaurants and strip malls.

Something we need to keep in mind also is that some of these wood frame buildings look like masonry or brick, or type 3 buildings.  These are just veneers and we need to understand the challenges dangers associated with that.  Masonry and brick veneers can easily collapse of the foundation and still kill or seriously injure firefighters.

Pay attention to your area and be familiar with the buildings you may have to operate in. Know the different characteristics of the construction types and the challenges each one poses for us operationally.

Train hard and stay safe.

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This is a look at an altered and inappropriately installed engineered i-joist.  This happens a lot when pieces don’t fit or changes are made to the original design.

This is a weak spot in this floor  and will sag.  It will fail much faster if contacted with fire.

I know many don’t do residential inspections, but, if you do, this is something to watch for.  In addition, just understand that this type of work is out there.

Be careful and be aware.  Stay safe.

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Know the dangers of light weight construction!

Check out this article for some great information and links in regards to light weight construction and the hazards that are associated with it.  All firefighters and officers need to read this.

Battling the Hidden Danger

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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.

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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.

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We wont always see the correct temperature from the TIC from the upper floor.

I posted a couple of pictures  a few days ago that showed a living room taped off.  The room looked normal and unaffected by whatever had gone on there.

There is a great deal of information about using thermal imaging cameras to locate fires in basements.  This is a good practice to get in when entering a house with a basement.

However, don’t be solely reliant on the readings you get from the camera.

Here is an excerpt from an article detailing some of the tests and uses where a  TIC could have or did make a difference. You can see the entire article here.

“It is interesting to see that the difference in the temperature reading of the TIC at the top assembly compared to the inferno below. In one test, after five minutes, the TIC temperature showed a comfortable 73 degrees on the floor level above the fire; meanwhile, the temperature below was 1,378 degrees. This was not because TIC was not working or reading inaccurate temperatures; but because the flooring and carpets do not transfer that temperature, so the TIC doesn’t see it.”

So, don’t be totally reliant on the TIC, it has it’s limitations. Situational awareness is paramount and a 360 is a must.  Train frequently with your respective camera and learn it’s abilities and limitations.

Stay safe and train hard.

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Engineered I-Joists being used in construction of roofs.

We have been learning about these engineered i-joists over the last several years and we know about the dangers of falling through floors that seem to be intact.

As you can see, these building components are also being used for roofing systems. We are already careful because of the history of light-weight truss systems, but I can see the same problem with these i-joists.

Just remember, the houses are getting bigger and lighter and they are burning faster. Situational awareness and a strong understanding of the risk vs. benefit theory is a must.

Keep you and your people safe and get to know what is being built in your area.

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This living room looks like any other you might run across in any neighborhood...

This living room looks like any other you might run across in any neighborhood. Other than the fact that it is taped off, probably to keep our dirty feet off the clean, lightly colored carpet.

After all, we need to keep our customers happy. We are no doubt protecting the living room from damage after, oh, maybe a kitchen fire, an electrical fire somewhere else in the house.

In fact, we might want to check the basement for the electric panel and other utilities. Let’s take a look.

Ooh, what the $%^#@? This is what happens when the engineered i-joists burn away.

Or is it??

You may never know what is below you based on the conditions on the main floor. Situational awareness is so important and doing your 360 degree size-up is a must.

You might not catch something from the front or even the side B and D. You have to get a look at the the rear of the building, especially on the new, extra large houses that are going up all over our country.

In addition, a thermal imaging camera will not always show you the difference in temperatures between the basement and the main level. There is some information about the TICs that I will try to post later. Stay safe and keep training.

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWMhA2wDTes]

Some of you may have seen this video, but is worth looking at again and showing it to your firefighters, officers and building officials.  Take time to look at your subdivisions and know the dangers. Stay safe.

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