Building Construction
The building construction resource page includes important information about how structures are designed and how such construction factors affect building strength, likelihood of collapse, interior layouts and other issues that could compromise firefighter safety.
A nationwide push for single-staircase buildings to ease the housing crisis is raising alarms from NFPA and fire safety experts, who warn the shift could compromise emergency access and evacuation
David Childs’ design of the 1,776-foot-tall skyscraper, once known as the Freedom Tower, is the centerpiece of the redevelopment of Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks
A unique tie back by Wichita firefighters left several readers giving their thoughts on who should have done the work
Two workers were assessing the roof of the abandoned Blairsville school when it collapsed and they fell three stores
Construction trends using cheaper wood products pose an increasing risk to the fire service
During construction, just one exit was required on the 6th floor of the Charlotte apartment building
The Charlotte SouthPark contractor did not have a required standpipe installed and failed to notify fire marshal about construction progress
Fire officials had been to the Davenport apartment building a day before the collapse for a 911 call about a partial collapse
Branden Colvin Sr.'s body was found a day after authorities in Davenport switched from search to recovery operations
New Haven firefighters pulled several people from the debris following the partial collapse of a one-story building under construction
After a fire killed two construction workers, state and local officials look at the challenges and hazards construction sites possess
Davenport officials announced plans to demolish the unstable building even though two people may be trapped in the rubble
Davenport city officials had received several complaints about needed repairs and maintenance from occupants of the six-story building
Collapse
A partial failure of the crane system at a high-rise building caused the evacuation of a one-block radius
Fire Chief Reggie Johnson and Communications Shift Supervisor David Bradshaw address the mayday call, fill-in response, and heroic acts amid loss of life
The large response of first responders to the Charlotte construction site fire led officials to tell the public to not use 911 except in a true emergency
Portland firefighters are concerned about structural collapse after a 4-alarm fire destroyed the building a day after fire inspectors did a walk-through
How post-fire risks contributed to the fatal 1972 collapse just minutes after the fire was called under control
Glendale firefighters heard a loud noise; over 100 crewmembers with five departments worked on the rescue and patient transport
The president would like to see wider adoption of the latest building codes and encourages individuals to take precautions
Decades of deadly fires spurred federal action, culminating in the iconic 1973 publication that remains relevant to the fire service today
Collapse
We can’t eliminate collapse dangers, but we can mitigate some risk by studying building construction and rapid-fire events
As the ATF investigates, a fire research lab in Maryland is working to create a computer model showing how the fatal fire spread and grew
The 12-alarm blaze resulted in the deaths of three Philadelphia firefighters: David Holcombe, Phyllis McAllister and James Chappell
Hingham Fire Chief Steve Murphy said multiple patients were transported, and fire crews were evaluating the structural stability of the building
The surge of lightweight construction across the country underscores the need to look to the future of community development
“The coordinated efforts to protect first responders, building engineers and others is vital,” Fire Chief Niles Ford said
Gainesville firefighters were told that multiple people were inside of the 30,000-square-foot metal building, and heavy smoke was billowing out of the roof
The Evansville Fire Department Training Division suddenly found itself with two high-rise buildings at its disposal for countless training evolutions
Among the many, many acronyms used by firefighters, two stand out as critical to an efficient and successful response; learn more and test your knowledge
Part 2: A detailed look at standpipe and attack options, building systems, and fireground communications
Part 1: Inside the maze-like hallways, confusing access areas and stairwells, void spaces and other puzzling features that hamper operations
The 1978 roof collapse served as a wake-up call about the dangers hidden in building construction, specifically the weaknesses of trusses
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