01 General Collapse Info

Question 1

Burning Building collapse is one of the leading causes of fireground death. NFPA states that leading causes of FF deaths are:

Answer 1

Stress
Responding and returning to fires and emergencies
Falls
Falling Objects
Coming in contact with objects
FF caught and trapped
Burning building collapse

Question 2

The four factors that will increase burning building collapse:

Answer 2

1. Age of Building
2. Abandonment
3. Lightweight construction material
4. Faulty renovations

Question 3

A building, vacant for several years and exposed to rain, snow, summer heat, and freezing temps, will collapse more quickly during a fire than a building that is well maintained and occupied.

Question 4

NFPA states: “Unprotected lightweight steel bar joists fail when exposed to ______________ of fire exposure.”

Answer 4

5 to 10 minutes

Question 5

Fire protection engineers know fire resistance and collapse resistance are directly related to what?

Answer 5

The mass of the building

Question 6

Reasons why we do not have building collapse data for FFs.

Answer 6

1. Any research into the subject of burning building collapse offers small benefit to anyone except FFs.
2. The fire service itself - after a collapse kills or seriously injures a FF, the chiefs, officers, and other FF are usually unable to analyze objectively why the building collapse or even how it collapsed
3. The attitude of those conducting the investigation. Often the officials in charge of the investigation are concerned only with placing blame or avoiding legal problems.
4. The absence of a standard definition of the term collapse.
5. Most Important Reason for the absence of collapse info is the lack of FD documentation and record of collapse.

Question 7

Define the term Structural Collapse.

Answer 7

Any portion of a structure that fails as a result of fire.

Question 8

Glass in a commercial building is much more dangerous because it is:

Answer 8

Thicker and heavier
- 1/4 to 1/2 inch think
- 2 1/2 to 5 pounds per square foot

Question 9

The safe procedure taken by FFs when on object must be through out of a window during overhaul is:

Answer 9

1. Obtain permission from the officer in command
2. Notify or assign a FF outside the building to clear the area and act as a safe guard
3. After the area is clear, the FF acting as guard signals when to throw objects or break glass
4. When all objects have been discarded out the window, notify the FF below who’s been assigned as a safety.

Question 10

NFPA published a 10-year study of FFs killed by building collapse. 56 FFs died during 1990 to 1999.

Answer 10

Floor Collapse - 21
Roof Collapse - 19
Wall Collapse - 14
Ceiling Collapse - 2