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Wooden I Beams

Fire Science Program Dutchess Community College Poughkeepsie, NY TGI (Wooden I beam) Test Burn April 4, 2009. 2. Wooden I Beams. Large surface area with little mass. 2 Wood “beams” with OSB acting as web member (TGI)

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Wooden I Beams

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  1. Fire Science ProgramDutchess Community CollegePoughkeepsie, NYTGI (Wooden I beam)Test BurnApril 4, 2009 Dutchess Community College Fire Science program 2

  2. Wooden I Beams • Large surface area with little mass. • 2 Wood “beams” with OSB acting as web member (TGI) • OSB-Oriented Stand Board web- Many small pieces of wood held together by combustible glue. • Strong until subjected to high heat. Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  3. OUR TESTS STATS • Four 16’ TGI’s, • ½ “Plywood roof • Supported by two 6 high 2x4 walls with fire side covered by sheetrock. • Joints not taped • Nails not spackled over • Fireload- hay, pallets, 1 couch, 1 stuffed chair, 1 dresser • Weight on roof- approximately 300 lbs (water in plastic barrel) Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  4. Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  5. Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  6. Side B Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  7. Side D Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

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  9. Some of the DCC Fire Science students Left-right: Scott Steinebach, Patrick Rose, Erik Swingle Brendan Nugent, Tyler Carlson, Preston Kinzel, Doug Palmesi, Tim Conboy, Sarah Baker, Dominic Boscardin. Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  10. Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  11. 1 min. after ignition Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  12. 2 mins after ignition Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  13. 3 mins after ignition Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  14. 4 mins. After ignition Drum is falling through-roof is failing. Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  15. Center two TGI’s have failed (where weight was) and little is left of remaining 2 TGI’s Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  16. Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

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  19. Note-sheetrock held back fire. Note where fire came through joints that hadn’t been taped and spackled. Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  20. Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  21. After sheetrock was removed, nail was easily removed from wood as heat had conducted to the wood via the nail and pyrolytic decomposition started on the wood, loosening its grip on the nail.Note-nail head had not be spackled over. Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  22. Top of 2x4” stud where fire lapped over sheetrock on the wall Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  23. Char on unprotected wood stud from wall Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  24. Compare the mass; wood beam vs TGI/wooden I beam Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  25. Test Burn Observations • TGI’s burn quickly • High surface area coupled with little mass cause early failure • Without weight on them, they can appear to remain in place even with substantial burn time. Application of any weight will cause immediate failure. • ** Cases have been reported of carpet holding remnants of I beam in place. Unsuspecting firefighters who fail to continually test floor ahead of them immediately fall through. Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  26. TEST NOTES • This was not a scientific test, just a “let’s see what happens” event. • TGI’s were not protected by sheetrock which they likely would in “real world”, but………. • Fireload was: • Less than normal (hay and wood pallets possess 1/3 BTU energy of today’s synthetic fireload. • Fire area was wide open; heat could readily vent out (escape) • Weight (water barrel) was able to fall through when center 2 TGI‘s failed, thus catastrophic floor collapse did not occur. If weight had been distributed, undoubtedly floor would have catastrophically failed, without warning. Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  27. Our Thanks Go To: • Williams Lumber, Rhinebeck, NY • Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, Poughkeepsie, NY • Rhinebeck FD • Pleasant Valley FD Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  28. Beware of Lightweight ConstructionWooden I beams (TGI’sTrusses • Never operate above or below any truss or wooden I beam (TGI) that is being exposed to heat from a fire Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

  29. The End-Be SafeExpect the Unexpected Dutchess Community College Fire Science program

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