The Effects of The Effects of Fire on TJI’SFire on TJI’S

Parker Basement FireParker Basement Fire

November 13November 13thth, 2007, 2007

Silent Floor or Silent Silent Floor or Silent Killer?Killer?

Basement Similar to Basement Similar to Parker CallParker Call

Call DetailsCall Details Units were dispatched to a possible Units were dispatched to a possible

residential structure fire.residential structure fire. First arriving unit (S74) reports light First arriving unit (S74) reports light

smoke from the structure coming from the smoke from the structure coming from the basement.basement.

First hoseline enters through the first floor First hoseline enters through the first floor front door and reports heavy fire on the front door and reports heavy fire on the first floor.first floor.

Crews on hoseline report a possible floor Crews on hoseline report a possible floor collapse with the floor feeling “spongy”.collapse with the floor feeling “spongy”.

Call DetailsCall Details

22ndnd hoseline enters through the basement hoseline enters through the basement with heavy yellowish-grey smoke and no with heavy yellowish-grey smoke and no visible fire.visible fire.

Imager shows a heat signature in the B/C Imager shows a heat signature in the B/C corner of the basement.corner of the basement.

Caution tape used to tape off the kitchen Caution tape used to tape off the kitchen and family room area due to the floor and family room area due to the floor condition.condition.

Once the fire is extinguished the basement is Once the fire is extinguished the basement is again checked and the TJI’s looked like this.again checked and the TJI’s looked like this.

TJI DamageTJI Damage

TJI DamageTJI Damage

TJI DamageTJI Damage

Warped I-BeamWarped I-Beam

Notice the TJI’s are Notice the TJI’s are Starting to CollapseStarting to Collapse

Area Below the KitchenArea Below the Kitchen

Silent Killer?Silent Killer?

Family Room Without Family Room Without Significant Signs of Significant Signs of

DamageDamage

Things to Think AboutThings to Think About

The first crew in reported limited The first crew in reported limited visibility on the first floor. Had they visibility on the first floor. Had they proceeded further into the family proceeded further into the family room the potential for a catastrophic room the potential for a catastrophic collapse was huge.collapse was huge.

Do not take the stability of floors for Do not take the stability of floors for granted. The floor in the family room granted. The floor in the family room had no significant signs of damage.had no significant signs of damage.

Limit access to area under and over Limit access to area under and over the affected TJI’s.the affected TJI’s.

Things to Think AboutThings to Think About

Use caution tape to secure the area Use caution tape to secure the area and prevent anyone from going near.and prevent anyone from going near.

Limit salvage and overhaul activities Limit salvage and overhaul activities around the area. Overzealous around the area. Overzealous overhaul can be the catalyst for overhaul can be the catalyst for collapse in these situations.collapse in these situations.

Final ThoughtFinal Thought

This fire began in the basement and This fire began in the basement and spread to the first floor by the cold air spread to the first floor by the cold air return vent.return vent.

Initially this looked like a fire on the first Initially this looked like a fire on the first floor only. Once a 360 was done it was floor only. Once a 360 was done it was determined to be in the basement.determined to be in the basement.

The heavy fire on the first floor was due The heavy fire on the first floor was due to the 2 sofas next to the cold air return to the 2 sofas next to the cold air return catching on fire and making it appear as catching on fire and making it appear as a family room fire only.a family room fire only.