Category Archives:

The Long Stretch and Push
April 9, 2012 | administration-leadership, buildling construction, FDIC 2012, fire stopping, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, ladder truck/aerial devices, rescues, search, self rescue, situational awareness, size up, Training, training-development, Uncategorized | dc802 | No Comments
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When looking at this type of building we need to consider the construction type, occupancy, access and egress points and any special hazards. What are our initial resources and what should we have coming on the way? This building is four stories and is a dormartory at a college. The corridor length is 225 from stairwell to stairwell. As you look at the building in the picture, the stairwell on the right is more remote from a parking surface than the one on the left.

Balloon Frame Construction: From the Inside
November 18, 2011 | buildling construction, fire stopping, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, self rescue, situational awareness, size up, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, trusses | dc802 | No Comments

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.

Apartment Fire Considerations
October 15, 2011 | buildling construction, fire stopping, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, forcible entry, rescues, search, situational awareness, size up, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics | dc802 | 2 Comments

As always, this is not the only considerations when looking at apartment fires. Follow your guidelines and get out to your response areas to become familiar with similar buildings.

Fire Service Books
February 4, 2011 | backdraft, buildling construction, command-leadership, fire stopping, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, forcible entry, heavy timber, high rise, i joists, search, self rescue, situational awareness, size up, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, trusses, vacant building fires, vent, ventilation, VES | dc802 | 1 Comment
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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.”

Type II Construction
December 27, 2010 | buildling construction, fire stopping, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, Uncategorized | dc802 | 3 Comments

So, what is Type II construction. The easiest way to define a Type II building is that is has the same structural characteristics as a Type I in that it is non-combustible construction. The major difference is that it is not protected.

Type I Construction
December 12, 2010 | buildling construction, fire codes, fire sprinklers, fire stopping, fire-prevention-education, i joists, inspections, situational awareness, size up | dc802 | No Comments
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We hear it all of the time in the fire service and many of us agree; we don’t spend enough time training and learning building construction and fire behavior. So, in the spirit of practicing what I preach, here is a short lesson on Type I construction, or otherwise referred to Fire Resistive construction.

Lucky Stop
October 26, 2010 | buildling construction, fire codes, fire stopping, fire-prevention-education, fires, training-fire-rescue-topics, trusses | dc802 | 2 Comments
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If you get a chance to look at some of these buildings as they are going up, do so and look for these types of building components and fire stopping. Oh, the ceiling did have the proper rating with two sheets of drywall.

What Do You See?
July 28, 2010 | buildling construction, command-leadership, engineered lumber, fire codes, fire stopping, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, i joists, rescues, residential sprinklers, situational awareness, training-fire-rescue-topics, trusses, ventilation | dc802 | 5 Comments
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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.

Apply the Lessons Learned
June 18, 2010 | administration-leadership, buildling construction, command-leadership, engineered lumber, fire codes, fire sprinklers, fire stopping, fire-prevention-education, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, i joists, in-the-line-of-duty, inspections, line-of-duty, RIT, situational awareness, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics, trusses | dc802 | No Comments
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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.

What Is Above You?
June 3, 2010 | buildling construction, engineered lumber, fire stopping, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, fires, i joists, RIT, situational awareness, training-fire-rescue-topics, trusses | dc802 | No Comments
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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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