Collapse Indicators:
Being able to predict the collapse of a building is a critical goal that every Incident Commander wishes he or she can predict. Our ability to get them out before the building falls on top of them as well as off before the building falls away under them will continue to be what each of us strives for. What follows is a list of collapse indicators that we should all be familiar with few photos that should provide visual “cues” that cross reference some of the concerns. Stay Safe!
- Overall age and condition of the building
- Building construction class/type
- Engineered Buildings / Light Weight floor and roof systems
- Vacant Buildings
- Previously fire damaged buildings
- Signs of building repair or alteration
- Presence of wall anchor plates or stars
- Out of plumb building features (window and door openings)
- Walls bulging or leaning
- Floors and roof sagging
- Visible spalling
- Fresh plaster dust in the air or on the floor
- Excessive or unusual roof and/or floor loads
- Excessive accumulation of water and/or snow
- Excessive wind
- Wood and glass cracking
- Moans and groans
- Occupancy specific buildings – (i.e. Baled paper Goods, Plumbing Supply Warehouse )
- Heavy fire – large percentage of the building involved in fire.
- Fire involvement of the buildings bearing walls
- Extended/long duration firefighting operations
- Lack of water runoff during firefighting operations
- Cracks in walls and mortar joints
- New cracks or enlarged cracks
- Water and smoke pushing through cracks in the building’s exterior walls
- Volume, color and smoke from the light weight structural support areas
- Your Experience !
Stay Safe!
Mike Terpak
Deputy Chief-Jersey City
