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Construction Concerns: I-Joists

Manufactured wood I-joists are advertised as being straighter than dimensional lumber under normal conditions, but this isn't true in a structural fire. Gregory Havel examines this element of building construction.

Construction Concerns: Water Heaters

When you are doing primary search in a building, investigating an alarm, or doing prefire planning, be aware that water heaters may not look like traditional appliances and may be located anywhere.

Construction Concerns: Heating Boilers

Boilers have changed substantially since they were introduced during the Industrial Revolution. Gregory Havel looks at how they may impact firefighting operations.

Construction Concerns: Reading Buildings
As you conduct your initial size-up at a building, you must be able to recognize critical building construction factors that may impact fireground operations. Greg Havel reviews some of these factors.

Fire Escapes: Counterbalanced Stairways
The counterbalanced stairway is a common method used to protect occupants from unwanted visitors coming up the fire escape. Gregory Havel discusses operational issues regarding this building feature.

Construction Concerns: Fire Escapes
Although rarely installed today, fire escapes on older structures in your response district can pose a hazard to fire operations. Gregory Havel takes a look at this building construction feature.

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Phila. black firefighters sue union, cite racism (Nov 12, 2009)
Nov. 12--In a federal lawsuit filed yesterday, an organization of African American firefighters accused the Philadelphia firefighters union of being "racially harassing and abusive" to blacks.

Oakes gas station burns (Nov 12, 2009)
Nov. 12--Nobody was injured in a fire that destroyed a gas station and convenience store on Tuesday night in Oakes, N.D.

Fire Assistance Group's Grant Has Dried Up (Nov 12, 2009)
Nov. 12--The odor of smoldering fabric is still vivid for Rachel Andruczyk, more than two years after she awoke one Sunday morning in her Orchard Park home.

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Traditional colors of Apparatus Questions about effective use of computer simulation for training Ideas for a Engineers test More Community Discussions >>

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International Fire Safety Legislation: An Overview (Feb 14, 2008)
George H. Potter takes a look at the various agencies and standards-generating organizations that try to maintain fire safety around the world.

Kansas Fire District and ISO: Partners for Progress (Apr 9, 2007)
Sedgwick County (KS) Fire District #1 managed to dramatically improve their Insurance Services Office (IS0) rating by revamping their apparatus fleet and methods, saving citizens money and increasing protection at the same time.

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Fire Commentary: Picking up the Gauntlet (Jan 15, 2008)
Scott Ritter argues that, although Swedish Dr. Stefan Svennson's recent remarks about the U.S. fire service were impolitic, we can reduce firefighter deaths by learning from the Swedish approach.

Hero Complex: It Can be a Good Thing (Dec 30, 2007)
Dan Byrne responds to Swedish firefighter Stefan Svensson's charge that U.S. firefighters have a "hero complex," arguing that such a perception doesn't entail risking one's life needlessly.

You Don't Have to Die to be a Hero (Dec 17, 2007)
What do we have to do to avoid future firefighter fatalities? Paul H. Stein argues that creating a culture of safety must happen at all levels in a department.

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