Why study building construction

Why Firefighters should Study Building Construction

“A firefighter’s worst fear is being trapped in a collapsing structure and burning to death.” (Norman, 1998). Last year, this nightmare became a reality for ten firefighters who lost their lives as a result of buildings collapses across the United States. Whether a single-family home or a high-rise, buildings are where firefighters go to work. Thus, knowledge of the type of building construction they are dealing with is crucial not only for the success of fire suppression operations but also for the prevention of firefighters’ fatalities.
The main reason for firefighters to learn and understand building construction is for their own safety. NFPA reports indicate that the leading cause of death among firefighters during fire suppression operations is structural collapse of any part of the building. Although structural collapses can be difficult to predict, becoming familiar with the type of construction of buildings will he...