A Study of Fire Fighting Strategies for Metal Housing

• Main Authors: Chin-Lung,Chen, 陳錦龍
• Other Authors: Jen-Hao,Chi
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/05044990117910712467

碩士 === 吳鳳科技大學 === 消防研究所 === 103 === Because sheet metal buildings are easy to construct and are relatively low cost, they have been widely used in Taiwan. However, these types of buildings are severely lacking in durability and fire prevention ability. Thus, the occurrence of fires is often caused by the high fire loading of the building interior. These fires can burn especially hot and exceed the heat rating of steel structural support within a short period of time and cause buildings to rapidly collapse. This not only shortens the time for personnel to seek safety, but has also caused heavy casualties to firefighting personnel. Collection and analysis of relevant literature and fire examples were used in this study to establish a fire fighting and operation mechanism for sheet metal buildings. Metallurgical analysis equipment was used to conduct fire disaster experiment at six different fire temperatures. The metallurgical external microstructure and internal structural defects of metals that are naturally cooled and water cooled were also obtained in the experiment. Systematic compilation and analysis showed that the primary reason for sheet metal building collapse in a fire was major deformation of the “rod structure” in the metal structural support. This deformation shifts the entire structural center and cause uneven stress on the bolts of the structural joints. When these highly heated bolts are quenched by water (from a fire hose), their toughness can decrease drastically. Once the bolts’ toughness drops below the stress level, the bolts can snap off, causing increased stress on other bolts at the joints. A domino effect then occurs, which can result in the rupture of joints and roof collapse. We recommend that firefighters follow related SOP and safety principles when they encounter a sheet metal building fire and elaborate on recommendations for fighting a sheet metal building fire. Furthermore, firefighters should be careful where they aim their water jet, especially around structural joints. This can prevent rapid cooling (quenching) of bolts and adverse effects on structural stability.