Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shareef Abdu Nur on June 24, 2009 at 3:58pm

Well, it is obvious that a truss of any kind poses significant dangers. "Never trust a truss..." Nonetheless, this can not keep us from operating. This is an inherently dangerous job and we are constantly being put further behind the eight ball with cheap construction, reduced manpower, inadequate equipment, etc... Saying that to say, we do not need to fear a truss, but we need to learn our building construction and our response areas. We need to get out into these buildings and recognize the potential dangers. Does this mean that we will never make entry on a building with a truss roof? No, this is not what it means. It means that we will take calculated risks based on education, size up, preplans, fire spread, and life hazards. We do not run away from truss construction like it is polio, but we educate ourselves, educate the construction industry, educate the public, and alter our tactics. We are agressive and we are smart.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jake Fireman on June 24, 2009 at 4:24pm

They are cheaper. Unfortunately although that decreases cost, makes it less money to manufacture, and in theory it lessens the cost of the construction, it increses potential risk or safety for the firefighter. Having formerly been a framing carpenter (Yes Jack...now a finish guy), I have seen how they are constructed and how they are installed. There is NO WAY that I would live in one of these structures. I really dont understand building with trusses and then loading them with concrete or tile roofing.

Fear a truss? Maybe...Respect the truss...You better.
I think we need to approach all lightweight structures of today in much the same way that we approach "eyebrows" or false mansard roofs...WITH THE ULTIMATE in CAUTION.

As Shareef said....educate ourselves and our departments ... alter what we do...but never alter SAFETY!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jake Fireman on June 24, 2009 at 9:20pm

lol uh thats 28oz! and for a few years before that it was 32oz!!!! lol..and that is the reason I wouldnt live in one...Ive seen waaaaaay too many framers bust the crap out of the end strands or hang the hangers incorrectly.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chris on July 25, 2009 at 2:31am

I know a fire company in Chicago that recieved a peice about 3-4 feet long of a new construction wooden truss. The truss was glued together. They placed the truss on top of the grill behind the fire house. A lieutenant that I knew at the house said that during their small experiment/drill that the flames went directly to the glue, igniting it and having the truss fail. Now, as we saw with charleston, this can be extremely dangerous, not just with the firefighters on the roof but also the firefighters below. We tend to get that tunnel vision sometimes that the roof people are the only ones at risk. Remember that you have people inside doing interior attacks and when a stream with a pressure of 90-100 psi hits weakened trusses they can come down on top of the engine crews trapping, injuring, or even killing the people below. Just something to think about. Train often and stay safe!!!

Yours in Firefighting,

Chris from IL.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on July 25, 2009 at 7:12am

Good for the builder....Good for the homeowner.....BAD for the Firefighters (us)

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion