What's Your Take?

I spend a lot of time looking at buildings and thinking about "how would I do this or that" and what kinds of challenges would exist should a fire happen. It drives my wife nuts! You know what I mean? You go to an establishment or an event and you are looking around for exits, sprinklers, fire alarms and just the general layout of the building.

It is good for us to identify these different characteristics on a frequent basis. Even if it isn't in your area, I believe it keeps you sharp. It's like practicing all of the things you have learned in your head. Granted, you aren't manipulating a tool or pulling a line, but you can do all of those things in your head. What would you do with this type of door? How about this wierd little addition and the ventilation problems that it poses? These are all considerations you can do any time and any where.

Here a few pictures from a recent trip to Nashivelle, TN. We were walking back from LP Field after the half-marathon and this building was right next to the pedestrian bridge we were on. I stopped and started taking pictures and thinking. Of course I got behind and my wife had to explain to everyone else in the group that I was a just a wierd firefighter who does this all of the time.

[View with PicLens]

Take a look and share what you see and all of the different considerations and challenges that could be recognized during a fire in this buillding.

Take care and train hard.

Jason

http://firefightersenemy.com

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on May 12, 2011 at 5:13pm

I spend a lot of time looking at buildings... Really Jason, you need to get out of doors and look at something that's not manmade to give your brain a rest sometimes. For example...

But then again... when I am out in the California mining towns, looking at 1800's structures, you just can't help thinking that it's a non-reinforced masonry building...

It's so hard to turn off the switch sometimes, Make sure you give you and your family the same amount of time, at least. Remember brother, no one on their death bed has ever said, "I wish I had spent more time at work...".

TCSS, CBz

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Permalink Reply by Jason Hoevelmann on May 12, 2011 at 5:54pm

Great pics, and don't worry, I get outside a good bit. I am waiting for the rain to stop out here to get my garden turned over and planted. Sometimes though, I do need a reminder and thanks for the good advice.

thanks for the pictures and great conversation,
Jason

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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on May 12, 2011 at 9:08pm

The bad news; the building looks like it's ready to come down. Reinforcing bolts are holding it together.

The good news, window bars and 'shutters' look like they can be kicked out with minimal effort.

Bad news, a decent fire would further weaken the building, we're looking at a collapse of the upper floor(s) at the least.

On a brighter now, not ALL old buildings are dangerous.

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