Old and New Building Construction

News footage on two house fires: one older construction (save), one newer (total loss) - and the building construction that may have contributed to those outcomes.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• building
• construction
• fire
• behavior
• collapse
• hazard
• firefighter
• close
• calls

[sherloxhome]

The "engineered lumber" burns faster, with higher heat, and more toxic fumes

[galiean251]

It's nothing more than glorified pressed sawdust in some cases. Perfect for lightweight construction and rapid assembly, but with a little fuel - it's pretty similar to a Dura-flame log or firestarter.

[yunleilei]

I disagree, and so does the science behind the claim. The idea that newer homes are intrinsicly safer than older ones is a dangerous misconception. It may be true that newer homes are safer in the sense that it is harder for a fire to start from faulty electrical wiring or things of that nature; but once a fire has started, 9 out of 10 times it's going to take off like a bat our of hell and compromise structural integrity very, very quickly.

[novascotia1960]

Then you take your house sized fire log and wrap it in solidified gasoline (vinyl siding) and dig out the marshmallows.

[perryhanson1128]

I want this video on my Z250 unit.

[iLOVENATURE2011]

i hope no one got hurt from that fire... =\

[lanemays513]

This video went viral on Port Moresby

[lrd9999]

@PauletteVFD671 Sheetrock is about the only thing that's fire resistant in newer houses; the rest of the house is sticks and sawdust, though they are at least supposed to have fire-stops. I don't know what people are thinking when they pay a small fortune for one of these, the whole neighborhood looks like some over-sized trailer park. How much extra would it cost to use concrete, bricks and stucco. Sprinklers have become an excuse for building houses out of trash.

[StMeade]

fire sprinklers are a great idea.

And with people apparently not caring about the unions and lack of men for firefighting, you may want to consider that... or make sure you have good insurance.

[Dthorn912]

very true the new construction is terrible. those premade trusses and siding is cheap and people dont get it.

[gotyourback100]

the older house looks like my friends house

[irishfan53greg]

@PauletteVFD671 i disagree with you new homes have to have fire stopping put into place its all part of the residential building codes known as the IRC codes plus the hud codes require fire stopping as a builder and a fire fighter i see both sides some contractors take short cuts and as for fire travel it happens in new and old construction everywhere there is a hole fire will travel thru it it all depends how the fire starts and where it starts

[PauletteVFD671]

every firefighter i no says new construction is horrible and burns way faster then older stucures and i agree it happens for a couple reasons 1 is they stopped useing a technique called firestopping 2 the materials burn faster & hotter and on top of that useually r made of sheetrock walls without interior insulation so its a fire route strait to the attic

[shaun6906]

we had one similar to that, we were dispatched to a new ordinary construction fire in a basement/garage. We arrived on scene and the fire vented through the garage door and flashed over. I aproached the front of the house believe thing family was home checking the front door when we were met with intense heat and pushing smoke we evacuated the porch and the entire structure collapsed. Fortunately noone was injured Point is stay safe size up the scene!

RES45CUE-ENG41INE

Whatever It Takes!