From the earliest days of America, masonry party walls (walls common to both buildings) were required to be built to stop the spread of fire. In many cases,

Preplanning Building Hazards

FRANCIS L. BRANNIGAN

SFPE (FELLOW)

Editor`s note: For further reference, consult Building Construction for the Fire Service, Third Edition, (BCFS3). Page numbers, where applicable, are included after the caption.

These photos are related to the discussion of deficiencies of heavy timber construction in Ol` Professor, May 1999. (BCFS3, 204-213)


From the earliest days of America, masonry party walls (walls common to both buildings) were required to be built to stop the spread of fire. In many cases, however, the joists of each building are in the same void, allowing easy passage of fire. The building on the left is obviously superior in economic status to the other; however, each is a hazard to the other. Expect extension through party walls. Be proactive. Don`t wait for the extended fire to break out of a concealed void. (See Preplanning Building Hazards, Fire Engineering, August 1997, page 150)


Party walls are not “ancient history.” This photo was taken in Philadelphia in 1978. Know your buildings.


This old hotel in Seattle was slated for renovation. I was told the structure collapsed not long after I took this picture. This “un-dressed” building shows the typical mish-mash of construction and void spaces found in many old, often altered, buildings.


In this case, the prefabricated metal (steel or aluminum) panels are built well in onto the concrete floor, reducing the potential for autoextension from a fire on the lower floor.


The projection here is unlikely to prevent vertical extension


The metal panel is laid over the end of the concrete. Interior vertical extension is very likely. Many metal panels contain combustible fiberboard or plastic insulation. In a motel fire, immediately check all rooms around the fire room for victims. Toxic gas can travel freely. Know your buildings. Take nothing for granted. (BCFS3, 269)

FRANCIS L. (FRANK) BRANNIGAN, SFPE (Fellow), the recipient of Fire Engineering`s first Lifetime Achievement Award, has devoted more than half of his 57-year career to the safety of firefighters in building fires. He is well known for his lectures and videotapes and as the author of 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.

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