New vs Old Room Fire Final UL

This video, made by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Testing) shows the danger of "modern" fires compared to the danger of fires occuring 40 years ago. Keep your eye on the clock!

The room on the left is furnished with old fashioned furnishings, made mostly with natural materials (wood, cotton, wool, silk, etc).

The room on the right is furnished with stuff made largely with synthetic material. Most synthetics are petroleum based. Think of them as frozen gasoline.

The legacy room fire is just begining to really spread at the time the modern room is burning from floor to ceiling. Even the air is burning!

Think about this next time somone tells you that "response time" will only be slightly increased. If you or a loved one is in the fire apartment or house, a slight increase is NOT acceptable.

Please pass this along to everyone you know that lives in NYC. The Mayor seems not to understand the meaning of "essential service".

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• FDNY
• RESPONSE TIMES
• FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET CUTS
• MAYOR BLOOMBERG
• NYC
• NEW YORK CITY

[TOMInstitute]

nice message to IKEA i think

[Himdarling44]

I know the research very well. All you said is true, however considered that the modern home is more airtight, and is hotter burning, I would be more worried about backdraft than flashover. Modern construction is a consideration in firefighting but it shouldn't be the biggest. Fire conditions should determine whether or not you enter these buildings or get on top of them, NOT construction type. It should be a factor but once again judging conditions is the most important tool you have.

[Whammer79]

@Himdarling44 True, But I said "modern home", and not just modern furnishings. The construction of the modern home (more airtight, engineered wood, etc) creates a very hazardous environment for firefighters. Do some more research and see how much hotter today's fires are compared to those of yesteryear. Modern construction is not built to hold up to high temperature fires. Glued wood, gussets plates, etc. all fail very quickly.

[Himdarling44]

@Whammer79 Not necessarily. Many more factors than just modern home furnishings determine flash time.

[Whammer79]

It's important for firefighters to remember that the modern home is ready to "Flash" just when you are arriving and looking to gain entry.

[crusher153]

its unreal how departments across the country are cutting back personnel and equipment when you see video evidence like this. all of the newer furnature you find in your home today is petrolium based. so basically there already is gas added to the fire.

[firefighter269]

Old Manufacturing vs New Manufacturing...Made in USA or Made in (China, Korea, Brazil, S. America Etc.) The Petrochemical (foam,nylon,plastic) have the public convinced their products ar safe and fire retardant, they are NOT! most have fire retardant coating on the surface to meet government standards BUT not throughout the products...Old vs New? I'll take the Old.....This may also explain why Interior firefighting has fallen the way of the Dinosaur!

[stormspottertodd]

Hey. Everybody WANTED this thing called "deregulation". The commercial entities touted loudly that it would be the "best thing" for people. It was just excuse for commercial interests not to be held responsible for careless/shoddy manufacturing practices.

[Beaker514]

keep closing firehouses. Nothing bad will ever happen