Ch. 14 Non-Fire Bldg Collapse

Question 1

Causes of NONfire building collapse.

Two broad categories:

Answer 1

Nature-caused.

Human-caused

Question 2

For some no warning:

For others can be anticipated (w/o specific location):

Answer 2

Earthquakes and explosions

Tornadoes and hurricanes

Question 3

When confronted by partially collapsed bldg, FF’s must assume remaining building _________.

Answer 3

Can be seriously weakened (NOT rest will collapse)

Question 4

Non-fire bldg collapse causes (6)

Answer 4

Earthquakes.
Mudslides*
Floods*
Snow.
Poor construction methods.
Explosion.

Question 5

Concerns common to collapse/partial collapse (7)

Answer 5

RUPTURE of gas distribution mains (only "rupture").
Loss of LANDLINE communication.
*Utilities/roads for DAYS/EVEN WEEKS.*
Multiple bldg collapses.
Fires following event.
Impairment of bldg life safety systems.
Fires when utilities restored

Question 6

Areas for earthquakes p. 394

Answer 6

West coast, including ALASKA and Hawaii PARTICULARLY vulnerable

Question 7

Earthquakes, buildings more at risk for partial/total collapse than newer buildings

Answer 7

Built prior to 1930s

Question 8

Factors that contribute to extent of building damage and potential collapse during earthquakes (2)

Answer 8

LOCATION of bldg relative to responsible fault and epicenter of earthquake.
SOIL conditions beneath bldg, especially potential for liquefaction of loose, sandy soil

Question 9

Seismic design consideration

Answer 9

Lateral bracing

Question 10

Critical buildings have higher requirements. Critical are: (3)

Answer 10

Hospitals.
Command CENTERS.
Other important public uses

Question 10

Earthquakes will likely be followed by ________, some of which may be ____________ as the original.

Answer 10

Aftershocks.

NEARLY as strong

Question 11

Potential for landslides occurs _________. Although potential for landslide more likely during _____, they may occur ______.

Answer 11

Nearly everywhere.
Heavy rains or in conjunction with earthquakes.
Anytime

Question 12

Forewarning/early warning signs of landslides (3)

Answer 12

Damage to underground utilities.
Cracking in roads.
Minor slides in area.

Question 13

On hillsides prone to landslide, addition of ________________can be the trigger to a major landslide.

Answer 13

Groundwater through landscape watering OR

Broken water main

Question 14

There are ____ specific model bldg code requirements to address LANDSLIDES. Environmental reports should _______ this issue and zoning regulations typically _______ it.

Answer 14

No.
Identify.
Address.
fire service working with public works

Question 15

_____ is sinking or settling of land due to various natural and human-caused factors, such as removal of _____.

Answer 15

Subsidence (form of GRADUAL sinking).

Underground water or oil

Question 16

Primary cause of subsidence in U.S. is ________________.

Answer 16

Removal of large amounts of underground WATER

Definition=water OR oil, PRIMARY=water

Question 17

Subsidence.
Occurred in ______. Due to pumping oil in ____________.
Gradual AND more or less uniform when cause is removal of _______________.

Answer 17

Almost every state.
California, Louisiana, and Texas.
Underground liqUid (more or less Uniform)

Question 18

_______ is a natural depression in a land surface formed by the collapse of a cavern roof. Generally occurs in _________ regions. This type of failure represents an ___________ of subsidence.

Answer 18

Sinkhole.
Limestone.
Extreme form.
cavern/cavity = sinkhole

Question 19

Like landslides, sinkholes are _________. Collapse of ground surface into cavity. Cavity are usually created by __________.

Answer 19

Sudden events.
Interaction of groundwater with rock formations that are water soluble.
subsidence=gradual. landslide and sinkhole=usually sudden

Question 20

Sinkholes can occur over areas that have been ____________ or more commonly in urban areas as the result of ________.

Answer 20

Subjected to underground mining.

Water main breaks

Question 20

Determining potential for subsidence and sinkholes is often done by ____________.

