PREPLANNING BUILDING HAZARDS
BY FRANCIS L. BRANNIGAN, SFPE,
Editor`s note: For further reference, consult Building Construction for the Fire Service, Third Edition. Page numbers are included after each caption for your convenience.
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Many building industry “professionals” haven`t the foggiest idea of the purpose of fire barriers and firestops. This shoddy barrier with a wood brace passing through it, no nail setting, and taping of joints is typical of many such defects. This was an issue in a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, lawsuit, to the detriment of the owner. (Ref. p. 234)
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I know all the reasons for equipping high-rise packs with small hose. The problem is that big fires can occur high in the sky. If every piece of apparatus carried just one length of 212-inch hose, bundled like those on this midtown New York City pumper, it would be much easier to get a big line into operation when the fire turns out to be raging in a wood-paneled eating club on the top floor. (Ref. p. 470)
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Years ago, buildings were consistent in construction from bottom to top. Not so today. The designer thrilled the owner by pointing out that there was enough reserve in the basic concrete building to permit a “free” top floor of lightweight steel joists. (Ref. p. 328–Composite Construction)
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Heavy steel members were severely damaged. This was not a heavily stocked warehouse but an empty roller rink with plywood-finished walls and combustible acoustical tile. This same combination was responsible for the loss of 87 lives before the arrival of the fire department at the Happyland Social Club fire in New York City. Realistic preplanning must take into account the potential for rapid fire growth. (Ref. p. 381)
FRANCIS L. BRANNIGAN, SFPE, a 55-year veteran of the fire service, began his fire service career as a naval firefighting officer in World War II. He`s best known for his seminars and writing on firefighter safety and for his book 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.
