Skylights have often been installed in churches, and firefighters need to note their presence in preincident plans to avoid getting injured when operating at these structures, Greg Havel writes.

For easy access and application for codes and standards users, the International Code Council (ICC) is collaborating with key standards developers and organizations, such as the American Wood Council (AWC), to make the vast array of construction industry safety standards referenced in the 2012 International Codes available to the building industry on the ICC Web site.

Some builders use manufactured I-joists not only to support floors, ceilings, and flat roofs, but also in place of either sawn-lumber rafters or wood trusses to support pitched roofs. Gregory Havel discusses how this may affect firefighters during fires in such buildings.

Who invented a cellar pipe for which a patent application was filed on December 15th, 1900?

Although many past codes and standards have addressed building construction, building features, fire protection systems, fireground operations, and past building failures, how will the new codes and standards impact future tactical operations and firefighter safety?

Although much has been written on building construction and fire behavior, there seems to be a growing debate on when we should go in or stay outside the building on the fireground based on building construction and fire behavior.

Finished basements may not be up to code and can present hazards to both occupants and firefighters responding to emergency incidents at these structures. Gregory Havel talks about things to look for in these remodeling situations.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) issued the 2010 Fire Estimate Summary Series today which presents basic information on the size and status of the fire problem in the United States as depicted through data collected in USFA's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA) report "Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2010," 87 on-duty firefighters from 31 states lost their lives as the result of 83 fatal incidents that occurred in 2010.

Read a letter to the editor from Marilyn Thompson, Market Communications Director of the APA-The Engineered Wood Association, regarding Greg Havel's recent Construction Concerns article, "Delaminated Plywood," followed by Greg's reply.

Ric Jorge explains why it's critical for firefighters to get educated on impact-resistant windows and other products.

Plywood in older buildings built before more stringent code requirements can weaken over time, presenting grave dangers to firefighters operating in these structures.

The urban fire problem of rear porches and asphalt exterior siding has moved to the suburbs in the forms of wood decks and vinyl siding.

When the United States celebrates World Standards Day Oct. 13-14 in Washington, D.C.,—with the theme Advancing Safety and Sustainability Standards Worldwide—the International Code Council will be much more than a sponsor and exhibitor; it will participate as a pioneer and partner in the global mission of safe and sustainable construction.

What was the name of the first steam fire engine constructed by Cincinnati builders Abel Shawk and Alexander Bonner Latta?

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announces the release of a special report focusing on the causes and characteristics of fires in residential buildings.

Shear walls, shear panels, and braced wall lines can affect the behavior of a building in a fire. Greg Havel offers details on shear walls for firefighters operating in structures that have them.

A new ASTM International standard provides a more detailed and complete description of a test protocol that has been used for more than 40 years in code requirements and specifications for fire-retardant-treated wood.

What year was the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) created?

Some firefighting operations can be made more difficult because of the vertical rebar and the horizontal wire and rebar that may be encountered in structures with reinforced masonry, Greg Havel writes.