Article and photos by Gregory Havel
When approaching a commercial or industrial building with smoke or fire showing, firefighters can become complacent if we see that it has windows on all of its visible sides, since these are useful for horizontal ventilation and as secondary exits. However, in recently-constructed buildings, things are not always as they seem.
Photo 1 shows a window in a supermarket. These heavily-tinted windows are on three of the four sides of the building. The fourth side has windows around the main entrance, through which the interior of the store is visible: the lights are on, the merchandise is visible, and we can see the shoppers filling their carts and waiting to check out.
On the remaining three sides with windows like those in Photo 1, we are likely to see only reflections, even at night, because these windows are fake. They were installed at the insistence of the Planning and Zoning Commission or a similar agency, for which the exterior appearance of the building is the highest priority-as high as the building owner’s concern for the security of the merchandise.
Photo 2 shows what we will find if we break the glass in these false windows. It was taken at another commercial building under construction, before the aluminum frame and tinted glass were installed. Behind a false window we will find solid masonry, or plywood sheathing on wood or steel studs. If we manage to breach the wall behind the glass, and have the time and resources to accomplish this, it may be blocked by refrigerators, display shelves, or stored merchandise.
What we can see through the window from the outside, especially on a cloudy day or in poor light, is the key to whether it is real or false: If we can see the interior of the store, including lights, shoppers, and displays, the window is real. If we can see only reflections of what is outside the store, it is probably a fake. If we check the interior of the store at the same location, we will be unlikely to find a window.
In the last century, the owners of commercial buildings often built them without windows except on the front side. If there were windows on an existing building that were no longer needed or wanted, they were filled in with whatever material was cheap and available. The patches are unattractive but honest. There are thousands of buildings like this; we probably have some in our primary response areas, and are used to dealing with them as they are.
The presence of false windows is significant, and rates a note on our prefire plan for the structure. If this information is missing or unknown, we are preparing for a disaster. We will discover it at an incident while attempting horizontal ventilation, or while attempting to rescue firefighters in trouble.
Subjects: Building construction for firefigher operations, construction hazards, false or fake windows in commercial structures
