We updated this post from a few years back. There seem to be consistent tragedy that follow these lightweight plywood “I” beams. From a construction perspective, they are great! They often times hold more weight, are lighter, cheaper and easier to assemble than nominal lumber. For us firefighters, the plywood “I”, when exposed to fire conditions are potential killers. They silently wait for us to put our weight on them… advance our hose-lines over and crawl under them. We are testing thier fire ravaged and weakened strength. As we advance, we often cannot measure what strength is truly left in that “I”.
New construction is starts are down. And, with the economy still hurting… many sections of the country coming across properties where the owners have just “walked away” even newly constructed homes. These now vacant or partially-vacant dwellings are ripe for squatters and have enormous potential for careless or intentionally set fires.
Such is the case here… in the photo’s below. This fire occurred in a recently vacated 3 story attached multiple dwelling. Each floor housed one separate apartment. Due to the fact that the owner “walked away” from the property all three floors were occupied by squatters. First arriving companies found heavy fire on the first floor in the front room of this newly constructed three story attached Multiple Dwelling.
Apparently the owners could no longer afford to make the monthly payments and just left, leaving nothing behind. Squatters broke in and brought in mattresses and some comforts of home. First arriving Companies stated that in the first floor fire apartment, there was no furniture at all, other than 1 mattress and 1 couch.
Note the heavy damage that got into the structural components from the small to moderate fire load in this apartment. Also, Note the firespread into and throughout the second floor supports (especially thru the sheet-rock ceiling in areas where electrical lighting fixtures and ceiling fans were). In many areas the pressboard web had burned completely through. Thankfully, there were no occupants and/or heavy furniture on the floor above (or on any floor) as the building was vacant.
A heavier fire load on the first floor, or if there was just regular amounts of household furniture on the second floor we could have had a catastrophic collapse… as units were operating. Be aware!
Most, if not all of the “fire-rating” for these Ply-I beams are created by the sheetrock that covers them. If you have these building components in the new construction in your area, note it! Have a way to notify other responding members to this potential hazard. Make this information a part of your “Critical Dispatch Information”.
If you have seen squatters or suspect activity in vacant dwellings notify your PD or Fire Marshal. Buildings are confirmed as vacant by US. Stay alert to changing neighborhoods, abandoned buildings etc. Pre-planning today may avert a tragedy tomorrow. Stay safe, stay combat ready!
CLICK ON THE PHOTOS FOR A CLOSER VIEW…
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- Fire Marshal surveys damage
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- Extension Vertically
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- Web Burned Through
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- Cut out for utilities
Also on TraditionsTraining…
- Is That Abandoned Building In Your First Due Really a Vacant Building? – July 7, 2010
- New for Fall 2009! "Forcible Entry Academy" – September 8, 2009
- Single vs. 3-Piece Halligans – April 5, 2010
- Enrollment open for Forcible Entry Academy in Claymont, DE – June 5! – April 8, 2010
