New rules for home builders alert firefighters about risks

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - As flames spread through a Manlius apartment building in August, firefighters surrounding Carriage House East were cautioned to watch out for a potential roof collapse.

"Unfortunately with trusses, they are safe for construction, but they are unsafe under heat and fire. They deteriorate very rapidly and that causes collapse," explained Ken Pienkowski of the Firemens Association of the State of New York (FASNY).

Pienkowski sayscommanderswho knowwhat type of construction they're dealing with can alert crews to attack the fire from the exterior of the building, avoiding a potentially deadly scenario.

Put to the test in a lab by the Fire Science program at Dutchess Community College, trusses presented a serious dilemma. Instructor Dave Walsh says trusses are common in construction because they are lightweight, easy to install, affordable, and they can span long distances without support columns in the middle.

But, the Metal gusset plates that hold the frame together expand with heat. When one pops out of the place, it creates a domino effect.

"It stays very stable right up until the split second when it turns around and collapses. So it collapses without warning. There is no indicator, so it puts firefighters at big risk because they have no warning signs that something bad is about to happen," Walsh explained.

Once there is a collapse, there may be entrapment, increasing the risk of death for firefighters. FASNY pushed for better notification about construction methods. State lawmakers agreed. Governor Cuomo signed legislation in August.

Effective January 1, 2015, when truss type, pre-engineered wood or timber construction is used in new construction or renovations it must be indicated on a building permit application. Then, local governments need to inform first-responders.

Also, asign or symbolmust beattached to theexterior electrical box as a common, go-to source of informationfor responding crews.

For small departments with limited technology, Walsh worries that maintaining and accessing that information quickly may be a challenge. But, he calls the legislation a step in the right direction.

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New rules for home builders alert firefighters about risks