New Lightweight Construction Techniques and Firefighter Safety

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New Lightweight Construction Techniques and
Firefighter Safety

• Firefighter David Gibbs
• And
• Lieutenant Michael Stanley
• Aurora (CO) Fire Department

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New Townhouse Units Under Construction in Aurora,
Colorado
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Size-Up

• Three Stories
• Multi-family Dwellings
• Lightweight Construction
• Wood Frame
• Steel
• Fire Sprinklers

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Unique Construction Features

• Finger-Jointed Trusses
• Double Attics
• Walk Throughs
• Balloon Construction
• Steel Support Beams
• Scabbed Studs

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Finger-Jointed Trusses
Note the lack of nails in the Gussett
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Double Attic
This can lead to unseen fire spread into a void
space above our heads!
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Walk Throughs

• Utilized so workers can move from unit to unit.
• Located in the back corners of each unit.
• Allow wider passage point for Firefighters in the
  event of a wall breach.

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Balloon Construction
The bearing walls in between units are made of
galvanized steel studs
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Looking Up

• This causes a common void between the units for
  fire to spread much like any other similar
  structure

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Non-Platform Construction
Joint does not occur until approximately 30
above floor level
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Looking Down
Fire can now spread unimpeded between units and
floors in unseen void spaces!
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Steel Support Beams

• Multiple Lightweight galvanized steel studs
  screwed together.
• Supporting Load Bearing Steel I-Beams.
• Used to transfer load from the roof to the
  foundation.

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Load Bearing I-Beam

• With 1,000 Degrees of Flame Contact the load
  bearing system of the structure could fail
  causing a catastrophic collapse!

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Scabbed Studs
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Cut Stud
Scab
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• Used to straighten studs to correct for warping
  or bowing.
• Original stud is cut and straightened.
• Scrap of 2 x 4 is scabbed on to hold it
  together.
• This reduces material waste.
• Should only be used on non-bearing interior walls.

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Be Safe!