Posts Categorized: Trusses
Balloon Frame Construction: From the Inside
This short clip show balloon frame construction from the inside. With Engine House Training, LLC this summer, we had the opportunity to hold a class in this building. It was going to be torn down and the interior wall coverings in most of the house had been removed. That exposed the balloon frame construction charecteristics that we so often speak of but seldom have the chance to see.
Read More »Type V Construction-Wood Frame
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.
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Fire Service Books
Keeping these books and others within reach is a good way to stay engaged. These resources gives you valuable information at your fingertips when you need it. It is also a good way to pass on information to others and to have meaningful conversation about "fire stuff."
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Good Roof Vent Video
Here is a good video an actual roof ventilation on a two story house. It is a little rough from the helmet cam and I am not a big fan of the music on these types of videos, but the intent on showing a good roof vent is really good.
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What Do You See?
As an officer that will be making the initial decisions on this building you have a great responsibility to know as much about this structure as you can. It will certainly help you to make the best possible decision about your tactics.
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Residential or Commercial Alarm?
Firefighters are falling through floors immediately after entering. Roofs are collapsing much earlier than before. Contents are causing fires to burn faster and reach untenable temperatures much earlier in the fire. The larger area requires the firefighters to search longer and further into a building than in the past.
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Apply the Lessons Learned
Above all, don't let the lives lost at any LODD be lives lost in vain. Learn from their mistakes, but don't be critical, we have all screwed up and been lucky enough to get away with it. Be constructive and train on the recommendations so that you don't repeat history.
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What Is Above You?
By lifting the tiles and breaching the ceiling, we know how far the fire has advanced before committing people into these buildings. The concealed spaces are important for initial fire attack in these situations. It might indicate that the front door is as far as you go.
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Light Weight Strip Malls
As you look at this building you can see that it seems to be a series of stores or spaces in a commercial building. Most likely a strip mall type building.
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More on 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.
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Venting the Roof
Take a look at this video and let me know what you see. I posted the still frame from this video and had some great responses. Now, here is the whole thing.
What do you see and what would you do different if anything?
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Identifying RTU’s From the Interior
Take care to look above you and identify RTU from the interior.
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What’s Above You?
What is lurking on the roof? It could come crashing down on you.
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The Plain Clothes Vent Man
Don't allow this on your scene. There is no room for the Plain Clothes Vent Man at your calls.
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More Roof Ops
Is there anything we are forgetting here?
First, let me make it clear, I was looking for a picture I have of a crew working on the roof the correct way when I came across this one.
I know, we have beat the first Roof Ops post to death and if y…
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Is It Real? Or Is It Something Worse?
Solar panels on roofs are not always easy to spot. Can you easily identify them if you were to respond to a fire where the roof had solar panels like these?
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Large Residential Homes
Residential homes are getting larger and larger. We need to train and prepare for fires in these almost commercial-sized homes with training and broad pre-planning.
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Roof Ops
Should we be putting firefighters at risk during defensive operations?
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More Than Just Floors
Take into consideration what the building is made of before getting on the roof. Is the benefit worth the risk.
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Hanging by a Thread
Okay, its not really a thread, but it may as well be. These truss systems are popular for overhangs and porches on commercial and residential buildings. Typically, the top end will sit on a nailed 2x4 or rest on the top of the wall and toenailed into t…
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Oh, The Good Old Days are Gone!
Remember the good old days when your commerical buildings were block and mortar or steel buildings with large dimensional lumber? Those days are long gone and it has made our job that much more dangerous.
When this building is completed, it will likel…
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How Many Does It Take?
Now I don't know exactlly what is going on here, but just from the photo I would guess that they are pushing the limits of this porch. It appears that the building is of an advanced age the possibility of some rotten members are good.
Since there are …
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How to Vent a Field?
There is alot of this kind of construction in Western Europe, but it is becoming popular in parts of the U.S. as well. There obvious concerns for firefighters here. The load itself, having dirt and grass on the roof system, add water, snow or ice and…
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Knights of Columbus Hostel Fire
On this day in 1942, 100 people lost their lives at the Knights of Columbus Hostel in St. John's, Newfoundland. The building was mostly wood construction and had had most of the windows boarded up and barred to meet black-out regulations during the w…
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