1. General collapse information 2. Terms of construction and building design 3. Building construction: firefighting problems and structural hazards 4. Masonry wall collapse 5. Collapse dangers of parapet walls 6. Wood floor collapse 7. Sloping peak roof collapse 8. Timber truss roof collapse 9. Flat roof collapse 10. Lightweight steel roof and floor collapse 11. Lightweight wood truss collapse 12. Ceiling collapse 13. Stairway collapse 14. Fire escape dangers 15. Wood-frame building collapse 16. Collapse hazards of buildings under construction 17. Collapse caused by master stream operations 18. Search-and-rescue at a building collapse 19. Safety precautions prior to collapse 20. Why the World Trade Center Towers collapsed 21. High-rise building collapse 22. Post-fire analysis 23. Early floor collapse EPILOGUE: Are architects, engineers, and code-writing officials friends of the firefighters?

Chief Dunn—the recipient of FDNY's Lifetime Achievement Award—has updated his classic book on how to identify and survive hazards on the fireground. Dunn attempts to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries year after year by describing the 15 most dangerous tactics and the 13 most recurring fire and explosion environmental dangers, ranked by degree of danger and frequency of occurrence. This indispensable book will help keep every first responder, firefighter, and fire officer out of harm’s way. It is a must-read and reread for every firefighter who responds to fires and emergencies, every company officer who commands a fire company, and every incident commander or safety officer who is responsible for the safety of firefighters on the fireground. NEW TO THIS EDITION • Examination of “aggressive interior firefighting attack” and “nonaggressive attack” • Discussion of risk intensity and risk frequency at the fireground • Visual representation and discussion of the NIST five-stage time/temperature fire growth curve showing temperatures before and after firefighter venting • Coverage of the Columbia University Capstone Project: FDNY Property Saved Indicator, with a formula to quickly calculate the dollar amount of property saved at a structure fire • Updated statistics, graphs, and charts

Describes building construction features and how to recognize collapse dangers for all types of buildings and construction methods. Includes : key elements that warn of imminent fire-induced collapse; how to prevent injuries to operating personnel; adapting risk/benefit techniques to manage firefighting personnel on the fireground; how building codes affect fire-induced building collapses.

This important new book is designed to serve many purposes in the fire service, ranging from being a starting point and refresher guide for firefighters seeking promotions at any level, to being a field operational guide for on-scene Incident Commanders and Company Officers. It offers an easy-to-follow, step-by-step action plan for firefighters working in Acting Capacities, and can be used when developing SOPís, and when organizing and planning training evolutions. Itís definitely a book every firefighter, officer, and aspiring officer will want to own!

Stay focused on firefighter safety with Knowing Your Buildings, an illustrated guide to building construction terms and concepts. This book is a valuable companion for learners as well as a handy reference for practicing fire service professionals. This latest edition includes an expanded introductory section with chapters on understanding building features; risk management through planning, preparing, practicing, and performing; and hazardous building features and conditions. Additionally, the A-to-Z section has been augmented with hundreds of new terms and definitions. These terms are organized alphabetically and include photos, diagrams, drawings, and charts to clearly explain and provide visual examples of building construction materials and techniques. Safety points are also highlighted throughout the book to explain the connection between building construction materials, fire growth, and, ultimately, the safety of responding firefighters and fire officers. Features Understand the connection between building construction and firefighter safety with clear and concise definitions and explanations Stay safe on the scene with an opening chapter on building construction and risk management as well as safety notes integrated throughout the book Quickly and easily find terms and explanations, as well as photos and illustrations, with cross-references between related topics Stay informed with appendixes covering statistics, NIOSH reports, additional resources, and more

Structural Design for Fire Safety, 2nd edition Andrew H. Buchanan, University of Canterbury, New Zealand Anthony K. Abu, University of Canterbury, New Zealand A practical and informative guide to structural fire engineering This book presents a comprehensive overview of structural fire engineering. An update on the first edition, the book describes new developments in the past ten years, including advanced calculation methods and computer programs. Further additions include: calculation methods for membrane action in floor slabs exposed to fires; a chapter on composite steel-concrete construction; and case studies of structural collapses. The book begins with an introduction to fire safety in buildings, from fire growth and development to the devastating effects of severe fires on large building structures. Methods of calculating fire severity and fire resistance are then described in detail, together with both simple and advanced methods for assessing and designing for structural fire safety in buildings constructed from structural steel, reinforced concrete, or structural timber. Structural Design for Fire Safety, 2nd edition bridges the information gap between fire safety engineers, structural engineers and building officials, and it will be useful for many others including architects, code writers, building designers, and firefighters. Key features: • Updated references to current research, as well as new end-of-chapter questions and worked examples. •Authors experienced in teaching, researching, and applying structural fire engineering in real buildings. • A focus on basic principles rather than specific building code requirements, for an international audience. An essential guide for structural engineers who wish to improve their understanding of buildings exposed to severe fires and an ideal textbook for introductory or advanced courses in structural fire engineering.

Author John Mittendorf has completely rewritten his best-selling book, Truck Company Operations, a must-have for all firefighters who are assigned to the truck and who have responsibilities for the truck on the fireground. The new second edition covers the many aspects, tasks, and functions of a truck company, and contains new and expanded information related to search, reading a building, reading smoke, the Ten Commandments of truck company operations, operating truck apparatus, and more--all from a truck company perspective.

As existing buildings age, nearly half of all construction activity in Britain is related to maintenance, refurbishment and conversions. Building adaptation is an activity that continues to make a significant contribution to the workload of the construction industry. Given its importance to sustainable construction, the proportion of adaptation works in relation to new build is likely to remain substantial for the foreseeable future, especially in the developed parts of the world. Building Adaptation, Second Edition is intended as a primer on the physical changes that can affect older properties. It demonstrates the general principles, techniques, and processes needed when existing buildings must undergo alteration, conversion, extension, improvement, or refurbishment. The publication of the first edition of Building Adaptation reflected the upsurge in refurbishment work. The book quickly established itself as one of the core texts for building surveying students and others on undergraduate and postgraduate built environment courses. This new edition continues to provide a comprehensive introduction to all the key issues relating to the adaptation of buildings. It deals with any work to a building over and above maintenance to change its capacity, function or performance.

Deliberate training in firefigher rescue and survival is a field that is new to many in the fire service and private industry alike. For those firefighters and company officers assigned to a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT), not making the correct split-second decisions--such as immediately recognizing changes in fire behavior or failing to evaluate their level of SCBA air--can result in the loss of the lives of the entire team. In an effort to reduce the number of line-of-duty firefighting injuries and deaths, while at the same time being proactive in the fire service training and leadership, authors Richard Kolomay and Robert Hoff have drawn upon their combined 50+ years of firefighting experience to put together this comprehensive guide. Key Features & Benefits - Provides an awareness of firefighter safety and proactive fire service training - Describes various types of serious firefighter injuries and fatality incidents during emergency incident operations - Details recommended Rapid Intervention Team operating methods and procedures, as well as how to activate a Rapid Intervention Team

John Norman has updated his best-selling book, a guide for the firefighter and fire officer who, having learned the basic mechanics of the trade, are looking for specific methods for handling specific situations. In this new fourth edition, readers will find a new chapter on lightweight construction, a new chapter on electrical fires and emergencies, updates to many chapters including such topics as wind-driven fires, and many new illustrations.