Answer 20

Examining historical records.

Question 21

_______, especially those associated with _____ and ______, often result in catastrophic regional events.

Answer 21

High winds.
Tornadoes.
Hurricanes

Question 22

In wind-borne debris regions, such as coastal areas subject to hurricanes where the basic wind speed is _______, window glazing is required to be impact-resistant. Residents may also employ special brackets, known as _____________, to provide additional reinforcement as storms approach.

Answer 22

110 mph or greater.

Wind clips

Question 23

Building collapse can occur due to force associated with accumulated _____, _____ or both. These type of collapses can happen ________ and are usually ________.

Answer 23

Snow.
Water.

Without warning and isolated events

Question 24

Another cause of bldg collapse is from ______. ______ can be simply described as water flowing where it is not normally expected.

Answer 24

Floods.

Floods

Question 25

Damage from floods occurs in several ways: (2)

Answer 25

Water undermines the foundation, causing partial/total collapse.
House swept off of foundation, deposited in whole or part hundreds of feet from where it originally rested.

Question 26

_____ are another required aspect of structural design considerations for a new building. Requirements vary depending whether or not building is also subject to ___________.

Answer 26

Flood loads.

High-velocity wave action

Question 27

Flood loads

Foundation and structures are required to resist ____, ____, and _____.

Answer 27

Flotation, collapse, lateral movement

Question 28

Structural design, including calculations, is typically reviewed during the plan review process ______ construction begins. Occasionally an ________ will slip through or there will be _________ that negatively impacts the integrity of design, resulting in partial or total collapse.

Answer 28

Before.
Inadequate design.
A field change

Question 29

Poor or careless construction methods: (4)

WITS end trying to figure this out

Answer 29

TEMPORARY loads-temporary loads exceed final design loads.
SEQUENCING-improper sequencing of construction process.
WEAKNESS of building frame-temporary weakness, applies to POURED in place (not cast).
INSTABILITY of building frame-until final members in place, vulnerable to vertical and horizontal loads-temporary bracing

Question 30

Common means of demolition (2)

Answer 30

Piecemeal demolition-performing using hand tools or machines AND
Controlled collapse.
BOTH require well thought out plan

Question 31

4 means of controlled collapse

Answer 31

Crane with demolition ball.
Hydraulic pushed arms.
Wire rope pulling.
Explosives.

Question 32

A primary GOAL of the demolition process must be:

Answer 32

To protect nearby structures

Question 33

Piecemeal.
When removing PRIMARY structural members, there is _____ the potential for ________.
An unexpected collapse will likely involve ________ because it is likely to occur when building is occupied by workers involved in demo.

Answer 33

Always.
Unexpected collapse.

Rescue

Question 34

Well planned and executed controlled collapse should result in _________ at the ground to be ___________. Rescue ________ be an issue.

Answer 34

A pile of debris.
Subsequently removed.
Should not

Question 35

Rising concern with vacant bldgs are:

Answer 35

Problems with vandalism and scavenging

Question 36

_______ is being accelerated by increased price of wood and metal.

Answer 36

Scavenging

Question 37

May result in weakening of structure or even UNWANTED building collapse

Answer 37

Amateur scavenging

Never WANT an amateur working with you

Question 38

During building demolition may also lead to an UNEXPECTED collapse.

Answer 38

Scavenging activities

Question 39

Often, accidental explosions are the result of:

Answer 39

Natural gas leaks within a building

Question 40

Common sources of explosions (BGDFM)

Answer 40

Boiler furnaces.
Gasoline vapors.
Finely powdered dust.
Storage of fireworks/blasting agents.
Methamphetamine laboratories (today's society)

Question 41

“Deliberate explosions”

Answer 41

Terrorist activities

Question 42

Deliberate USE of EXPLOSIVES

Answer 42

Gang/organized crime

use - youse guys

Question 43

Other Causes of Collapse.
Collision of motor vehicle with a structure:
Aircraft crash into a structure:

Answer 43

Typically partial collapse.

Always followed by a fire.