New methods of construction negatively impact firefighter safety under fire conditions. Studies point to the failure of lightweight engineered wood systems routinely used in floors and roofs of new homes. (Read an NFPA Journal feature, "It’s not lightweight construction. It's what happens when lightweight construction meets fire."July/August 2009.) These structures are prone to catastrophic collapse as early as six minutes from the onset of fire. Passive protection of these assemblies will not solve the problem. 

Lightweight construction is not the only danger to firefighters. New homes often contain modern furnishings made of mainly synthetic materials which, in a fire, can create a highly toxic environment, greater fuel load, and faster fire propagation. Fire sprinklers provide added safety to firefighters, protecting structural stability and maintaining tenability by preventing flashover, allowing fire crews to conduct search and rescue operations and perform an offensive fire attack.

FREE PRESENTATION
The dangers of lightweight construction
NFPA has created a Powerpoint® presentation that you can use to help educate your community's decision-makers and the public about the dangers of lightweight construction materials under fire conditions. The presentation, "The Threats of Lightweight Construction and Modern Furnishings to Firefighters", features the stories of two incidents in which firefighters were killed or seriously injured in homes built according to the lightweight construction model. It also includes data that shows that home fire sprinklers lessen the dangers posed by lightweight construction.

• For a free copy of this presentation, please e-mail NFPA's Maria Figueroa. 
• Click the "Next Slide" button below to watch this presentation online.: 

Firefighter fatalities in residential structures

Following are "death in the line of duty" reports from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) that detail fire fire fatalities at residential structures.

• South Carolina (January 17, 2002): Career Fire Fighter Dies After Single-Family-Residence House Fire
• Ohio (February 28, 2002): Career Fire Fighter Dies After Falling Through the Floor Fighting a Structure Fire at a Local Residence
• New York (January 15, 2003): First-Floor Collapse During Residential Basement Fire Claims the Life of Two Fire Fighters (Career and Volunteer) and Injures a Career Fire Fighter Captain
• Wisconsin (July 20, 2007): Career Engineer Dies and Fire Fighter Injured After Falling Through Floor While Conducting a Primary Search at a Residential Structure Fire
• Indiana (September 27, 2007): Volunteer Deputy Fire Chief Dies after Falling Through Floor Hole in Residential Structure during Fire Attack
• Tennessee (November 16, 2007): Volunteer Fire Fighter Dies After Falling Through Floor Supported by Engineered Wooden-I Beams at Residential Structure Fire