Within the firefighting field

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Nov 24, 2024

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Within the firefighting field, structural collapse is a subtle problem. It usually happens without warning and can result in several fatalities. Old structures are rife with alterations that might result to fire and catastrophe (Kodur et al., 2019). The case presented by the NIOSH 98F- 17 Sudden Floor Collapse Claims the Lives of Two Firefighters case study is an example of an instance where altercations alterations to older structures can be a problem to the firefighters. Design, Layout, and Structure In a fire emergency, the design and layout of a structure, as well as the materials used and architectural design, have an essential importance in preventing the spread of smoke and flames and enabling the safe evacuation of occupants from the buildings. The building was designed as a three-story wood frame home as described in the case. Some of the building's units were unoccupied, while others were occupied (Fahy et al., 2020). The structure had undergone a number of renovations. Wood is a fire hazard, and one of the primary concerns in the event of a fire is the unrestrained spread of flames through the exterior. The building's wooden architecture may have resulted in the collapse of the rear of the second level, trapping the five firemen on the first floor in a burning fire. The layout of the building did not allow the firefighters to assess the situation easily and accurately (Fahy et al., 2020). The inside hall had been blocked off from the rest of the building during renovations, making it difficult to navigate and submit a report on the flame propagation. Locating the fire and evaluating its intensity are two of the most crucial tasks in the event of a fire. This data is the cornerstone of the overall process since it determines the number of fire fighters as well as the amount of gear and equipment required to put out the fire. It also help in finding the efficient route of heat and smoke venting and the most effective point of fire extinguishment. The renovations to this structure made it difficult for firefighters to find

the fire and assess its severity. While checking the second floor, the fire fighters were unaware that a fire was burning below them (Fahy et al., 2020). Exterior Structure Outlook The exterior structure of the building showed that several changes such as remodeling and renovations had been made to the building. When supporting structures in building are demolished without proper reconstruction or reinforcement, they endanger both firefighters and residents in the event of a fire (Lapuste & Mociran, 2020). A relieving wall had been installed on the first floor of the building (Kodur et al., 2019). However, this wall failed to effectively hold the rear of the second floor, and the increased weight of the fire fighters could have easily brought the structure down amid a fire breakout. Relieving wall There is a high risk that the house's structural integrity will be compromised during reconstruction or remodeling, and the structure will most likely move. As a result, the relieving is intended to provide structural support. When the supporting wall is poorly placed, it does not fully sustain the weight of the building, posing a risk to the residents in the event of an emergency. The relieving wall on the first floor of the building had not been correctly erected in this case. The back of the second floor was not entirely supported. The fire fighters' additional weight caused the second floor to collapse, trapping them on the first floor. Building Codes Enforcement Various building codes have been established to guarantee that business, residential, as well as other establishments within a municipal jurisdiction, are built-in conformity with the

prevailing building code's regulations. If one wishes to rebuild or remodel a structure, one must first obtain a permit, which will be reviewed and approved by a code official (Shokouhi et al., 2020). Throughout the construction process, code authorities inspect the site to ensure that the building is constructed in accordance with government codes, building standards, and model building codes. After the approval is obtained and the reconstruction is completed, the building is given a final inspection (Diamantes & Jones, 2020). Officials from the fire department are present during this phase to confirm that the structure has been properly constructed and meets all fire safety regulations. Building and life safety codes are usually kept separate and enforced by different authorities. Local building officials are in charge of enforcing the building codes by reviewing design plans, inspecting construction activity, and issuing building and occupancy licenses (Diamantes & Jones, 2020). The fire department is the authority in charge of enforcing the life safety codes. Inspectors are dispatched by the fire marshal to determine whether the structure is constructed in accordance with the required life safety and building codes. Local inspectors, such as building officials, might be used by the fire department to certify that the appropriate codes and regulations were followed during construction. As a result, the fire department is regarded as the fire authority in concerns of building safety. The fire marshal can order the building to be closed down if it has broken the building codes and is not up to life safety standards. Modifications in Single Family Homes There is little to no modification oversight in single-family homes. The right of homeowners to do whatever they want with their homes has long been a source of controversy, as has the government's capacity to control building and modification in order to protect

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the safety of the public. These dwellings, however, are permitted to be used if they meet certain criteria, such as Fire escapes for access to an upper-level auxiliary dwelling must not be positioned on the front of the primary dwelling, and any alterations must be approved by the Municipal Administrator. Governments issue permits to verify that any exterior construction project complies with building codes, which are in place to keep structures safe (Shokouhi et al., 2020). It also governs modifications and constructions based on the impact they will have on the surrounding area. A permit may be required to construct a deck, especially if it is a large deck, as these sorts of decks are regulated; a permit is required to construct a deck that is 30 inches off the ground. Several injuries every year have been associated with the collapse of a deck thus it is crucial to enforce construction and building codes in order to ensure safety. Statement of the Problem and Recommendations Building alterations, reconstructions, and renovations require a permit to verify that all work is done in accordance with current building codes (Diamantes & Jones, 2020). Home improvement, on the other hand, is viewed as a personal endeavor that does not require supervision or guidance. Individuals have a right to their property and are free to make any alterations they want, both inside and out. The changes made to single-family houses are frequently unsupervised, which is an issue because most of these alterations do not satisfy the legal requirements, posing a threat to both the inhabitants and the residents. I will design an outreach program targeted at educating the community about the dangers associated with unapproved or hazardous building changes in order to promote awareness of the dangers associated with these modifications. This initiative will try to raise awareness of the problem caused by unauthorized modifications and help residents realize the importance of

inspection and collaboration. It's critical to collaborate with officials to protect everyone's safety. The government's reconstruction restrictions do not prohibit the construction of additional structures. These restrictions are intended to ensure that the building's residents’ safety is not jeopardized. We need to report illegal building activities and unsafe buildings to address the issue of unauthorized modification. Deaths have occurred as a result of negligence, and fires have become a common topic of discussion. The city council is in charge of making sure that the buildings are safe, but it is also everyone's job to make sure that there are no illegal or hazardous structures that endanger the lives of the residents.

References Diamantes, D., & Jones Jr, A. M. (2020). Principles of fire prevention. Jones & Bartlett Learning. Fahy, R. F., Petrillo, J. T., & Molis, J. L. (2020). Firefighter Fatalities in the US–2019. National fire protection association, 1-26. Kodur, V., Kumar, P., & Rafi, M. (2019). Fire hazard in buildings: review, assessment and strategies for improving fire safety. PSU Research Review, 4(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1108/prr-12-2018-0033 Lapuste, A., & Mociran, H. (2020). Contributions to the consolidation of wooden floors to structures with load-bearing masonry walls. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science And Engineering, 789(1), 012032. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/789/1/012032 Shokouhi, M., Khorasani-Zavareh, D., Rezapur-Shahkolai, F., Khankeh, H., & Nasiriani, K. (2020). Safety concept of fire related injuries in inhabitants of residential buildings in Iran: A qualitative study. Injury, 51(8), 1817-1822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2020.05.033

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