PREPLANNING BUILDING HAZARDS
BY FRANCIS L. BRANNIGAN, SFPE
Fire barriers are intended to delay or prevent the spread of fire to adjacent areas. Some are better than others. (BCFS3, pages 199-200)
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This masonry fire wall is excellent as far as it goes. Note that the building is supported on its own wood frame wall. However, in many cases, the builder is permitted to support the floor girders on the fire wall, thus permitting extension through the wall. This condition is shown in BCFS3, page 234.
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The fire wall extends only to the underside of the roof. The plywood delaminates and passes fire. You must open the roof on the exposure side to vent the fire. A line must be carefully used to prevent extension but not harm firefighters below. (BCFS3, page 233)
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Two sheets of gypsum board jammed in place between units do not inspire confidence.
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The masonry fire wall was sheathed in wood for aesthetics. It will spread fire around the wall.
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A masonry bearing wall between stores failed to stop fire because of the gap atop the wall, caused by the height of the bar joist top chord. (BCFS3, page 526)
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This is a good code-compliant barrier between stores. All joints are taped and nails set. However, a heated steel roof will probably open a gap at the top. It must be covered by a line. Watch for utility penetrations. (BCFS3, page 227)
FRANCIS L. BRANNIGAN, SFPE, recipient of Fire Engineering`s first Lifetime Achievement Award, has devoted more than half of his 56-year career to the safety of firefighters in building fires. He is well known for his lectures and videotapes and as the author of Building Construction for the Fire Service, Third Edition, published by the National Fire Protection Association. Brannigan is an editorial advisory board member of Fire Engineering. He may be reached at (301) 855-1982.
