Also See: Blaze Claims Two Houston Bravest
FRANK BRANNIGAN
For Firehouse.Com
We are all diminished by the loss of two Houston firefighters. May they rest in peace.
Details on construction and operations are still lacking, so these comments are not specific
to the Houston tragedy.
However, by far most McDonald's restaurants -- like other fast food and 'stand alone'
buildings in shopping malls -- have light weight truss roofs usually heavily loaded with
air conditioning and exhaust fan equipment.
Firefighters should avoid being on or under such roofs when there is any fire in the roof.
There is NO SAFE TIME.
The failure of one connection can bring down the entire roof. Get out with your
aerial apparatus and look down on these roofs.
Go inside up the scuttle and observe the construction. Then enter it in your pre-plan:
- No entry if there is fire in the roof void.
- Examine from an aerial apparatus
- Use thermal imager
The truss industry vigorously fights any attempt to copy the New Jersey law which requires
placarding of truss buildings.
Firefighters must protect themselves. Being under a burning truss is like
playing Russian Roulette WITH A FULL LOADED REVOLVER.
Study Chapter 12 of "Building Construction for the Fire Service, Third Edition" for
other truss, and wood I-beam hazards.
Frank Brannigan is a noted building construction expert as it relates to the
fire service. He is a contributing editor to Firehouse Magazine. He was recently made
Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.
