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Posts Tagged: Bowstrings Trusses

Company Discussion: Building Characteristics

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at March 3, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Some of you may have fought a fire or two in a building similar to this one or done an inspection at one. Read More »

LODD FDNY 1998 On This Day

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 18, 2009 at 8:47 am
On this day, December 18, 1998, 3 FDNY Firefighters  were killed in the Line of Duty at a high rise fire. Lt. Joseph Cavalieri, FF Chris Bopp and FF Jimmy Bohan died on the 10th floor of a labeled "fireproof" multiple dwelling whose sprinklers had b… Read More »

Combustible Liquids

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 18, 2009 at 8:29 am
This is a repair shop that is not sprinklered, it was built prior to the code, and that also does fabricating.  They have added on without permits for several years and now is a dangerous place to be.  They have taken some measures to meet the inspecti… Read More »

1964 Indiana Nursing Home Fire

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 18, 2009 at 8:10 am
On this day in 1964, a nursing in Fountaintown, Indiana caught fire around 3:00AM.  A nurse reportedly saw the fire in the kitchen and hall way and started screaming for everyone to get out. The first state troopers on the scene stated that the fire mo… Read More »

Special Events, Watch for Them

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 17, 2009 at 4:09 pm
On this day in 1961, not that long ago, a circus tent caught fire in Niterói, Brazil.  The fire killed 323 people including many children. It is suspected that a disgruntled worker set the fire, but that has been disputed by some. It is another example… Read More »

More Candles

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 17, 2009 at 2:04 pm
More candles, look at the draped chairs right next to the candles. Again, right in the aisle that will serve as an egress aisle in the event of an emergency. I don't see sprinklers on the ceiling, although they could be there, but someone could be bad… Read More »

Walking on Fire

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 16, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Okay, does this cause panic in anybody else? What I see here is some very bad decision making. Most codes would not allow this. First, the hanging streamers I'm sure are not class A finishes. Second, the candles are all in the aisles which are part of… Read More »

The Great New York Fire of 1835

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 16, 2009 at 9:50 am
On this day in 1835, a great fire swept through New York destroying over 500 buildings and claiming the lives of two people. The fire reportedly did what would be hundreds of millions of dollars of damage. The fire started on Merchant street and sprea… Read More »

Hanging by a Thread

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 15, 2009 at 12:27 pm
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… Read More »

Oh, The Good Old Days are Gone!

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 14, 2009 at 3:27 pm
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… Read More »

How Many Does It Take?

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 14, 2009 at 12:16 pm
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 … Read More »

How to Vent a Field?

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 14, 2009 at 8:05 am
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… Read More »

Knights of Columbus Hostel Fire

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 12, 2009 at 9:01 am
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… Read More »

Kerns Hotel Fire 1934

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 11, 2009 at 2:26 pm
The Hotel Kerns was built in 1919 and was a brick building that boasted 162 rooms and was a favorite hot spot  noted for its bar and cafeteria. On Dec. 11, 1934 it would turn tragic when the night janitor for and adjacent business noticed flames on t… Read More »

As Brannigan said, “The Building is Your Enemy!”

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 9, 2009 at 9:00 am
This is a typical scene in just about every jurisdiction in America.  The homes are getting bigger while at the same time getting "lighter" in their construction and make-up.  Take the time to go by and look at these buildings while they are being cons… Read More »

Atlanta Winecoff Hotel Fire Remembered

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 7, 2009 at 7:44 pm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootbearwdc/2073140320/ http://www.winecoff.org/hotel/ On this day in 1946, 119 people died in the deadliest hotel fire in American history.  The 15 story hotel was built in 1913 and was touted to be "fire proof" and was… Read More »

Rember Pearl Harbor

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 7, 2009 at 5:29 pm
On this day in 1941, the United States was attacked by Japanese bombers.  The attack left our country stunned and was the event that officially brought America into World War II. Many brave men and women died and were injured that day along with many… Read More »

Up Above the Ceilings

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 7, 2009 at 5:19 pm
This is a picture of a fast food restaraunt after a fire.  The fire got into the void space and spread very quickly.  Crews were pulled out early and there were no injuries.  The building was a total loss. The focus of this picture is the fall out … Read More »

101 Reported Dead in Russian Nightclub Fire

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 4, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Early Saturday in Russia, a nightclub fire reportedly claimed the lives of 101 people.  The fire is believed to have been started by "cold" fireworks, that are typically fountain type displays and burn at lower temperatures compared to typical firew… Read More »

Bowstring Trusses

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 4, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Most of you know what this is.  This is a picture of a building with bowstring trusses.  We have all heard about the dangers of these buildings and how they can collapse quickly during a fire. Many of these buildings have large storage capacities an… Read More »

Remembering Worcester 6: Dec. 3, 1999

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 3, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Never forget the Worcester 6 who lost their lives on Dec. 3, 1999.  Here is an article that covers the incident very well; much better than I could do.  Also, check out the tribute video below. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k8o11jUZF0] … Read More »

Outside Storage Hazards

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 2, 2009 at 10:13 am
This a picture of some storage tanks at an implement sales and repair facility.  These are located in the rear of the property and are not easily seen from the A,B and D sides, which are where you would access the property and the building.  They are c… Read More »

Our Lady of Angels Fire Anniversary

By in A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy at December 1, 2009 at 2:04 pm
On this date in 1958, Our Lady of the Angels School started like any other day. Kids got up and got their school uniforms on and made their way to classes, just like every day.  This day would end tragically and would be one of the main reasons for … Read More »

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