Building Construction

IBHS Offers Guidance on Protecting Against Wildfire-Related Damage

Mon, 07 May 2012 22:48:00 GMT

In support of California Wildfire Awareness Week (May 6 -12), the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is providing free guidance to help property owners lower their risk of wildfire damage.

Construction Concerns for Firefighters: Fire Department Connections

Mon, 07 May 2012 19:08:00 GMT

Gregory Havel goes over what firefighters need to know about fire department connections (FDCs) at fire incidents.

John Mittendorf Questions and Answers on Ventilating Lightweight Roofs

Thu, 03 May 2012 20:12:00 GMT

Retired Los Angeles (CA) Fire Department Battalion Chief John Mittendorf recently gave a Webcast presentation on lightweight roof ventilation. Here are some questions received during the Webcast and John's answers to them.

Corbett's Trivia: Theater Fire Deaths

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:37:00 GMT

Where were the most people killed in the Brooklyn Theater Fire of 1876 and the Iroquois Theatre Fire of 1903?

USFA Releases Residential Building Fires (2008-2010) Topical Report

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:27:00 GMT

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

KME to Unveil 123 AerialCat Ladder

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:47:00 GMT

The KME 2012 FDIC display will feature an all new 123' AerialCatTM rearmount ladder being delivered to the Westfield, Indiana Fire Department. The device has an unrestricted 500lb wet/dry tip load and a 1500gpm waterway. It also brings all of the "fire service best" features found in KME's 79' and 109' ladders introduced last year.

Construction Concerns for Firefighters: Structural Collapse

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:11:00 GMT

During a fire or other emergency incident, firefighters must conduct an ongoing size-up of the scene for signs of structural collapse, Greg Havel writes.

National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System: Equipment Maintenance

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:29:00 GMT

This week's featured firefighter near-miss report highlights what can happen if you don't check your equipment before use and emphasizes the importance of using PPE.

Firefighters Battle Flames That Race Through NY Housing Complex

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:22:00 GMT

Fed by a veritable lumber yard of wood-frame and truss beams, a fire swept through a luxury apartment complex under construction in East Garden City, New York.

FDIC 2012: Van Dorpe Keynoter for Thursday's General Session

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:55:00 GMT

Peter Van Dorpe, Chicago (IL) Fire Department, will present "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants" as his keynote address at FDIC on Thursday, April 19, during the General Session, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. in the Sagamore Ballroom in the Indiana Convention.

IBHS Offers Guidance on Reducing Wildfire-Related Damage

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 23:47:00 GMT

In recognition of Florida Wildfire Awareness Week (April 8 - 15), the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is providing guidance to help property owners reduce their risk of wildfire-related damage.

Debate Over Responsibility for Building in Deadly Philadelphia Fire

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:27:00 GMT

As funeral arrangements were being made Tuesday for the Philadelphia firefighters killed in a five-alarm fire, questions remained about whether the city or the building's owners were responsible for the dilapidated condition of the vacant mill building that collapsed.

Construction Concerns for Firefighters: Flitch Plate Girders

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:56:00 GMT

Gregory Havel examines issues that should concern firefighters regarding the use of flitch plate girders in building construction.

Construction Concerns for Firefighters: Solar Collectors

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:02:00 GMT

Solar collectors of any type attached to a building need to be noted in firefighters' preincident plans, Greg Havel notes.

USFA Releases Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) Report

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:08:00 GMT

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report today examining the characteristics of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings.

NJ Assembly Panel Approves Solar Panel Bill to Help Protect Firefighters

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:26:00 GMT

Firefighters would be better protected against the dangers posed by solar panels under a bipartisan bill approved yesterday by the New Jersey Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee.

Corbett's Trivia: Odorizing Natural Gas

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:54:00 GMT

What incident led to the widespread use of mercaptan as an odorant for natural gas?

Construction Concerns for Firefighters: Moving Buildings

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:52:00 GMT

Greg Havel discusses the process of moving structures from one place to another and challenges these moved buildings may present to firefighters.

Man Arrested in Death of Los Angeles Firefighter

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:25:00 GMT

A man was arrested in connection with the death of a Los Angeles (CA) firefighter in a house fire last year.

New Codes and Standards That Will Influence Future Fire Tactics

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:26:00 GMT

Jack Murphy and Sean DeCrane have a new podcast in their "Taming the Fire Environment" radio series about how building construction can affect firefighters and firefighting operations. In this new episode, Jack and Sean discuss new building codes and standards that will impact fire tactics.