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Reading the Building: Storefront Series
The following is from FireEMSBlogs contributor Chris Naum and his sites Buildingsonfire.com and CommandSafety.com
A series of storefronts with a street view all to common. Take a look at the buildings and determine their individual building types, inherent structural systems and risks. There are a few fundamental operational risks evident, can you identify them?
Discuss some of the other numerous building risk considerations that will affect Fireground operations.
I'll post another view from the street later that will add significantly to your building size-up considerations and give you more to think about.
Update, 9/12/13
Our view from the street is expanding with three additional views and details. Based on your originating street view from the Alpha Side, how do these view and perspectives change your assessment and risk profile of the buildings and occupancies?
What other view(s) become equally important based on what we now can observe and disseminate? Based on where (the) originating fire is reported in these structures, propagation, extension, life safety and operational integrity can be challenged.
Each building has its issues: what are your insights on the vinyl wrapped occupancy? What must be considered during all subsequent phases of your operations?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by captnjak on
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Starting from the left:
Building 1) Appears that there may be a very tall parapet wall on front. Structural stability would be doubtful under fire conditions. If it's not a high parapet then alterations were probably done. No windows on front so any interior space would probably be storage or maybe unused. Possible under-built and/or overloaded mezzanine area. Again with doubtful structural stability (even w/o fire).
Building 2) Commercial space on 1 with apartments (likely) above. Could be 2 or 4 families. rear fire escape? Any good fire condition on 1 would require aggressive search of floors 2 and 3.
Buildings 3 and 4) Frame buildings which would be exposure problem if either one of them or building 2 had a serious fire condition. Building 3 looks like MD (rear fire escape?) and building 4 possibly PD or mixed use.
I have no idea what the 2 story section in between (big window, small peak) is.
Plenty of room for apparatus. Don't see hydrant but I suspect one is fairly close.
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Permalink Reply by FFN WebTeam on
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Updated, 9/13 01:28 p.m.
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OK, so the building on the left is not the class 2 or 3 construction I originally thought it was. Looks to be class 4, 2 1/2 story with modified front area. Still not sure what the upper section is used for. No windows evident on side A or B. Still not sure of structural stability. A fire in the small 1 story on the B side would definitely cause an exposure concern. That siding will burn fast and smoky, which could affect judgment of incoming units/members.
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