Building Construction Chapter 1

Study Notes

Studying building construction is crucial as it directly affects firefighting operations, and about 70 firefighters die in the line of duty every year.

Clear communication is a critical factor in all fire departments, involving proper language and industry terminology.
Miscommunication can have disastrous consequences, such as the Avianca airliner crash on Long Island, New York.
"Mayday" is the universal distress signal, and it's becoming the code for evacuation within the fire fighter community.

Firefighters tend to resist retreating from a fire, but training can overcome this resistance.
Proper construction terminology is essential for conveying hazards in a situation, using terms like "building fire" and "structural fire".

Prefire planning is a key element of fire professionals, allowing them to prepare for potential hazards rather than just reacting to them.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are useful tools for preplanning, providing data-enhanced maps with building uses, street arrangements, and utility locations.
Prefire analysis involves accumulating necessary information for sound judgments during an emergency, and should be separated from the inspection function.
Conducting a prefire plan involves introducing oneself to building owners or managers, examining properties for compliance with standards, and documenting risks.

Fire codes are often not fully compliant, and designers and contractors may take shortcuts.
Prefire plan walkthroughs should identify code violations and look for potential hazards in unexpected places.

"After-action" reports by NIOSH contain valuable information on building construction and fire behavior.
Websites like www.firefighterclosecalls.com and www.firefighternearmiss.com provide insights into other firefighters' experiences.
Reading fire service trade journals and their associated websites can provide current intelligence on emerging issues and problems faced by fire departments.