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Building Construction Question
I'm looking for methods or Ideas on how to make building construction really click. What made it make sense for you? I have a couple of books Building Construction for the Fire Service and Collapse of Burning Buildings, but sometimes they get a little more technical and don't make sense. Any ideas or methods would be appreciated.
Views: 30
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Marques Bush on -
Thanks Brent.
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Permalink Reply by Chad Bowman on -
Marques,
I have read the same great books that you have, but for some reason after reading Fireground Size Up by Michael Terpak it made things a little bit more clear. In the book he designates a single chapter to each type of construction and elaborates on their differences. The book was a great read and very helpful.
Good Luck.
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Permalink Reply by Marques Bush on
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Gregory that is a book I don't on yet. I will have to make the investment. Thanks for the input.
Stay Safe,
Marques
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Permalink Reply by Brian Arnold on -
Marques,
Grab a brother from the department that is a home builder or contact a local one. Then go through newly constructed home and buildings and let them answer the questions you have about the building. But you can't learn everything you need to know from New construction since these generally aren't burning down around our ears for years to come. Too many inexperienced firefighters only focus on the new construction methods and then are blindsided when they have to open the roof up on a 40 year old home. Go out and find some of your towns old buildings that are being readied for demolition or have been abandoned. That's where you will get your greatest learning curve from what you are reading in the books. Also, if you have a local Vo-tech go to their construction trades and look at what projects they have going.
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Permalink Reply by Peter Carnevale on -
Marques,
I have to agree with Gregory Banks. I've had the pleasure of owning and reading (and re-reading Mike Terpak's book). Also, I'm originally from NJ and took the class he gives based on that book. I also own Brannigan's building construction book and it is not a light read but full of info.
Believe it or not, some of the books at Home Depot will show you residential construction pretty well. Once you understand that (i.e. platform vs balloon framing, trusses, wood I-beams, etc.), I bet the types usually used in commercial work will make more sense.
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Permalink Reply by Douglas DuBree on -
Marques, If you need any powerpoints on bldg construction let me know your email address and I can send some to you.
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Allen on -
I guess I don't have any problem with either combustible or non combustible building construction classes after reviewing the evaluations that my students write at the end of each course. I can only say that the reasons why are as follows. My main focus is basic; keep the student motivated, interested and awake. Maintain these areas by keeping them aware of how important knowledge of the various types of building construction is as ir relates to their safety while they perform fire suppression duties. If they don't understand what they are in, it can kill them. And like any other subject, don't just talk the talk; make sure you walk the walk. If you haven't been inside a building to inspect it for years, don't even attempt to teach others all about construction. There are too many people out there who haven't walked the walk in years and it shows when they start talking. (They don't think so but they need to listen to the comments after class.) Somebody also mentioned field trips and/or pictures. Both are great tools. The field trip is a no brainer. Pictures must be clear, current and relevant to the topic being discussed. Basically though, with the best tools available, the instructor makes the class. Be enthusiastic and sincerely enjoy facilitating a positive learning experience. They will leave your class with good thoughts and look forward to your next offering. Be safe.
J. Allen,
Irmo, SC.
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Permalink Reply by Frank Ricci on -
Get a vacant, and tear it apart, besides being educational its fun! As Brent said go out an preplan.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Acton on
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I had the good fortune to certify (NFPA 1521) through FDSOA with Ret'd Dallas Deputy Chief Larry Anderson as the instructor. His Incident Safety Officer course stressed building construction, complete with excellent video. A short time afterwards, we had a major fire in a large 2 story, 100 year old structure that had undergone renovations years earlier. It operated as a strip club with most windows and doors closed in, and presented as an enclosed structure. What started as an electrical fire on the first floor, quickly gained the large attic as fire spread undetected, through open voids in the ceiling and walls. The video that we had seen months earlier during Chief Anderson's class on reading smoke, quickly identified what was about to happen next. Interior crews were evacuated and the vent crew was pulled from the roof. Seconds later, the roof was breached and one of our firefighters legs actually went through the roof as they were leaving the peaked roof to re-enter the bucket. We returned to the fire scene a few days later with the first arriving crews and did our own investigation, complete with video and still pics. When we went up in the bucket we could see how the gusset plates on the trusses had failed. At the time of the fire, no-one had expected that combination of construction features in a 100 year old structure. This fire and the information obtained during the review, was, and is still used during officer development and helps to stress the need to preplan your first response area and take building construction related training as a serious topic. We were lucky and did not suffer any injuries at this fire. We owe a big thanks to Larry Anderson for the outcome at that fire. Hope that this helps.
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Permalink Reply by Lance Langer on -
Marques,
What worked for me is a walking tour/driving tour of my city. Just the other guys mentioned, read the books and then bring the book out with you and either by yourself or with your company, walk thru buildings under construction. Also, when you drive by buildings under construction, stop and get out and ask for foreman to take a look at how they are building it. My experiance is they are very helpful when they understand why you are asking. Hope that helps Brother.
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Permalink Reply by Marques Bush on
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Wow guys thanks a lot. This is absolutely why I love this site. Keep it coming brothers I'm trying to take it all in. Thanks again Brothers.
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Permalink Reply by Marques Bush on
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Frank I'm trying. People are leaving in things now that should be condemned.
Frank Ricci said:Get a vacant, and tear it apart, besides being educational its fun! As Brent said go out an preplan.
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